Things To Do in Victoria & Victoria Airport Layover Ideas
Things to do in Victoria if you have a Victoria Airport Layover or Extended Victoria Airport Stopover
Have Tea at the Empress
Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel is quintessentially Victoria. The afternoon tea ritual begins at noon, and goes on all afternoon. "Tea" includes fine teas, fruit with cream, and elegant petite sandwiches (it's a full meal!). The price changes with the season, between about CAD 38-50, depending on the season (summer is peak season). An alternate version, the West Coast Tea, is designed for cruise ship visitors: the cost is about CAD 42, and is served Thursday-Saturday from 19:00 (summer only). Reservations are required, and should be made 1-2 weeks in advance. Dress-code is "smart casual": dresses and ties not required, but avoid tank tops and flip-flops.
Visit Butchart Gardens
The world famous Butchart Gardens is a spectacular collection of botanical display gardens in Brentwood Bay, near Victoria. Now a National Historic Site of Canada, still privately owned by descendants of the garden's originators, Butchart Gardens offers 55 acres of beautiful gardens, open year round. Entertainment is part of the experience during the Summer Season (July and August) and the Winter Holiday Season. Expect a wide range of local entertainment, from Jazz to classical music. In the summer, you might even find The Weeds, a band made up of staff members from The Gardens, playing a concert. Fireworks, accompanied by show tunes, are a popular feature on summer Saturday evenings. During the Winter, lights and seasonal decorations adorn the gardens along with an ice-skating rink in the Waterwheel Square.
Tour the Parliament Buildings
The British Columbia Parliament Buildings are the home of British Columbia's Legislative Assembly. The Neo-baroque buildings, designed by architect, Francis Rattenbury, face north on Belleville street facing the Inner Harbour and diagonally across from The Empress Hotel. A statue of Queen Victoria stands on the front lawn as well a statue of a soldier to commemorate the province's World War I, World War II and Korean War dead. Atop the central dome is a gold-covered statue of Captain George Vancouver. Free guided tours of the facility are offered year-round.
See Craigdarroch Castle
Craigdarroch Castle was built in 1890 by a wealthy and powerful Scottish family who, at that time, owned a quarter of Vancouver Island. The site offers great castle architecture, right in the city. Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum is located at 1050 Joan Crescent, in the Rockland area of Victoria, the Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum is about 25 minutes' walk from the downtown core, or else take buses 11 or 14 up Fort St.
Visit the Royal British Columbia Museum
The Royal British Columbia Museum tells British Columbia's story. It has amazing exhibits, especially for the period between 1850 to 1920. There are permanent exhibitions covering modern history, the story of the European settlement, First Peoples, natural history, oceans, large animals and climate, all explained with phenomenal immersive exhibits. The museum is easily worth half a day. Sometimes there are world-class special exhibitions (not included in regular admission). There is also an IMAX Theatre onsite (tickets are not included with regular museum admission but discounted combo tickets are available). The Royal British Columbia Museum is located in the Inner Harbour area at 675 Bellville Street, between the Legislature and the Empress hotel. Open daily.
Emily Carr House
Emily Carr is one of Canada's greatest and most loved artists. Learn about her story, writings and art by visiting Emily Carr House, her childhood home. Now a National Historic of Canada, Emily Carr House is an interpretive centre for Carr's art, writings and life. Emily Carr House is located at 207 Government Street - follow the pavement of what was once Carr Street, named after Richard Carr, Emily's father. Carr House is just six blocks from Victoria's Inner Harbour and the beautiful Parliament Buildings designed by architect, Francis Rattenbury. It is the starting off point for anyone interested in learning more about this remarkable Canadian icon. In addition to the heritage rooms and artifacts on exhibit in the museum; Carr House is surrounded by a charming Victorian styled garden. Emily Carr House is also within walking distance of Beacon Hill Park, also worth a visit.
Tip: Keep an eye open for the "Our Emily" statue of Emily Carr on the grounds of the Fairmont Empress Hotel, on the corner of Government Street and Belleville Street, across from the Royal British Columbia Museum. The monument features a seated Emily Carr with her sketchpad. Emily's Japanese monkey 'Woo' perches on her shoulder and her dog 'Billie' stands nearby.
Stroll Canada's Oldest Chinatown
The Chinatown in Victoria is the oldest in Canada, and second in age only to San Francisco's in North America, with its beginnings in the mass influx of miners from California to what is now British Columbia in 1858. Its history goes back to the mid nineteenth century, and it remains an active place for Chinese-Canadians, Victoria residents and tourists. This vibrant section of Fisgard Street is decorated with Chinese ornaments, and is graced by the Gates of Harmonious Interest. There are some great Chinese restaurants, Chinese fruit and vegetable stores, bubble tea and coffee shops and Canada's smallest 'road', the historical Fan Tan Alley. The area is an easy walk from the inner harbour on Fisgard Street, between Store Street and Government Street.
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