What to see and do in Victoria

What to visit in Victoria · gardens, museum and Parliament

• Butchart Gardens Brentwood Bay
• Royal BC Museum
• Parliament of British Columbia

PLACES AND EXPERIENCES

What to do in Victoria · gardens, museum and Parliament

nature

Butchart Gardens Brentwood Bay

Brentwood Bay Gardens transform an old quarry into landscapes of different styles. The Sunken Garden, paths and flowerbeds offer a visit whose appearance changes with the flowering and the season.

Activities for your visit

• Tour the gardens and paths included in admission.
• Observe the design of the Sunken Garden and the different plant environments.

Tips for this place

• Brentwood Bay is outside central Victoria - organize round trip.
• Flowering, lights and activities depend on the season.

Book tickets ↗

Purchase official admission and check if your season requires an entry time. Transportation and dining experiences are not included.

Reference sources and location

• The Butchart Gardens · daily admission

indicative location of the place; it does not identify an entrance, a meeting point, or an accessible route.

Reference coordinates: 48.56527778, -123.46944444.

Wikidata · Butchart Gardens

museum

Royal BC Museum

The museum allows you to get closer to the natural history of British Columbia and its temporary exhibitions. It is next to the Inner Harbour, so it combines well with a walk through the historic center of Victoria.

Activities for your visit

• Get to know the galleries and exhibitions open on the chosen date.
• View British Columbia's natural history collections.

Tips for this place

• Consult the operating galleries when preparing your visit.
• IMAX and other programs may require a different input.

Book tickets ↗

Official admission to the Royal BC Museum. Check out the included galleries and exhibitions; An IMAX screening is not included.

Reference sources and location

• Royal BC Museum museum admission

indicative location of the place; it does not identify an entrance, a meeting point, or an accessible route.

Reference coordinates: 48.41944444, -123.36777778.

Wikidata Royal British Columbia Museum

history

Parliament of British Columbia

The harborside parliamentary buildings provide insight into the political history and architecture of British Columbia. The visitor program offers guided and self-guided tour options according to the institutional calendar.

Activities for your visit

• Know the authorized interior spaces of Parliament.
• Observe the façade and the complex next to the Inner Harbour.

Tips for this place

• Check the available modalities and the access control of the day.
• Group reservations have different conditions than individual visits.

Check access ↗

Public visits are free. Check the individual option, controls and available spaces; Access depends on the parliamentary calendar.

Reference sources and location

• Legislative Assembly of British Columbia · visits

indicative location of the place; it does not identify an entrance, a meeting point, or an accessible route.

Reference coordinates: 48.41944444, -123.37027778.

Wikidata British Columbia Parliament Buildings

A PROPOSAL TO ORGANIZE YOURSELF

2-day itinerary in Victoria · gardens, museum and Parliament

1. Day 1

   Parliament and Royal BC Museum

   Check out the free program of parliamentary visits and tour the museum's open galleries with your ticket.

2. Day 2

   Butchart Gardens

   Arrange roundtrips to and from Brentwood Bay and visit the gardens based on your season's admission options.

Tips for visiting Victoria · gardens, museum and Parliament

• Victoria is on Vancouver Island; The crossing from Vancouver requires your own planning.
• Check seasonal admission to the gardens and your chosen transfer.

LOCAL FLAVORS

What to eat in Victoria · gardens, museum and Parliament

A selection of regional classics: poutine and bagels from Quebec, butter tarts from Ontario and Nanaimo bars from the Pacific Coast. Photos show actual reference preparations; Each region preserves its own recipes and traditions.

Quebec · Fries, cheese and sauce

Poutine

French fries covered with fresh grain cheese and hot sauce. This Quebec classic is prepared with numerous variations; The photograph shows the traditional combination of these three ingredients.

Reference: Québec cité · Traditional specialties

Montréal · Heritage of Jewish bakeries

Montréal bagel

Ring-shaped bread that is boiled in water sweetened with honey and then baked with wood. Sesame and poppy seeds are two common toppings for this Montréal specialty.

Reference: Tourisme Montréal · The Montréal bagel

Montréal · Deli tradition

Smoked meat sandwich

Cured, seasoned and smoked beef, sliced and served on rye bread with mustard. The specialty is linked to the Jewish tradition of Montréal; The photo documents a version served in Calgary.

Reference: Tourisme Montréal · Guide to smoked meat

Quebec · Savory meat pie

Tourtière

Meatloaf covered in dough, associated with traditional Quebec cuisine and celebratory meals. The name and padding change between regions; There are versions with meat and potatoes. The photo shows the cake open.

Reference: Québec cité · Quebec comfort cuisine

Ontario Butter Tartlets

Butter tarts

Small dough tartlets with a sweet filling of butter, sugar, syrup and egg. In Ontario they are prepared with a firmer or more fluid filling and variants with raisins or dried fruits.

Reference: Destination Ontario · Canadian food to try

Nanaimo Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Nanaimo bars

Layered dessert with a base of crumbs, cocoa and coconut, a sweet cream in the center and a chocolate coating. It is named after Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island; the city publishes its own reference recipe.

Reference: City of Nanaimo · Nanaimo bars