Victoria, British Columbia, Canada - must see's
We spent a glorious 4 days in August in Victoria, BC, exploring, eating, relaxing, playing and learning. Victoria is absolutely stunning, and the city definitely put itself on display for the tourist season. Seasonal flowers everywhere, street musicians playing, and a general post-COVID vibe that the world is in fact ok.
We started and ended our days there in Victoria's China Town, the oldest China Town in Canada. It was simply gorgeous. The cross walks were artistic, the alleys were wonderful. We wandered around quite a bit, taking it in. China Town sits right near the harbor so it was an easy stroll, even with little kids. Some great eateries were located in China Town (see the post on places to eat).
Next stop was the Royal BC Museum. The museum was under renovation, so the entry fee was only CA$5 per person. There was still TONS to see. We explored the prehistoric exhibit and watched a terrific IMAX movie on the Hidden Pacific. Ida even lost a tooth from eating some popcorn. *** The tooth fairy DOES come to Canada, we learned! ***
Next stop - yes, we packed a lot in - was to Fisherman's Wharf to explore and for some lunch. It's now a set of floating docks filled with carts and restaurants and little shops. We ate some Canadian Mexican food there (we're vegetarian!) and then decided to take a ferry boat back to the harbor. Such a treat!
Somehow, we weren't done for the day - nor were the kids - and we walked to see the Carr House. This was Canadian artist Emily Carr's house. We learned that while Emily Carr was not very famous or enjoyed during most of her lifetime, she is now considered one of Canada's most famous artists. We took the free walking tour and learned all about her family and her life. It was absolutely worth it and the kids thoroughly enjoyed it.
Time for a break. We walked back to the harbor, books in hand, and sat there before heading to dinner at a well-known vegetarian restaurant called Rebar.
The next day was my 45th birthday, which was the main reason for our family trip to Victoria. The family made a lovely breakfast birthday table for me before we headed out for breakfast at the Blue Fox. It was delicious!
Late morning was filled with an exciting and incredible trip to the Victoria Bug Zoo. We spent about 2 hours there, learning about all kinds of bugs and holding a lot of them. I even held a tarantula, and I told the kids about how I remember holding a tarantula when I was about 8 (their age). It was amazing to spend some time with this gentle 15 year old tarantula.
The afternoon was filled with High Tea at the Fairmount Empress Hotel. My husband booked this and it was incredible. We got dressed up and pretended we were having tea with the queen.
With delicious sandwiches, tea and pastries in our bellies, the kids and Geoff went to do some swimming at the pool while I took some time to myself to reflect on things.
The next morning, we went to eat at Breakwater Cafe on the harbor. It was absolutely delicious and such a picture-perfect location. Then, in time for the 10:15 "running of the goats" we headed to the Beacon Hill Children's Farm where we got to pet goats (and have them stand on us!), meet other animals, and enjoy a petting zoo. The Beacon Hill Park is absolutely gorgeous and we wandered around for a long time, picking up trash and playing at the playground.
After the park, we headed to Picnic Too, a well-recommended place for lunch. It was delic! After lunch, we wandered the cute stores nearby and S & C, who have been asking for "shoes with laces for 3rd grade" found some Pro Keds. Then it was finally time for some relaxing in the grass at the Fairmount, where we played frisbee, the kids chased Geoff around, and we just took in some sunshine and fresh air.Dinner was at a terrific taco spot that the guy who sold us the Pro Keds told us about. That rounded out our time in Victoria, except for me getting a lovely visit that night from a curious and beautiful seagull.
We packed up the next morning and headed back to Jam for breakfast. Then we explored China Town some more, and discovered Dragon Alley, the narrowest (3 feet) alley in Victoria. Then we drove to The Butchart Gardens and explored it in all of it's glory. I mean ALL. It is absolutely gorgeous and well worth the trip there. On our way to the airport, we stopped in Sidney, BC, for lunch. Then, to Victoria Airport we went, and home we went. Such a lovely lovely trip.
We started and ended our days there in Victoria's China Town, the oldest China Town in Canada. It was simply gorgeous. The cross walks were artistic, the alleys were wonderful. We wandered around quite a bit, taking it in. China Town sits right near the harbor so it was an easy stroll, even with little kids. Some great eateries were located in China Town (see the post on places to eat).
Next stop was the Royal BC Museum. The museum was under renovation, so the entry fee was only CA$5 per person. There was still TONS to see. We explored the prehistoric exhibit and watched a terrific IMAX movie on the Hidden Pacific. Ida even lost a tooth from eating some popcorn. *** The tooth fairy DOES come to Canada, we learned! ***
Next stop - yes, we packed a lot in - was to Fisherman's Wharf to explore and for some lunch. It's now a set of floating docks filled with carts and restaurants and little shops. We ate some Canadian Mexican food there (we're vegetarian!) and then decided to take a ferry boat back to the harbor. Such a treat!
Somehow, we weren't done for the day - nor were the kids - and we walked to see the Carr House. This was Canadian artist Emily Carr's house. We learned that while Emily Carr was not very famous or enjoyed during most of her lifetime, she is now considered one of Canada's most famous artists. We took the free walking tour and learned all about her family and her life. It was absolutely worth it and the kids thoroughly enjoyed it.
Time for a break. We walked back to the harbor, books in hand, and sat there before heading to dinner at a well-known vegetarian restaurant called Rebar.
The next day was my 45th birthday, which was the main reason for our family trip to Victoria. The family made a lovely breakfast birthday table for me before we headed out for breakfast at the Blue Fox. It was delicious!
Late morning was filled with an exciting and incredible trip to the Victoria Bug Zoo. We spent about 2 hours there, learning about all kinds of bugs and holding a lot of them. I even held a tarantula, and I told the kids about how I remember holding a tarantula when I was about 8 (their age). It was amazing to spend some time with this gentle 15 year old tarantula.
The afternoon was filled with High Tea at the Fairmount Empress Hotel. My husband booked this and it was incredible. We got dressed up and pretended we were having tea with the queen.
With delicious sandwiches, tea and pastries in our bellies, the kids and Geoff went to do some swimming at the pool while I took some time to myself to reflect on things.
The next morning, we went to eat at Breakwater Cafe on the harbor. It was absolutely delicious and such a picture-perfect location. Then, in time for the 10:15 "running of the goats" we headed to the Beacon Hill Children's Farm where we got to pet goats (and have them stand on us!), meet other animals, and enjoy a petting zoo. The Beacon Hill Park is absolutely gorgeous and we wandered around for a long time, picking up trash and playing at the playground.
After the park, we headed to Picnic Too, a well-recommended place for lunch. It was delic! After lunch, we wandered the cute stores nearby and S & C, who have been asking for "shoes with laces for 3rd grade" found some Pro Keds. Then it was finally time for some relaxing in the grass at the Fairmount, where we played frisbee, the kids chased Geoff around, and we just took in some sunshine and fresh air.Dinner was at a terrific taco spot that the guy who sold us the Pro Keds told us about. That rounded out our time in Victoria, except for me getting a lovely visit that night from a curious and beautiful seagull.
We packed up the next morning and headed back to Jam for breakfast. Then we explored China Town some more, and discovered Dragon Alley, the narrowest (3 feet) alley in Victoria. Then we drove to The Butchart Gardens and explored it in all of it's glory. I mean ALL. It is absolutely gorgeous and well worth the trip there. On our way to the airport, we stopped in Sidney, BC, for lunch. Then, to Victoria Airport we went, and home we went. Such a lovely lovely trip.
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