Travelodge Victoria Hotel, Victoria Guide – Victoria BC

Victoria, British Columbia

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Overview

Victoria, also known as the “City of Gardens”, is situated on the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. It is western Canada’s oldest city established as a fort in 1843, and is the capital city of the province. Visit Victoria and you will experience British ancestry with double-decker buses, horse-drawn carriages, formal gardens and tea rooms. The city is bordered by ocean on three sides and has several elevated viewpoints where visitors can take in the spectacular sights.

Victoria boasts the most temperate climate in Canada with world famous gardens that bloom all year long. The diverse culture of the city is reflected by the buskers and street performers, the Victoria Symphony and the vast selection of traditional First Nations artwork. Using the freshest local ingredients and flavours that reflect the wild Pacific Northwest, Victoria restaurants offer a variety of culinary experiences.

Things to See and Do

Parliament Buildings of BC:

Overlooking Victoria's majestic Inner Harbour, the Parliament Buildings are open to the public year-round. Visitors are invited to discover the architectural magnificence of the structures and learn about British Columbia's Legislative Assembly. Visitors are also welcome to join one of the regularly-scheduled guided tours or explore the buildings on their own. Guided tours are free and last approximately 30 to 45 minutes and are offered frequently throughout the day. The Legislative Gift Shop and the Legislative Dining Room are open to the public year round. During the night time hours, the BC Parliament Buildings light up the skyline with over 3,300 light bulbs casting a magical spell over the beautiful city.

The Butchart Gardens:

Now a designated National Historic Site, these breathtaking gardens have been enticing visitors to Victoria since the early 1900s. Countless tulips, daffodils and hyacinths offer spring splendour, with the glorious rose garden bursting into bloom in the summer. Perennial borders begin their dazzling show in late summer, and the Japanese maples turn to russet, gold, and red in the fall. Music under the Stars, Night Illuminations, and Saturday Fireworks are entertainment highlights in July and August. Christmas is a magical wonderland, with tens of thousands of coloured lights lining the walkways and a new outdoor ice skating rink.

Royal British Columbia Museum:

British Columbia’s past, present and future are alive at the Royal British Columbia Museum established in 1886. Through unique galleries, the Museum showcases exhibits from other countries and cultures and the human and natural history of British Columbia. Seven million artifacts and specimens are displayed in highly realistic three-dimensional settings. Walk through a rain forest or sit among carved totem poles at this popular Victoria attraction.

Craigdarroch Castle:

Craigdarroch was built by Robert Dunsmuir, a Scottish immigrant who made his fortune from Vancouver Island coal. The 1890’s mansion was built on a hill over looking the city of Victoria. The immense fortune of the Dunsmuir family is revealed in the four floors of beautiful stained glass windows, intricate woodwork and wonderful Victorian era furnishings. See the spectacular oak staircase and climb 87 steps to the Tower for the best views of Victoria. With over 6000 metres of interior space, the castle is a stunning example of the finest architecture, materials and craftsmanship available in the 19th Century.

Pacific Undersea Gardens:

Descend five metres (15ft) into a world where the “City of Gardens” extends beneath the water and is home to over 5,000 animals of different species. Through the many viewing windows, visitors will see Spiny Rock Cod and brilliant Red Snapper swim through the kelp forest, and schools of Pacific Salmon swimming among the ruins of a sunken ship. Wolf Eels, white and crimson anemones and a giant Pacific Octopus can also be seen in this unique and magical underwater theatre.

Transportation

Victoria is truly a walking city and the picturesque Inner Harbour and downtown core are best explored on foot. Victoria has an excellent public transit system that runs frequently and is conveniently equipped with bicycle racks. The city also offers pedi-cabs and motor coaches as alternatives for getting around the city. Hop on one of the passenger ferries and discover Victoria's waterfront. Harbour Air offers scheduled daily flights between Victoria, Vancouver and the Gulf Islands. BC Ferries is the most popular means of getting on and off the island.

Travel Tips

When visiting Victoria bring comfortable walking shoes, as hotels, restaurants, shops and parks are all within close proximity. Year round, it is ideal to dress in layers as the weather, though temperate, can be unpredictable. If travelling in the spring, winter or fall, be sure to pack waterproof footwear and an umbrella. Summer is a time for festivals, and in late June musicians perform during Jazz Fest International. The Inner Harbour becomes an outdoor concert venue in early August for Symphony Splash, when the Victoria Symphony plays a free concert from a moored barge. The Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival also takes place in August.