Visiting Victoria doesn’t have to be expensive … there are many things to do that are either free … or cost very little. Here are some suggestions:
HERITAGE ACRES
Heritage Acres in Saanich, BC is operated by the Saanich Historical Artifact Society. Like me, you may have seen the sign for Heritage Acres as you're driving along the Pat Bay Hwy. And like me,
Institute of Ocean Sciences & Pacific Geoscience Centre
The Institute of Ocean Sciences (IOS) located in North Saanich on the Patricia Bay, is home to the federal departments of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). IOS is one of
SWAP AND SHOP
FINISHED FOR 2017 APRIL 2 - SEPT 24, 2017 The annual Swap and Shop at Western Speedway is back for 2017! Treasure hunters ... bargain hunters ... or just a fun way to spend a
FISHERMAN’S WHARF
Fisherman’s Wharf Park [4 ½ acres] Overlooking the wharf and on the new Harbour Pathway, the park is at Erie and St. Lawrence. A rehabilitated land project, this newly formed park today boasts a rain
LIBRARIES IN VICTORIA
Victoria Public Libraries Need to find a place you can get free wi-fi? Many coffee shops and some restaurants have this available for customers. It's also free in most public libraries without having a library
ROSS BAY CEMETERY
Ross Bay Cemetery is located at 1516 Fairfield Road. Many historical figures from the early days of the province and colony of British Columbia are buried at Ross Bay. It's a beautiful setting and a
NATURE OUTINGS AND EVENTS
CRD REGIONAL PARKS PROGRAMS For nature lovers of all ages! Check the link above for the nature-guided walks and programs. Click HERE for maps to all parks. All programs run rain or shine. Events are
THE PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Along with the Empress Hotel, the Parliament Buildings dominate the scenery in downtown Victoria. Victoria is the capital of the Province of British Columbia and is home to the Legislative Legislative Chamber
DEVONIAN REGIONAL PARK
Devonian Park Entrance and parking lot This great - tho small - park is about a 40-minute drive from Victoria and well worth it! Features include a gentle walking trail through mixed woodland
SWAN LAKE CHRISTMAS HILL NATURE SANCTUARY
Swan Lake/Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary This park consists of two distinct areas: marshy lowlands surrounding Swan Lake; and the rocky, oak-forested highlands of Christmas Hill. The 12,000 year-old-lake is a rich habitat for a variety
MOVIE MONDAYS
ERIC MARTIN PAVILION Victoria Mental Health Centre Eric Martin Pavilion 2328 Trent St. (entrance is at corner of Fort St. and Lee Ave.) Parking: In the New Year (2016) the City is taking over the
THE MARITIME MUSEUM OF BC
The Maritime Museum of BC Location: After our move from our long-term home in Bastion Square, we are now located downtown on Humboldt. St, close to the Inner Harbour and across the street from The
CARNAVON PARK
Carnavon Park A developed sports park (3.97 hectares), surrounded by residential housing, with playing fields for rugby, soccer, ball diamonds with score/concession building, tennis courts, tennis backboard, and lacrosse box, with washrooms and change rooms.
CENTENNIAL PARK
Centennial Park is one of Langford's best 'all ages' park. Located 1/2 way between downtown and Langford Lake, Centennial Park is the perfect place for a baseball game or gathering. There are 4 baseball diamonds,
THE WATERING GARDEN AT BEACON HILL PARK
This spray park in downtown Victoria contains a huge watering can, and standing under it is the equivalent to standing under a huge shower! Since it's located in Beacon Hill Park, there are many other
BEACON HILL CHILDREN’S FARM
Beacon Hill Park - Childrens' Farm is an inexpensive and fun way to spend an afternoon outdoors with the kids. The farms' goats, sheep, bunnies, peacocks, potbellied pigs, miniature horses and other animals are perennial
CITY CENTRE PARK
Fun for the whole family! Location: 1089 Langford Parkway, Langford, BC City Centre Park is Langford’s “everything” active entertainment zone, designed and coordinated by the City’s own Parks Department. The Eagle Ridge Community Centre, built
E&N RAIL TRAIL IN VICTORIA, BC
E & N Rail Trail - our newest Regional Trail! A new cycling and pedestrian trail is being constructed largely within the E&N rail corridor. It is being built in phases over a number of
POCKET BEACHES IN VICTORIA, BC
POCKET BEACHES There are a number of small beaches I like to call 'pocket beaches' scattered around Victoria. They are really tiny but this usually means they are fairly quiet - usually only known to
FRANCIS/KING REGIONAL PARK
This park is an ideal place for visitors of all abilities to explore nature. Features Eleven kilometres of gentle woodland trails Spring wildflower meadows A nature centre and meeting room The Elsie King Trail, a
ESQUIMALT LAGOON
Esquimalt Lagoon Esquimalt (pronounced 'Ess-KWI-malt') Lagoon features miles of breathtaking ocean Lagoon Side of the Road beachfront perfect for walks, beachcombing, sand castles and water play. Across the road from the
ISLAND VIEW BEACH REGIONAL PARK
Island View Beach This park offers an expansive beach along the eastern shore of the Saanich Peninsula. There's a long, sandy beach for exploring, picnicking and swimming, dune, wetland, and shrub ecosystems, home to numerous
Feeding the seals in Victoria, BC
For a fun (and free) time for the whole family, check out some of Victoria's 'moocher' seals. They know how to work the crowd and the audience loves them for it! Two places in Victoria
CHINATOWN
A great place to wander through if you have an hour or two is Victoria's Chinatown. It's the oldest Chinatown in Canada and the 2nd oldest in North America behind San Francisco's Chinatown. Located on
HATLEY CASTLE
HATLEY PARK NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE AND ... A MOVIE STAR! Hatley Castle James Dunsmuir commissioned Samuel Maclure, a Victorian architect, to design the “Castle”. Local stone, trimmed by Valdez and Saturna
GOVERNMENT HOUSE AND CARY MEWS
One of Victoria's 'hidden gems' ... Government House is the seat of the Lieutenant Governer of British Columbia, The Honorable Judith Guichon, OBC. Government House is located in the heart of the Rockland neighbourhood in
MINERAL WORLD AND SCRATCH PATCH
9808 SEAPORT PLACE, SIDNEY, BC HOURS: Seven Days a Week 9:30am - 5:30pm Admission: Free! If you want to collect gemstones from the Scratch Patch, you can buy a bag to use from $5 - $12. Mineral
THE CANADIAN SCOTTISH REGIMENTAL MUSEUM
The Canadian Scottish Regimental Museum The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) Regimental Museum is located upstairs in the heritage building of the Bay Street Armoury at 715 Bay St. in Victoria, BC. This museum is
EAST SOOKE REGIONAL PARK, SOOKE, BC
East Sooke Park If you want to have a true 'west coast' experience - without going too far away from civilization, nothing beats East Sooke Park! East Sooke is the largest CRD Park, encompassing 1422
ROCHE COVE REGIONAL PARK
Roche Cove Regional Park Hike along a cool creek at midday or paddle still waters in early morning light at this serene 163-hectare park. You’ll find a secluded cove, ocean views and lush vegetation, including
ESQUIMALT NAVAL & MILITARY MUSEUM
For the military buffs in the family, the Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum is something to check out! The museum follows the development of the naval presence on the West Coast of Canada. It traces
DOMINION ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY
Also known as the "Centre of the Universe", the observatory was closed to the public in 2013 due to financial constraints.** History The Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, located on Observatory Hill, in Saanich, British Columbia, was
ESQUIMALT GORGE PARK
Not far from downtown Victoria is the community of Esquimalt where you'll find the lovely and tranquil Esquimalt Gorge Park. Shady Spot for a Picnic! Esquimalt Gorge Park was first established as BC
WALKING AROUND DOWNTOWN VICTORIA, BC
Victoria is a great place for walking. Long walks or short ... there is something for everyone! These are some suggestions for leisurely strolls in/around downtown. Please see post under 'further afield for more walks/hikes/trails
ST. ANN’S ACADEMY
St. Ann's Academy National Historic Site St. Ann's Academy Walk through the wrought-iron gate, along the drive, up the grand staircase and in the former school’s formal entrance. View the 1920’s era