Wicked in Victoria
Recommended accommodations for a Wicked stay
The Pendray Inn and Teahouse
Step into a storybook at The Pendray Inn, a historic 19th-century Victorian mansion nestled along the waterfront. With stained-glass windows, intricate woodwork, and antique-filled rooms, it’s a place where the charm of another era meets modern comforts. Take off to the Emerald Tower, and stay in the Emily Carr suite, complimented with tasteful touches of green adorning the Victorian-era home. Or, be tickled pink in the Belleville Room, featuring beautiful pink ceiling frescoes from 1906. After a day of adventuring, unwind with a cozy pot of tea in the teahouse, where you’ll feel like Glinda herself, relaxing in a space that’s as enchanting as it is welcoming. Located just steps from Victoria’s Inner Harbour, The Pendray Inn offers the perfect blend of elegance and whimsical retreat.
Photo credit: Pendray Inn and Teahouse
Spinnakers GuestHouses - Heritage House
For a stay that feels like a page from Wicked itself, book a room in Spinnakers' Heritage House, an elegantly restored home built in 1884. his Victorian-era treasure, with its timeless charm and thoughtful details, feels like a place where Glinda’s elegance and Elphaba’s intrigue could effortlessly coexist. Each guest room features a private patio for moments of reflection, a crackling fireplace to warm your soul, and a magical sense of history. Weekly bookings are treated to a complimentary beer and truffle pairing—a pairing as surprising and delightful as any Wicked twist. The Heritage House’s old-world elegance makes every moment feel spellbinding.
Photo credit: Spinnakers Guesthouses
Day one
Mimosas and magic
Start your journey at Friends of Dorothy, Victoria’s most fabulous brunch spot, where chandeliers glitter and eclectic decor makes you feel like you’ve stepped into Oz. Sip on a mimosa, tuck into a brunch that’s sure to take you over the rainbow, and soak in the fun, inclusive vibe—perfect for channeling your inner Glinda!
Local Tip: You’re spoiled for choice at FoD; can’t make up your mind? Try Today’s Best Brunch Things, for a variety of their favourite daily flavours.
Green and glorious
After brunch, make your way to The Butchart Gardens. This iconic, flower-filled wonderland is enchanting any time of year. As you follow the winding paths through each garden, it’s like stepping onto your own yellow brick road, guiding you through vibrant landscapes that reveal new wonders around every corner. As you stroll through spring blossoms, fiery autumn reds, or sparkling holiday light displays, it feels like your very own Emerald City. Get lost among the roses, wind through the tranquil Japanese Garden, and soak in the mesmerizing colors—it’s almost as if the flowers are singing back to you.
The Butchart Gardens
Soaps and spells
Keep the colours flowing, head over to Starlite Soap Studio for a hands-on experience that will feel like crafting your own colourful potions! At this vibrant workshop, an instructor guides you through the magical process of creating your own custom soap, with vibrant colours (pink and green anyone?) and fragrances to choose from. As you swirl together beautiful hues and enchanting scents, you’ll feel like a soap-making sorceress, creating something beautiful and unique to take home.
Starlite Soap Studio
Sips of sorcery
Close out your day at Q at the Empress for a dinner as grand as it is glam. With Empress Gin cocktails on hand, you’ll feel right at home in this historic, yet unapologetically chic setting. The Empress Gin is especially magical—it’s colour-changing, transforming from deep indigo to a vibrant pink with a splash of tonic or citrus, like your own bewitching elixir. Don’t miss the Empress Experience gin tasting flight to channel your inner potion-maker—sophisticated but with a dash of mystery!
Photo credit: @fairmontempress (Instagram)
Day two
Brunch, Bold & Brilliant
Kick off your second day with breakfast at Floyd’s Diner, where the “Mahoney” surprise meal brings playful, chaotic energy to your table. What’s a surprise meal, well that’s whatever the chef feels like making you! Who knows what your breakfast fate might be? It’s a Wicked-worthy thrill for sure.
Photo credit: @floyds.diner (Instagram)
Follow the castle road
Next, step into the enchanting Hatley Castle—a setting so magical it almost feels like you could study sorcery there. Wander through this historic estate and its scenic grounds and gardens, which evoke the grandeur of a royal kingdom. Snap a photo in your best Glinda pose; this is your kingdom, after all.
Hatley Park National Historic Site
Spellbound by lavender
Our fantastical journey continues at Bilston Creek Farm, a sanctuary that feels straight out of Elphaba's dreamscape. Stroll through lavender fields that stretch like magic in the summer, or soak in the scents of lavendar in the barn in the winter, filling the air with calming, herbal notes, as if spellbound. When it’s time to unwind, gather around a cozy fire pit, or slip into the warmth of a Wildwood Sauna—experiences that feel like they could melt away even the wickedest of worries. With each moment, you’ll feel the world’s weight lift, as if touched by a bit of Oz’s own magic, in a place that’s both grounding and enchantingly otherworldly.
Fly over Oz
For a little thrill, channel your inner Elphaba and zoom into the treetops at WildPlay for some ziplining, where you’ll feel like your defying gravity. Just imagine you’re flying on a broomstick through the lush forests of Vancouver Island—it's the ultimate dose of wicked fun and perfect for daring spirits.
WildPlay Element ParksDay three
Lattes and levitation
Start your morning at Nourish Kitchen & Cafe, where farm-to-table goodness meets a truly enchanting vibe. This cozy spot is known for its vibrant, healthful dishes and beautiful hot beverages that feel almost like potions—a Heartbeet or matcha latte, for a splash of pink and green in your morning routine. Savour each sip and bite in this charming heritage house, and let the fresh flavours set a bright, magical tone for your day.
Photo credit: @nourishvictoria (Instagram)
A spell of structure
From one heritage home to the next, make your way to the Wentworth Villa Architecture Heritage Museum. This Victorian-era treasure transports you to another time with its intricate design and carefully preserved stories. It’s as if you’re wandering through history’s own fairytale, where details come to life and every corner has a tale to tell.
Wentworth Villa Architecture Heritage Museum
Tasting wicked wonders
For a burst of flavour fit for the Emerald City, make your way over to Bon Macaron Patisserie for a whimsical snack. Pick from a rainbow of flavours and colours as delightful as the Land of Oz itself. With choices like Black Current Dark Chocolate, Calamansi Wildberry, Gummy Bears, and Pear Hazelnut, each macaron is like a spellbound treat, and each bite is a little burst of joy.
Photo Credit: Lainya Semple
A castle of wonders
It’s been a day filled with character, so let’s carry on to Craigdarroch Castle, an iconic mansion that feels like it belongs in a fantastical world. With its grand staircases, beautiful stained glass, and sweeping views from the turret, this castle is the perfect place to soak in Victoria’s own blend of magic and elegance. Each room tells a story of drama and beauty, leaving you with a sense of wonder and a feeling that you’ve truly found a place like no other.
Craigdarroch Castle Historic House Museum
Potions and plates
After a castle fit for a princess, it’s time for some wickedly good food. Head to End Dive, a neighborhood gem that feels like a secret little hideaway. The restaurant’s playful green decor and its frogman logo set a fantastical tone, as if you’ve stumbled into a spot in the Emerald City itself. End Dive’s menu focuses on local, pescatarian fare, with fresh and flavorful dishes that showcase Victoria’s coastal bounty. Pair your meal with one of their inventive cocktails—crafted with a flair that feels almost like alchemy—to end your evening on a delightfully enchanting note.
End DiveDay four
Sugary spells
Begin your day at the Dutch Bakery & Diner, a beloved Victoria institution that’s been enchanting visitors with its warm meals, delightful pastries and old-world charm since 1956. Enjoy a magical array of savouries or sweets, from buttercream-filled cakes and delicate shortbread cookies to house made sausage rolls. Savour a morning treat and feel transported to a fairytale bakery where each bite feels like a spell cast to start your day with joy.
Dutch Bakery & Diner
Wicked to the touch
Step inside the rainbow at Monkey C’s Artcade. This interactive art show is a living exhibition of creativity and curiosity. Go behind the curtain, flick switches, press buttons, and explore wild sounds, pulsating music & blinking lights on an array of interactive art machines, for an experience that’s sure to make you feel like the wizard himself. Witches of all ages are invited to rediscover wonder, embrace the unexpected, and play with strangers at this one-of-a-kind exhibit that feels like a blend of a gallery and a playground.
Dutch Bakery & Diner
Petals and porcelain
For a mid-day adventure, make your way to the Abkhazi Garden and Tea House. This historic garden, lovingly created by Prince and Princess Abkhazi, feels like a hidden kingdom of its own, with winding paths and lush landscapes that reveal something beautiful at every turn. Settle in for a traditional high tea with delicate finger sandwiches, scones, and an assortment of fine teas. It’s an experience fit for royalty, surrounded by an atmosphere that’s every bit as magical as Oz.
Carriage to wonder
Close your day with a horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic streets of Victoria. Snuggle under a cozy blanket as your charming steed leads you past Victorian-era buildings, twinkling lights, and scenic harbourside views. This timeless experience is both romantic and whimsical, bringing a touch of old-world magic to the end of your journey. With the sound of hooves on cobblestone and a cool breeze at your back, it’s the perfect finale to a day that feels like a scene from your very own storybook.
Victoria’s magic will linger with you, casting a spell that calls you back again and again. After all, there’s no place like this.
Travelling with little witches and wizards
Hooves and hocus-pocus
Start your day with a magical visit to Ponies and Pipsqueaks, where young witches and wizards can meet and greet some adorable miniature horses. These gentle creatures, each with a personality as unique as a character from Oz, are perfect for little ones to interact with. Watching their delight as they brush, pet, and maybe even take a short ride with these tiny ponies is a heartwarming start to your day. That my dear, is a horse of a different colour!
Photo credit: @poniesandpipsqueaks (Instagram)
Tiny tales of Oz
Grab your munchkins and head to Miniature World, a land of endless fascination. This enchanting spot will transport you through scenes of fantasy and history, with tiny worlds and figurines so detailed it’s like magic. From fairy tales to castles, your little travellers will feel like they’re wandering through their own enchanted realms. Each display is like a storybook brought to life, full of whimsical surprises and fun for kids and grown-ups alike.
Miniature World
Flying without broomsticks
When it’s time for some high-energy fun, visit Flying Squirrel Victoria, an indoor trampoline park that lets kids (and adults) jump, flip, and fly through the air like the monkeys they are! With foam pits, obstacle courses, and plenty of space to practice their best airborne tricks, Flying Squirrel brings a spark of adventure to your day. It’s the perfect way to let out all the excitement of the trip with some high-flying fun.
Flying Squirrel Victoria
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