Guidebook for Victoria
Essentials
Fairway has a great international deli. The pad Thai and curry are excellent!
100 locals recommend
Fairway Market
1521 McKenzie AveFairway has a great international deli. The pad Thai and curry are excellent!
Everything Else
Mayfair Shopping Centre
3147 Douglas StOne of the bigger Victoria malls
Swans Brewery, Pub & Hotel
506 Pandora AveGreat weekend night spot with music & dancing
Galloping Goose Regional Trail Information Kiosk
Galloping Goose TrailA great walk/hike/ride
I've been whale watching with most of the companies in town, this is by far the best.
Five Star Whale Watching
645 Humboldt StI've been whale watching with most of the companies in town, this is by far the best.
Driftwood Brewery
836 Viewfield RoadLOVE their white bark, grab my growler and try some!
Drinks & Nightlife
I love this pub. Live music on the weekend. Newly renovated, older crowd.
13 locals recommend
Bartholomew's Pub
777 Douglas StI love this pub. Live music on the weekend. Newly renovated, older crowd.
This bar is like an old school English pub. They have great live music on the weekends. Go early to get a good seat.
119 locals recommend
Bard & Banker
1022 Government StThis bar is like an old school English pub. They have great live music on the weekends. Go early to get a good seat.
Food Scene
Don Mee
538 Fisgard StBest Dim Sum in Chinatown
Bin 4 Burger Lounge
Who doesn't love burgers. Have the deep fried pickles
Be prepared to wait in line, but it's totally worth it. The chowder is amazing
163 locals recommend
Red Fish Blue Fish
1006 Wharf StBe prepared to wait in line, but it's totally worth it. The chowder is amazing
Parks & Nature
This is a great little spot downtown. People live here year round on tiny houseboats. There are 4-5 seals that call this place home, you can feed them fish. They are quite funny and perform for the tourists.
255 locals recommend
Fisherman's Wharf Park
12 Erie StThis is a great little spot downtown. People live here year round on tiny houseboats. There are 4-5 seals that call this place home, you can feed them fish. They are quite funny and perform for the tourists.
If you are up for an adventure this beach is about a 2.5 hour drive past Sooke. It is known for its tidal pools in the rock formations. You have to go when the tide is out so make sure you google the tidal charts before you drive out. There are rocks that have deep holes in them and when the tide goes out they form mini aquariums. I take new Victoria guests here every time they come. You walk down a trail that opens up to the ocean. I've seen octopus, star fish, urchins, lobsters, etc. It's easily one of my favourite spots on the island. Totally worth a day trip. Take water & a backpack.
25 locals recommend
Botanical Beach Provincial Park
If you are up for an adventure this beach is about a 2.5 hour drive past Sooke. It is known for its tidal pools in the rock formations. You have to go when the tide is out so make sure you google the tidal charts before you drive out. There are rocks that have deep holes in them and when the tide goes out they form mini aquariums. I take new Victoria guests here every time they come. You walk down a trail that opens up to the ocean. I've seen octopus, star fish, urchins, lobsters, etc. It's easily one of my favourite spots on the island. Totally worth a day trip. Take water & a backpack.
Arts & Culture
Royal BC Museum
675 Belleville StThe museum has great year round exhibits as well as specials.
There is a great IMAX theatre right next to the museum. I like to stay for 2 shows, the listings are on the website. The popcorn is excellent too!
56 locals recommend
IMAX
675 Belleville StThere is a great IMAX theatre right next to the museum. I like to stay for 2 shows, the listings are on the website. The popcorn is excellent too!
Shopping
The Bay Center is right down town and is a really nice mall. It's smaller than Mayfair with some of the same stores.
112 locals recommend
The Bay Centre
1150 Douglas StThe Bay Center is right down town and is a really nice mall. It's smaller than Mayfair with some of the same stores.