There is so much to see and do in Greater Victoria that you will never have enough time. It is important to have some direction so that you get the best. We have four world-class attractions in the Greater Victoria area and you might want to start with those. We are highlighting just some of the things you can do, so you have lots of choice. The four world-class activities are: Butchart Gardens, The Royal Museum and Imax Theatre, our spectacular Whale Watching and finally take a tour to enjoy our world class scenery. It doesn't get any better than this.

Butchart Gardens is a must see when visiting Victoria. It takes about 20 minutes by car to get to Butchart Gardens from Hemingway's. We are in the centre of Victoria so access to all the activities and attractions is quick and easy. Butchart is truly a world-class operation. It consists of a number of different gardens spread over a large property in Central Saanich. There is a great gift shop at the gardens and also several places to eat. During the summer months, on Saturdays, they have a spectacular fire-works show in the evening. Be sure to visit Butchart Gardens. There are also some other great gardens in Victoria that you might want to visit (Hatley Gardens at Royal Roads University, Finnerty Gardens at UVic, Glendale Gardens and Woodlands, Playfair Park, Beacon Hill Park).

The Royal BC Museum and Imax Theatre is another must see while visiting Victoria. There is no better way to see the history and life in BC over the years. The displays are world-class. The displays include "first nation culture", forestry, history of urban life, mining, undersea, and much more. Our museum has had some world class displays brought in, so check to see what is showing. There is a great gift shop and a small restaurant on site. The Imax Theatre has great shows year round and the Imax experience is not to be missed. The Imax theatre also has a great gift shop. You will not be disappointed by this world-class attraction. If you buy a pass for both the museum and theatre, you will get a discount. Enjoy.

Spectacular whale watching is available in Victoria year round. During the spring and summer months (May to October) there are three resident pods of whales (called the J, K, and L pods) that stay in our vicinity through these months. They allow a fantastic 80-90% chance of seeing whales every day. In addition, many other whales pass through our area, including Grey Whales, Minky Whales, and Transient Orcas (Killer Whales - the transient whales eat seals and sea lions, while the resident pods focus on Salmon). Most of the tour operators have three hour trips. In addition to whales, you might also see seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises, herons, eagles, and a lot more. You can take your trip in a rubber boat that flies like the wind, or in a covered boat that can protect you from the elements. These adventures are a trip of a life time. Watching these magnificent creatures in their natural environment is an awesome experience.


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Take a tour! There are so many ways to tour Victoria. If you want to get up close and personal with our busy Inner Harbour, try the cute little Harbour Ferry shown to the right. There are a number of stops at good places to eat (Spinnakers, Milestones and the Canoe Club). You can also catch double-decker English style buses to tour the city. These can be easily found around the Inner Harbour. Also, next to the BC Legislature, you will find the Horse-drawn Carriage tours. You can also hire limos to take you around the City. There are also some great walking tours and specialty tours (Chinatown, Cemeteries). You can also take a flying tour right from the Inner Harbour. The choice is yours. You can also drive yourself around our beautiful city. There are some great places to view the city (Mount Tolmie and Mount Douglas). Check out the links below for some of these services.

Take a Day-Trip from Victoria: there are many opportunities available. Visit Chemainus, home to some spectacular murals (see right). You can ride the train (Via Rail) or drive there. Visit Duncan and tour the "First Nation Cultural Centre" or the Forestry Museum. Duncan is the city of "Totems". You can also visit the quaint seaside village of Cowichan Bay. You can also take a tour of our wine region near Duncan or on the Saanich Peninsula. All of these are very manageable in one day, especially from Hemingway's. You can also visit any of the beautiful Gulf Islands.

Take a walk around our neighbourhood, you will be surprised at what you find. The ocean is just 5 minutes away at Fleming Beach in Macaulay Point Park. The park has a boat launch, a cliff locals use to practice rock climbing and some spectacular views of Juan de Fuca Strait. In the Strait whales go by often, eagles soar, herons feed in the shallows, seals and sea lions search for food, large freighters and cruise ships pass by.... you just never know what you will see. Just another few minutes away, you will find beautiful Saxe Point Park. It is a great place to have a picnic, sit and soak in the sites, or just relax. The park is beautiful and well worth the short walk. Saxe Point is also a spectacular place to watch the sun set on a warm summer evening. You can also walk to the Inner Harbour on the sensational Songhees Walkway. It is beautiful and has wonderful views of the Strait and of the Inner Harbour. It is well worth the time it may take (about an hour). You can shorten the return trip by taking the Harbour Ferry back to West Bay.

One of Greater Victoria's best attractions is the Galloping Goose Trail. It is actually a bicycle/walking/multi-use trail that goes from the Inner Harbour north to the BC Ferry Terminal or West towards Sooke. To take full advantage of this excellent trail system you need to get a map and more information. If you can transport your bike by vehicle, you can do parts of the trail. From downtown to Leechtown north of the Sooke Potholes, it is approximately 55 km. If you want to see some great pictures taken along the trail click here. This page will have links to maps and park/trail administration. At Heminways we have a large garage where you can safely store your bikes overnight and we are very close to the downtown trail head. It is just a short distance from Hemingway's to the Selkirk Trestle at the start of the trail. The photo to the right was taken where the trail overlooks the Sooke Basin. This is one of the finest attractions/activities available in Victoria and should not be missed.

Helpful Attractions and Activity Links:

The Abkhazi Garden Open March 1, 2002, from 1PM to 5 PM, Wednesday to Sunday until the end of September. This wonderful garden should not be missed on a visit to Victoria.

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria A historic mansion is the home of one of Canada's leading art galleries. The gallery boasts a permanent collection of 10,000 works including Canada's finest collection of Japanese art and an impressive range of contemporary art. This is a must see for the Art lovers.

B.C. Forest Museum An excellent historical perspective of the logging and forestry industry in BC with lots to see and do. Located in Duncan, just north of Victoria.

Beacon Hill Petting Zoo - Children's Farm The farm consists of a petting zoo, unique animal displays such as horses, pigs, peacocks, llamas, sheep, goats and more. This is a must see for all children

Belfry Theatre Great local theatre productions throughout the year.

Butchart Gardens The world famous Butchart Gardens offer phenomenal garden displays, from the picturesque sunken gardens to the exotic Japanese gardens. Beautiful flowers, night illumination, fireworks, seeds and gifts, wonderful restaurants and the best visitor services in the region. Don't miss it!

Butterfly Gardens A vacation in Victoria isn't complete without a stop at Victoria Butterfly Gardens. Stroll amid hundreds of free-flying butterflies and visit with the friendliest birds anywhere; all in an enchanting indoor tropical garden of 12,000 square feet, designed specifically for housing and breeding tropical species of butterflies and moths. See over 30 species of butterflies; truly a photographer's paradise and a wonderful place to learn. Bus & RV parking. Visit our web site and get a l0% discount coupon.

Christ Church Cathedral This magnificent gothic structure was built in 1929 with towers rising 122 feet above the street level. Visitors are welcome to take Self-Guided Tours of the Cathedral between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. weekdays and 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 PM on Sundays. Visitors are welcome to all of the services held in the Cathedral.

Craigdarroch Castle Visit Victoria's Legendary Landmark. This castle was built in 1889 built by one of the wealthiest and most influential men in British Columbia. The castle is lavish and restored to it's original charm. A must see for site seers.

Chinatown's Hidden Dragon Hidden Dragon delights and inspires on journeys of discovery with wonderful Soft Adventures in Victoria's Chinatown. Hidden Dragon Walking Adventures of Old Chinatown explores our East meets West portal. One experiences the sights, culture, smells, sounds and history of our living museum. As the only tour operator based in Old Chinatown, Hidden Dragon has insight into local secrets and mysteries like no other. The Hidden Dragon Dinner Showcase is a celebration of Chinese culture through the arts, fine dining and magic. Our world class talent add flavors of the orient to Victoria.

Discover the Past Tours Guided tours of historic sites around Victoria. Famous for graveyard tours that tell the history of Victoria.

Emily Carr House With an architecture described as both "San Francisco" and "English Gingerbread", all agree that Emily Carr House is on the must see list of Victoria's attractions. Centrally located only four blocks from the Inner Harbour and the Provincial Legislature, the house offers its visitors a chance to gain an insight into Canada's first - and best known - independent artist and writer.

Finnerty Gardens University of Victoria Finnerty Gardens contain a major collection of rhododendrons, as well as many other varieties of plants. The months of April and May are the peak blooming season and the best time to visit. The gardens are open to the public every day during daylight hours. Allow at least one hour to tour the gardens. No admission!

Fort Rodd Hill-Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site - is a coast artillery fort built in the late 1890s to defend Victoria and the Esquimalt Naval Base. The Fort includes three gun batteries, underground magazines, command posts, guardhouses, barracks and searchlight emplacements. There are numerous interpretive signs and audiovisual stations, as well as period furnished rooms and friendly, knowledgeable staff. Visitors can explore gun batteries and underground magazines built a century ago, as well as searchlight emplacements, command posts, and much more.

Galloping Goose Regional Trail A favorite among the locals of southern Vancouver Island. The trail winds through Victoria, Colwood, Langford, Metchosin, and Sooke. It passes through all types of beautiful and famous BC landscapes: pristine coniferous forests, streams, rivers, lakes, meadows and highlands. You can walk, jog, bike or even ride a horse along as you explore some of the most gorgeous terrain Vancouver Island has to offer..

Government House The Governor Generals residence on Rockland has great gardens to stroll through.

Great Canadian Casino Our newest, state of the art casino features hundreds of slot machines and all of your favourite table games! Plus, play the Race to Win and you could win a hot new car! The decor and first rate service combine to create the perfect ambiance for both the seasoned players and beginners. For great dining, enjoy the popular Weinlager and Amici Caffe, our fabulous onsite, full service, licensed restaurant. And be sure to check our Casino News section to see what's around the corner! This beautiful facility is only a quick 25 minutes from downtown Victoria or, if you need a ride, we have a FREE Shuttle Service.

Harbour Ferry Welcome Aboard the Victoria Harbour Ferries! We operate a fleet of eleven, 12 passenger ferries which travel around beautiful Victoria, B.C. Harbour.

Hatley Gardens The Italian Gardens, the Japanese Gardens and the Rose Gardens at Hatley Park, located on the grounds of Royal Roads University are open to the general public. Weddings are celebrated continuously here in the summer months. There are also approximately 600+ acres of old-growth forest with hiking and biking trails. Hatley Park is also home to Hatley Castle. Admission is by donation.

Glendale Gardens and Woodlands Browse and enjoy the perennial displays (all labelled), asiatic and oriental lily collection, the rose garden, walk lovely forest paths and rest on shaded benches open all year, dawn to dusk. Plant lovers should not miss this one.

Imax Theatre & the Royal British Columbia Museum Excellent films on a massive IMAX Screen, ten times the size of most theatre screens. Fantastic camera work in all films.

Marine Ecology Station The Marine Ecology Centre offers group programs for people of all ages, covering a range of interests. You can also enjoy the Centre at your own pace during our public walk-in hours.

Maritime Museum of British Columbia The History of British Columbia on the water. Superb displays.

Market Square With over 35 independently owned and operated shops, restaurants, and a nightclub to serve you, Market Square is sure to be on your "must see" list when visiting The Garden City. Whether you're looking for Canadian arts and crafts or treasures from around the world, chances are, you'll find it at Market Square. Located in the heart of Old Town, Market Square's courtyard is home to concerts, festivals, and events throughout the year.

Mineral World & Scratch Patch Mineral World & Scratch Patch is a family attraction on the waterfront at Port Sidney - a 20 minutes drive north of Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula. We are five minutes from the Swartz Bay Ferry to Vancouver and the Washington State Ferry to Anacortes (USA). The Scratch Patch is an outdoor adventure land of gemstones and gold panning, guaranteed to appeal to the child in everyone. Mineral World is a large educational gift store featuring gems, jewelry, stone art, fossils, crystals, science & nature toys and gifts and museum displays. Our attraction is near restaurants, whale watching tours, passenger ferries to sandy beaches and other museums, put us on your list - you will be thrilled you did.

Pacific Undersea Gardens Descend into a world where you’ll come face to face with the excitement, the wonder, the magic and mystery of the underwater world. Beneath the surface of the Inner Harbour and see the largest collection of local marine life to be found anywhere! The Sea gives up it’s secrets our unique underwater theatre, watch the Live Dive Show, meet the diver and visit the touch & feel tank.

Playfair Park Home of one of the best Rhodo display gardens in Greater Victoria.

Point Ellice House Gold Rush Magnate and Commissioner Peter O'Reilly acquired Point Ellice House in 1867, and many among Victoria's social elite gathered there. The flowers in the luxuriant heritage gardens surrounding this rambling Italian home accurately reflect the family's own notes about their Victorian favourites. This property is like a verdant jewel amid the industries and businesses along the Victoria waterfront.

Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre The Centre offers all guests an authentic First Nations Experience - Interpretive Tours, Traditional Art Work and Native Food. The Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre is located in the Cowichan Valley, 45 minutes from both Nanaimo and Victoria in the southeast corner of Vancouver Island.

Royal British Columbia Museum & IMAX Theatre This fine museum display local heritage from prehistoric times to the present. It boast a proud history of BC past a present. One of the finest Museums around and it includes an IMAX Theatre which should not be missed.

Royal London Wax Museum World History in wax. Great displays.

Sidney Museum Overlooking the sea at the foot of Beacon Avenue, the museum exhibit models, skeleton and murals exhibit the remarkable story of whales. Historical photographs and artifact portray the early lives of Sidney residents, the Coast Salish nation, and European and Oriental peoples.

Sooke Region Museum For thousands of years, nature has shaped the people who have lived in the temperate rainforests of Vancouver Island. The Sooke Region Museum is dedicated to explain how this fascinating process has evolved and to share it with all who visit our unique facility.

Tally Ho Siteseeing Tours Victoria's original and oldest sightseeing company offering a unique experience, without which no visit to Victoria is complete.

Vancouver Island Brewing Co. Vancouver Island Brewery began in Victoria in 1984, when a group of "Islanders" responded to the fleeing of all national and independent breweries on the island. Vancouver Island Brewery began brewing handcrafted lagers and ales with fresh, distinctive flavors for the West Coast palate. Public Tours, Guided Tours and Private Tours are available. Call the company.