Ladies and Gentlemen
We’ve made some updates- That’s right folks, we have done some more digging and found even MORE fun stuff to do – entirely FREE! If you want to explore Vancouver Island and all it has to offer without breaking the bank, we’ve got you covered.
Craigdarroch Castle – Are you a Greater Victoria Library member? (Please say there are more bookworms out there than just me!) You can rent a free pass to Craigdarroch Castle just the same way you would rent a book! Borrow the pass for the week to allow 2 adults and 2 kids in to the Castle for free!
National Parks – In celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, Parks Canada is allowing free entry and free parking in all National Parks for 2017! All you have to do is register for your park pass, wait excitedly for it to arrive in the mail, and BAM! We highly suggest you start your National Parks-a-thon at Fort Rodd Hill.
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria – On the first Tuesday of every month, the AGGV offers entry by donation on a pay-what-you-can basis. Head on down and check out some of the beautiful exhibits by local artists.
DIY Ghost Tour – We’ve all seen them wandering around town in their top hats, with a gaggle of captivated tourists following close behind.. But if you can’t afford to purchase a ticket to the ghost tours, become your own guide by heading down to the Visitor Centre in the Inner Harbour and grabbing a guide book.
Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary – At this beautiful sanctuary you can stroll around on the boardwalk and then visit the Nature House for free to learn about Victoria’s ecosystem and meet some creatures up close!
Esquimalt Naval Base – Admission to the base is by donation ($1-2 is encouraged) and you are encouraged to wander the grounds and check out all of the beautiful and changing exhibits.
Did you miss our first article? Read on to see more FREE things to do in Victoria!
Beacon Hill Petting Zoo – This family friendly spot is open every day and is governed on donations only. At the zoo you can find a number of different species of birds, goats, sheep and donkeys! In fair weather you can see the goats run daily at 10:10am and 4:10pm! Once you’ve experienced the zoo, head for a relaxing stroll through the beautiful Beacon Hill Park.
Fisherman’s Wharf – Check out the funky and eclectic mix of floating houses down along the Wharf. Spot some seals and one greedy otter hanging out by the fish stand. Tour through the boats to find the one with the funniest name!
Sunset Spots – Taking in the sunset is one of the most relaxing and beautiful things to do in Victoria. Some of the best sunset spots are: Mount Tolmie, Moss Rocks, Clover Point, Mount Douglas and Saxe Point Park. Grab a thermos of hot chocolate and a cosy blanket and head over to take in the view.
Goldstream Trestles – Any true Victorianite knows of this spot, but perhaps they are not aware that there is in fact a second set of trestles as well as an abandoned vehicle located just beyond the iconic trestle bridge. Check it out!
Parliament Buildings – The BC Legislature offers free 45 minute tours every day of the week! Learn about our political history and explore the beautiful architecture of this historical building. The tours begin just outside the front steps of the Parliament Building main entrance and leave at regular intervals throughout the day.
Brewery Tastings – Did you know that you can go to any brewery in town and sample different beers free of charge? That’s right! And with so many of Victoria’s iconic breweries within walking distance, one could conduct their very own Brewery Crawl.
Finnerty Gardens – Finnerty Gardens is a beautiful spot located on the University of Victoria campus. There you can find many beautiful varieties of local and imported plants, combined with calming water features and winding paths. It is not uncommon to see people wandering through, reading a book, or meditating in these serene gardens.
Antique Row Fort Street – A great spot to do some serious window shopping! Antique row is the perfect place to find unique and handmade pieces, not to mention some
Ross Bay Cemetery – Walking through a cemetery – creepy or cool? If you chose the latter, we would highly recommend you visit the Ross Bay Cemetery! Explore the grounds and see if you can spot celebrity tombstones of Emily Carr, Bill Barker and James Douglas.
Ogden Point Breakwater – This is a must-see, especially on stormy nights. Head down to the breakwater when the storm’s-a-brewin’ to be blown away by the strong winds, soaked by the sideways rain, and amazed by the crashing waves! Rubber boots mandatory.
We hope these options have inspired you to get out and enjoy our lovely city, without having to spend a dime!
Feature Image: victoriadailyphoto.com