What to do in Capital Regional District

The bright colors and glorious fountains of Butchart Gardens make it look like the set of an inventive fantasy film. Watch fireworks explode into colors as vivid as the flowers growing beneath them and enjoy concerts on the sloping, grassy lawn. Boat tours, carousels and magical nighttime illuminations add to the appeal of this popular Victoria attraction.

Government Street is one of Victoria’s most popular commercial and entertainment streets. Come to this lively area to shop for fashion and handicrafts, visit museums and historical buildings and discover Canada’s oldest Chinatown. If you follow the street south from the city’s downtown district to Holland Point Park you are rewarded with views over the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

At Fisherman’s Wharf you can feed seals, explore a picturesque floating village, enjoy fresh seafood, join whale-watching tours and watch a unique water “ballet.”

At the Royal BC Museum you can see totem poles and dinosaur footprints, learn about British Columbia’s human and natural history, and visit two of the oldest buildings in the province. Founded in 1886, the museum joined forces with the BC Archives in 2003 to create one of Canada’s most revered cultural museums.

The British Columbia Parliament Buildings are arguably Victoria’s most well-known landmark. Admire 19th-century architecture, stroll around the premier’s rose garden and see sculptures of historical figures and murals portraying life in British Columbia. The grounds of the Parliament Building and Legislative Assembly are also the location for many free cultural events, such as live music performances and ceremonies. Pass by after dark when over 3,000 lights illuminate the building, a picturesque sight.