As a cosmopolitan city brimming over with aesthetic appeal and charm, British Columbia’s historic seaside capital of British Columbia offers a lot to see and do. It’s home to world-class gardens, bucket-list worthy museums, and phenomenal farm-to-table cuisine, not to mention the stunning views. Furthermore, those on a budget will find a wealth of free things to do in Victoria.
In fact, a scenic jaunt across the Salish Sea aboard the Victoria Clipper ferry is not only affordable for those coming from across the border, all you need is your current passport and weekend bag. Plus, the exchange rate makes it even more budget-friendly for Americans. That makes it pretty hard to say no to a weekend of exploring. You might even use the savings for some guilt-free shopping!
Want to have fun without breaking the bank? Consider these 20 free things to do in Victoria, BC – you won’t have to spend a single loonie! Even better, Clipper Vacations has some great deals on offer:
BOOK NOW to $AVE on your Seattle to Victoria Trip!
1. Watch for Whales
There are many paid whale watching boat tours in Victoria. Clipper Vacations even offers a day trip that includes a whale watching excursion. But did you know you can see them without paying a thing? Of course, it’s not guaranteed, but orcas have been spotted from the walkways around the Inner Harbour, and from Beacon Hill Park. Plus, visiting the park checks off another one of the top free things to do in Victoria – detailed on our list further below. Furthermore, breathtaking views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains in Washington State are guaranteed.
2. Tour the Renowned Parliament Buildings
If anything epitomizes Victoria, it’s the iconic blue-green domed Parliament Buildings. Take one of the free guided tours available to get expert insight as you explore, bringing history to life.
Make your visit even more exciting by checking to see when the Legislative Assembly will be in session. If you can time it right, you’ll be invited to go behind the ornate ropes of the public galleries to attend debates, watch live chamber proceedings, and committee meetings.
NOTE: On weekends, visitors must join a tour to enter. The free tickets are distributed from the front driveway on a first-come, first-served basis.
3. Experience Old World Glamour at the Fairmont Empress
A renowned international landmark, it would be hard to find anything more quintessentially Victoria than the Fairmont Empress. A fixture in the capital since it opened in 1908, the moment you step inside you’ll be immersed in Old-World glamour and New World whimsy. The cloud-like chandelier is a standout, crafted with 250,000 hand-cut crystals, floating above the Empress lobby.
The Empress’ other showstopper is in Palm Court. A kaleidoscopic stained-glass dome, the colors of the glass shift with the weather. That makes it appear different in every season, and sometimes every day. Definitely worth a return visit!
4. Wander through Victoria’s Vibrant Chinatown
A piece of advice: when you have the opportunity to experience North America’s second-oldest Chinatown district, take it! Victoria’s Chinatown is chock-full of delights. Discover everything from hidden courtyards and enticing alleyways to rich cultural attractions, one-of-a-kind restaurants, and a treasure trove of shops. To take it all in, we highly recommend exploring this colorful neighborhood on foot.
Walk beneath the immense Gate of Harmonious Interest, stroll down Fan Tan Alley, visit the vibrant Chinese Public School, and the serene Tam Kung Temple. You’ll find the temple tucked inside the historic Yen Wo Society Building.
5. Window Shop & More From Lower Johnson Street to Market Square
Head to Lower Johnson Street for some of the best window shopping in Victoria. It’s not only another great place to stroll, but it also leads to Market Square. The city’s historical town square, it’s surrounded by heritage buildings, with more shops, boutiques, galleries, and jewelry stores to browse. In the open courtyard, free live free music is often hosted too.
6. Explore the Historic James Bay Neighborhood
Chinatown isn’t the only historic neighborhood that deserves exploring. Surrounded by water on three sides and with walkable pathways, the bedroom community of James Bay offers a glimpse of life as one of Victoria’s earliest settlers. You can even take a free James Bay Heritage Walking Tour that will bring you to the highlights and beyond.
Hollybank, Hatherleigh and Spring Cottage are a few of the favorites, looking as if they came straight from a storybook with turrets and spires.
7. Be One with Nature at Beacon Hill Park
While we mentioned whale watching from Beacon Hill Park, it offers plenty of other free things to do. As a nature reserve, you’ll find an oasis in the heart of the city, with colorful flowers and unique plants, a forest, beach access, and even free-roaming peacocks. There’s also a seasonal petting zoo. We’re talking pigs, donkeys, chickens, donkeys, alpacas, goats, and more. Seriously, the entertaining goats are worthy of a visit alone!
The zoo’s twice-daily goat stampedes (10:10 am and 4:10 pm) are not to be missed. You’ll see (and hear) the goats thunder out of their overnight abodes, racing and jumping to the play area. It happens all over again in the evening. Furthermore, there’s no admission fee, although small donations are encouraged.
Bring a picnic and you could spend hours at Beacon Hill Park without having to spend a penny.
8. Spook Yourself on a Self-Guided Ghost Tour
Fan of a good ghost story? Known as the most haunted city in BC, Victoria offers no shortage of spooky places to visit. In fact, there are even ghost tours that reveal the most intriguing hauntings. If you want to head out on your own, we highly recommend Bastion Square. This former courthouse ruled by “the hanging judge,” Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie, is one of the city’s most notoriously haunted spots.
You can also check out the hauntingly beautiful Ross Bay Cemetery. It’s home to the last few historical burial plots in the city. You might even come back with a spooky story or two!
9. Tour the Government House: Grounds, Gardens, & More
The admission to world-famous Butchart Gardens is well worth paying for the experience. You can even get a special deal through Clipper Vacations that includes the gardens! But if you can’t swing it, there’s a good, free alternative. The beautiful grounds, including the gardens, surrounding the residence of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia are open to the public without a cost. You can stroll meandering trails that lead to a variety of colorful spaces. That includes the sunken rose garden, a Victorian rose garden, an English country garden, an herb garden, and a Rhododendron garden.
Open from dawn to dusk, one could easily spend hours immersing themselves among the songs of the birds and the striking natural beauty. The house itself is open to the public for free guided tours. Various points of interest, the architecture, art, and history are all covered. But keep in mind that as space is limited, you’ll need to register in advance.
10. People Watch from the Causeway
To truly get a feel for Victoria’s downtown core, you’ll want to spend time on the causeway circling the Inner Harbour. It’s the top-spot for people watching and a whole lot more. Indeed, you can soak up a myriad of views: the boats that come and go, the Parliament Buildings, and the iconic Fairmont Express. But that’s not all. Equally important is the beauty after dark. Those who stick around until dusk will be treated to a glorious sunset. Once night falls, the twinkling lights of the city illuminate it all.
11. Check out Colorful Houseboats and Playful Seals at Fisherman’s Wharf
We don’t know about you but we can never get enough time near the water. In fact, just around the corner from Victoria’s Inner Harbour is Fisherman’s Wharf. A floating, kid-friendly hidden gem, you can admire dozens of colorful houseboats bobbing up and down with the tide. Furthermore, the wharf is a great place to say hello to the playful harbor seals. Watch them swim around the docks for an always entertaining show with no admission cost.
Not to mention, you can put that savings to good use by treating yourself to a scoop of gelato (or two!) at Jackson’s Ice Cream. Victoria’s only floating ice cream store, it’s open seasonally from mid-March to mid-October.
12. Jam Out at the BC Harbour Blues ‘n Roots Festival
Victoria offers fun events year-round. Even better? Some are free. For example, the BC Harbour Blues ‘n Roots Festival offers performances during the day at no cost. To clarify, the evening performances are ticketed, so take note. But that means you can hang out in the summer sun at the outdoor stage in the Inner Harbour, enjoying the blues and a mix of multiple genres for free. While the specific dates change each year, it typically takes place over a weekend during the second half of August. Furthermore, food stalls, beverages, and artisan vendors are all included. Of course, those do come with a cost.
13. Snap a Totem Pole Selfie at Thunderbird Park
Wander through the towering totem poles and unique collection of First Nation monuments in Thunderbird Park. This hidden treasure is nestled on a quiet, tree-lined corner, providing an ideal place to relax and soak up the remarkable art and native history.
The colorful Wawadit’la, referred to by the locals as the Mungo Martin House, is a highlight. Not surprisingly, this wooden building with a gigantic painted grin was named after the famous local carver.
Inside tip: With the exception of the heraldic pole, all the poles in the park are replicas carved by Mungo Martin and others. However, you can see the original totem poles by visiting the First Peoples Gallery inside the Royal BC Museum. (Admission is by donation during Community Days – check the official museum site for the next opportunity)
14. Get Lost in the Finnerty Gardens
A secluded sanctuary at the edge of the University of Victoria campus, Finnerty Gardens boasts over 4,000 trees and shrubs and 35 flowerbeds bursting with a jaw-dropping display of perennials. In fact, all you need is the free map (available at the entrance gate) to discover botanical bliss!
Rhody lovers take note, the gardens include one of the largest collections of rhododendrons in the Pacific Northwest. This is Rhody heaven with 200 different species in a kaleidoscope of colors.
15. Experience Victoria’s Farmers Markets
Farmers markets are often only open during the summer months in other parts of the world. But as they’re such a big part of Victoria’s culture, you’ll find at least one open no matter what the season, even during the winter! Check out the Guide to Farmers Markets for a regional listing. It’s a great way to get some free samples and perhaps pick up ingredients for a picnic.
16. Follow the Signs of Lekwungen
Want to learn more about the First Nations people who have resided in the Victoria area for hundreds of years? All you need to do is follow the Signs of the Lekwungen. The interpretive walkway wraps around the waterfront and runs through the surrounding areas.
Track down all seven of the unique, spindle whorl-shaped site markers, carved by renowned Coast Salish artist Butch Dick. Coupled with details about the land, original inhabitants, and the spirit of the people, it brings First Nations culture to life.
17. Bike the Galloping Goose
Many hotels in Victoria’s downtown core offer complimentary bikes for exploring. Accordingly, if you book one of them you can take advantage of the 37-mile-long Galloping Goose Trail and pedal for free. It stretches all the way from Victoria to Sooke, but you can just bike a section if you don’t want to cover the whole thing. Our favorite follows the road southwest across the picturesque Selkirk trestle. You’ll roll under a dense canopies of leaves, alongside serene farmland, and into the pristine wilderness of the Sooke Hills.
Prefer beachfront views? Wind your way north through Saanich toward Sidney. By and large, there’s no better way to get a complete picture of the region.
18. Appreciate BC’s Talented Artists at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Need an art fix? Head to the historic Rockland neighborhood to the intimate Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. It features seven modern galleries with nearly 20,000 objects d’art from across the globe. But be sure to duck into into the Gallery’s tranquil Asian Garden that awaits outside too. Tucked among the bamboo and Japanese maples, it’s the only authentic Japanese Shinto Shrine in North America, styled after the architecture of the Meiji period Shinto Shrines.
Even better? Admission is free during Free Gallery Days on the first Saturday of the month (10 am to 5 pm) and on Thursday evenings (5 pm to 9 pm). We can say without hesitation that viewing incredible works of art doesn’t get more affordable than this!
19. Take a Hike
Discover some of Victoria’s most breathtaking natural beauty by going for hike. While the options are practically endless, a few of the most popular treks include Goldstream Park, Avatar Grove, Mystic Falls, Fort Rodd Hill, Mt. Douglas and Mt. Tolmie. All offer picturesque views at no cost.
20. See the City from Mt. Tolmie
Standing tall across the water, the snow-capped Mt. Baker will take your breath away. Credit: Mick Hall
While this one falls under the hiking category, it’s more of an easy walk. Plus, it deserves its own feature. After just 1.25 miles, you’ll be at the top of Mount Tolmie, one of the best places for a view the city and well beyond. The panoramic vista showcases Greater Victoria, Mount Douglas and both the San Juan Islands and Mount Baker in Washington State. Not to mention, the vast expanse of glistening blue waters. Additionally, bird lovers can watch for birds in the sheltered natural areas. Or, simply bring a blanket, tossing it down for a picnic and quiet reflection.
21. Join a Guided Nature Walk
Finally, the CRD Regional Parks Programs offers a variety of guided nature walks, focused on everything from birds, butterflies, and bats to whales. .
There’s no need to empty your wallet to have a good time with friends or family with such a long list of free things to do in Victoria, B.C. anytime you’re in the mood for an adventure!
