Six insights to plan your recharge in Victoria BC.

Tips to plan your fabulous recharge in Victoria BC.

If you haven’t been to Victoria, BC yet, it’s worth putting on your travel list. Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia and located on the beautiful Vancouver Island. It’s a short trip by ferry or sea plane for those living in British Columbia or Washington state.

In addition to making a lovely weekend getaway, the island is also a popular travel destination for international travelers so plan ahead. Reservations can be hard to get for the best hotels, restaurants and attractions even if you’re traveling during non-peak times.

With that in mind, here are some my tips to help plan a fabulous recharge in Victoria, BC.

Six things to see and do in Victoria, BC

1/ The Fairmont Empress Hotel

The Fairmont Empress is one of the oldest and grandest hotels in the Pacific Northwest. It was updated within the last five years with all the modern amenities and conveniences expected of a luxury hotel. Albeit some of the suites are small and quirky due to the age of the building. The gold rooms are getting an updated lounge soon.

Whether you stay at the hotel or not, the hotel is worth putting on your list. The main restaurant Q is noteworthy, the adjacent bar is lively and frequently offers live music, and the shops offer beautiful products and gifts.

2/ Water taxi to Glo Restaurant and Lounge

Taking a water tax to Glo is a fun way to get local insights from the drivers, hear about the teenage whales that occasionally swim in and view the harbour. The waterfront continues to develop and evolve but the past is still present as you get closer to the restaurant.

Glo has a large patio overlooking the harbour which is surely a good scene on a warm sunny day. If you walk back, stop in at Verve Fashion to shop their latest luxury consignment or just play with Monte. Either way, it’s a lovely way to break up the walk.

3/ Legacy Art Gallery

It’s slightly off the beaten path but is worth making the extra steps to visit. The gallery exhibits works from the University of Victoria on issues that matter now such as equality, inclusion, reconciliation and governance. The exhibit called Gule Wamkulu: Dancing Indigenous Governance was both informative and uplifting. 

4/ The Royal BC Museum

The Royal BC Museum is a popular attraction. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit on now is noteworthy for a few reasons. The photos are stunningly beautiful. You’ll get insight into how they were taken and what makes each photo so special. 

The exhibit will also pull at your heart strings because much of the wildlife photographed is or has been impacted by our environmental footprint and climate change. Progress has been made to restore some of the populations most impacted. However, more hope may reportedly lie in the Natural History exhibit next-door. Allocate 2-3 hours to see both exhibits.

5/ The Butchart Gardens

The Butchart Gardens is the Disneyland of garden experiences. The parking lot alone will give you the Disneyland vibe because it’s so organized. The park is prepared to host a lot of guests regardless of the weather. Guests have free access to umbrellas at every turn. The umbrellas are clear so that they don’t detract from your experience.

Be sure to stop for a carousel ride to break up your day. It’s free and fun to do at every age.  You can also break up the day with tea service or a meal on the grounds. Special events like music concerts and fireworks are also offered during the peak season. 

6/ Restaurants

Second to San Francisco, Victoria has the most restaurants and many good ones. Plan ahead because the best ones like Il Terrazzo are booked even in the offseason and they don’t take walk-ins. 

Some restaurants like Chorizo and Fiamo are walk-in only. Both offer really good food and are in walking distance of The Empress. One restaurant that didn’t get recommended but should is Rebar. It offers some of the most delicious plant-based food and fresh juices. Try the Winter Zinger if you need something warm.

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