Immerse yourself right into this unique Canadian destination and pay a visit to Chinatown and Fan Tan Alley. You'll hear a lot on your trip that Victoria has the oldest Chinatown in all of Canada and that Fan Tan Alley is one of the narrowest streets in all of North America. The neighbourhood dates back to the mid-1850s and today, it's filled with unique shops and amazing spots for a photo op. Basically, it's a must-stop on your Victoria itinerary! Enter through the Gate of Harmonious Interest on the corner of Government Street and Fisgard Street and turn onto the colourful and quaint Fan Tan Alley. The gambling houses and opium dens of the Gold Rush period are long gone, and now it's a little gold mine for vintage lovers and foodies alike. Check out The Faraway, a vintage clothing store on the third floor of the alley. And make sure to come hungry, so you can indulge in some delicious food at the Little Yunnan Restaurant and pick up bubble tea at the historic Fan Tan Cafe.

You know there's more than a few of us out there who just love an epic lighthouse selfie. If this is you, then Fisgard Lighthouse is your spot. Located 13 kilometres west of downtown Victoria, this is the oldest lighthouse on the Canadian West Coast. The lighthouse is a Canadian National Historic Site along with Fort Rodd Hill, and a visit here offers amazing views of the coastline along with a little history lesson of the area's military past dating back over a 100 years. The site is open year-round, weather permitting.

Wonderfully curated flower gardens, not to mention one of Vancouver Island's best High Tea experiences, Butchart Gardens is one of the best things to do in Victoria any time of year. This impressive and unmissable Victoria attraction was the vision of Jennie Butchart. Knowing very little about gardening but a lot about chemistry, she turned her family's (exhausted) limestone quarry into what's now the Sunken Garden. This was back in the 1920's, and over the years this site has blossomed (pun intended) into what the Butchart Gardens is today. The garden's highlights include the Japanese Garden, the Italian Garden, the ever-impressive Rose Garden, and of course the Sunken Garden and pond. Head to the Dining Room Restaurant for their daily Holiday High Tea from 2:45-3:30. Many guests say it's one of the best in Victoria. Reservations are recommended. Fun fact: Victoria's Butchart Gardens was the inspiration for the gardens at the Canadian pavillion at Disney's Epcot!

Nothing says Canadian historic site like a Victorian-era castle made for a Scottish coal baron. Built in the late 1800s, Victoria's Craigdarroch Castle is an impressive example of the Victorian period style of architecture. Featuring four floors and 39 rooms, the castle's highlights include the intricately painted stained glass windows and the billiards room. It even houses some of the original furniture from that era. Just two kilometres west of the downtown area, Craigdarroch Castle is definitely something that all you architecture and history nerds out there need to add to your things to do in Victoria bucket list.

Head to the Inner Harbour and you're in the heart of it all here in Victoria. This area is home to the iconic Empress Hotel, the Legislative Building, as well as the Royal BC Museum, so plan to base yourself here for the day so you can easily hit up Victoria's top attractions. The harbour pathway stretches along the coast, making for an incredibly scenic stroll in summer, winter, or anytime in between. Want to add a little more adventure? You can tour Victoria's Inner and Outer Harbour by water taxi. With boats available during the day, these water taxis make 12 stops along the Victoria Harbour to some of the best things to do in Victoria. Tours start at the dock in front of the Empress Hotel. Winter hours of operation are currently from Friday to Sunday between 11-4 pm. Operations are weather permitting, and you can check their website for the latest info. Looking for things to do in Victoria at night? The Inner Harbour is particularly stunning after dark when the nearby buildings are lit up.

Located in downtown Victoria, Beacon Hill Park has been a local favourite and hang-out spot for decades and it's one of the best things to do in Victoria with kids. This free park is great for people-watching, peacock-spotting, and just spending some time with friends and family. If you're here in the warmer months, take the kids to the Children's Farm - it's free to enter and you can visit all the resident animals, from the pigs, goats, donkeys, ducks, alpacas, and more! Make sure to check out the totem pole on the southeast corner of the park, standing at 173-feet tall as a memorial to the First Nations burial ground that the park was constructed on.

No trip to Victoria is complete without paying a visit to the Royal BC Museum. With a diverse collection of exhibitions here year-round, this downtown Victoria attraction is an art, history, and culture lesson all in one. They have permanent collections as well as new exhibitions just about every season, so check their website and see if anything peaks your interest for your trip. The exhibitions currently going on at the museum include Stonehenge, the Natural History Gallery, and Our Living Languages, which was established in collaboration with the First Peoples' Cultural Council. Opening in May 2025, the popular Beyond the Beat: Music of Resistance and Change exhibition will be visiting from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. Learn about the inspiration behind some of the world's best-known songs through this interactive and immersive exhibit.

One of the newest and most thrilling things to do in Victoria is the Malahat SkyWalk that opened in July 2021. Set along the Salish Sea 35 kilometres from downtown Victoria, this award-winning SkyWalk is a Spiral Tower and TreeWalk that gives visitors a unique, up-close-and personal perspective of the natural landscape. The TreeWalk is a 600-metre long, accessible walk that goes through Douglas Fir, Cedar, and Arbutus forest trees before leading to the Spiral Tower where you'll get bird's eye views of the nearby Saanish Peninsula and Mount Baker. On top of the breathtaking views you get here, the kids will love going down the 20-metre long spiral slide or crawling along the Adventure Net. This attraction is open year-round, and there's an official shuttle bus available during the high season which takes visitors from downtown Victoria directly to the SkyWalk.

The historic Empress Hotel by Fairmont has been one of the best things to do in Victoria, BC for years. This beautiful building can't be missed along the Inner Harbour. If you're not staying at the hotel, you can still visit the Q Bar and indulge in a Gin and Tonic, dine at Q at the Empress, or book a table for their daily Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Lounge. Opened in 1908 and named after England's Queen Victoria, the hotel was originally built to cater to the wealthiest investors in Canada's railway and steamship industries.

Right by the Inner Harbour, the Fisherman's Wharf is a must on your things to do in Victoria bucket list, especially in the summer time. This picturesque part of town makes for a perfect stroll for an hour or two, where you can enjoy looking at the rows of colourful houseboats of local residents. Explore the small shops, kiosks, independently-owned restaurants, and grab a cone at the famous Jackson's Ice Cream. If you're up for it, wander down to the docks and hop on a water taxi, where you can get the best harbour views right from the boat.

Vintage shops, Instagrammable cafes and restaurants, one-of-a-kind boutiques - what more could you want? Lower Johnson Street (rebranded as LoJo) is another on the list of top things to do in Victoria, especially in the downtown area, so make sure to wander along this part of town during your trip. Come here to eat, drink, shop (or just window shop) to get a taste of what Vancouver's quirky capital city has to offer. Drag brunch and karaoke nights at Friends of Dorothy Lounge are always a good time, Second Degree Vintage is a must-visit, and Little Shop of Strange is for any and every type of culture buff looking for unique collectibles.