Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province, near the southern tip of Vancouver Island. The city has a perfect combination of old and new Canada. This small port city is known for its classical British architecture, preserved Chinatown, and indigenous First Nations culture. The natural beauty is simply breathtaking a short distance away from the town. It is the largest urban area on the island. Moreover, Victoria has been described as a "garden city" because of its mild winter climate and many parks and green spaces. Its architecture, gardens, museums, urban squares, place names, and English-style pubs represent its British heritage.
Located on Vancouver Island, the capital city of British Columbia is home to spectacular mountain and ocean views, making it the most picturesque town in Canada. Victoria shows off its colorful gardens, lovely harbor, magnificent architecture, and rich British heritage through its horse-drawn carriages, tearooms, and double-decker buses. In addition to being a center of culture, art, and food internationally, the city is also known for its rich food scene. These top five things to do in Victoria will help you get started.
In Victoria, the Inner Harbour is one of the most popular tourist areas. Pedestrian streets surround the harbor itself, with street vendors, buskers, various fishing boats, and colorful floating homes. Enjoy a cup of tea at a cafe or restaurant lined with sidewalks as you watch the whales playing in the open water. In addition to the Royal British Columbia Museum and Parliament Buildings, the Inner Harbour is home to Victoria's most popular attractions. This is where you're likely to start your journey if you're traveling by boat or ferry.
Parliament Buildings in British Columbia overlook Victoria's picturesque Inner Harbor and are undoubtedly quite impressive. Photographers enjoy them as one of Victoria, BC's most popular attractions. With a mixture of Baroque and Romanesque details, the exterior was designed by Francis Rattenbury. The expansive front lawn of the house is marked by a statue of Queen Victoria (on a sunny day, people like to relax there). Captain George Vancouver's golden statue crowns the central dome.
There are nearly 1,000 acres of breathtaking natural beauty in Goldstream Provincial Park, about 11 miles from the Inner Harbour. You can see salmon migration in this public wildlife area from late fall to early winter if you spend time by the Goldstream River. Chum, Coho, and Chinook salmon leap to their ancestral spawning grounds between October and December. You can see the highway quite clearly from ark's trails. Check out Goldstream Nature House first before making your way to the river. Education programs are offered on the annual salmon migration and other activities. Recent travelers say that a trip to Vancouver Island in the winter or any additional time is made even more special by the massive cedar trees, abandoned gold mines, and rumbling waterfalls. As for appropriate clothing and shoes, reviewers said to plan on trekking to Mount Finlayson (the highest point in Greater Victoria). Take a picnic break when you're ready.
Also, Read: Top 5 Things to Eat in Victoria, B.C.
Head to Craigdarroch Castle, a National Historic Site, about a mile east of the Inner Harbour if you wish to experience Victorian opulence. Coal tycoon Robert Dunsmuir built this magnificent residence in the late 1800s. While more of a mansion than a castle, this mansion has 39 rooms, each decorated with furniture dating from the turn of the 20th century. The more than 30 stunning stained-glass windows, mostly with floral themes, are another highlight. The Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria offers spectacular views of the city even if you aren't a huge history buff. One downside among reviewers: In addition to not having ramps or elevators, the house has three floors with no access for people with mobility problems.
It is worth visiting the garden, even though it is a short drive from downtown Victoria. As you can see, the seasons change, you can visit several times a year. The gardens are lovely year-round, with a skating rink outdoors and a spectacular display of holiday lights around Christmas. Butchart, was the wife of a wealthy quarry owner who started the garden in 1904. During the 19th century, the abandoned limestone quarry was transformed into a fragrant garden. Growing to become the largest horticultural show in Canada, the gardens have flourished, not least due to the mild climate. There are various beautiful gardens there, including the Italian garden, the rose garden, the Japanese garden, and the sunken garden. Various artistic and musical performances take place in the open spaces among the pools, fountains, and exotic plants. Highway 17A north will bring you to Brentwood Bay at the Saanich Peninsula, 22 kilometers from Butchart Gardens.
Victoria and Vancouver Island are at their best from March to May and September to November. It is one of the country's mildest regions and has the driest summers, so plan on pleasant temperatures in the spring and fall, even though it might drizzle for a short while. Numerous festivals are held throughout Vancouver Island and in Victoria during the summer, making it the most popular time to visit. Winter travelers also flock to this area because it's near Canada's premier ski resort, Whistler. Visit during April or October for the best chance of seeing whales.
