It’s evident the moment you cruise into Victoria’s Inner Harbour that this is a city with a rich history. With its host of regal buildings decked out in stately columns and ivy-covered brick greeting you upon arrival, the landmark-centric city is sure to captivate your inner history buff. Whether you want to cuddle up with a cozy cup of tea in the same spot that Queen Elizabeth II did or geek out over extravagant Victorian-era castles, here’s our guide to exploring some of Victoria’s most captivating historic landmarks – car and time machine not required.
Day 1
10:45 am – Arrive in Victoria
After a quick and scenic less than three-hour cruise direct from Seattle, you’ll be immediately struck by the grandeur of this European-influenced city (it was named for a queen, after all!). Grab your bags and disembark right into the heart of downtown Victoria, where you are only steps away from your first adventure.
11:30 am – The Parliament Buildings
With its impressive size and distinctive blue-green domes, the Parliament Buildings will immediately catch your eye upon arrival in Victoria. Hop on one of the free, guided tours available year-round, and the expert staff will fill you in on everything you want to know about this centuries-old building! (Inside tip: The Parliamentary Dining Room is available to the public for breakfast and lunch. With white tablecloths and elegant entrées you’ll feel like a real parliamentarian.)
Walking distance from Clipper terminal: 5 minutes
HOW TO GET THERE:
1:00 pm – Royal British Columbia Museum
Pop across the street to pay a visit to the popular Royal BC Museum. Founded in 1886, it’s the ultimate authority when it comes to the history and culture of the region–with exhibitions on everything from native plants to Canada’s First Nations peoples, all the way through modern history. (Inside tip: The museum’s IMAX theater, with the largest screen in all of British Columbia, should not be missed! Check here for their current films and coming soon titles.)
Walking distance from Clipper terminal: 7 minutes
HOW TO GET THERE:
2:30 pm – Thunderbird Park
Stroll over to Thunderbird Park, which is hard to miss with its vibrant totem poles towering overhead. Home to a collection of First Nation monuments, perhaps the most distinctive structure in the park is the grinning Wawadit’la, a painted wooden building also known as Mungo Martin House, named after a famous local carver.
(Inside tip: With the exception of the heraldic pole (directly in front of Mungo Martin House) all the poles that you will see in the park are replicas carved by Mungo Martin and others. Visit the First Peoples Gallery inside the Royal BC Museum to see the original totem poles!)
Walking distance from Clipper terminal: 9 minutes
HOW TO GET THERE:
3:00 pm – St. Andrew’s Cathedral
Celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, this historic structure’s allure more than stands the test of time. Known for its array of stunning stained glass windows, St. Andrew’s Cathedral is well worth the short walk over. (Inside tip: St. Andrew’s is said to have some of the best acoustics of any building in Western Canada. Check their schedule for choral events or time your visit to coincide with mass, where their pipe organ is sure to leave you in awe.)
Walking distance from Clipper terminal: 17 minutes
HOW TO GET THERE:
3:45 pm – Christ Church Cathedral
Next, head over to Christ Church Cathedral. A large gothic cathedral in the European style, in keeping with the overall feel of Victoria’s architecture, the Christ Church Cathedral you see today was completed in 1929. Open daily for tours, the building’s stone structure is impressive both inside and out. (Inside tip: Be sure to walk the church’s unique labyrinth on their south lawn, which is said to help spark creativity, focus the mind and leave you feeling centered.)
Walking distance from Clipper terminal: 18 minutes
HOW TO GET THERE:
4:30 pm – Head Back to the Waterfront
Give your feet a break and take your time meandering back toward the Inner Harbour for happy hour and dinner at Victoria’s celebrated eateries. For tapas-style small plates and artisanal cocktails, stop by Veneto on Douglas Street.
If you walked up an appetite, head over to Zambri’s where you can find heartier Italian fare like crispy pork shoulder or one of their award-winning pizzas. Looking for some more local flavor? Swing by one of our favorite spots for farm-to-table eats that are sure to inspire a return visit.
Day 2
10:00 am – Brunch
Fuel up for another day on foot! Victoria is known for being a heavy hitter when it comes to brunch offerings, which means that there’s no shortage of delicious eggy concoctions to sample. Blue Fox Cafe is a popular choice, offering whimsical riffs on classic Canadian comfort food and–late risers rejoice!–breakfast all day.
If you’d rather nosh on melt-in-your-mouth pancakes topped with a heaping pile of whipped cream, or, perhaps a breakfast taco is more your style, check out a few of other our top picks for brunch around town, which hit the spot before an afternoon of exploring.
11:30 am – Craigdarroch Castle
Boasting 39 rooms and over 4 stories (20,000 square feet of interior space!), the magnificent Craigdarroch Castle definitely warrants the 30-minute walk from the harbor. Built for wealthy Scottish industrialist Robert Dunsmuir and faithfully restored to its 1890s luster, the attention to detail is evident throughout the castle, from its stained glass windows to the glamorous Victorian-era furnishings.
Walking distance from Clipper terminal: 38 minutes
HOW TO GET THERE:
2:30 pm – Government House
A quick jaunt down the road, Victoria’s Government House with its immaculately well-kept grounds is worth a visit any time of year. The house itself isn’t open to the public as it’s often inhabited by political figures and foreign dignitaries, but the 36 acres of outdoor space is more than enough to keep you occupied.
Visit the Duck Pond toward the front of the property to do a bit of bird watching, and don’t miss the Winter Garden for rare plants in bloom between November and March. (Inside tip: If you visit between May and September, be sure to stop by their Tea Room for lunch, tea, pastries and other refreshments.)
Walking distance from Clipper terminal: 41 minutes
HOW TO GET THERE:
3:15 pm – St. Ann’s Academy
With its sweeping grounds, classical architecture and rumors of resident apparitions, St. Ann’s Academy has all the elements for the perfect last stop on your historic walking tour of Victoria. Take some time to explore the cathedral, where you’ll find ornate ceiling carvings, gold-leaf detailing, original oil paintings and other relics of the structure’s past. And as for the whispers of ghostly activity, well, it’s probably all just conjecture…or is it? You’ll just have to pay it a visit and decide for yourself!
Walking distance from Clipper terminal: 13 minutes
HOW TO GET THERE:
5:00 pm – Cruise Home to Seattle
As you pull away from the Victoria Clipper terminal on your journey home, glance back at the twinkling lights of the Parliament Building and Fairmont Empress and think about the residents of eras past who inhabited the iconic landmarks. After a weekend of exploring, you’ll arrive in Seattle rejuvenated, with an assortment of stories to tell and Instagram-worthy photos to share!
