Victoria, British Columbia, Canada enjoys some of the warmest temperatures in Canada and is a year round tourism destination with plenty to see and do. Victoria, BC's tourism season is filled with wilderness outdoor activities, eco-tours and some major worldly indoor attractions and shopping opportunities. The Inner Harbour is home to a marina, major attractions and a boardwalk filled with artists and actors willing to entertain, especially in the summer time. The Provincial Parliament Buildings, the Provincial Museum and Beacon Hill Park are all top destinations to explore when in Victoria, BC.
Refer to Parks and Trails List and/or the Eco-Tourism Tour and Guides Business Listings.

1. British Columbia Parliament Buildings: The Capital City of the Province of British Columbia in Canada is Victoria, BC. The BC Government Parliament Buildings looks over the marina and boardwalk of the Inner harbour in downtown Victoria. British Columbia Parliament Buildings is located at the Inner Harbour on Belleville Street, Victoria, BC. [ more information on the BC Parliament Buildings ]
   
   
2. Royal British Columbia Museum: Authentic, periodic and cultural BC museum capturing the attention of visitors from around the world depicting the humble beginnings of BC life and the development of the British Columbia people, wildlife, economies and civilizations. Royal British Columbia Museum is located at 675 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC. [ more information on the Royal BC Museum ]
   
   
3. National Geographic Imax Theatre: Monster screens reaching 6 stories high with an audio digital sound of 12000 watts grabs you by the collar and yanks you right into the action. Feel the realism, experience the emotions and become part of the outcome. Want an adventure without exerting any energy but still producing adrenaline... grab a seat and dig your nails in for a wild ride. National Geographic IMAX Theatre is located at the Royal BC Museum.
   [ more information on the IMAX Theatre ]
   
   
4. The Butchart Gardens: A limestone quarry in the early 1900's transformed slowly over time into the floral Victoria Butchart Gardens we know today. In 2004 the Butchart Gardens celebrated 100 years since the beginning quarry days to becoming one of the worlds most famous sunken gardens, garden tea houses and rose gardens open year round. Butchart Gardens is located at 800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay, BC
   [ more information on the Butchart Gardens ]
   
   
5. Pacific Undersea Gardens: At the centre of Victoria's marine activity and major attractions on the Inner harbour is the Pacific Undersea Gardens. The Victoria Pacific Undersea Gardens is a showcase of what lives beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific Undersea Gardens brings the marine world up close and personal to all who visit this unique underwater museum in Victoria, BC. Pacific Undersea Gardens is located at 490 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC.
   [ More information on the Pacific Undersea Gardens ]
   
   
6. Beacon Hill Park: A garden park jewel in downtown Victoria since 1882. Beacon Hill Park is often the highlight of many naturalist who visit Victoria, BC. The 200+ acres is well landscaped and a cultured garden interconnected by bridges leaning over over lakes and ponds. Beacon Hill Park is best located at the corner of Douglas and dallas roads, Victoria, BC. [ more information on Beacon Hill Park ]
   
   
7. Whale Watching: Many Whale Watching touring companies in the Victoria area waters. Coastal Victoria Whale Watching cruises start from Victoria's Inner Harbour and Sidney eventually shipping out to the Juan de Fuca Straight, and Haro Strait. Here is where the open seas is the home of the majestic Killer Whales (Orcas), Humpbacks and Grey Whales in their natural habitat. Eagles will soar, the coastal scenery will mesmerize, cameras will click and video tapes will roll.
   
   
8. Craigdarroch Castle: A coal and railroad tycoon by the name of Robert Dunsmuir constructed this unique Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria in 1889. The Craigdarroch Castle has 39 rooms distinctively furnished from the Victorian-era with stain glass windows and detailed woodwork throughout. A 87stair climb takes you the tower overlooking Victoria and the Pacific Ocean. Craigdarroch Castle is located at 1050 Joan Crescent, Victoria, BC.
   
   
9. Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse: The mariners lives have been preserved and shipwreck folk lore is still documented at the marine museum called the Fisgard Lighthouse. The Fisgard Lighthouse is the oldest west coast lighthouse built in 1860. The original gun batteries are intact that were used to protect the navy base at one time. A self guided tour with interpretive signs, audio displays and programs. The view at Fisgard Lighthouse is worth the trip by far ! Fort Rod Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse is located at 603 Fort Rodd Hill Road, Victoria, BC.
   
   
10. Shop till you Drop: Unique boutiques, public markets, eclectic shops, art and craft exhibits decorate the sidewalks of Victoria, BC .... Cafes, both indoor and out, looking onto onto marinas, sail boats, and ocean beaches while horse drawn carriages stroll on pass and bicycle cabs peddle away while talking it up with their fare. The Downtown core full off heritage and an eclectic sort of buildings full of lively colors. The historical architectural setting, ocean in the background, aroma of the many cafes leaves one to assume that one can easily let the day pass without notice.
    
    
11. Goldstream Park: Park which is home of the annual spawning Salmon run. Goldstream Park has trails and an Interpretive centre located north of Victoria on the #1 Hwy towards Duncan. At Goldstream Park, past the old wooden bridge and up the road is the trailhead to the Mount Finlayson Trail. The trail leads up to Mt. Finlayson with views of Victoria and Shawnigan Lake. Goldstream Park is located off of Hwy #1 north.
    
    
12. Whale Watching: Coastal cruises of Victoria's Inner Harbour eventually shipping you out into Juan de Fuca Straight, and Haro Strait-the open seas to interact with the majestic Killer Whales, Humpbacks and Grey Whales in their natural habitat. Eagles will soar, the coastal scenery will mesmerize, cameras will click and video tapes will roll.
    
    
13. Sea Kayaking : Paddle-breathe, paddle-breathe ....ahhhhh, out in the fresh air and letting your momentum take you out to the open waters and the sandy beaches of Sidney Spit, the vibrant activity in Victoria's Inner harbour, out and about the eclectic Gulf Islands, up the banks of Portage Inlet and out in the open with the swells of the Juan de Fuca Straight.
    
    
14. Antique Row: Lined up in a row are some of Victoria's best antique stores to dream and shop at. Antique Row has many antique galleries with historic items telling the story of time. Items range all over the map from kitchen ware, bedroom furniture, living room tables, chess sets, pictures and coke bottles. Just allot of character. Antique Row in Victoria is located on Fort Street starting at the Government Street intersection.
    
    
15. Sight Seeing: Bring a car, borrow a bicycle, hop on a horse drawn carriage, bus tour or a bicycle cab to view the ins and outs of Victoria's heritage and surrounding communities. Rent a moped and venture out to see Esquimalt-home of Canada's Pacific Fleet, Oak Bay-and it's soothing scenic drive, Saanich-and the old growth forest of Mt. Douglas Park, Sidney-and it's quaint shops and oceanside marinas and the West Shore communities of Langford, Metchosin, Colwood, View Royal, and Sooke.
    
    
16. Emily Carr House: British Columbia moved from British colonial status to becoming the hippest, coolest province in the world's newest rocking nation, Canada, in 1871. BC's, real, first lady was born in the same year of 1871 growing up in an authentically restored 1864 Victorian Gingerbread home. Emily Carr devoted her life and love to the area using her paint brushes and pens to tell the west coast stories. Emily Carr House is located at 207 Government Street, Victoria, BC.
    
    
17. Trounce Alley: "Hide-and-go-seek" shopping at the hidden little shopping mecca named Trounce Alley. The stores are mostly one-of-kind shops with unique items, art and clothing for the curious and creative, blending cultures and beliefs focusing on eclectic and different taste. A west coast feeling all over. Victoria's Trounce Alley is located north of View Street.
    
    
18. Chinatown: Victoria has the oldest Chinatown in Canada! It is the real deal with the unique stores, shops and sidewalk stands. Even the narrow alleys like Fan Tan alley which is only 5 feet wide make it seem like you are in a different country, heck, at one time, in the ol' days the alley was home to many opium dens. Chinatown is gem and a treat to visit. Victoria's Chinatown is located on Fisgard Street.
    
    
19. Helmcken House: Historic building that is over 150 years old and was the home to a surgeon named John Helmcken of the Hudson Bay Company. John Helmcken married the daughter of Governor James Douglas and was a key individual in bringing BC into the mix of provinces that became Canada. Helmcken House is British Columbia's oldest house on its original footings with many antiques and artifacts to view. Helmcken House is located at 10 Elliot Square, Victoria, BC.
    
    
20. Point Ellice House: Along the beautiful paths of the Gorge Waterway is Point Ellice House. Once home to Peter O'reilly, Point Ellice House is a fantastic tour into history with over 10,000 items from the era. The home is an ideal spot for the afternoon English Tea as the gardens are colorful with some of the flowers of a historic variety not found often in these parts. Point Ellice House is located at 2616 Pleasant Street, Victoria, BC.
    
    
21. Royal London Wax Museum: Come hang out with some legendary life-like people. Robbie Burns, Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, Charlie Chaplin, Snow White and many others at the Royal London Wax Museum. Over 300 wax figures and a "Chamber of Horrors" which should be adult supervised and may not be for all people. Royal London Wax Museum is located at 470 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC.
    
    
22. Storm Watching: Along Dallas Road, a most beautiful scenic drive in the Summer but in the Winter one can find crashing waves, chaotic breakwater, thunder and lightening brightening up the sky making for awestruck scenery. Mist and clouds look a like, oceans and roads are side by side. Beautiful electrical storms leaving lasting memories.