Best Things to Do in Victoria, BC: A Personal and Practical Guide

Victoria, British Columbia, always feels like a reunion for me. The first time I visited was the same day astronauts walked on the moon. I was just 8 years old, and it was my first trip outside the United States. I remember the Butchart Gardens from that stay, and I remember my mother wanted to have tea at the Empress Hotel, but I am not sure she ever did.

Returning decades later on a press trip with Destination Greater Victoria reminded me why this harbor city still holds such charm. From kayaking and coastal hikes to museums and whale watching, here’s how to experience the best of Victoria, BC.

If you are looking for the best way to eat your way through Victoria, check out Best Restaurants in Victoria, British Columbia.

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Cultural & Historical Experiences

Discover the Past Walking Tour – Chinatown Walk

Address: 1689 Government Street, Victoria, BC
Website: discoverthepast.com
Hours: Tours typically start at 10:30 AM (arrive 15 minutes early)

When you stand in front of the Gate of Harmonious Interest (built in 1981), you are not at the entrance to Chinatown. Chinatown is all around you. Red lamp posts, extending far beyond the gate, mark the historic boundaries of a once-larger Chinatown which used to house 1/4 of the city’s population.

I joined Chris Adams from Discover the Past for a tour of Victoria’s Chinatown, the second-oldest in North America. Chris grew up in this very neighborhood, and that intimacy came through as he narrated stories of immigration, gold rush dreams, and cultural resilience.

The growth of Victoria’s Chinatown is closely tied to the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush of 1858, when thousands of prospectors, including many Chinese immigrants, passed through the city on their way to the goldfields in mainland British Columbia. Although the gold was not in Victoria, the town became a key transit and supply hub, transforming it into a bustling port.

One unforgettable moment was climbing into a private temple atop a building near the alley, home to the only Tam Kung Temple outside Asia. The red pillars, golden embroidery, and incense offerings transported me to another era. Chris explained this wasn’t Buddhism or Taoism, but traditional Chinese folk religion, where worship is individual and community-based, without clergy or regular services. The original statue of Tam Kung was brought to Victoria by a Hakka miner during the gold rush.

We ducked into Fan Tan Alley, once the narrow heart of Chinatown’s gambling scene, where Chris pointed out the old map of Victoria that marks places associated with the opium trade. Opium was legal, but gambling was not. Fan tan is a simple gambling game that could be played with everyday objects like a tea cup and the coins from your change at lunch.

Read my detailed review, Exploring Victoria BC’s Chinatown: A Walk Through History, Culture, and Unexpected Discoveries.

Royal BC Museum

Address: 675 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1A1
Website: royalbcmuseum.bc.ca
Hours: Typically open 10 AM – 5 PM daily

This isn’t just a museum; it’s a time machine. The Old Town exhibit, for instance, lets you walk Victoria’s gas-lit streets from the turn of the century. You can hear a train whistle, peek into a blacksmith’s shop, or step into a 1912 photo studio inspired by Shimao Hikita, a real Japanese-Canadian photographer from Cumberland. That exhibit was poignant, especially knowing how Japanese Canadians were later relocated during WWII.

One of the staff explained how this exhibit was co-created with community partners, including the Cumberland Museum and the National Museum of Japanese History. A new interactive feature will soon let visitors take their own 1912-style “selfie” and project it into the gallery, helping them imagine themselves in that historical moment.

Another highlight was seeing Captain Vancouver’s ship, the Discovery, reconstructed. As you pass through it, the wood grows more weathered—a subtle but brilliant detail showing the journey from England to the Pacific. The exhibit’s attention to immersive detail stood out. A ship freshly painted when docked in England transitions into one showing wear, barnacles, and hard travel by the time it reaches the New World.

Outside the museum, I visited Thunderbird Park and the historic Helmcken House, one of the oldest colonial homes in British Columbia. Though not always open, these preserved buildings add important context to the museum’s collections.

Inside, the museum also brings nature to life, with recreated coastal tide pools and a towering forest canopy modeled after a real Vancouver Island ecosystem. One guide told me they measured and replicated actual trees and stumps from a real BC forest to build the display.

Outdoor & Nature Activities

Westshore Flavour Trails – Barns, Beaches & Beyond

Website: flavourtrails.com

This themed driving route west of Victoria celebrates Vancouver Island’s farm-to-fork bounty. The “Barns, Beaches & Beyond” segment takes you through a rural patchwork of cideries, farms, nature preserves, and roadside stands. I spent an afternoon here, starting with a scenic hike in East Sooke Regional Park (below), followed by a hearty rice bowl at the Hide N Seek food truck, before reaching Woodside Farm (below).

East Sooke Regional Park – Aylard Farm

Address: 1 Becher Bay Road, Sooke, BC V9Z 1B7
Website: www.crd.ca/parks-recreation/find-park-or-trail/east-sooke-regional-park
Hours: Day-use park; open sunrise to sunset

One of my favorite hikes of the week was at East Sooke Regional Park. The Aylard Farm entrance leads through a quiet meadow before descending toward a rugged coastline. The Olympic Peninsula loomed across the water, and I stood alone above the rocky beach, wind on my face, thinking this might just rival the Butchart Gardens for most beautiful spot in Victoria.

Trails vary from easy loops to the demanding Coast Trail. Even if you’re short on time, the short walk from the parking lot to the beach is worth it. Bring a picnic, a camera, and maybe your binoculars—you might spot otters or bald eagles.

Woodside Farm

Address: 7149 West Coast Road, Sooke, BC V9Z 0S1
Website: woodside.farm
Hours: Farmstand open 24/7 (honor system)

Established in 1851, Woodside Farm has weathered generations of change, and yet, the apples still grow, the hens still lay, and the honor box still works. I visited in May, before the harvest season, so it may have been quieter than usual. In fall, it’d be the perfect spot to grab fresh produce and homemade preserves.

There’s also an orchard maze, gardens, and a boat that has become a play structure. Come here for quiet moments and a glimpse of Vancouver Island’s working heritage.

Songhees Walkway

Address: Songhees Walkway, Victoria, BC
Hours: Open daily; public walkway

This 3.5-kilometer paved trail is one of the best places to appreciate Victoria’s coastal setting. The name comes from one of the original First Nations tribes that lived on this land. The Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations lived in the area and were both part of the larger Lekwungen-speaking nations in the vicinity.

I walked it early one morning, following the harbor as floatplanes skimmed the water and harbor ferries that looked like toy boats zipped past. Between the buildings, you can get glimpses of the Olympic mountain range to the south.

I walked all the way from my hotel at Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort to the West Harbor, which is a collection of boats and houseboats. The trail is a mix of paved paths, bridges, and boardwalks, and it is popular with walkers and joggers.

Ocean River Adventures – Kayaking

Address: 450 Swift Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1S2
Website: oceanriver.com
Hours: Tours typically begin around 1:30 PM

Kayaking with Ocean River Adventures gave me one of the most intimate looks at Victoria’s working harbor and inner waterways. The experience began at their dock just below the “Blue Bridge” (actually white now, but still affectionately called blue by locals). After a brief orientation and safety talk, my guide Bernard and I slipped into a double kayak and pushed off into the upper harbor.

This part of the city feels different from the postcard shots of the Empress Hotel and Legislature. Here, the water narrows and bends, with floating homes, tucked-away docks, a cement factory, cute houses, and swimming areas coexisting along the shoreline.

Our guide pointed out harbor seals lazing in the sun and a pair of river otters eating nearby.

We followed the Gorge Waterway upstream toward a narrow point known for its tidal rapids. As the tide floods in or out, water is forced through the constriction, creating a rush of whitewater. While the current was too strong to paddle through for a beginner like me, we watched some expert kayakers practice their skills.

We then kayaked into the main harbor, staying to the side along the shore and out of the seaplane runway.

Malahat SkyWalk

Address: 901 Trans-Canada Hwy, Malahat, BC V0R 2L0
Website: malahatskywalk.com
Hours: Open daily, 9 AM – 5 PM

Just 35 minutes north of Victoria, the Malahat SkyWalk offers an immersive treetop experience that combines accessibility, adventure, and breathtaking scenery. This architectural marvel invites visitors of all ages and abilities to explore Vancouver Island’s natural beauty from new heights.

The journey begins with an elevated boardwalk that meanders through a lush arbutus and Douglas fir forest. Along the way, guests encounter interpretive signs and driftwood sculptures crafted by local artist Tanya Bub, depicting native wildlife like herons and cougars. This gentle ascent leads to the base of the spiral tower, a 10-story structure.

Ascending the spiral ramp, visitors gradually reach a viewing platform 250 meters above sea level. From this vantage point, panoramic views stretch across Finlayson Arm, the Saanich Peninsula, and, on clear days, even Mount Baker in Washington State. For those seeking an extra thrill, the Adventure Net—a sturdy mesh suspended over the tower’s center—offers a unique perspective of the forest floor below. Oh, hell no.

The descent can be as exhilarating as the climb, thanks to a 20-meter spiral slide that winds through the tower’s core. Open to visitors aged five and up, the slide provides a fun and speedy return to ground level. Alternatively, guests can opt to walk back down the ramp, but… take the slide.

Beyond the main attractions, the Malahat SkyWalk features amenities designed for comfort and convenience. The Welcome Centre houses a gift shop with locally made souvenirs, while outdoor spaces like the Gathering Place and Tower Plaza offer spots to relax and enjoy refreshments. Food vendors provide various options, from coffee and churros to smash burgers and sweet treats.

You can retrace your steps on the canopy walk or, like I did, take a lower trail back to the main gate.

There are two skywalks like this in Canada, the second in Ontario. There are seven in Europe, including one I visited previously in South Bohemia in Czeckia. I feel like every scenic spot should have one, as the experience is great.

Eagle Wing Whale Watching Tours

Address: 12 Erie Street, Victoria, BC V8V 4X5
Website: eaglewingtours.com
Hours: Tours generally run from 1:30 PM to 5 PM

The Butchart Gardens

Address: 800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay, BC V8M 1J8
Website: butchartgardens.com
Hours: Open daily; hours vary by season

Visiting Butchart Gardens again after all these years made me smile. I’d walked these paths as a kid in 1969 and again after Expo 86. Though I remember the gardens from my first visit, every season you visit the garden will be different. I was there in May when the tulips had just peaked, but the roses were not yet in bloom. Fall would mean fall colors.

The Sunken Garden, the most iconic area of the property, was once a limestone quarry used in the Butcharts’ cement business. What’s now a lush floral amphitheater was originally an industrial scar. Jennie Butchart—wife of industrialist Robert Butchart—oversaw its transformation starting in the early 1900s, hauling in topsoil by horse and cart. Today, it’s a living work of art, with seasonal plantings that shift the garden’s mood from one month to the next.

I also wandered through the Japanese Garden, the oldest section of the gardens, created in 1906 as a waterfront entryway to the Butchart home. Designed by master landscape architect Isaburo Kishida, with shaded paths, reflecting pools, and bridges, and a torii gate guiding you through. Other highlights include the formal Italian Garden—planted where the family’s tennis court once stood—and the Rose Garden, which comes into its full glory in summer.

Of course, there’s more than just flowers. The gardens include a carousel with hand-carved animals, introduced in 2009. My favorite was the dog figure named Winston, forever chasing a cat—a playful tribute to the Butcharts’ real-life pets.

Seasonal programming rounds out the experience: summer concerts on the lawn, fireworks displays on warm nights, and a holiday lights festival in winter. Whatever the season, Butchart Gardens is more than a pretty backdrop.

Cycle Victoria with Cycle BC

Address: 685 Humboldt Street, Victoria, BC V8W 2B4
Website: https://cyclebc.ca/victoria
Hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Cycling through Victoria, British Columbia, offers an exceptional way to explore the city’s charm and natural beauty. With its extensive network of bike-friendly paths and scenic routes, the city caters to both casual riders and cycling enthusiasts. One of the highlights is the Galloping Goose Trail, a former railway line transformed into a multi-use path that stretches over 55 kilometers, connecting Victoria to surrounding communities. This trail provides a safe and picturesque route through urban settings, forests, and waterfronts, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

For those looking to rent bicycles, Cycle BC Rentals & Tours is a reputable option in downtown Victoria. They offer a wide selection of bikes, including city, electric, motorbikes, and scooters.

I borrowed one of their bikes and cycled down to the colorful Fisherman’s Wharf and, from there, further along the city’s southern coast.

Conclusion

I was in Victoria for 6 nights and I did not run out of things to do in this lovely city.

Also, check out the podcast Travel to Victoria, British Columbia – Amateur Traveler Episode 945

Destination Greater Victoria sponsored this trip, which was supported by many local partners. Thanks for hosting a wonderful return to my first international destination.