As the unofficial start to summer, the much anticipated Memorial Day weekend is a rite of passage in the Northwest. With the return of warm days that last well into the evening, the weekend offers the perfect opportunity to kick-off our cherished summer months with a bang.
Instead of heading to the usual BBQs, picnics and parties, gather your friends, grab your passport and escape to Victoria on the Clipper for a spontaneous adventure in your own backyard. No car, long ferry lines or visits to crowded airports required…not to mention a fantastic exchange rate! Discover breathtaking gardens, ply the waters of the Salish Sea or relax with an ice-cold brew and spend time reconnecting with friends. To make the most out of your long weekend, check out our picks for five last-minute things to do in Victoria.
1. Explore the Inner Harbour
One of the most photographed ports in the world, Victoria’s Inner Harbour provides the opportunity to experience the city from a unique perspective and to soak in the region’s marvelous scenery. Paddle through the calm, protected waters known locally as the “Gorge,” passing seaplanes, whale watching boats, private yachts, fishing vessels of all sizes. As you glide past the stately BC Legislative Building and Fairmont Empress, be on the lookout for bald eagles soaring overhead or river otters and seals bobbing around your kayak. A little insider hint, be sure to bring some cash along for a stop at one of the most delicious fish and chip eateries in town.
Clipper Recommends: Victoria Harbour Kayak Tour
2. Pedal Through the Craft Beer Capital of Canada
Experience Victoria from a local’s perspective as you wind your way along the tree-lined streets and past quaint houses as you cycle through the city’s historical neighborhoods on a rolling pub crawl. Quench your thirst with stops at three unique breweries, where you will sample multiple styles of fresh, locally crafted beer. Sip on everything from rich, frothy lagers at Canoe to tart sours at the lively Moon Under Water. At Spinnakers, enjoy a unique beer-tasting experience by pairing your beer with chocolates created by their own in-house chocolatier. During the tour, your guide will point out other breweries, which make an excellent place to grab an extra pint or two after your ride.
Clipper Recommends: Hoppy Hour by Bicycle Tour
3. Feast on Sumptuous Cuisine
From fine dining to casual bistros, Victoria is chalk full of restaurants specializing in fresh local ingredients. Get a taste of this diverse culinary scene by dining on small plate samplers of classic or favorite menu items at more than six hidden gems on the Victoria Food Tour. Treat your taste buds to delectable morsels ranging from creamy Mac and cheese to spicy chicken wings. For dessert, savor melt-in-your-mouth macarons in a variety of innovative flavors. Along the way, pick up insider tips about where to grab a bite to eat during your stay as well as meet some of the talented chefs who prepared these mouth-watering creations.
Clipper Recommends: Victoria Food Tour
4. Experience the Natural Beauty of the City of Gardens
Bursting with fluffy rhododendrons, brilliantly colored begonias and a sea of blue stalks of delphinium, the world-renowned Butchart Gardens are absolutely stunning during the late-spring and summer months. Immerse yourself in the lush, separately themed Italian, Japanese, Sunken and Mediterranean gardens filled with perennials in a rainbow of colors and trees of every size imaginable. Follow sun-dappled paths lined with rows of flowering shrubs, crystal clear ponds, flower-wrapped arches and bubbling fountains.
Clipper Recommends: Butchart Gardens & City Highlights Tour
5. Get a Taste of England
Featuring elegant furnishings and delicate William Edwards china, the luxurious Fairmont Empress is the place to visit for an authentic British Afternoon Tea experience. Give yourself the royal treatment with a three-tiered plate brimming with exquisite goodies. Snack on savory tea sandwiches, freshly-baked scones smeared with sweet strawberry preserves and thick jersey cream and a selection of delicious pasties from the Fairmont’s award-winning pastry chef. As for the tea, the Empress’ special blend of full-bodied black tea is one of our favorites, but there are many other varieties that pair perfectly with these delectable treats.
Clipper Recommends: Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Empress
With a picturesque waterfront, historic buildings and stunning greenspaces there is no better place than Victoria for unforgettable day trip. Whether you want to smell the flowers in the expansive and beautiful Butchart Gardens or get a taste of the city’s vibrant culinary scene, you can create an escape that is nothing short of amazing.
