A scenic ride on the Victoria Clipper from Seattle to the B.C. capital for a weekend or a week is always a good time. But what if you only have a day? The good news is that a day trip to Victoria is easily doable too.
Relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery on the two-hour and 45-minute ride. You’ll pass forested islands while looking out for everything from orcas, humpbacks, and gray whales to dolphins, sea lions, and bald eagles. And, upon arrival in Victoria, you’ll find a wealth of attractions and activities within easy reach.
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There are so many things to do in this beautiful city, it can feel almost overwhelming. But don’t worry, we’re here to help with that too. We’ve designed three different itineraries created based on expert local insight. Simply choose your favorite and look forward to an unforgettable day trip to Victoria from Seattle!
Victoria Icons Itinerary: The Butchart Gardens with Afternoon Tea
Want to enjoy two of the most iconic attractions and activities to enjoy on your day trip to Victoria? Visit The Butchart Gardens and enjoy Afternoon Tea.
Start by hopping aboard the Victoria Clipper at Pier 69 in Seattle for the 8 a.m. departure. Be sure to get your camera ready for a shot of the city’s waterfront, including the Great Wheel. Then, relax and soak up the scenery while watching for wildlife on the two-hour and 45-minute ride through the Salish Sea and into the heart of downtown Victoria.
The Butchart Gardens
By booking our Victoria Day Trip that includes The Butchart Gardens Tour, there’s no need to worry about navigating public transport or hailing a taxi. Your arrival will be perfectly timed to take the 11:50 a.m. motorcoach for the picturesque, narrated 45-minute ride to this 55-acre oasis. Often ranked among the world’s best display gardens, a tranquil stroll reveals beautiful seasonal blooms, lush greenery, and sculptures.
Be sure to review our Ultimate Guide to The Butchart Gardens for in-depth insight, including seasonal specifics, to get the most out of your visit. You’ll have plenty of time to take advantage of the award-winning Afternoon Tea, a white cloth experience at the Dining Room Restaurant. Bring your appetite for indulging in the delectable array of sweet and savory treats (house-made scones!), along with exceptional loose-leaf teas.
Inner Harbour Photo Ops
After exploring, you’ll be transported back to downtown Victoria, with drop-off in front of the Fairmont Empress hotel on the Inner Harbour. With roughly an hour before returning to the Victoria Clipper terminal, you can take advantage of the many photo ops. Watch the seaplanes land and take off, check out the Parliament Buildings, or pick up hand-crafted souvenirs in the unique shops.
At 5 p.m., the Clipper fast ferry will depart for Seattle, returning to Pier 69 at 7:45 p.m. where you might enjoy your evening along the waterfront.
Downtown Victoria Delights Itinerary
A day trip to Victoria is also perfect for exploring downtown. Perhaps start with the one-hour horse-drawn carriage ride through Tally-Ho Carriage Tours. It’s a great way to get a feel for the city’s layouts while enjoying the sights and photo ops.
Off the Eaten Track Food Tour
One of the best ways to get to know any city is through its food. A two-hour Off the Eaten Track Food Tour, led by a local guide, will bring you to seven different local food hotspots for 10 samples of food and drink. Think everything from pastries, chocolate, and macarons to Korean corn dogs, cheeses, and wine. Plus, it’s a tour of historic downtown Victoria at the same time!
Give Your Wallet a Workout
Victoria is a great place to shop. With roughly two hours left, you’ll have plenty of time before you need to return to the Clipper Terminal. If you still have an appetite you can try more local dishes at the Victoria Public Market, ideal for a casual lunch, as well as shopping for handcrafted items.
The Bay Centre,which covers a full city block with more than 90 venues (about a third locally owned), is another great place to shop. You’ll find everything from fashions and accessories to homeware and culinary shops. Like to hunt for vintage treasures? There are some excellent secondhand shops on Johnson Street, Pandora Avenue, and Yates Street. We love Second Degree Vintage for clothing, but Flavour Upstairs has a good selection and often great deals.
Family-Friendly Sightseeing Itinerary: Victoria Fun for All Ages
Royal BC Museum
For some educational fun, it’s hard to beat the Royal BC Museum. With interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and storytelling, it’s appealing to adults and kids alike. Nearly everyone enjoys the tide pool with live marine animals in the “Seashore” exhibit. At the “Ocean Station” there’s an interactive Victorian-era submarine for exploring the underwater world. You can also catch a family-friendly feature film or documentary in the IMAX theatre and explore an impressive collection of totem poles.
Lunch on the Inner Harbour
Red Fish Blue Fish is within easy reach of the museum, right on the Inner Harbour. It offers some of the best fish ‘n chips around and on a pleasant day you can enjoy dining outdoors on the pier. Between the views at this walk-up eatery created from a recycled cargo container, the fun connection to the popular Dr. Seuss book, and the tasty eats, it’s sure to be a hit. And, the kids’ menu offers smaller-size fish ‘n chips portions along with items for picky eaters with alternatives like chicken fingers.
Explore the Harbor by Water Taxi
One of the most popular activities for families enjoying a day trip to Victoria is a water taxi ride. The Victoria Harbour Ferry rides provide a unique way to see the city and the waterfront while watching for the seals that can often pop up along the way.
More Time? Consider Visiting Miniature World
Depending on how much time you spend at the museum and enjoying the other activities, you might be able to visit Miniature World too. Located near the Fairmont Empress, it’s less than a 10-minute walk from the Victoria Clipper terminal. Featuring miniature dioramas with sounds bringing each world to life, there are over 80 extensively detailed historical and fictional scenes, based on various themes. Check out Circus World, Space 2201, King Arthur’s Camelot, Fantasyland, and more. The exhibits also include one of the world’s longest model railways and two of the largest dollhouses ever created.