After a long, cold, wet winter, the first glorious days of spring are like a breath of fresh air. With over 26 billion blossoms blanketing the city combined with warmer temperatures, sunnier skies and longer days, there is no better place to escape than the vibrant and exciting city of Victoria. Boasting everything from biking trips to museum exhibits to lush gardens to amazing wildlife, few cities offer as many and as easily accessible opportunities for sightseeing and recreation. Come out of hibernation and plan a family adventure with these seven fun ideas for a spring break getaway to Victoria.
1. Go explore on two wheels
Expose yourself to all the smells, weather, historical roads and snippets of local conversation as you ride through the quaint streets of Victoria on the family fun bicycles tour. You’ll get an inside look at Victoria as you pass through quiet neighborhoods such as Fairfield in search of hidden lookouts. Take a break to mingle with four-legged friends at the Beacon Hill Children’s Farm and watch the “Running of the Goats,” which is sure to cause your kids to chuckle as the farm’s entire African Pygmy goat herd gallops past on tiny hooves. You can also stop by Fisherman’s Wharf to feed the seals or head to the beach to fly kites and skip stones across the sparkling waters.
2. Immerse Yourself in the history & Culture of the city
Step back in time and imagine walking the wooden dockside streets in downtown Victoria during the 1900s inside the Royal British Columbia Museum’s Becoming BC gallery or enter the domed room of the Natural History gallery to soak in the sweet sounds of local birds and learn about the flora and fauna found in the region’s magnificent forest. Chalk full of unique, interactive exhibits, giant totem poles and huge collections of First Nations art, the museum is a fun place for kids (and adults) to discover more about British Columbia’s human and natural history.
3. Soar Through Sooke’s Forests
Feel the wind in your hair as you whiz over the trees and valleys of Victoria’s coastal temperate rainforest on eight ziplines ranging from 150-1,000 feet long and up to 150 feet high on an AdrenaLINE Zipline Adventure. Traverse across two wooden suspension bridges for a squirrel’s view of the forest canopy as well as magnificent mountain and ocean views. To experience another side of the forest, soar through stately evergreen trees under the stars on a nighttime tour, which is sure to satisfy both advanced and novice zipliners.
4. discover The Butchart Garden’s Season of Bloom
From the earliest of red tulips to bright yellow daffodils, the famously lavish Butchart Gardens are brimming with thousands of beautiful flowers bursting with color. Explore the 55-acre floral extravaganza and breathe in the sweet scent of hyacinths as you pass under cherry and plum trees covered in cascades of fluffy pink and white flowers. Follow stone paths through the separately themed Italian, Japanese, Sunken and Mediterranean gardens and take in sights of trickling streams, flowering shrubs, crystal clear ponds and arches wrapped in brilliant flowers. Before you leave, be sure to stop by Rose Carousel and take your kids for a whirl on one of the brightly painted and intricately hand-carved zebras, camels, lions, bears and horses.
5. explore victoria’s wild side
Home to the mighty orca whale and ruggedly stunning coastal scenery, there is no better way to experience Victoria’s natural wonders than by spending a day cruising through the sapphire waters of the Salish Sea. Load yourself into an expedition catamaran on Five Star’s whale watching tour and scan the horizon for tall black dorsal fins cutting through the water or rising spray from the whale’s blowholes in order to view some of the 100 resident killer whales that ply the sea’s waters. Along with orcas, the region is teeming with wildlife. Minke and humpback whales, Dall’s porpoise, seals and otters can be seen swimming playfully near the boat while an array of birds ranging from bald eagles to tufted puffins search the surrounding waters for food.
6. CHeck Out awe-inspiring insects
Filled with creatures that whine, flash stingers, buzz and click, the inhabitants of the Victoria Bug Zoo are not ones that you normally would want to see in the wild. However, if you are not afraid of creatures of the creepy crawly nature, the facility is a great way to sneak up close to fascinating and exotic insects. Schmooze with spiders, watch the inner workings of Canada’s largest ant colony, check out giant walking sticks, glow-in-the-dark scorpions and beautiful praying mantises or even pet a hairy tarantula!
7. experience life in miniature
A seemingly unassuming building from the outside, once you step inside Miniature World, you will feel as though you have been transported into a history or story book. Make your way through the meandering aisles and peer through display cases to see everything from historical battles to childhood fantasy lands brought to life in miniature. Experience what life was like in Canada in the 1880s and see trains journey past remote towns as they ride the great Canadian Railway. Return to the nostalgic days when the circus came to town and watch the vibrant lights of the big top light up the night sky or view some of the world’s largest dollhouses filled with meticulously crafted custom wooden furniture, embroidered bedding, tiled flooring and more.
With historic landmarks, beautiful gardens and picturesque waterfront it is hard to find a better spot for a relaxing spring vacation than the charming and vibrant city of Victoria. Whether you want to smell the flowers in the expansive and beautiful Butchart Gardens or get up close and personal with the local wildlife, Victoria offers an endless array of captivating activities, making it the perfect place to play, learn and explore for families of all ages.