Things to Know, Pack & Do for a Trip to Victoria, B.C.

A collection of random thoughts on traveling to Victoria, B.C. - what to pack, how to prep, and other things to know:

  • The Victoria Clipper is the easiest (and most fun) way to get to Victoria from Seattle. You can also drive and take the B.C. Ferries over, or fly up there.

  • Get to the Clipper early! Boarding starts about an hour before departure, and the early bird gets the best seats.

  • Always good to pack layers, an umbrella, good walking shoes and a pair of sunglasses, no matter what time of year. It’s not super cold but being near the Harbour can get a little windy.

  • If you’re riding the Clipper, you can check in two bags and carry on another bag and a personal item.

  • If you get any kind of motion sickness, I highly recommend taking the free Dramamine they have aboard the Clipper. I took some last year when we went up there during a storm that had major swells. This year, I decided not to take any. Though there wasn’t a storm, the Strait of Juan de Fuca was still choppy enough that I was queasy and nauseous for the last half hour of our ride up to Victoria.

  • Downtown Victoria itself is very small and easily walkable. I recommend renting a bike or car if you want to see many of the beaches and parks, Hatley Castle / Sooke area or The Buchart Gardens. Public transportation and taxis are abundant in the downtown corridor. No Uber, though.

  • There are a lot of tours available to explore Victoria - in specific landmarks like the Royal B.C. Museum, Parliament, Craigdarroch Castle or Butchart Gardens. I hear the Ghost Tours are really fun. The Victoria Food Tour is a great way to explore the Downtown area!

  • Many of the restaurants and coffee shops offer free wifi, but some do not.

  • Fun fact: Victoria’s Chinatown is the second oldest Chinatown in North America (after San Francisco)

  • Red Fish Blue Fish is a really popular stand on the Harbour - but it’s only open during the summer. We found this out the hard way after walking around looking for it 😔

  • Buchart Gardens is great but can be very touristy. We went during the evening last year to see the Holiday Lights. It was beautiful and so fun, but very cold!

  • The Downtown Victoria Business Association has a great events calendar if you’re looking for seasonal things to do in the city and beyond.

My top five things to do in Victoria:

  1. Explore the alleyways

  2. Drinks at Clive's Classic Lounge

  3. Murchie's Tea Shop

  4. Afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress

  5. Holiday lights at the Butchart Gardens

Helpful resources:

I'm giving away a round trip for two aboard the Victoria Clipper! Enter to win multiple ways below, today through Wednesday, November 30th at 11:59p.m. PST. 

Good luck! Visit Clipper Vacation's websiteFacebookTwitter and Instagram for more details on the Victoria Clipper.

Disclosure: Services provided by Victoria Clipper in exchange for this post and giveaway. All opinions are mine!