What to do in Downtown Victoria, British Columbia

Victoria is a beautiful place to visit and it’s so close to Joint Base Lewis- McChord you should take the time to go at least once! Here are some things to do and see in Downtown Victoria, BC.

First up, head to the Visitor’s Center. If you’d like more info on tours or things to do, this is a great place to go. But also because the waterfront area beside the Visitor’s Center has some great photo opportunities! There are local artisans set up selling goods, and some street performers. You can grab a photo with the huge Canada sign, or snap a photo with the gorgeous harbor in the background.

The harbor is also where you can book and catch whale watching tours, harbor tours, and water taxis. Water taxis will take you over to other parts of the city including Fisherman’s Wharf. You can find these Whale Statues (I kept my calling them Shamu) around the area all decorated differently.

Across the street is the gorgeous historic hotel, The Empress. Take a photo of the live plant whales and then take a leisurely stroll through their gardens. If you have time, dine here for High Tea. Reservations are highly recommended as this is rated the #1 Afternoon Tea in the city.
For more info and reservations, click here.

At the other end of the Harbor, across from The Empress is the British Parliament building. This building has some gorgeous architecture and makes a great backdrop for photos. You can take a FREE 35 minute tour inside the building. You cant miss the line outside, so head there if you’re interested!

Beside the Parliament Building you’ll find the Royal BC Museum. Museum admission costs vary depending on if you want to do the IMAX theater, special exhibits, etc and range from $18-40 CAN. Behind the museum you can see the tallest totem poles in Canada. Okay, I’m not sure if they’re actually the tallest or not but they’re pretty dang big.
For tickets, hours, and more info about the museum, click here.

There are tons of shops to check out in downtown Victoria. Besides shopping there is also plenty of restaurants, pubs, and more to explore! We did find that most places were dog friendly, which was a plus.

For more info about Victoria, BC check out the Travel Website here.

For more things to do in Victoria, BC check out my other blog posts:
What to Know about Traveling to Victoria, BC
A Taste of Victoria Food Tour
What to do at Fisherman’s Wharf in Victoria, BC
Visiting Buchart Gardens in Victoria, BC
Castles to Visit in Victoria, BC

Finding the fun wherever life takes us!
Love, Olivia Michelle