What to Do in Victoria, BC at Night?

We are looking at a HAL cruise for next summer which docks in Victoria from 6 pm to 11:59 pm. I checked the sunset time for the time we'd be there and sunset is at 9 pm.

Assuming we have dinner on the ship before getting off in Victoria, what is open to see and do from 7:30 pm onwards. I read about the Miniature World being open until 9pm (and it does sound fun), but what else is there? It just seems like a strange time to be in any port.

Thanks!

Thoughts....

• I would explore the inner harbor and building architecture...
  
• is there time to check out Butchart before it goes dark?
  

We are looking at a HAL cruise for next summer which docks in Victoria from 6 pm to 11:59 pm. I checked the sunset time for the time we'd be there and sunset is at 9 pm.

 

Assuming we have dinner on the ship before getting off in Victoria, what is open to see and do from 7:30 pm onwards. I read about the Miniature World being open until 9pm (and it does sound fun), but what else is there? It just seems like a strange time to be in any port.

 

Thanks!

With a 6 pm arrival a visit to Butchart Gardens is an excellent choice however with that arrival time the only option is to go with a ship's tour. The gardens are illuminated at dusk and are open during the summer until 10 pm.

Another thought would be a Harbour Ferries Cruise or you might care to take a horse drawn carriage ride. If you want to do something that's free, each summer evening there is a large number of buskers who preform on the Esplanade of the Inner Harbour just across the street from the Empress Hotel. Cab fare from the cruise terminal is $10CAD in either direction or it is about a 20 min walk, level , scenic and safe from cruise terminal to the Empress.

http://www.tallyhotours.com/

https://www.victoriacarriage.com/

https://www.victoriaharbourferry.com/

http://www.butchartgardens.com/visit

We walk around the charming town.

Keith

I would skip dinner onboard (or eat early) and head out to Butchart Gardens. Even when it gets dark, it is still pretty cool.

Has anyone ever done the horse drawn carriage tour of the city?

Are you considering a meal? We've always enjoyed the Bard and Banker pub.

We did a Pedi-Cab tour. It was great! Loved our driver. He took us all around the city and harbor to see the floating houses.

Has anyone ever done the horse drawn carriage tour of the city?

Yes, but many years ago and it was most enjoyable. For a modest premium, the operators will pick you at the cruise terminal....or at least they were a few years ago, I haven't confirmed that with them recently.

Thank you all for your suggestions. There's lots more to do there at night than I imagined.

Are you considering a meal? We've always enjoyed the Bard and Banker pub.

My cruise has a similar stop in Victoria but we dock at 6. Would love a meal on shore. Where is Bard and Banker located?

My cruise has a similar stop in Victoria but we dock at 6. Would love a meal on shore. Where is Bard and Banker located?

The Bard and the Banker is located on Government St. at about Fort St. in the historic area of Victoria. Here is a map showing its location in relation to the cruise terminal. If you want something in the way of seafood there is Barb's Fish and Chips which is an easy walk but it eating at picnic tables, Red Fish, Blue fish is similar to Barb's and there is Nautical Nellies which is a sit down restaurant.

https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Bard+%26+Banker,+Government+Street,+Victoria,+BC/Western+Stevedoring+Co+Ltd,+185+Dallas+Rd,+Victoria,+BC+V8V+1A1/Barb's+Fish+and+Chips,+Dallas+Road,+Victoria,+BC/Red+Fish+Blue+Fish,+Wharf+Street,+Victoria,+BC/Nautical+Nellies+Steak+%26+Seafood+House,+Victoria,+BC/@48.4233923,-123.374976,15.86z/data=!4m32!4m31!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f749a94abccf7:0x1d0762e6d2f3a0e2!2m2!1d-123.3680102!2d48.4248729!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f74bb6c5442a3:0xfd49182eea6f9515!2m2!1d-123.387683!2d48.41665!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f74a28f49c6c9:0x3f5af530643f2b70!2m2!1d-123.3828774!2d48.4226429!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f749a5ce47ac1:0x1d6fbdbfe21b6b3d!2m2!1d-123.3701589!2d48.4243051!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f749a5fbef473:0xf1648180f43fccb2!2m2!1d-123.369322!2d48.424428!3e2

Is there any way to get out to the gardens besides the ship tour? We have a group of 4 and trying to find less expensive alternative to ship tours.

Is there any way to get out to the gardens besides the ship tour? We have a group of 4 and trying to find less expensive alternative to ship tours.

Yes, if there in the early afternoon or earlier then CVS Cruise Victoria will work or even municipal transit but it's some 35 to 40 mins from the Ogden

Point Cruise terminal so with a late afternoon or evening stop the answer is no. However, with 4 of you it would be worthwhile to look into a cab....but the reason I don't necessarily recommend a cab is if they are busy you may not make it back to the pier in time for sailing.

The Bard and the Banker is located on Government St. at about Fort St. in the historic area of Victoria. Here is a map showing its location in relation to the cruise terminal. If you want something in the way of seafood there is Barb's Fish and Chips which is an easy walk but it eating at picnic tables, Red Fish, Blue fish is similar to Barb's and there is Nautical Nellies which is a sit down restaurant.

 

Another suggestion for fish 'n chips - is the Flying Otter. Located right on the Inner Harbour by the Harbour Air terminal. Indoor and outdoor seating.

 

They have other items besides fish 'n chips - burgers / steak etc.

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to get good poutine? It's my favorite :eek: I make sure to get it whenever I am in Canada, but this will be my first time in Victoria.

Also, any other bar/pub suggestions with good Canadian brews would be great!

Thanks! :cool:

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to get good poutine? It's my favorite :eek: I make sure to get it whenever I am in Canada, but this will be my first time in Victoria.

 

Also, any other bar/pub suggestions with good Canadian brews would be great!

 

Thanks! :cool:

I am not a big poutine guy, however it is alleged the Flying Otter at the sea plane base on the Inner Harbour about 1/2 from the Empress Hotel has a very good poutine .... plus it is only about a 20 min walk from the cruise terminal or a $10 cab ride. For local beers I would suggest the Sticky Wicket in the Strathcona Hotel or the Irish Times Pub.

https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Flying+Otter+Grill,+Wharf+Street,+Victoria,+BC/Western+Stevedoring+Co+Ltd,+185+Dallas+Rd,+Victoria,+BC+V8V+1A1/Sticky+Wicket+Pub,+Douglas+Street,+Victoria,+BC,+BC/Irish+Times+Pub,+Government+Street,+Victoria,+BC/@48.4200242,-123.3851666,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m26!4m25!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f749a5e4bc6c9:0xf9a0d229e09e29b4!2m2!1d-123.3705079!2d48.423621!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f74bb6c5442a3:0xfd49182eea6f9515!2m2!1d-123.387683!2d48.41665!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f749013206bd7:0xddb80644a2ab4366!2m2!1d-123.3651407!2d48.4234939!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f749adb195c7d:0xb2f683f8100f6987!2m2!1d-123.3680204!2d48.4258738!3e0

The Bard and the Banker is located on Government St. at about Fort St. in the historic area of Victoria. Here is a map showing its location in relation to the cruise terminal. If you want something in the way of seafood there is Barb's Fish and Chips which is an easy walk but it eating at picnic tables, Red Fish, Blue fish is similar to Barb's and there is Nautical Nellies which is a sit down restaurant.

 

 

 

https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Bard+%26+Banker,+Government+Street,+Victoria,+BC/Western+Stevedoring+Co+Ltd,+185+Dallas+Rd,+Victoria,+BC+V8V+1A1/Barb's+Fish+and+Chips,+Dallas+Road,+Victoria,+BC/Red+Fish+Blue+Fish,+Wharf+Street,+Victoria,+BC/Nautical+Nellies+Steak+%26+Seafood+House,+Victoria,+BC/@48.4233923,-123.374976,15.86z/data=!4m32!4m31!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f749a94abccf7:0x1d0762e6d2f3a0e2!2m2!1d-123.3680102!2d48.4248729!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f74bb6c5442a3:0xfd49182eea6f9515!2m2!1d-123.387683!2d48.41665!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f74a28f49c6c9:0x3f5af530643f2b70!2m2!1d-123.3828774!2d48.4226429!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f749a5ce47ac1:0x1d6fbdbfe21b6b3d!2m2!1d-123.3701589!2d48.4243051!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f749a5fbef473:0xf1648180f43fccb2!2m2!1d-123.369322!2d48.424428!3e2

Thanks for the info!

Thoughts....

• I would explore the inner harbor and building architecture...
  
• is there time to check out Butchart before it goes dark?
  

Plenty of time for Butchart. Our ship was late getting into Victoria last year due to an engine problem. We didn't dock until about 7:00 PM. We walked over to the Empress Hotel and caught the Butchart shuttle. Absolutely the most beautiful place we've ever seen! Words can not describe it. We will be visiting Victoria again on our cruise next month, but this time we will explore the waterfront area.

Can anyone recommend the best place for fish & chips around the waterfront area??

Can anyone recommend the best place for fish & chips around the waterfront area??

Easy, Barb's Fish n' Chips on Fisherman's Wharf and Red Fish Blue Fish all within walking distance of the cruise terminal. Both very casual, walk up, order and sit on a picnic bench.

https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Western+Stevedoring+Co+Ltd,+185+Dallas+Rd,+Victoria,+BC+V8V+1A1/Barb's+Fish+and+Chips,+Dallas+Road,+Victoria,+BC/Red+Fish+Blue+Fish,+Wharf+Street,+Victoria,+BC/@48.4197615,-123.3869026,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m20!4m19!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f74bb6c5442a3:0xfd49182eea6f9515!2m2!1d-123.387683!2d48.41665!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f74a28f49c6c9:0x3f5af530643f2b70!2m2!1d-123.3828774!2d48.4226429!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f749a5ce47ac1:0x1d6fbdbfe21b6b3d!2m2!1d-123.3701589!2d48.4243051!3e2

Can anyone recommend the best place for fish & chips around the waterfront area??

Barb's - at Fisherman's Wharf - about a 10 min leisurely walk from the cruise terminal. Outdoor seating. Other food options as well - mexican / ice cream, etc. Neat festive atmosphere in the summer.

In the Inner Harbour proper. Red Fish Blue Fish - the kitchen is actually a shipping container - so outdoor seating as well. For Indoor or heated patio seating - Flying Otter.

For the Flying Otter / Red Fish Blue Fish walk around the lower causeway in front of the Empress towards the Float Plane terminal. The Flying Otter restaurant is just before it. Continue walking past the Harbour Air terminal to Red Fish Blue Fish.

Thank you, Smeecanada and Putterdude! I had heard about Barb's but didn't know about the others. Look forward to it! We visited Victoria last year, and loved Butchart, but want to explore the waterfront area this time. :)

I have added the Flying Otter to the map as well as Nautical Nellies and the Sticky Wicket in the Strathcona both of which have good fish and chips. However, Barbs and Red Fish Blue Fish are the best.

https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Western+Stevedoring+Co+Ltd,+185+Dallas+Rd,+Victoria,+BC+V8V+1A1/Barb's+Fish+and+Chips,+Dallas+Road,+Victoria,+BC/Red+Fish+Blue+Fish,+Wharf+Street,+Victoria,+BC/Flying+Otter+Grill,+Wharf+Street,+Victoria,+BC/Nautical+Nellies+Steak+%26+Seafood+House,+Victoria,+BC/Sticky+Wicket+Pub,+Douglas+Street,+Victoria,+BC/@48.4198087,-123.3851666,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m38!4m37!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f74bb6c5442a3:0xfd49182eea6f9515!2m2!1d-123.387683!2d48.41665!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f74a28f49c6c9:0x3f5af530643f2b70!2m2!1d-123.3828774!2d48.4226429!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f749a5ce47ac1:0x1d6fbdbfe21b6b3d!2m2!1d-123.3701589!2d48.4243051!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f749a5e4bc6c9:0xf9a0d229e09e29b4!2m2!1d-123.3705079!2d48.423621!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f749a5fbef473:0xf1648180f43fccb2!2m2!1d-123.369322!2d48.424428!1m5!1m1!1s0x548f749013206bd7:0xddb80644a2ab4366!2m2!1d-123.3651407!2d48.4234939!3e2

I have added the Flying Otter to the map as well as Nautical Nellies and the Sticky Wicket in the Strathcona both of which have good fish and chips. However, Barbs and Red Fish Blue Fish are the best.

 

We live in Victoria - Barb's is the summer time choice and Flying Otter is the winter time / crumby weather / or want to be served choice for Fish 'n Chips.

In summer there is often lots of things happening around the Inner Harbour - especially on the weekends. In past summers there is often a little outdoor market down at Ship's Point (down near the Flying Otter). Plus, plenty of busker's to entertain. If you like to walk a bit - up Government street about 7 / 8 blocks or so - is Chinatown. Only a few blocks long - but interesting to poke around the shops or get dinner.