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Bring the Kids
Victoria has long-since outgrown the joke that it’s the
land of the “newlywed and nearly dead.” The quaint
British Columbia capital has a bubbling food scene,
pedestrian-friendly streets, and a plethora of historic
hangouts. Tucked beside the ocean, its Inner Harbour
bustles with activity, offering the ideal hub for those
ready to explore – especially families.
WHETHER YOU’RE ESCAPING SEATTLE
FOR the day or visiting this northern
gem for an extended holiday, Victoria’s
kid-friendly activities are so fun even
the adults will feel inspired.
Get Hands-On
From day one, we are tactile learners.
Though our world and attention span
grows with age, the passion for hands-
on activities never goes away complete-
ly. At Miniature World, you’ll feel like
a giant (649 Humboldt St.). While ex-
ploring the more than 85 dioramas and
displays, you’ll find several push-button
actions which do everything from turn
on lights to activate trainsets. Wander
back in time at Royal BC Museum,
where immersive exhibits make you
feel like you’ve stepped into snippets of
Victoria’s history (675 Belleville St.). Try
your hand at mining for gold. Step into
the shoes of a submarine captain. Say
“Hi” to Wolly, the museum’s unofficial
mascot — a life-size mammoth.
Get out all the wiggles at Beacon
Hill Park, where the large playground
is a year-round favorite (100 Cook St.).
The seasonal petting zoo features goats,
alpacas, and more. And for those kids
who love creepy crawlers, the Victoria
Bug Zoo is a must-visit (631 Courtney
St.). In addition to seeing giant walking-
sticks, praying mantis, tarantulas, and
glow-in-the-dark scorpions, you and
your littles will be able to safely handle
some of the critters under the supervi-
sion of the zoo’s knowledgeable staff.
Indulge in Tasty Treats
In recent years Victoria’s food scene has
undergone an impressive revival, with a
farm-to-table movement that’s earned
the city a well-deserved reputation.
Indulge in a sampling at the Victoria
Public Market — the city’s only year-
round market (1701 Douglas St #6.). The
indoor food-hub features a diverse range
of local food artisans, including loaded
waffles and scratch-made pies.
But the city’s old staples should
also not be overlooked — especially
Roger’s Chocolates (913 Government
St.). Founded in 1885, Roger’s hand-
made chocolates have been delighting
Victorians with classic flavors and local
favorites, like Victoria Creams, for more
than 130 years.
Continuing the tasty historic train,
be sure to have a spot of afternoon tea.
Since the early 1900s, the Fairmont
Empress has been serving tea worthy
of royalty (721 Government St.). And,
following its recent renovations, the
Empress introduced a special prince and
princess tea for children 12-and-under.
The Queen Mary Tea Room also of-
fers a fun children’s menu (2912 NE 55th
St.). So too does the Pendray Inn and
Tea House (309 Belleville St.).
Meet Some New Friends
Saddle up your little one for an awe-in-
spiring adventure with the ocean’s gen-
tle giants — killer
whales. Also known
as orcas, the Salish
Sea is frequented
by both resident
and transient pods.
Tours, like the ones
offered by Prince of Whales, allow you
and your little one the chance to see
these graceful creatures first hand (812
Wharf St.). You may also see shorebirds,
sea otters, seals, dolphins, grey whales,
and more!
For a more delicate introduction to
H
O
P
S
nature, head to the Victoria Butterfly
Gardens (1461 Benvenuto Ave.). Home
to over 3,000 butterflies, along with
tropical ducks, flamingos, and other rare
tropical birds, the 12,000-square-foot
enclosure is downright magical.
Explore the City
Introduce your young traveler to
some of the city’s
quirkiest of rides
and funkiest of
destinations. Start
at Fisherman’s
Wharf, where a
lively community of
floating homes and walk-up food ven-
dors feel like something that may have
been plucked from a children’s book
(12 Erie St.). Catch a Victoria Harbour
Ferry — the city’s water taxi service.
It offers 14 conveniently located stops
throughout the Inner Harbour, includ-
ing at Fisherman’s Wharf.
Excite your young traveling com-
panion with an old-fashioned horse
and carriage ride.
Carriage rides can
generally be found
at the corner of
Mackenzie St. &
Melville St., on the
west side of the BC
Parliament Buildings. Tours typically last
30 minutes, taking you through some of
Victoria’s oldest neighborhoods.
Add Some Dazzle (and Competition)
A National Historical Site of Canada,
The Butchart
Gardens features
55 acres of finely
manicured gardens
and public trails
(800 Benvenuto Ave.).
Kids will love the
endless paths and the children’s carou-
sel. For a heart-pumping alternative,
take your kid ziplining with Adrena
LINE Zipline Adventure Tours
(5128C Sooke Rd.). Special youth tours
are available, starting for children as
young as five-years-old.
And if you’re looking to get off your
feet while spending some quality un-
plugged time, head to Interactivity
Board Game Cafe (723 Yates St.). This
fun café serves a selection of sandwich-
es and snacks. But the real star is the
800-plus game collection that’s available
to play in-house or buy.
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