Any recommendations for Victoria?

[thepiranha]

We're heading up to Victoria, B.C. at the end of the month. Does anybody have any recommendations for attractions, restaurants, etc.? We've been to Butchart Gardens and plan to go back on this trip. We'll also probably go to afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[thepiranha]

So nobody's been to Victoria?

[shygirl724]

thepiranha~

I have been remiss in not getting my info together and answering your post. I have been busy retiring this past Friday (hubby did too). I have lots of suggestions. I will try to get them posted by tomorrow afternoon.

Shy ~

[shygirl724]

OK - I know this is a long list, but hopefully there is something on it that is of interest. I am sure others will have additional things they have done in Victoria. No matter how many times we visit, we always find more to do. Enjoy your trip!

Shy ~

(ok - I just tried posting all of this and I got an error saying it was way too long. I'll split it up into more than one posting to get it all in.)

ANSWER #1:
Getting to Victoria:
Part of the fun of going to Victoria is just getting there. Here are a couple of enjoyable options –

Go by boat……
http://www.ferrytravel.com/map.htm
This map will show you the various water routes to get to Victoria. You can take a passenger only boat up. The Clipper out of Seattle is the fastest overall time if you are going to use local transportation or rent a car once there. The Victoria Express is another quick way if you drive first to Port Angeles. Otherwise, you will need to take one of the car ferries.

Victoria Clipper

http://www.clippervacations.com/
Seattle Pier: 2701 Alaskan Way, Pier 69, Seattle WA 98121
Seattle to Victoria (Inner Harbor) via Pier 69 3 hrs

Victoria Express

http://www.victoriaexpress.com/
Leaves out of Port Angeles, WA. 55 minutes. Foot passengers only. Discounts for US and Canadian military.

Or take a ferry…..
It depends on how you want to get to Victoria as to which ferry to take. Take advantage of their reservation systems. It will save having to go to the dock early to wait in line and guarantees a spot on the boat.

Coho Ferry
http://www.cohoferry.com
From Port Angeles to Victoria (Inner Harbor) 2 hrs 10 minutes

Washington Ferry

Anacortes to Swartz Bay (Sidney) 2 hrs 5 minutes
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries

If you drive north to Vancouver to take the ferry over, don’t miss the beautiful scenic
Chuckanut Drive – 21 miles along the beautiful coastline. Take a look at the picture on this site and you will get an idea why it is listed among the most scenic drives in the country. http://chuckanutdrive.com

[shygirl724]

ANSWER PAR #2: Enjoy!

Shopping

Shopping is always high on my travel list. Victoria has lots of quaint shops to explore, easily found by just wandering around on foot. Antiquing is another fun activity. Here is a list of the antique shops in the area: http://www.islandnet.com/~victourism/mall/antique.htm

High Tea:
You already know about “high tea’ at the Empress Hotel. Lovely setting and presentation. If you want to try high tea at another place, remember that several locations in the area offer this experience in a more casual atmosphere. One that is recommended by the locals is…..

White Heather Tea Room

http://vancouverisland.kulshan.com/British_Columbia/Vancouver_Island/Capital_Area/Victoria/Restaurants/White_Heather_Tea_Room.htm

Cultural Events

Ballet:
Ballet Victoria - http://balletvictoria.ca/
Canadian Pacific Ballet - http://www.canadianpacificballet.org/
Pacific Opera Victoria - http://www.pov.bc.ca/

Live Theater:
Belfry Theater - http://www.belfry.bc.ca/
Langham Court Theater - http://www.langhamcourttheatre.bc.ca/

Sightseeing

Some of these suggestions are right in Victoria, and others are within driving distance, in case you have been to Victoria and gone to all the major tourist sites.

To get an overview of Victoria, there are a few different ways to take a look around.
The Harbor Ferry is a fun way to tour around on a little boat, hopping on and off at different locations. http://www.victoriaharbourferry.com , Another is to take a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride around the downtown area. There are a couple of different companies offering the experience. You will see them in the area. Just hop aboard! There are also the big bus hop on / hop off tours - http://www.bigbusvictoria.ca/#myGallery1-picture(6).

Royal BC Museum & Imax Theater
http://www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/MainSite/default.aspx

Maritime Museum - http://www.recreationvictoria.com/maritimemarinemuseum/index.htm

Pacific Undersea Gardens in the Inner Harbor - http://www.pacificunderseagardens.com

Old Chinatown Tour
http://www.oldchinatown.com/index.php?pageid=10

Inner Harbor dinner cruise
http://www.orcaspirit.com/whale-watching-tours

Beer Tours (NOTE: winery tours are listed below in their own section).
This site gives several microbrew locations and tours. Scroll to the bottom of the page.
http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowTour.asp?TourID=91

There are two castles in the Victoria area. I have enjoyed going to both.
Craigdarroch Castle
1050 Joan Crescent, Victoria BC
Self guided tours 9am – 7:30pm $11.75
http://www.craigdarrochcastle.com

Hatley Castle
2005 Sooke Road, Colwood BC
2 hrs (1 hr guided tour castle, 1 hour self guided garden)
$18 each Opens 10am, first tour 1030am
http://www.hatleycastle.com/index.html

Butterfly Gardens
http://www.butterflygardens.com/
This is an enjoyable place to visit. They have an event this coming October 3rd called “Butterflies and Pumpkins”.

Victoria Bug Zoo - http://www.bugzoo.bc.ca/

Butchart Gardens
http://www.butchartgardens.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
I know you are aware of this one, but I thought I would include it for others who may be reading this post. We have been to the gardens several times. Last visit I wanted to try something different. We purchased the dinner / evening lights package ticket there. What a treat. Wonderful dinner, followed by a concert in the park. Then the night time lights come on and you can view the gardens lit up. It is a very different visit compared to a daytime viewing of the gardens. Highly recommend it.

[shygirl724]

ANSWER PART #3: more things to see and do - Shy ~

SIGHTSEEING (CONTINUED):
Ocean Kayaking – you can rent kayaks to go on your own or go on a tour. http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/SightsActivitiesEvents/WaterActivities/Kayaking(Ocean)/Victoria.htm

Adrena Line Zipline Tours
5128 Sooke Road, Sooke BC
2 hrs $75 each
http://www.adrenalinezip.com/
We took this tour and had a GREAT time. It is very well done

Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse Historic Sites
Open year round. 1 – 2 hours suggested time $3.90 adults, $1.95 children
Hatley Castle to Fort Rodd 1.99 miles 5 minutes
http://www.fortroddhill.com/
http://www.parkscanada.ca/fortroddhill
http://www.vancouverisland.travel/art/attractions/119
Fort Rodd Hill’s extensive century-old fortifications include three gun batteries, barracks and searchlight emplacements. Fisgard Lighthouse, built in 1860, is Canada’s oldest west coast lighthouse. Video programs, modern exhibits and displays of original artifacts tell the sites’ long and colourful history.

BC Forest Discovery Center
2892 Drinkwater Road, Duncan BC
Open 10am – 5pm $14
http://www.bcforestmuseum.com/
We spent several hours at this site. They have a little antique train that runs through the property that is fun to take. It was an interesting place to visit.

Chemainas Murals
28 murals painted on the sides of buildings in town. Walking tour.
http://www.northcowichan.bc.ca/siteengine/activepage.asp?Pageid=362

Horne Lake Cavin
http://www.hornelake.com/scShedule.htm

Petroglyph Provincial Park
Nanaimo, BC
http://www.vancouverisland.com/parks/?id=450

Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/sooke_potholes/

Alpaca Farms
Cobble Hills, BC
http://www.alpacafarmbc.com/
If you drive to Cobble Hills, you might also want to visit their Sunday farmers market (9am – 2pm)

Quw’utsun’ Cultural Center
http://www.quwutsun.ca/index.htm
The Centre offers all guests an authentic First Nations Experience - Interpretive Tours, Traditional Art Work in our gallery and Native cuisine in the Riverwalk Cafe.

Destiny River Adventures
white water rafting http://www.bcadventure.com/destinyriver/

[shygirl724]

ANSWER PART #4 - last one! Shy ~


Wineries:
There are several wineries you can tour / visit their tasting room in the Victoria area. We went up a couple of years ago and took a self-guided tour of the local wineries. I picked up a tour map of the 17 wineries and we just followed it along. It was very easy, as the wineries were all identified by name and corresponding map number by signs along the roadway. I can’t find my copy of this map to upload, but just look for it as you get off the ferry in the brochure racks. That is where I found mine. Don’t be too concerned about paying duty on your wine when you return. We have brought back several cases and have never been charged by US Customs. Even if we were to be charged, the amount you pay is not that high. Below are a couple of local wineries -

Blue Gouse Vineyards
http://www.bluegrousevineyards.com/index.html

Starling Lane Winery
Victoria, BC
http://www.starlinglanewinery.com

Tugwell Creek Meadery
Sooke, BC
http://www.tugwellcreekfarm.com/visit.htm

Cowichan Valley Wineries
This map shows the Winery locations and names, with links to each winery’s information.
http://www.vancouverisland.com/Maps/?id=83

Whale Watching

There are a several companies in the Victoria area offering these tours and it is a popular activity. Each differs by levels of adventure and types of boats (covered vs. open, etc.). Here are a few of them.

Five Star Charters - http://www.5starwhales.com/

Orca Spirit Adventures
They offer this type of tour in either a covered boat or, for the more adventurous, on a Zodiac boat. This company also offers dinner cruises of the Victoria Inner Harbor, as well as fishing trips .http://www.orcaspirit.com/whale-watching-tours

Eagle Wing Tours - http://www.eaglewingtours.com/
They offer free shuttle service to their dock from accommodations in the city limits.

Springtide - http://springtidecharters.com/
This company also offers fishing tours.

Cuda Marine Adventures - http://www.whalewatchingadventure.com/

Wildcat Adventures - http://www.wildcat-adventures.com/

Fishing

There are fishing tours for both salt water and fresh water. Check here to find one that fits your needs. http://www.islandnet.com/~victourism/mall/fishy.htm

Horseback Riding

http://www.woodgatestables.com/
http://www.alpinestable.com/

[ngallag]

Oh wow, I missed this question. I posted somewhere else on the boards some recommendations about Victoria. I really enjoyed Brentwood Bay Lodge, which used to be an auction item on LL. It's a beautiful modern hotel with all the amenities and amazing food. Their bar was laid back and fun, with a great burger. I also really liked Butchart Gardens.

[thepiranha]

Wow, that's quite an extensive list, Shygirl! We took the Victoria Clipper up from Seattle and in Vancouver did the harbor ferry tour, kayaked in the harbor, and did a scenic walking tour. One day we took the city bus to University of Victoria and strolled through their gardens and to the beach. The weather was perfect, so we spent most of our time outside. We visited Butchart Gardens and the Royal Museum last time we were here, so decided to skip them this time. We're at the Willows Lodge in Woodinville now and I have lots of activities planned. I'll post more about both locations in my blog after I return.

[shygirl724]

I finally found an online copy of the Vancouver Island, BC (most within driving distance of Victoria) winery tour map. Each site has a numbered locator sign on the roadway, making it easy to follow. The wineries and tasting rooms vary in size, from the large, formal to the small homey type. It is a great way to spend the day.
http://www.grandwinetours.com/wineries_map.pdf

Shy ~