Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Victoria

"Best For – The Quintessential Luxury Victoria hotel experience. The ‘Grande Dame’ of Victoria’s hotels and certainly her most iconic, if you’re looking for luxury hotels in Victoria you won’t want to miss the Fairmont Empress. Owned by Canadian chain Fairmont hotels (although recently acquired by the Accor group), the Empress hotel is a slice of Victoria’s history – in fact this is the famous hotel in Victoria, BC. This Edwardian era Chateau is set right on the edge of the inner harbour with views out across Victoria’s waterfront."

"When most people think afternoon-tea, they think fine china, scones, tiny-cucumber sandwiches, and decadent desserts. With butter-filled pastries, this age-old British-tradition might seem far from vegan-friendly, but surprisingly, the Fairmont Empress Hotel is able to accommodate 32 different dietary restrictions (sugar-free, gluten-free, vegan, whatever your heart desires). I highly recommend the Afternoon Tea at the Empress for a special occasion or a girls day out!"

"This stunning 55-acre garden and National Historic Site has been drawing visitors since it was started in a limestone quarry in 1904."

"Looking more like the work of a 14th century Parisian architect than a cathedral, the Christ Church Cathedral was built in 1929. Open daily for tours, the building’s stone foundation is impressive both inside and out."

"This early-20th-century Gothic-revival cathedral is one of Victoria's most attractive buildings. The third Anglican cathedral to be built in the city, the current structure was started in 1929, but due to war and..."

"Services: seventeen services each week, including four on Sundays at 8:00 am, 9:15 am, 11:00 am and 4:00 pm. Please check out their website for weekday service times"

"West End Gallery is a family owned and operated art gallery, specializing in Canadian art since 1975, in Victoria BC."

"​Become inspired and visit the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria—British Columbia’s largest public collection of art. Located in the historic Rockland neighbourhood, and nearby the famous Craigdarroch Castle, the Gallery houses over 20,000 pieces of historical and contemporary art and contains a renowned collection of Asian art and artifacts. Just as stunning as the artwork is the 1889 Spencer Mansion that serves as an exhibition space and mini-museum for the Spencer family’s former home."

"One of Canada’s finest art galleries is home to nationally important Oriental, European, Canadian and Inuit art collectors. The Gallery has a permanent display of works by Victoria’s renowned artist, Emily Carr. Opened in 1951 as a result of Sara Spencer’s donation of the Spencer Mansion, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria offers exhibits of all sorts, year round."

"Granted, it's not the Louvre, or even Vancouver Art Gallery for that matter, but this east-of-downtown art nook does harbor one of Canada's best Emily Carr collections. Aside from the Victoria-born painter's..."

"​Become inspired and visit the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria—British Columbia’s largest public collection of art. Located in the historic Rockland neighbourhood, and nearby the famous Craigdarroch Castle, the Gallery houses over 20,000 pieces of historical and contemporary art and contains a renowned collection of Asian art and artifacts. Just as stunning as the artwork is the 1889 Spencer Mansion that serves as an exhibition space and mini-museum for the Spencer family’s former home."

"One of Canada’s finest art galleries is home to nationally important Oriental, European, Canadian and Inuit art collectors. The Gallery has a permanent display of works by Victoria’s renowned artist, Emily Carr. Opened in 1951 as a result of Sara Spencer’s donation of the Spencer Mansion, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria offers exhibits of all sorts, year round."

"Granted, it's not the Louvre, or even Vancouver Art Gallery for that matter, but this east-of-downtown art nook does harbor one of Canada's best Emily Carr collections. Aside from the Victoria-born painter's..."

"Colonizing part of the Inner Harbour's landmark Steamship Terminal building, this gallery showcases the photo-realistic work of Canada's most celebrated nature painter, the eponymous Bateman, along with a..."

"Opened in 2013 in a historic waterfront structure, this small but impressive gallery displays more than 100 works—from etchings to…"

"Jackson’s Ice Cream Float is the only floating ice cream shop in Canada – possibly the world!. Located at Fisherman’s Wharf and full of charm, Jackson’s embodies a classic ice cream parlour with generous scoop sizes and friendly staff. Offering sixteen flavours of hard ice cream, three flavours of soft-serve, milkshakes and floats."