Updated November 20, 2019
What’s not to love about winter in the Pacific Northwest? Not only do you have the perfect excuse to bundle up in your warmest sweaters (and even put those fuzzy socks to good use), but it’s also the season to seek out a snug spot to while away a blustery day. Feeling the winter itch and in need of a little fun Canadian adventure? From curling up with tasty beverages to exploring some of our region’s most iconic sights, resist hibernation with our picks for 30 things to do in Victoria, BC this winter.
1. The Butchart Gardens Historical Display & Spring Prelude
With Vancouver Island’s temperate climate, The Gardens are great to visit, even during the winter months. Check out the subtle beauty of the shrubs, trees and flowers as light snowfall and seasonal change ready The Gardens for another spring.
When you need to warm up, pop inside the former Butchart family residence, Benvenuto, to learn more about The Butchart Garden’s history through curated displays of memorabilia. Or duck into the Spring Prelude to get a taste of spring come early in this indoor garden filled with daffodils, tulips, tropical plants and orchids.
`2. The Fairmont Empress
A renowned international landmark, it’s hard to find a locale that’s more quintessentially Victoria than the Fairmont Empress. Needless to say, you’ll be treated like royalty during your stay. Cozy up in the Lobby Lounge for a festive and delicious afternoon tea. Or unwind with your significant other in the luxurious Willow Stream Spa.
Whisk away any lingering holiday stress with their unique Spa Ritual and two indulgent, 60-minute treatments. End your night cuddling by the fireside on the harbor-facing Veranda, cocoa or spiced cider in hand. Say it with me…simply ahh-mazing.
3. The Royal BC Museum
Home to an impressive collection of artifacts and engaging interactive exhibits, the Royal BC Museum also hosts a variety of fun and festive events come wintertime. Check out the adult-only Night Shift party in early February. Put some swing in your step with vintage soul, funk and disco tunes, snap a selfie with that special someone and craft your own vintage valentine!
Or have your breath taken away at this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year display at the Royal BC Museum! In its 55th year running, this global competition showcases a diverse selection of nature photography from mountain peaks to the depths of the sea.
4. Brews & Bites Tour
Want to pack in a lot of local flavor? Hop on a walking tour of the city’s best brews and bites at local hop spots and sample delicious small plates of food expertly paired with sips from local microbrewers.
With a resident beer expert as your guide, you’ll also get behind the scenes access. Meet the brewer, get a hands-on introduction to the brewing process and taste the freshest possible beer sampled straight from the source! Book this tour with Clipper, learn more.
5. Cowichan Wine Country Tour
If the weather outside is frightful, delight in a day trip north to the Cowichan Valley and warm your soul with a glass of wine. Unwind as you soak in stunning views and sip on an assortment of award-winning wines from three different vineyards. (Inside tip: While the Malahat is awe-inspiring any time of year, when covered in a dusting of snow, it transforms into a sparkling winter wonderland.)
6. Horse-Drawn Trolley Rides
Need to give your feet (and legs) a rest after ambling around downtown? Cozy up on a Tally-Ho Carriage tour for a romantic sightseeing trip through the peaceful Beacon Hill Park and take in the winter scenery. Book this tour with Clipper, learn more.
7. Tigh Na Mara Seaside Spa Resort
In case you need an invitation to leave the busy mainland, the fabulous Tigh Na Mara Seaside Spa Resort is pretty tough to resist. Decompress in the award-winning, rock-ensconced Grotto Spa and listen to the calming rush of a waterfall while falling into a state of pure bliss. Afterward, take a moonlit stroll along the resort’s three-kilometer stretch of pristine sandy beach.
8. Chinatown Historical Walks
The Lunar New Year in Victoria is a pretty big deal. After all, the city is home to the oldest Chinatown in Canada. Ring in the Year of the Rat by venturing out on a Chinatown Historical Walking tour. Explore Tam Kung Temple, the famously narrow Fan Alley and more for an in-depth understanding of Chinatown’s fascinating past and vibrant present. Book this tour with Clipper, learn more.
9. Oak Bay Beach Hotel & Spa
Tranquil, serene and stunning, there is no better place to snuggle with your special someone than the intimate, oasis-like setting at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. Treat yourself to a couples massage in the spa, then close out the day with a soak in the famous mineral pools while hints of eucalyptus from the indoor steam room drift in and out with the shifting breeze. Hello hygge. Book this hotel with Clipper, learn more.
10. Victoria Public Market at the Hudson
An excellent spot to grab a bite or a treat to go any time of year, the Public Market at the Hudson serves up an extra helping of artisan goodness during the winter. Dive into a slice of deliciously-sweet pecan pie from Victoria Pie Co., a block of creamy cheese from Salt Island Cheese or a variety of savory treats at Ravenstone Farm Artisan Meats and French Oven Bakery.
11. Clarke & Co.
Cozy up in the relaxed and inviting 14 seat Clarke & Co. bar for outstanding cocktails created with locally-distilled spirits and house-made ingredients. Be adventurous, skip the menu and get a taste of Canada with the Maple Butter Smoked Old Fashioned paired with comfort food-inspired small plates.
12. Russell Books
With 18,000 square feet of retail space chock-full of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, Russell Books on Fort Street truly is a book lovers’ dream. Looking for a special title? There’s a good chance you’ll find it in their section devoted to rare and vintage books. As an added bonus, there are several cozy corners where you can curl up with your new read.
13. St. Ann’s Academy
A magnificent treasure older than the Fairmont Empress Hotel and the Parliament Buildings, the iconic, mid-1800s St. Ann’s Academy is the perfect locale to warm up on a historic walking tour of Victoria. Duck inside the cathedral, where you’ll find elaborate ceiling carvings, gold-leaf detailing, original oil paintings and other relics of the structure’s past. You might even catch a glimpse of one of the former schoolhouse’s resident apparitions.
14. Hey Happy Coffee
If you need a delicious hand warmer as you meander around Victoria’s downtown core, hop into the light-filled Hey Happy Coffee on Johnson Street. We highly recommend the Black & Tan – a baby Americano topped with warm maple cream. Otherwise known as pure Canada in a cup.
15. Venus Sophia Tea
A chic, modern afternoon tea room situated in the heart of Victoria’s historic Chinatown, Venus Sophia offers a new twist on an old classic – a sumptuous lineup of entirely vegetarian eats. Best of all, everything in this cozy, family-run café is made from scratch using the freshest ingredients.
16. Rogers Chocolates
It wouldn’t be the holidays without giving in to your sweet tooth. Pop into the iconic Rogers’ Chocolates store to sample a few sugary delights. After all, as Canada’s first chocolatier, they know a thing or two about crafting irresistible candy. Indulge in a piece of chocolate history and pick up their most famous creation – the Victoria Cream. Featuring a decadent, creamy center buried inside a thick chocolate shell, this little piece of heaven will leave you begging for more.
17. Bard and Banker
There is no better place to ease the winter chill with a frothy pint or two-finger pour of whiskey than at Bard & Banker. Opened in 1885 as the Bank of British Columbia, the building has a history as rich as a fine bourbon and now also serves as a music venue with live acts seven days a week.
18. Veneto Kitchen + Bar
Cap off a day of exploring with artisanal liquors at one of the locals’ favorite watering holes, Veneto, on Douglas Street. Here, cocktails are serious business. Sample a unique spin on a classic libation or if you have trouble picking a drink from the restaurant’s impressive menu, “spin the wheel” and leave the decision making up to your capable mixologist. They will whip you up a tasty beverage based on your favorite spirit and flavor profile.
19. Johnson and Government Street Shopping
‘Tis the season to spoil your sweetie with a special gift! For on-point finds, make your way to Victoria’s amazing shopping mecca LoJo (that’s Lower Johnson Street for the uninitiated). Pick up distinctive handmade gold and silver baubles at the adorable Tonic jewelry store housed in Market Square. Or head over to Violette on Government Street for delicate treasures crafted by local, fashion-forward designers such as Leah Alexandra and Pyrrha Design.
20. The Regional Assembly of Text
Embrace the lost art of letter writing and sweep your S.O. off their feet. Swing into the stylishly-low tech Regional Assembly of Text on Johnson Street and go old-school by crafting a love note on one of their typewriters. Bonus points for tucking your note into one of the shop’s adorable handmade cards for a custom-made gift.
21. Ogden Point
A breathtaking walkway extending about 800 meters from the Victoria shoreline, the Breakwater at Ogden Point is our go-to spot for catching a spectacular sunrise or a phenomenal sunset. With your sweetie in tow, there is no better spot for a romantic date.
22. Craigdarroch Castle
With 39 ornate rooms and more than four stories to explore, the stately Craigdarroch Castle (which was built for the wealthy coal baron Robert Dunsmuir and his family) offers the perfect respite should you need to dodge winter raindrops for an hour or two.
Plus, Victorian-inspired Christmas decor will be gracing the walls and halls of the castle all December long and will be accompanied by classic holiday tunes and festive tours. There is no better spot for the kiddos to learn about traditions from Christmases past.
23. Abkhazi Garden
Centered on a love story, there is no sweeter place to go for a stroll with your special someone than the hidden Abkhazi Garden. A romantic and inspiring spot, the one-acre garden was created in 1946 as a labor of love by Prince and Princess Abkhazi. These two star-crossed lovers were separated in World War II, but were reunited and married after the war.
View the majestic trees and dynamic, evolving plantings scattered around the grounds. Afterward, step inside for afternoon tea in the original home, where you’ll feel like a personal guest of the Abkhazis.
24. Hot Springs Cove
Soak your cares away at the secluded Hot Springs Cove east of Tofino, which is only accessible by boat or floatplane. Wander down a quiet trail surrounded by magnificent temperate old-growth forest in Maquinna Provincial Park. At your destination, forget all your worries, concerns and stress as you take a dip in the succession of untouched, piping hot geothermal pools that grow progressively cooler as they reach the ocean.
25. Jam Café
A hip, but diminutive spot in Victoria’s Old Town, Jam Café is one of our favorite places in the city for an all-important weekend brunch. Get into the holiday spirit with their fabulous rotating daily specials, such as the “Festive French Toast,” which features two pieces of marzipan-filled stolen topped with cranberry crème anglaise, spiced candied almonds and a heaping pile of whipped cream.
26. Botanical Beach
Best known for its tide pools teeming with marine life, in the winter, Botanical Beach is an excellent spot to hunker down and revel in the season’s stormy weather. Don your best waterproof gear, wander along forested wooden walkways and watch as thundering waves crash against other-worldly rock formations along the shore.
27. The Drake Eatery
Named in homage to the original Drake Hotel and Beer Parlour that opened on the corner of Store and Johnson in 1954, the cozy farm-to-table Drake Eatery serves up mouth-watering small bites made from local, organic ingredients. Check out the cheese and meat boards, featuring tempting morsels such as smoked duck breast, beef bresaola and local Capilano salami.
28. White Heather Tea Room
It wouldn’t be winter without drinking buckets (or should we say gallons) of tea, am I right? If you’ve yet to get your proper tea fix, follow the Victoria tea trail to the White Heather Tea Room in Oak Bay. This off-the-beaten-path eatery offers up a tremendous afternoon tea service, with a classic three-tiered platter overflowing with savory finger sandwiches and sweet pastries. You’ll leave with a full tummy and have enough leftover treats for a snack later.
29. Sheringham Point Lighthouse
Standing tall above the rocky coastline, the historic 105-year-old Sheringham Point Lighthouse is one of Vancouver Island’s must-see secret spots. A short walk along the picturesque Lighthouse View Trail will land you at the lighthouse itself, where you and your significant other can escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and sit and watch the waves for a while. Get the camera ready as you may even spot a pod of whales or catch sight of an otter cruising the shoreline.
30. Hotel Grand Pacific
Situated in the heart of downtown Victoria, the stately Hotel Grand Pacific is the perfect locale to indulge in a little R&R. Bring your “A” game and spoil your special someone with the ingredients for the ultimate romantic escape – luscious chocolates, breakfast in bed, a bottle of bubbly and a stunning view. Hello Valentine’s Day!
No matter what type of adventure speaks to you, there is an abundance of wintertime fun to be had in your own backyard. Whether you want to indulge in excellent eats, relax in a steaming mineral pool or discover some of the best boutiques on the West Coast, a weekend away to the charming city of Victoria, BC is the perfect winter retreat for weekend nomads.
Featured Photo: Lorna Tyson