Victoria has a rich and vibrant history.  There are many museums, heritage buildings and yes … castles … to explore and marvel over.  If you love seeing the past come to life, consider a visit or maybe a tour of some of the many heritage sites in our beautiful city!

 

MUSEUMS

  • Sidney Museum, Sidney, BC

SIDNEY MUSEUM

SIDNEY MUSEUM, 2423 BEACON AVE, SIDNEY, BC Take a walk through time and discover the natural history of the area, followed by regularly updated permanent displays on local First Nations, industry, transportation, agriculture and social

  • Lost Airmen of the Empire Memorial, Victoria BC

LOST AIRMEN OF THE EMPIRE MEMORIAL

Lost Airmen of the Empire Memorial The “Lost Airmen of the Empire” memorial commemorates and acknowledges the contributions and sacrifices of the 179 people who perished while posted to or were working at the Royal

  • Heritage Acres Sign, Visitor in Victoria

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,

  • Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site, Victoria, BC

FORT RODD HILL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

The history of the fortification of Victoria, BC goes all the way back to 1878 when the first muzzle loading batteries were built to defend Victoria and the Esquimalt Naval Base by the Royal Navy.  

  • Toy Museum in Victoria, BC

NATIONAL TOY MUSEUM

The National Toy Museum of Canada specializes in the preservation and history of old toys. 1410 Broad Street Victoria, British Columbia Tues - Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (closed Monday) Call (250) 385-8697 Taken

  • General Ashton Armoury Museum, Victoria, BC Visitor in Victoria

GENERAL ASHTON ARMOURY MUSEUM

The Ashton Armoury Museum, located in the LGen E.C. Ashton Armoury was established in 1994 to maintain, honour and promote the histories of our local Communications (Signals), Logistic, Medical and Military Police units, their Canadian

THE MARITIME MUSEUM OF BC

The Maritime Museum of BC When I first came to the Victoria, the Maritime Museum of BC was located in the former Supreme Court building in Bastion Square − the oldest surviving courthouse in the

  • Canadian Scottish Regiment

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

  • CFB Military Museum

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

  • British Columbia Aviation Museum, Victoria, BC

BRITISH COLUMBIA AVIATION MUSEUM

Attention all Aviation Enthusiasts! The British Columbia Aviation Museum is a major attraction on Vancouver Island, located next to the Victoria International Airport at 1910 Norseman Rd in Sidney.   There are many interesting aircraft, engines,

  • Government House in Victoria, BC, Visitor in Victoria

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 Janet Austin, OBC. Government House is the office and official residence of the Lieutenant Governor

  • royal bc museum

ROYAL BC MUSEUM, VICTORIA, BC

A must-do for any visitor to Victoria is a trip to the Royal BC Museum. Located at 675 Belleville St., across from the Provincial Legislature Bldgs., and just down from the Empress Hotel/Convention Centre, the

  • Hatley Castle, Victoria, BC Visitor in Victoria

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 Island

CASTLES, HISTORICAL BUILDINGS & NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES

  • McLean Mill Visitor in Victoria

THE MCLEAN MILL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

A Trip Back in Time at the McLean Mill National Historic Site, Port Alberni, BC. A 2 1/2 hour drive will take you to one of Vancouver Island most interesting historical sites, the McLean Mill. 

  • Heritage Acres Sign, Visitor in Victoria

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,

  • Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site, Victoria, BC

FORT RODD HILL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

The history of the fortification of Victoria, BC goes all the way back to 1878 when the first muzzle loading batteries were built to defend Victoria and the Esquimalt Naval Base by the Royal Navy.  

  • Kinsol Trestle

HISTORIC KINSOL TRESTLE

For a unique biking or walking experience, I suggest you drive up to see the amazing century old Kinsol Trestle which is now part of the Trans Canada Trail.  It's about an hour's drive up

  • Ross Bay Villa in Victoria, BC Visitor in Victoria

ROSS BAY VILLA

Travel back in time! The Ross Bay Villa was the home of Francis and Letitia Roscoe from 1865 to 1878. Located at 1490 Fairfield Rd. Victoria, BC Journey back in time at Ross Bay Villa

  • St. Stephens Anglican Church Victoria, BC Visitor in Victoria

HISTORIC CHURCHES PART 1

There are many historic buildings in and around Victoria and some of the loveliest ones are the churches.  Here are some you may wish to check out.  Many are still in operation as places of

  • Wentworth Villa in Victoria, BC

WENTWORTH VILLA

Wentworth Villa, one of the oldest and most valued residential houses in Victoria, was built in the spring and summer of 1863. Done in Gothic Revival style, the sophistication of the design makes it likely

  • Hatley Castle

5 BEST HISTORICAL SITES IN VICTORIA

If you're a history buff ... or if you're simply interested in the heritage aspects of a place, here's some of our most interesting and entertaining locations: Craigdarroch Castle Location: 1050 Joan Crescent, Victoria, BC

  • ross bay cemetery, Victoria, BC, YYJ, Vancouver Island, Historical tours Victoria,Visitor in Victoria

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

  • Chinese Cemetary in Victoria, BC Harling Point Visitor in Victoria

CHINESE CEMETERY

The Harling Point Chinese cemetery is a beautiful, serene bit of history tucked away in Oak Bay. Mass graves, a brooding figure of native legend and a misfit of a neighbourhood make the Chinese Cemetery

  • bc parliament buildings

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

  • empress hotel

EMPRESS HOTEL

The Fairmont Empress (most commonly known as The Empress) is one of the oldest and most famous hotels in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Located on Government Street facing the Inner Harbour, the Empress has become

  • St. Ann's Academy Logo

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

  • Point Ellice House, Visitorinvictoria.ca

POINT ELLICE HOUSE

Point Ellice House - A slice of history in Victoria preserved! **July 2023  After being closed for a while due to lack of funding ... Point Ellice House is now open again but with limited

  • Emily Carr Painting

EMILY CARR HOUSE

Emily Carr House - A Canadian National & Provincial Heritage Site. (2022) Tours available by appointment on Saturdays this spring. Tours must be booked in advance. Tours last 1 hour Admission is by donation, and

  • Chinatown, Victoria, BC Visitor 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

  • Dominion Astrophysical Observatory

DOMINION ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY

We are open during the day from Tuesday - Friday, 10am - 2pm until September 29.  Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for Students & Seniors, there is no charge for children under 5.

  • guided walking tours

GUIDED WALKING TOURS OF VICTORIA, BC

There is a lot to see and do in Victoria, including colourful characters and fascinating stories, history & nature.  Here are some guided tours that are fun, interesting and can even revive your body and

  • Hatley Castle, Victoria, BC Visitor in Victoria

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 Island

  • Craigdarroch Castle

CRAIGDARROCH CASTLE

Craigdarroch Castle - a National Historic Site Craigdarroch Castle was completed in 1890 by the coal baron Robert Dunsmuir.  It has 39 rooms and is over 25,000 square feet in size.  The wealth and extravagance