Beacon Hill Park
Located in downtown Victoria, Beacon Hill Park can be found between Cook Street, Southgate Street, Douglas Street and Dallas Road. This 200 acre city park was established in 1882. The park has a combination of native landscapes of wildflowers and Garry oak meadows, intermixed with garden beds, exotic plants, ponds, bridges, and rock gardens. The park also hosts a children’s petting zoo, and is home to the world’s tallest free-standing totem pole
(128 feet tall!).
www.beaconhillpark.com
Butchart Gardens
Visit a world class botanical garden in Todd Inlet. Butchart Gardens boasts 50 acres of floral gardens open year-round, including light displays, fountains, evening fireworks, dining, and entertaining. Additionally, there are extensive walking paths throughout the elaborate gardens that provide you with photo opportunities around every curve.
www.butchartgardens.com
Butterfly Gardens
Butterfly Gardens offers viewings and guided tours of hundreds of butterflies, fish, exotic plant gardens, and incredible orchid displays.
www.butterflygardens.com
Church and State Wines
Enjoy spectacular views of the Saanich Peninsula while sipping wine. Open daily for wine tasting from 11:00am until 5:00pm.
www.churchandstatewines.com
Craigdarroch Castle
This Victorian Mansion built in 1890 for the Dunsmuir family who made their fortunes selling coal. Witness the lavish woodwork, stonework, stained-glass windows, and antique furnishings.
www.craigdarrochcastle.com
Dominion Observatory
The Centre of the Universe is the interpretive centre at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory. This world class observatory offers a Gift Shop, tours, interactive exhibits, a Star lab Planetarium, and special theatre presentations, as well as educated staff that can answer your stargazing questions. For more information on programs and tours visit:
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/services/hia/drao-visitors.html
Greater Victoria Art Gallery
Visit the extensive historical and contemporary art exhibits with a permanent collection of over 15,000 art pieces.
www.aggv.bc.ca
Maritime Museum of British Columbia
This museum offers thousands of maritime artifacts on display, historic models and paintings of ships, along with extensive exhibits on BC’s sea-faring history.
www.mmbc.bc.ca
Roy Henry Vickers Gallery
Visit the gallery of world-renowned First Nations artist and author, Roy Henry Vickers.
www.royhenryvickers.com
Royal British Columbia Museum
View exhibits of British Columbia’s cultural history, and an extensive northwest Coast Indian artifacts exhibit. The museum also hosts many touring international exhibits. Visit the gift shops, or check out the IMAX Theatre to take in a large-scale theatre experience on the six storey movie screens. The museum is located adjacent to the Empress Hotel in Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca
Whale Watching
The Victoria region is home to both resident and transient orca (killer whale) populations, as well as abundant sea life including seabirds, eagles, seals, sea lions, otters, and porpoises. There are numerous whale watching tours and guided adventures to be found in Victoria.
www.britishcolumbia.com/WhaleWatch
Swiftsure Sailing Race (May)
The longest-running yacht race in the Pacific Northwest attracts over 200 boats to its competitive race across the Juan de Fuca Strait and back.
www.swiftsure.org
Jazz Festival (June)
This 10 day music festival offers over 250 local and international jazz, blues, and world-beat musicians on several indoor and outdoor stages throughout Victoria.
www.luminaravictoria.com
Victoria Dragon Boat Festival (August)
Catch a glimpse of the colorful dragon boats competing to win the annual Dragon Boat races on Victoria’s Gorge Waterway.
www.victoriadragonboat.com
Victoria Classic Boat Festival (September)
Over the Labour Day weekend, Victoria’s Inner Harbour the annual Classic Boat Festival where 100 sailing and power vessels converge. Festivities include cruises, a colorful sail past, and boat races.
www.classicboatfestival.ca
Victoria Fringe Festival (September)
This Labour Day weekend festival offers hundreds of acts from local theatre troupes to international performance artists at venues throughout Victoria.
www.victoriafringe.com
Prospect Lake - www.golfprospect.com
Cordova Bay - www.cordovabaygolf.com
Royal Oak - www.royaloakgolfresort.com
Benvenuto B&B 1130 Benvenuto Ave Brentwood Bay BC V8M 1J6
Ph: 250-544-1088 - Toll-Free: 888-544-1088
