7 days in Victoria, what would you do?

[hawaiideb]

While I wish I was taking a cruise, DH is working with UVIC, so DD 13 and I are joining him for a week in Victoria! We are delighted with our hotel,and plan on several walking tours around the city, but still looking for a few fun spots to visit by car. DH will have several days to explore with us, so we are looking for a couple fun places to drive/eat. Any ideas?

 

We already plan on:

1. Tea at Butchart gardens

2. Whale watch - this may be out of our price range, but we're going to try

3. Zip line tour for DH and DD- they are sure they want to do this!

 

Thanks!

 

Hawaiideb

[LeftcoastBC]

Any road out of town and a different way back. can't go wrong. Just keep the water on one side of you and work your way around,,,,,out and back to the Gardens for sure. Turn down those roads that lead no nowhere....

 

Legislature Buildings .. some great history

 

Museum...second to none.

 

Small harbour taxi's right downtown.

 

Up Island ...on the Island Highway as far as you wish..

 

Esquimalt ..where the ships sometimes drydock.

[c-to-sea]

If you don't plan to spend time away from your hotel base, a day trip to

Nanaimo is a good bet. There is a zipline and a bungee jump near there

just off the highway. On the way, there is Chemainus, with interesting murals

on the buildings and some good eateries. On the way back, you could

swing off the highway and near Crofton and take a ferry to Saltspring Island, then back to

Swartz Bay and home. Another good day trip is the BC Ferry circuit around the

Gulf Islands. Take a picnic lunch and stay on the ferry as it calls at several

islands before returning to Swartz Bay.

From Sidney, north of Victoria, there is a passenger ferry to Sidney Spit

Marine Park. Again, a picnic lunch and possibly a swim and a hike.

Another very interesting day trip is to Botanical Beach. At low tide, you can explore

the tidal pools and see different sealife than you are used to seeing at home.

If you are staying close to a Thrifty Foods supermarket, they have good delis

to put together lunches.

 

Hope this helps and that you all have a great time here.

[Putterdude]

I love Victoria but 7 days is a lot of time to spend there. I think I would drive up Island and take in some of the smaller towns like Duncan, Chemainus, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay/Comox, and Campbell River. From Parksville you may care to drive over to Cathedral Grove which is stand of original growth firs.

[Sally Forth]

Parksville at low tide gets my vote for a great day trip. My kids always loved it. Sidney is also worth a little jaunt for lunch.

 

Viv

[urkidn]

What week are you coming? If it's late July, visit Nanaimo for the Great Nanaimo Bathtub Race. Yes, they are really motorized bathtubs and it attracts competitors from around the globe. There are various events all weekend leading up to the race. If you're here on Aug 8, check out the Parksville Beach Festival for the Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition. It truly is amazing. If you do head to Parksville, be sure to take a little side trip to the Coombs Market. It is a cute, country style market with goats on the roof. Although a bit touristy, it is always a fun place to stop, have an ice-cream and check out the goods. Cathedral Grove isn't very far from Coombs so if you have time, take a quick trek there as well. If you're interested in live theatre, besides the murals, Chemainus has a lovely theatre which also does a buffet lunch or dinner. Also when you're in Victoria make sure you visit the Royal BC Museum, it is very well done and is enjoyable for both young and old. If you're into hiking there are way too many trails to list. Kayaking is also very popular here. There are also plenty of public parks that would be great day trips such as Gordon Bay Provincial Park down in Lake Cowichan. These are just a few of the tons of activities going on all summer in just about every community.

 

Here are some links:

 

http://www.bathtubbing.com/index.php

 

http://www.parksvillebeachfest.ca/

 

http://www.oldcountrymarket.com/

 

http://www.chemainustheatrefestival.ca/

 

http://www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Exhibit_Gall/default.aspx

 

http://www.cathedralgrove.com/index.html

 

http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/SightsActivitiesEvents/AirLandActivities/Hiking

 

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/gordon.html

[scottbee]

While I wish I was taking a cruise, DH is working with UVIC, so DD 13 and I are joining him for a week in Victoria! We are delighted with our hotel,and plan on several walking tours around the city, but still looking for a few fun spots to visit by car. DH will have several days to explore with us, so we are looking for a couple fun places to drive/eat. Any ideas?

 

We already plan on:

1. Tea at Butchart gardens

2. Whale watch - this may be out of our price range, but we're going to try

3. Zip line tour for DH and DD- they are sure they want to do this!

 

While there have been a few suggestions, I would definitely add;

 

#1 Visit the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, on a Saturday night. I cannot stress enough what an amazing place this is. Amazing view of the city, and the chance to get up close and personal with the largest telescope in the world (when it was built). While it's open to the public during the day most days, Saturday nights are special with almost everything open to the public and the local astronomy club helping out and tons of telescopes set up. About 20 mins north of town on West Saanich Road.

http://hia-iha.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/cu/main_e.html

 

#2 Fort Rodd Hill, about 25 mins west of Victoria. This is was the location of the artillery fortress that protected esquimalt harbour (which is the home of Canada's Pacific Naval Fleet). A really interesting visit, and a little more off the beaten track.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/bc/fortroddhill/index_e.asp

 

If you're looking for gardens, the university itself has some pretty impressive gardens, and also if you're looking for gardens, Government House and Hatley Castle both are pretty impressive and free to the general public.

 

Not far from UVic is Mount Douglas Park, which has impressive views of the city, and many hiking trails.

 

I could go on and on, without leaving the city (and there's a lot to do on the rest of the island too!)

[hawaiideb]

We leave here tomorrow, and will arrive on the island Saturday! I appreciate all the great ideas, my dear husband and I have been busy on the phone the last few nights planning what we would do on the few precious days he has off! Luckily he only has to put in 3 days next week with UVIC, so we will have a little time together to play. Thank you all again! I am excited to visit your lovely island and explore!

 

Debbie