Are you headed to Victoria BC and at a loss for things to do? As an up and coming tourist destination, Victoria has many booming tourist attractions. From the beautiful scenery to the food and drink, Victoria offers many activities for visitors. Also, as the capital of British Columbia, tourists can get a taste of the province’s heritage. Below are 6 of the top tourist attractions to see in Victoria this year:
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Royal British Columbia Museum
For those who love everything about British Columbia, the provincial museum is an exciting look into the past and present. The museum is at a nice central location on 675 Belleville St., and is only a short distance to the Parliament Buildings or the Fairmont Empress Hotel. The Royal BC Museum features both natural and cultural history and takes a three dimensional approach to allow its visitors to experience the exhibits first hand. Visitors can view a replica of the first ship to land in Vancouver, the HMS Difairscovery, or they can learn about First Nations culture and struggles. The museum also includes Thunderbird Park, an outdoor area featuring First Nations architecture and art.
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Fairmont Empress Hotel
At 721 Government St., the Fairmont Empress is an impressive site right in the heart of Downtown Victoria’s inner harbour. Visitors can choose to stay at the hotel, or just admire the stunning architecture while passing by. The Fairmont Empress was built in 1908, and still functions today as a place to stay, have afternoon tea, or dine in the evenings. The north side of the hotel is a sight to see as it holds Miniature World, a collection miniature model scenes that bring to life castles, historical events, and community moments.
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Butchart Gardens
Although just outside of Victoria, Butchart Gardens is one of the city’s most famous attractions and is well worth the short journey. These gardens have been growing since 1904, and what started as a small project has turned into a 20 hectare sprawl of flourishing plants of all kinds. Some of the most well liked gardens are the Italian garden, rose garden, and Japanese garden. Also included amongst the flowers are fountains and quiet benches to relax by and enjoy. While in the area, Brentwood Bay is also a great place to check out. Learn more about our Butchart Gardens tour.
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Parliament Buildings
Another stunning sight on the inner harbour is the provincial parliament buildings of British Columbia. Designed by Francis M. Rattenbury in 1897, the parliament buildings are a great place to catch a photo- especially among the surrounding gardens. The grounds also hold a large statue of Captain George Vancouver, the first person to land on the shores of Vancouver island. Other tributes can also be seen in the area, and for a unique experience many take advantage of the horse-drawn carriage tours that are close by.
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Craigdarroch Castle
This designated National Historic Site Of Canada was built in the late 1800’s. It was built for coal baron Robert Dunsmuir. The castle was believed to cost as much as $500 000. After Robert Dunsmuir passed away, his wife Joan sold the castle to Griffith Hughes. During a slow real estate market, Mr. Hughes raffled the castle to eventually winner Solomon Cameron who eventually went broke in 1919 and passed the castle to one of his creditors, The Bank of Montreal. Learn more about our Craigdarroch Castle tour.
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Beacon Hill Park
For nature lovers, Beacon Hill Park is a must while in Victoria. With its close proximity to the centre of town, many visitors seeking the peace and quiet of nature or the stunning views head to the park to walk its trails. On a clear day it is easy to see the Olympic Peninsula from the highest points, along with the many critters among the park.
At CVS Tours, we offer sightseeing tours in Victoria BC. Visit our sightseeing tours page for more information.
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