A family examines an outdoor sculpture at Heritage Acres in Victoria, BC

Family-Friendly Victoria Getaway

Victoria, B.C. is well known for its friendliness, history, charming streets and afternoon tea. It’s also the ultimate place for your next family getaway. With activities to satisfy the diverse personalities in your family, the biggest struggle will be finding time to fit everything in. Make memories your kids will cherish: read on to find the ultimate kid-friendly Victoria itinerary you’ll be equally as giddy about.

Adventures

A mother and daughter zipline at Adrena LINE Ziplines in Victoria, BC

Extreme exploration

For the young adrenaline junkie whose bravery rivals your own, try Adrena LINE Zipline Adventures. You’ll get to hang out at cool heights and zip line from platform to platform in a canopy of trees. If that doesn’t satisfy your appetite, try the Boulders Climbing Gym to experience a world-class climbing facility or a summer drop-in at CragX in downtown Victoria (CragX visits require top rope belay testing).

A woman sits atop a rock at Mystic Beach in Victoria, BC

Hike it out

Put your endurance to the test and hike up Mount Finlayson. It’s both technical and challenging, but rewards with an incredible view. Alternatively, hike in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park for unparalleled views of the inlet below. Itching for some coastline? Head out to the Juan De Fuca Trail and take your pick between French, Sandcut, Mystic or Sombrio Beach. You’ll navigate through beautiful forest, scramble over roots and cross bridges to get there but you’ll get the full coastal experience.

Three women chat next to a truck in the orchard at Merridale Cidery & Distillery

Explore more

Ready to get your heart pounding out at sea? Hit the water with Cowichan Bay Kayaking and Adventure Centre and take a sunset or full moon tour for a unique island experience. Ready for more, pop over to Hand of Man Museum of Natural History, Cultural Arts and Conservation and explore thousands of years of human history. Or take a 10-minute scenic drive to enjoy a stone fired pizza at Merridale Cidery. Then curl up for the night in one of the three Yurts on Merridale’s property for a ‘camping’ experience you can get behind.

Wildlife lovers

A humpback whale waves its tail in the Salish Sea off the coast of Victoria, BC

A whale of a tale

To win over the animal lover in your family, take them whale watching for memories they’ll cherish forever. Opt for a larger catamaran if you want comfort, or suit up and head out on a zodiac for a more adventurous experience.

Whale watching
Two children look at an exhibit at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea in Victoria, BC

Marine meandering

Your future marine biologist will fall in love with the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, where they can discover all the creatures native to the waters in and around Vancouver Island. Or explore Botanical Beach at low tide to discover hidden tidal pools.

A family meets a parrot at the Victoria Butterfly Gardens in Victoria, BC

Bugs, butterflies, and beyond

Insect lovers will bug out for a true hands-on at the Bug Zoo, but if the idea of holding a tarantula doesn’t appeal to mom or dad, head to the Butterfly Gardens where you can discover exotic insects—at a distance.

A father and daughter look at a llama at the Beacon Hill Children's Farm in Victoria, BC

Farmyard fun

For an experience with more cuddle-worthy critters, head to Beacon Hill Children’s Farm and hang out with baby goats at the barn. Visit with peacocks, cows, pigs and more. Make sure you stick around for the iconic running of the goats which takes place twice daily.

Beacon Hill Children's Farm
A woman explores a rock formation at East Sooke Park in Victoria, BC

Sightings galore

On Vancouver Island, we’re spoiled with wildlife sightings, and you’ll often spot seals, otters, eagles and more on coastal walks. Check out East Sooke Park-Aylard Farm trail for a low impact coastal walk. Don’t forget your binoculars to catch wildlife in action.

Comic book & game enthusiasts

A group of friends play board games at Interactivity Board Game Cafe in Victoria, BC

Got game?

If you have a child who begs you to play Monopoly or Settlers of Catan after dinner, make sure you stop by Interactivity Board Game Café. It’s a great space for kids and adults alike. Make an evening out of it and indulge in treats, milkshakes and, for the parents, some brews.

Interactivity Board Game Cafe
Hatley Castle at Hatley Park National Historic Site in Victoria, BC

Play the hero

You’ll be the hero if you take your child to Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters aka. Hatley Castle and tour the castle that was used in the X-Men movie series and more recently, Deadpool.

Hatley Park National Historic Site
Kids have a pillow fight at Hotel Zed in Victoria, BC

Throwback thinking

Treat your kids to a visit to Cherry Bomb Toys in the heart of downtown. Play vintage arcade games, walk through the toy museum and peruse the huge selection of toys from mint to pre-loved. Let’s be honest, you’ll probably have a blast browsing through the vintage games of your childhood too! Stay on theme and book your stay at Hotel Zed, an insanely fun, retro-styled hotel. With cruiser rentals, a VW bus to shuttle you around, record players in the lobby and comic books gifted upon check-in, you’ll score some major parent points. Did we mention they have a waterslide called the Zedinator?

Dreamers & schemers

Afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria, BC

Living like royalty

For the young one with their head in the clouds and their feet on the ground, take them to Craigdarroch Castle and let their imagination run wild. Then dress up for a Prince or Princess Tea at the Fairmont Empress to complete the fairytale memory. Alternatively, check out the charming Abkhazi Gardens, where you can take in the stunning horticultural work of an exiled prince and his wife, discover their history and enjoy tea.

A family settles down for the night in an oTENTiks at Ford Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site of Canada in Victoria, BC

In the spotlight

Only 20 minutes from downtown Victoria, discover Fisgard Lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses on the west coast. Imagine life as a lighthouse keeper and climb the spiral staircase to the beacon that prevented many a shipwreck. Cap off your day of exploration and spend the night in your very own oTENTik tent, complete with bunk beds!

Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites of Canada

History lovers

A family walks through the Royal BC Museum in Victoria, BC

Our story

For the family’s history lover, check out the Royal BC Museum and learn about preserving culture in the Living Languages exhibit and be awed by the natural history exhibit.

Royal BC Museum
A building in Victoria, BC's historic Chinatown

Walk this way

Walk to Chinatown and wander down narrow alleyways and hidden passageways. Learn about the history of the area on a walking tour so you don’t miss out on any secrets!

Guided tours
Two children play a game at the Maritime Museum of BC in Victoria, BC

Maritime must-see

Take your kids to the Maritime Museum and discover stories of B.C.’s coastal culture. Sign up for one of their extremely popular workshops and make your own Victoria souvenir with driftwood and sea glass.

Download Victoria's Vacation Guide

Destination Greater Victoria is honoured to be based on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen-speaking peoples of the Songhees Nation and Xwsepsum Nation, whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.