Are you looking for cool things to do in Victoria with the family?
Located on Vancouver Island, on the extreme west side of the Trans-Canada Highway, Victoria (BC) is a vibrant yet charming city. It has a British touch while keeping its island vibe.
On our cross-Canada road trip, we had the chance to stay in Victoria and explore the city and its surroundings for two entire weeks. We loved the area and were never bored. We of course visited the famous attractions, but also discovered cool and unique things to do in Victoria and the area.
So check out all the fun things to do in Victoria with the family. Some activities are free, while others are not.
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Getting to Victoria
✈️ Victoria is on Vancouver Island. This means that you can either fly into the Victoria International Airport or take the ferry from Vancouver.
🚗 The most common way to reach Victoria if you have a car will be to take the BC ferry from the Tsawwassen terminal in Vancouver. You’ll arrive at the Swartz Bay terminal near Sidney. It’s about half an hour away from downtown Victoria.
⛴️ Otherwise, you can drive to Nanaimo and take the ferry there.
I would recommend arriving from one port and departing from the other port. Each ride is completely different as you are traveling through different landscapes.
You can also fly into Victoria. You can compare flights on Skyscanner or Expedia.
If you are flying, you might want to consider renting a car when visiting Victoria, so you can explore more outside the city center.
23+ Cool Things to Do in Victoria with the Family
Victoria, BC is the perfect place for a family trip. Kids will love the ocean and spot wild sea animals.
Here is our list of things to do in Victoria with kids. Some family activities in Victoria are free, while others are not. We also included a few fun family activities in Greater Victoria.
1. Take a family photo at the Canada sign
What’s better to start your family trip than with a photoshoot by the Canada sign? Plus, you’ll be in the marina, where you can admire the view and search for crabs by the docks.
The view from the Canada sign is beautiful. You’ll see both the Parliament buildings as well as the marina.
2. Chase some butterflies at the Victoria Butterfly Gardens
The Victoria Butterfly Gardens is the perfect thing to do with kids on a rainy day. There are up to 70 species of tropical butterflies flying around the facility. In addition to butterflies, you’ll see frogs, tortoises, iguanas, flamingos, tropical birds, and more.
It’s super warm and humid inside the garden. Make sure to bring light clothing for your visit. Also, please note that your camera lens may get foggy.
I had to use the dryer provided at the exit on my camera. There was so much condensation.
3. Eat some Fish and chips at Fisherman’s Wharf
The Victoria Fisherman’s Wharf may be small compared to the San Francisco Pier 39, but it’s colorful and beautiful. Plus, there’s a nice kids’ playground by the parking lot.
Walk on the docks, and maybe get some free mini-donuts at Sweet Candy Shop. Then, order some fish & chips at Barb’s Fish & Chips. If you don’t feel like fish and chips, you may want to try a fish taco at Puerto Vallarta Amigos.
We went to both restaurants, and they were both good. We love that all the tables are at the same place, so if your family can’t decide what to get, you can order from different restaurants and still eat all together.
4. Go to a Whale Watching Tour on a Zodiac Boat
Victoria and Vancouver Island are the perfect places to go on a whale-watching tour.
Your family will get to go on a 12-passenger zodiac boat along the coastlines and learn about the West Coast wildlife.
During the summer season, from April to October, whale-watching tours have a 95% success rate.
On your 3-hour whale-watching tour, you’ll get a chance to spot orcas, humpback, minke, and gray whales.
It’s important to note that whale-watching tours on zodiac boats are not suitable for children under 6 years old and pregnant women.
➡️ Check Rates and availability of Victoria: Guided Wildlife-Watching Tour by Catamaran here!
5. Admire the 360° views of Greater Victoria at the top of Mount Douglas
Mount Douglas Summit is located in the Saanich area, a little outside the Victoria city center.
There are a few different trails to choose from to reach the Mount Douglas Summit, but walking on Churchill Drive when the road is closed to motor vehicles is the perfect trail for kids. It’s a 3.1-kilometre out-and-back trail that leads to incredible views at the summit.
Be warned, it’s pretty windy at the top of the mountain, but the view is worth it.
6. Participate in a Scavenger Hunt Across Victoria
Kids will LOVE a scavenger hunt across Victoria. It’s the perfect way to discover a city and keep the kids engaged and entertained.
During this self-guided scavenger hunt, you’ll get to solve riddles by exploring the city highlights, such as the Fairmont Empress Hotel and the Parliament Building. With the hints you’ll find, you’ll discover hidden gems all throughout the city.
➡️ Check Rates and availability Victoria: Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour here!
7. Enjoy the ocean at Willows Beach
Willows Beach is one of the most popular swimming beaches and things to do in Victoria with kids. The water is shallow, which is perfect for young kids. There is a food concession stand on the weekends, and there is also a kids’ playground on the other side of the street.
If you are looking for another fun beach for the kids, Cadboro-Gyro Park is another great option for a beach day. And the kids’ playground is amazing.
8. Do a Tour of Craigdarroch Castle
The Craigdarroch castle is a Victoria-era Scottish Baronial mansion. It was designated a National due to its landmark status in Victoria. The Castle is beautifully and meticulously restored and will give you an idea of the privileged life in the 1890s.
Because it’s a historic building, it is not accessible to strollers and wheelchairs. You’ll visit the castle on a self-guided tour. It takes approximately an hour to do the tour. It can take a bit longer with kids, depending on how interested they are.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability to see the Craigdarroch Castle here!
9. Visit the first lighthouse in western Canada at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse
Fort Rodd Hill is a historic fort built by the British in the 1890s to defend Victoria and the Naval Base, while Fisgard Lighthouse was the first lighthouse to operate on the west coast of Canada.
Take your time, walk up to the top of the lighthouse, and search for vestiges of the fort. Deers and Canada geese are all over the place, as well as hermit crabs. The entrance is included with a Parks Canada Discovery Pass.
10. Pretend to walk on water at Whiffin Spit Park
Whiffin Spit Park is beautiful. The narrow-ish trail is surrounded on one side by Sooke Harbour and on the other side by the Juan de Fuca Strait.
It’s an easy 2.4 km out-and-back trail to get to the end, but it can also be fun, so spend some time by the small beach or watch cold water scuba divers.
11. Explore The Xmen Hatley Castle Scene
Located on the Royal Roads University campus, Hatley Castle was completed in 1908. Later on, it served as a dormitory for cadets and staff officers at Royal Roads Military College.
In addition to the castle, there are 3 gardens to visit: a Japanese Garden, an Italian Garden, and a Rose Garden. Guided tours of the castle are offered.
Did you know that some scenes from the movie X-Men movie were filmed at Hatley Castle?
12. Explore the Royal BC Museum
The Royal BC Museum was a great place to go with kids when visiting Victoria, but it is sadly now mostly closed for big modernization. The Archives and the Imax Victoria will remain open.
13. Find the narrowest street in Chinatown
Victoria’s Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in Canada. While it is a pretty small district, it’s still worth stopping by and passing through the narrowest street in the country: Fan Tan Alley.
14. Touch sea urchins at Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea
The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea is a not-for-profit aquarium that shows the ecosystem of the Salish Sea. There are some touch pools where you can touch sea urchins and other aquatic species. If your family is used to visiting aquariums, the Shaw Center for the Salish Sea is nice but pretty small. Within 2 hours, we explored in depth.
15. See an ant colony in action at the Victoria Bug Zoo
Discover more than 50 bug species, including mantis, glow-in-the-dark scorpions, and an ants colony at the Victoria Bug Zoo. Experienced tour guides will teach you lots of cool stuff about tropical (and not tropical) bugs.
The ant colony wall is really impressive. My kids loved it and really listened well to the guide as he explained how the colony worked together.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability to experience Victoria Bug Zoo here!
16. Get a dose of adrenaline at AdrenaLine zipline Victoria
The AdrenaLine zipline adventure park offers seven ziplines, a forest canopy, a suspension bridge, and more. Kids must be 5 years old and older in order to participate.
17. Explore the tide pools at Witty’s Lagoon
At Witty’s lagoon, fresh water meets salt water. The shallow water from the tide pools is warm. Make some sandcastles, watch some birds, or simply walk in the tide pools.
18. Ride the only carousel on Vancouver Island at Butchart Gardens.
The Butchart Gardens shows more than 900 varieties of flowers, plants, and trees. With fountains, flowers, and bridges, children will have lots of fun. Make sure to get the free Family Discovery Walk guide so the kids can be more engaged during the visit with drawings and questions to answer.
Also, why not end the day with a few rides on the Rose Carousel, the only carousel on the island?
➡️ Check Rates and Availability of the Victoria City and Butchart Gardens Private Half-Day Tour here!
19. See the world at Miniature World
Located just outside the famous Fairmont Empress Hotel, Miniature World showcases 85 miniature displays of scenes from history and literature, such as the world’s largest dollhouse (with more than 50 rooms) and a replica of the Great Canadian Railway train set.
20. Bike along the Galloping Goose Trail
The 60-kilometer Galloping Goose trail was formerly a railway line during the First World War. From Victoria, the trail runs into Coldwood, Langford, and Sooke. There are different access points to the trail, but from downtown Victoria, you can access it at the corner of Wharf St and Pandora St.
21. Spend an afternoon at Beacon Hill Park
There is so much to do at Beacon Hill Park that your family can easily spend half a day, if not more. There are 2 kids’ playgrounds, 2 spray parks, a petting zoo, a rose garden, and lots of footpaths and grassy areas.
22. Drive to Mile 0 of the Trans-Canada highway
Yay! You made it to the start (or the end) of the Trans-Canada Highway. The Mile 0 monument is by Beacon Hill Park. Make sure to take a few pictures. It was a pretty important stop for us after driving more than 5,000 km from the East Coast.
23. Have fun at one of the playgrounds in the city:
📍 Cook Street Playground: 100 Cook St, Leonard St, Victoria, BC
📍Gyro – Cadboro Bay Park: Sinclair Rd, Victoria, BC V8N 6B4
📍 Victoria West Park: Esquimalt Road, Victoria, BC
📍Fisherman’s Wharf Park: 12 Erie St, Victoria, BC V8V 4X5
FAQs: Things to Do in Victoria with the Family
Is Victoria BC good for families?
Yes, Victoria, BC is an excellent place for families. With its mild climate and beautiful scenery, many outdoor activities like biking, kayaking, and hiking exist. Families can also explore the vibrant downtown area with shops and restaurants. There’s something for everyone in Victoria, from family-friendly museums and interactive science centers to world-class zoos, aquariums, and beaches.
What is there to do with kids in Victoria?
These are the top things to do in Victoria BC with kids:
- Whale Watching: Victoria is famous for watching killer whales (Orca) and humpback whales. And whale watching is one of the best things to do with kids in Victoria, BC. Here, you can go on a guided tour or rent a boat for an adventure.
- Butterfly Gardens: This place is like a magical garden full of colorful butterflies, birds, reptiles, and other cool animals. It’s not just fun but also a great learning experience for families.
- Aviation Museum: Visiting Aviation Museum is one of the fun things to do in Victoria. If you’re into airplanes, this museum has all kinds of them, from old ones to modern jets. There are also fun things to do for kids.
- Royal BC Museum: This museum is packed with cool stuff like animals, First Nations history, and natural disasters like earthquakes. Kids will love learning here.
- Bug Zoo: If you’re looking for kid-friendly things to do in Victoria, this place is fantastic if you’re curious about insects. You can see strange bugs and learn exciting facts about them.
- Miniature World: If you’re looking for family activities in Victoria, BC. Miniature World is like a tiny world with historical scenes, like old battles, downtowns, and replicas of famous landmarks from around the world.
What is Victoria BC, best known for?
Victoria, BC is best known for its temperate climate, lush gardens, and beautiful natural landscapes. The city has a mild climate with very few extremes in temperature or humidity. Its landscape of mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, and oceans makes Victoria an ideal spot for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and kayaking.
Is Victoria BC worth visiting?
Victoria, BC is a great place to visit. It’s full of natural beauty and tons of fun activities. You can explore the breathtaking Butchart Gardens or go kayaking or whale watching to keep in touch with nature. Plus, the city itself is full of life! There are fantastic street art displays, delicious restaurants, and many shopping spots. And it’s easy to get around – either on foot or by bike.
Final Thoughts: Things to Do in Victoria with the Family
Victoria, BC, is an amazing place to visit with the family! We spent two weeks in the area, discovered beautiful spots, and enjoyed many fun activities – from petting zoos and butterfly gardens for the kids to wineries for adults.
You can explore nature, go shopping, whale watching, and more.
So why not plan your next getaway to beautiful Victoria? It’s sure to be a memorable experience that you and your family will never forget!
Will you be visiting Victoria, BC, with your kids? 😉
Related Articles
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like to read the following articles:
- The 5 Best Whale Watching Tours in Victoria BC for Families
- The Ultimate Road Trip in Canada: Driving from Ontario to BC
✍️ Meet Emilie, the founder of Love Life Abroad ✍️
Emilie is the founder of Love Life Abroad. She’s a born wanderer. From an early age, she wanted to be on the move. Whether searching for a condo in California (at age 16) or flying to Ireland to see musician Damien Rice, she’s always looked for any excuse to pack a bag and explore. Now, she has two boys, who are planning epic road trips and adventures as much as possible. Emilie helps families with young children to plan unique road trips and outdoor adventures because who said adventuring had to stop once we have kids?
