Much like blossoms bloom in the spring, romance thrives in the summertime. Whether it’s a quick summer fling, or your one and only longtime lover, the sunny season is the perfect time to be on top of your date game. Luckily, Victoria – a rather romantic city itself – offers plenty of options to impress. On a budget, adventurous, R&R, or champagne/romance/rose blossom magic are all options in the city. Take your pick and add a bit of spice to your date life in Victoria.

 

1. Old School Diner Date

Take your date back to the innocent diner days of the fifties and share a milkshake (or two) in a cute diner setting. Everyone loves milkshakes, right? If you’re already downtown, the Soda Shoppe is a sweet-tooth hotspot and will definitely help you step into a time machine. For a more “adult” twist, pop over to the Tartan Toque – their milkshakes can be kicked up a notch with some boozy delights like the White Russian Milkshake, or the Salted Caramel Bourbon Milkshake.

 

2. Spa Day

If seeking out some R&R with a loved one, nothing beats a spa day. Floating along side-by-side in massage bliss will leave you both in a happy, relaxed mood for the rest of the day. Whether it’s massages, a hydropath circuit, or a mani/pedi afternoon, you’re bound to shake the stresses of your day-to-day and bask in each other’s company.

 

3. Dinner from the Market

It’s impossible not to notice the proud “local, local, local” signs that are printed next to options on nearly any menu in town. Restaurant dates are great, but how about doing things yourself just as locally? Brainstorm an evening menu with your date then head out to one of Victoria’s bustling Farmer’s Markets. Handpicking all of your ingredients is surprisingly fun, plus your dinner will be as fresh and local as it gets. Bring your goodies back home and take to the kitchen. Cooking on a date can be playful, and it lets you have a focus on something other than each other. It also tests out your ability to work together as a team. Let’s just hope it turns out tasty in the end.

 

4. Share a Stand Up Paddle Board

Active dates are an easy feat in Victoria, especially during the summer. Take out a couple of Stand Up Paddle Boards to any of Victoria’s waterways for a great afternoon/evening date. Not only does the city look charming from the harbour, but it’s also a great form of exercise (endorphins are a good thing).  Any of Victoria’s lakes are also suitable for a SUP adventure. For another fun challenge that builds teamwork and will keep you laughing, you can always try renting just one SUP Board and learn how to paddle it together without falling in.

 

5. Hike to a Romantic Lookout

Speaking of active dates, hiking is another fantastic option to get your heart pumping extra hard, and end up somewhere with a breathtaking view. Trails like Mount Douglas and Mount Tolmie are excellent options for a sunset hike, and if you don’t want to expend energy on hiking, you can drive to the top. Daytime hikes are just as good, so tackling something like Mount Work and the Gowlland Tod Provincial Park, or even Gonzales Hill Regional Park will give you stunning views and a chance to enjoy the great outdoors with someone special.

 

6. Go for a Carriage Ride at Night

Classic romance at its finest comes in the form of a horse drawn carriage ride through the historical district of Victoria. Sit close and listen to the rhythm of the horse’s hooves against the pavement. The glow of the parliament buildings’ 3600+ lights on the Inner Harbour sets a romantic tone and the summer breeze might just call for some snuggling under a light blanket.

 

7. Volleyball at Rooftop

Fun activities are a great way to get to know someone without the pressure of sitting down over dinner. If you already know your date fairly well, it’s a great opportunity to see their competitive side. Not to mention, drinks, sun, sand and volleyball make for a perfect combination. Head over to Rootop and see about a court rental. To really get to know each other, build teams out of your friends and your date’s friends (you have to fill the court after all) and make a day out of it.

 

8. Visit a Board Game Café

While outdoor adventures are great for a summer’s date, here on the Coast there will be rainy days. That doesn’t mean it has to ruin your plans. There’s no better way to beat a rainy day than by spending some quality time at a board game café. Sometimes, a little bit of competition can be a good thing. Challenge each other to your favourite childhood games, or tackle learning a new one together. While you’re at it sip a coffee, milkshake, or tea and dig into a tasty snack. Say goodbye to rainy day date despair.

 

9. Ghost Walking Tour

Do you believe in ghosts? Does your date? Whether you do or not, a ghost walking tour of Victoria at night may just have you start believing. It’s also a fun way to discover a new side of the city. Besides, studies have shown that if your date is scared, they may actually associate those butterfly feelings with being with you instead of being scared. That’s why horror movies and theme parks can also make a lasting impression on your dates. You’re welcome.

 

10. Wine Tasting

Getting drinks on a date is always a good go-to (unless, of course, you or your date don’t drink). It eases the tension, makes you more relaxed and comfortable, and gives your date a bit of insight into your tastes. If you already know your date enjoys a drink or two, especially of the wine variety, why not make a day of it dedicated to wine? So many incredible wineries reside within, or just outside of, Victoria. Take full advantage of it! Make a list of you and your date’s favourite wineries, or the ones you’ve always wanted to go to and pay a visit to their tasting rooms. If you don’t want to have to worry about a DD, book a couple seats on a wine tour. That way you can really focus on getting to know your date, your glasses of wine and enjoy the entire experience.

 

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11. Victoria Classics

Of course, there are plenty of classic Victoria activities you can do for a summer date as well. Walk the Inner Harbour, explore Ogden Point, feed seals at Fisherman’s Wharf, bask in the blossoms at the Butchart Gardens, or patio hop at Victoria’s extensive bar scene. Brew tours, hikes, and a picnic at any of the parks make for a great afternoon and, of course, there’s always the day road trip option.  One thing is certain though – you should never be bored on a date in Victoria. If you are, you may have to refine your Tinder searches just a little bit more.

As the summer days fade away and the pumpkin spice lattes come out to play, our minds move straight into fall and the holiday season. Although Victoria is a major summer vacation spot, there are plenty of reasons to love the city, even in the depths of winter. Find out the top things to do this Christmas season in Victoria B.C. and embrace the heart of the holiday season.

 

1. Whale Watching

Whale watching may sound like summer, but it is definitely doable in the winter. Victoria’s waters are filled with plenty of resident whales including orcas (killer whales). That means they’re around in both the summer and winter seasons. Better yet, tours are cheaper and the waitlist is shorter! Aside from whales, plenty of other creatures bask in local waters year-round, making any adventure one for the books. Just because it’s winter, does not mean you have to give up those ocean activities until summer days again.

 

2. Ice Skating at Bear Mountain

But… it doesn’t get COLD in Victoria, right? Not usually, but that doesn’t stop Bear Mountain from crafting a skating rink from November to January. When the weather cooperates, they deck the place out with beautiful lights, cozy fires and quaint gazebos with stunning views. A winter skate at the rink is the embodiment of holiday charm. It’s even better as a date spot, especially with the Master’s Lounge on site with seasonal drinks for afterwards. There may even be some mistletoe hanging about within the soft glow of the twinkling lights. Call ahead to make sure it’s open before you drive over though!

 

3. Holiday High Tea

On the cozier, indoor side of holiday things, let’s talk tea! One of the top things to do in Victoria in general is attending a High Tea at the Empress. It only makes sense that it still makes the list during the winter, especially when the holiday spirit takes over! Since afternoon tea seems to have made a comeback, it isn’t just the Empress where you can partake – check out a number of great spots such as Venus Sophia Tea Room for some more options. There’s something about a cozy cuppa tea that brings that holiday spirit to life and leaves you warm and fuzzy all day!

 

4. Pub Hop

If tea doesn’t sound strong enough for a winter’s day, how about a beer? Downtown Victoria is riddled with delightful pubs where you can snuggle in and battle the weather one pint at a time. Old timey booths, warm lights, big chandeliers, wooden bars, plenty of taps… But why try one, when you can try them all? Within a short, wakeful walk away, you can be in the next pub. Track down your favourite winter go-to and settle in for the season.

 

5. The Magic of Christmas at the Butchart Gardens

Another famous skating rink in Victoria is featured at the Butchart Gardens during their Magic of Christmas exhibition. However, the rink is just the tip of the iceberg. From December to January, the Gardens are a delight of different holiday chronicles laced into their stunning green thumb paradise. Pay an evening’s visit to really get into the Christmas spirit. With a cup of hot cocoa in hand, the search is on for the Twelve Days of Christmas hidden within the world-famous gardens. Live music chases you through the winding paths, putting a hop in your step to classic holiday tunes. They even feature a holiday high tea, and the carousel is a favourite for younger light seekers. Magic is exactly what is found at the Butchart Gardens during the holiday season.

 

6. Winter Wonderland in Centennial Square

Victoria doesn’t stop with the Butchart Gardens’ Magic of Christmas in terms of classic winter events. With such a charming downtown core, it’s easy to see why. Winter Wonderland in Centennial Square takes downtown and turns it into a holiday paradise. Santa pays a visit, there are Christmas trees abound and horses stamp their hooves in the brisk evenings. Tours in a classic horse-drawn carriage take guests through bewitching streets bathed in the soft glow of hundreds of twinkle lights. The highlight, however, is the bright Ferris wheel that sits at the square’s center. Enjoy a spin on the wheel with a pause at the top to take in the enchanting scene below. Soft notes of the live music might even reach your ears.

 

7. Light-Ups

The glow of hundreds of sparkling lights isn’t just for downtown Victoria, either. A number of locations have “light-ups” that will charm even the biggest Ba Hum Bug into a holiday high. Every year the Downtown Victoria Inner Harbour has a contest for best-dressed boat and float home, as well as for craziest. Last year over 5000 participants plugged in at dusk to put on the show, and you can see the display from November until the end of December.

Other light-ups to keep an eye out for include the holiday themed lights of the Parliament Buildings, Fisherman’s Wharf and Ogden Point.

 

8. A Christmas Carol at the Craigdarroch Castle

For those who dream of Hogwarts in wintertime and the perfect castle at Christmas, catching a show at the Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria is an excellent holiday option. Tours of the four floors decked out in ribbons and bows set the scene for a one man show of A Christmas Carol in the Castle’s drawing room. Tickets need to be purchased in advance, and if you miss that show, there’s a post-Christmas follow-up performance of Radio, Mistletoe and My Man Godfrey. With displays that take nearly six weeks to set up, you can bet that the Castle is a holiday sight to see. It takes you straight back to Christmas in the Victorian era when the original owners themselves used to adorn the Castle for their celebrations.

 

9. Holiday Specials at the IMAX

Compared to the Victorian Era celebrations encapsulated at the Craigdarroch Castle, the Royal BC Museum’s IMAX offers a new century’s twist. Take in some of your favourite holiday movies on the big, BIG screen for a short time during the Christmas season. Some, such as the Polar Express, will even be held in 3-D as a popular pastime. Pack the popcorn and a loved one and recover your holiday spirit on the big screen!

 

10. Christmas at the Market

Naturally, Christmas Markets are a big hit and a must-do at least once during the season. The Public Market at the Hudson happens to do a fantastic job, and you can wander the aisles of artisan crafts, goods and amazing food to fulfil your shopping list. Not only will you cover all your festival feast needs, but are likely to find something for everyone on your list, including yourself. Under the tree, or on the table, the spirit is contagious at the Hudson during the holidays.

The top things to do in Victoria, B.C. are already on the list because, well, they’re really fun and offer fantastic experiences while in the city. Aside from being the main attraction though, there are plenty of not-so-obvious fun facts that add to these top activities. Read on to find out some more tidbits about Victoria’s top things to do that make them even better!

 

Whale Watching

When visitors think of the coast, they’re often excited at the idea of heading out on a whale watching tour. Seeing these giants of the ocean first hand definitely makes for a memorable day. So, what else makes whale watching amazing? Whales on Vancouver Island, especially orcas, are some of the best and most studied in the world. Depending on the season, a whale watching tour gives visitors the opportunity to see resident orcas, transient orcas, humpback whales, gray whales, or even minke whales, along with tons of other marine animals such as dolphins and porpoises.

 

Fishing Charters

While summer fishing is best on the west coast of Vancouver Island in Ucluelet and Tofino, the winter season is Victoria’s time to shine. With more sheltered waters, fishing charters can get out, even in less than perfect weather. There are plenty of good-sized chinook, and halibut on the menu, but you already knew that. What you might not know is that Ogden Point used to be an offloading point for hundreds of commercial fishing boats back in the 1900’s. Fishing has been a west coast staple for years, and booking a fishing charter treats visitors to yet another aspect of life on Vancouver Island.

 

Parliament Buildings

The Parliament Buildings are a dominating feature of Victoria’s downtown harbour. Aside from the usual facts doled out during a tour of the place, there are plenty of other lesser-known aspects to the building. For one, it’s thought to be haunted by its own architect, Francis Rattenbury. He met a particularly gruesome death at the hands of his wife’s lover back in England, and made his way back to Victoria to wander the halls of one of his best creations. The other building he’s rumoured to roam is the Empress Hotel.

 

The Empress Hotel

Just across from the Parliament Buildings, the Empress is another familiar, Victoria sight. Besides incredible rooms, a famous high tea and several reports of hauntings, the Empress has plenty of other fun facts and history to its name. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada, and opened in 1908, making it one of the oldest hotels around. Fancy a cup of tea? Each year the Empress Hotel serves around 500,000 cups of the stuff – you’re in good company.

 

Butchart Gardens

The Butchart Gardens are likely one of the first things to spring to mind when the topic of Victoria is at hand. It has six gardens that make up the stunning 55-acre area. If the incredible flowers weren’t enough, the gardens feature fireworks during the summer, and an incredible light display over the holidays. Not only are the Butchart Gardens a National Historic Site of Canada, but they also see about one million visitors every year. Amazingly, they’re still owned by the founding family, who started the gardens in the early 1900s.  No wonder they’re one of the top things to do in Victoria! By the way, considering how popular the Butchart Gardens are, it should be no surprise that Victoria is known internationally as the City of Gardens.

 

Royal BC Museum

For a dose of B.C.’s history, the Royal BC Museum is a must-see. Especially perfect for rainy days, the displays and infamous mammoth can be a ton of fun for everyone. Amazingly, aside from the full and part-time staff that run the museum, over 500 volunteers donate over 42,000 hours to the museum each year! It’s partially thanks to their dedication that the museum can remain one of the top things to do in Victoria.

 

 

Dallas Road

For an easy-going day filled with plenty of beautiful scenery, Dallas Road is the city’s go-to. In fact, its breathtaking mountain vistas and cruisy road and walkways with beach access easily put it on the top things to do in Victoria list, even in the winter for storm watching. An added fun fact is that it intersects with Mile 0 and its monument. Why should Mile 0 matter? It marks the beginning of the Trans-Canada Highway, which, with 4,860 miles following that marker, is the longest highway in the world. While there, check out the Terry Fox monument as well.

 

Horse Drawn Carriage Rides

Victoria is perhaps the perfect setting for a horse-drawn carriage ride. The old downtown and stunning, older areas of town set the mood of old-time Victoria and gives visitors a historical sense of the city. Besides the classic tours of the city offered by companies, the rides can also create a romantic setting and are a popular place to pop the question!

 

Water Taxi Rides

It’s no surprise that a water taxi would be one of the top things to do in Victoria. For those from land-locked places, having the option to get from A to B by boat is pretty exciting! It’s also a great way to see the city from a new perspective, and some companies give round tours with plenty of information. The fun part? There’s also a water taxi that doubles as a pub crawl.

 

Beacon Hill Park

With 200-acres, a petting zoo, landscaped gardens, trails and playgrounds, it’s easy to spend the day at Beacon Hill Park, which is a major reason why it is one of the top things to do in the city. It is also home to the tallest freestanding totem pole in the world, which stands at 37m high. But these things aren’t all there is to Beacon Hill Park. Parts of its history are disturbing and strange, and at night, there are tales of other-worldly things occurring within the shadows. Besides the top things to do list, it’s also made the list for Haunted Places in Victoria.

 

Ogden Point

Fit with a small lighthouse at its end, the Ogden Point Breakwater is a beautiful stroll just outside of downtown Victoria. Plus, an amazing mural of First Nations art, known as Na’Tsa’Maht – The Unity Wall, is a stunning feature. The walkway used to be open to the elements, but saw the addition of railings in 2013. Aside from walk, there’s the fun fact that Ogden Point is the busiest port of call in Canada for cruise ships. While there, visitors will be able to see plenty of action from the giant boats themselves, to barges, fishermen and scuba divers, too!

 

Downtown Inner Harbour and Causeway

Not only is it charming, but Victoria’s Inner Harbour is the heart of the city and is in the middle of the actions. Boats come and go; historical buildings flank every side and plenty of festivals take place in the area. A particular highlight is the presence of street artists, musicians and performers all along the Causeway. There are 24 full time musicians and 9 full time street performers. Over the holidays, a competition for best decorated boat takes place, and the tall ships adorned with twinkling lights look incredible. What’s more to the action? Despite its status as a tourist attraction, it is still a working harbour.

 

Fisherman’s Wharf

Today, Fisherman’s Wharf is a colourful display of quirky float homes mixed with boutique shops and fair-weather restaurants. Perfect for a sunny, summer day, Fisherman’s Wharf is typically filled with tourists making friends with its most popular residents, the seals. Unbeknownst to many, this top activity in the city has a history as colourful as its floathomes: it was home to plenty of fishing boats and crazy characters who created an eclectic community on the docks. Often, it was a hideaway place for characters with outstanding arrests, keeping the cops on their toes.

 

Craigdarroch Castle

A castle in Canada is bound to be something special – when a country is only 150 years old, they’re pretty hard to come by. That’s why the Craigdarroch Castle is one of the top things to do in Victoria. Letting guests in on what it was like to be one of the elite in the 1890’s, the rooms, décor and architecture are next to none. What’s more is the castle’s holiday celebrations, where every room is decked out how it would have been by the original owners, who reportedly had Great Gatsby-esque tendencies. The decorating is so extensive, it takes nearly six weeks to get set up. Then, guests can enjoy live music, stunning Christmas trees and live theatre with the castle as the stage. By the way, the Craigdarroch Castle is another on the list of haunted places in Victoria as well.

 

IMAX

Attached to the Royal BC Museum, the IMAX theatre in Victoria just adds to that rainy-day activity perfection. With a series of new releases and National Geographic documentaries, there’s bound to be something for anyone. Plus, visitors can bundle museum tickets with show tickets, making it an irresistible deal. They even do holiday classics during the Christmas season – some of them in 3D! The fun fact? Victoria’s IMAX screen is the largest in British Columbia!

 

Emily Carr House

For anyone into art, the Emily Carr House is easily one of the top things to do in Victoria. Her work, in the form of paintings, sketches and writing, are part of the backbone of great Canadian artists and history. Not to mention, her pet monkey made for quite the conversation piece. The house itself was the artist’s childhood home, and is now a museum that pays homage to her life and her work. The house itself is a highlight for its architectural style and historic touches. More fun facts include the rumours, of course, that the house is haunted. It’s also kind of fun to know that the area the house is located, in James Bay, used to be known as Bird Cage Walk.

 

Fisgard Lighthouse

Finding its importance as the first lighthouse on the West Coast of Canada, the Fisgard Lighthouse is still nautically quaint on the rocks where it sits. While the downstairs is now part-museum, it is still a beacon for those heading to Esquimalt and the Royal Roads moorage. For something a little new and unusual, the Fisgard Lighthouse participates in the Luminara Lantern Festival, a stunning festival of light celebrated on July 24^th each year.

 

Contributed by: Laurissa Cebryk