When planning for a trip to the Island, you need to focus on your 5 core requirements; travel, accommodation, eats, activities, and of course, neature. There is so much to do and so much to see that arriving without a plan can be overwhelming and hectic. Prioritize your musts because we all know you’ll be coming back soon to take in all of the amazingness you missed!
Travel
Getting on and off the Island can be a bit of a task if you’re unprepared. You need to know your options and annoyances prior to departure. For those who enjoy the journey, I highly recommend taking a ferry over to Victoria. The scenery is beautiful and the ability to stretch your legs/do some shopping/have a meal are all great luxuries when travelling. If you are looking to get to Victoria quickly, why not hop on a quick flight over from the mainland? Harbour Air and Helijet offer 35 minute flights harbour to harbour, dropping you right at the heart of downtown.
When in town, you have the option of one of our many forms of transportation; cabs, rickshaws, water taxis, car rentals, double-decker busses, and horse-drawn carriages. Have some fun testing out some funky forms of transportation!
photo: Victoria-bc-vacation.com
Accommodation
Where you are going to stay will play a huge role on the type of activities you’ll be able to easily partake in. If you are a first-time visitor, staying somewhere in downtown Victoria will afford you access to all of the iconic Victoria sites, and arguably some of the best grub around – and you can do it all on foot!
If you’re looking to stay in one of the famous Victoria hotels, check out our article The most Iconic Hotels in Victoria to get all the deets on the best spots to snooze.
Eats
If you’re a foodie like me it is VITAL to plan ahead to ensure you hit all of the top restaurants in Victoria. Of course, there are plenty of authentic and tasty ethnic restaurants, but if you want to experience genuine Victoria grub, you gotta eat some seafood!
All throughout town there are incredible seafood restaurants. We love Red Fish Blue Fish on a sunny day, or the Docks, Nautical Nellies or Ferris’ Oyster Bar.
You haven’t lived until you’ve tried brunch in Victoria. Whether it be Floyd’s, John’s Place, Nourish or Jam you are in for something special. We recommend setting aside at least 2 hours to enjoy the event that is brunch.
photo: hellobc.com
Activities
This is where things get very personalized. Everyone has a different idea of what the word vacation means, and we think that’s rad! It’s very important to honour your individuality and enjoy everything that your heart desires. There’s nothing worse than coming back from a vacation feeling more exhausted than you were when you left.
If your idea of a vacation is enjoying sunny markets and window shopping, then we highly recommend checking out the downtown core. Here you can find tons of cute boutiques to check out, pop up shops in the Inner Harbour, and night markets in Market Square. There are cool spots to sit and sip coffee in Bastion Square, and there are always vintage fairs and craft markets in the Crystal Gardens.
If you have a young family and are looking for kid-friendly activities, why not hit the Bug Zoo, Miniature Land, Wild Play, or TNT Paintball? You’ll find hours of fun in this beautiful city whether it is outside at the Beacon Hill Petting Zoo, or in the arcade at Mr Tubbs Ice Cream Parlour! There are almost too many options!
If you are interested in some serious tourist activities, the must-see’s include the Parliament Buildings, Craigdarroch and Hatley Castle, The Empress, the Hop-On Hop-Off double-decker tours, the Ghostly Walks haunted tours, and Fisherman’s Wharf.
For the adult travellers, it is essential to check out the many craft breweries in and around Victoria! The nightlife in Victoria is vibrant and exciting, and has much to offer. For those of you who like to shake it, visit Distrikt or Sugar Night Clubs. If you enjoy the pub scene, we recommend checking out Darcy’s, Irish Times, the Drake.
photo: tripadvisor.com
Neature
They don’t call it supernatural British Columbia for nothing, folks! Victoria is arguably one of the most beautiful spots in BC to visit (and to live!). A trip out to the Island simply wouldn’t be complete without some serious outdoor adventures.
If you find yourself without a vehicle, fret not, there are plenty of cool places to visit right in town! Beacon Hill Park is a tourist hotspot, with its stunning gardens and roaming peacocks, there is always something to see! Just steps away is the iconic Dallas Road Breakwater, where you can stroll out into the sea and enjoy some beautiful sunsets. Moss Rocks, Ross Bay Cemetery, Fisherman’s Wharf, The Gorge Waterway, and Saxe Point Park… the list goes on!
If you do have the luxury of a vehicle at your disposal on this trip, we highly encourage you plan as many day-trip adventures as your itinerary can allow! Goldstream Park near langford is home to the infamous trestles that you’re bound to see pictured when googling Victoria. Cathedral Grove (a bit more of a road trip) is home to some of the biggest trees in the Pacific Northwest. Jordan River/French Beach area are great spots for hiking, surfing and camping. Mount Finlayson, Mount Douglas, Gowlland Todd and Mill Hill are all fantastic spots to climb your way to a stunning view.
photo: victoriafinest.bc.ca
We are so excited to have you here in our city, and hope that these resources will help to ensure you have the perfect plan to take on Vancouver Island like a pro!
Featured Image: explorevictoria.com