Attractions/Sightseeing Our Staff would be happy to book and arrange Hotel pick up for any tours or Attractions for you during your stay.

• Butchart Gardens (www.butchartgardens.com) – 55 acres of magnificent gardens on a 130 acre estate that was reclaimed from a barren limestone quarry starting in 1904.  Located on the Saanich Inlet, south of Brentwood Bay .  866-652-4422.  

• Butterfly Gardens (www.butterflygardens.com) – Over 35 species of imported butterflies fly free amidst hundreds of tropical plants; cascading waterfalls and streams that house fish and tropical ducks.  5 minutes south of Butchart Gardens on West Saanich Road .  877-722-0272.  

Craigdarroch Castle (www.craigdarrochcastle.com) – As featured on A&E’s America ’s Castles, this is a beautiful historic Victorian-era mansion, built in the 1890s by wealthy BC coal baron Robert Dunsmuir. Located at 1050 Joan Street , just off of Fort Street . 250-592-5323.  

• Royal BC Museum (www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca) – Bring the past to life with a tour of the rich cultural and colourful history of British Columbia along with special exhibits of the wonders of the world.  Eternal Egypt is showing until October 31, 2004 .  Located at the corner of Belleville and Douglas Streets in downtown Victoria .  888-447-7977.  

• IMAX Theatre (www.imaxvictoria.com) - This 406 seat theatre features the 2-D IMAX Experience; with a projected area more than 6 stories high and 70 feet wide, up to 10 times larger than conventional screens, filling the viewer's entire field of vision. The theatre gives you the most powerful and involving film experience, bringing images to life with 12,000 watts of IMAX Digital surround sound.  Attached to the Royal BC Museum at the corner of Belleville and Douglas Streets in downtown Victoria .  250-953-IMAX (4629) for recorded information on shows.  

• Undersea Gardens (www.pacificunderseagardens.com) - Descend . . . into a world where Victoria 's reputation as the "City of Gardens " extends beneath the tide-line! Home of the largest collection of local marine life to be found anywhere! You will come face to face with the excitement, the wonder, the magic and mystery of the underwater world.  Located on Victoria ’s inner harbour at 490 Belleville Street (next to the Coho Ferry Terminal). 250-382-5717.  

• Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse (www.pc.gc.ca) – Step inside Canada ’s first west coast lighthouse and the century old fortifications of Fort Rodd Hill.  Parks Canada Historic sites, they are located 15 minutes north of downtown Victoria at 603 Fort Rodd Hill Road , Victoria , BC .  888-773-8888.  

• Miniature World (www.miniatureworld.com) – Called the Greatest Little Show on Earth.  See the world’s smallest sawmill, two of the world’s largest doll houses and much, much more.  Located in the Empress Hotel at 649 Humboldt Street .  250-385-9731.  

• Fairmont Empress Hotel (www.fairmont.com/empress) - Rising regally on the banks of Victoria 's spectacular Inner Harbour , The Fairmont Empress showcases the spirit and energy of Vancouver Island in grand style. Lovingly restored to her turn-of-the-century beauty, The Fairmont Empress captures the grandeur and elegance of a bygone era.  Located right on the Inner Harbour at 721 Government Street .  250-384-8111.  

• Centre of the Universe Observatory (www.hia-iha.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/cu) - The Centre of the Universe is the public interpretative centre at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Victoria , BC , Canada . Treat yourself to spectacular views of Victoria and the Cosmos! Our interactive exhibits and talented staff will introduce you to the amazing world of astronomy.  Located on the top of Little Saanich Mountain at 5071 West Saanich Road .  250-363-8262.  

• Royal London Wax Museum (www.waxworld.com) -  Open year-round, this premiere exhibition of over 300 life size wax figures (and much more) is conveniently located in the heart of downtown, on Victoria's Inner Harbour, across from the Parliament Buildings at 470 Belleville Street.  250-388-4461.  

• Marine Museum of British Columbia (http://mmbc.bc.ca) – Explore three complete floors of exhibits that document the history of ships and shipbuilding in BC and Canada .  Located at 28 Bastion Square in the heart of downtown Victoria .  250-382-2869




• Whale and Wildlife Watching – One of the most popular and awe inspiring activities that you can undertake in Victoria is a whale and wildlife watching tour.  There are a number of knowledgeable tour operators that can provide you with the opportunity to see some of the  approximate 80 Orca whales that inhabit the region, or some of the killer, humpback or grey whales that travel through the area on their annual migrations.  You will also be lucky enough to see dolphins, sea lions, harbour seals and numerous varieties of birds. 

• Kayaking – The waterways in and around Victoria provide perfect conditions for kayaking.  They range from calm inlets and bays to more challenging open water opportunities.  The Inner Harbour and Gorge Waterways are the more popular paddling locations, but many other opportunities abound as well. 

• Fishing – The waters around Victoria offer some of the best saltwater fishing opportunities in the world.  Salmon, halibut, crabs and prawns are plentiful and there are a number of charter operators who can not only provide boats, but also all of the tackle and an abundance of local knowledge.  Recommended operators are It’s All Good Adventure Tours (www.itsallgoodadventures.com) – 250-480-5900; Springtide Charters (www.springtidecharters.com) ) – 800-470-3474.

• Diving – Victoria and Vancouver Island are world-renowned for their diving opportunities.  There are a number of diving sites in and around Victoria , inshore and offshore, including two artificial reefs up the Saanich Peninsula near Sydney ; the Ogden Point Breakwater near Beacon Hill Park ; Race Rocks, a protected marine park, and the waters of the Gowiland Tod Provincial Park .  A number of tour operators and dive companies will provide information about locations, as well equipment rentals and tours.

• Indoor Water Sports – Saanich Commonwealth Place   (250-727-7108) has a wave pool and a 160 foot water slide in addition to an Olympic size swimming pool, weight rooms and more. 

• All Fun Recreation Park(www.allfun.bc.ca)  Located at 2207 Millstream Road, 7 miles north of downtown Victoria, this complex includes a ¾ mile waterslide complex, 2 mini golf courses, a driving range, with 25 covered stalls, 2 go-kart tracks, batting cages, concession and gift shop.  In addition, it has a 95 site RV park and is home to Western Speedway , Western Canada ’s largest racing oval and includes a 500 foot drag strip.  250-474-3184.