Victoria suits families well. The centre is compact and flat, the harbour provides constant entertainment, and several of the best attractions are the kind children remember: a room full of free-flying butterflies, a life-size mammoth, a seaplane landing in the middle of town, whales from a boat. This guide pulls together the best family choices, with notes on ages, weather and how to pace the days.
Start on the Inner Harbour
Free and endlessly watchable, the harbour needs no ticket. Seaplanes take off and land, harbour ferries zip between docks, buskers perform on the causeway in the warmer months, and the Parliament Buildings are close enough for children to see the gilded statue on the dome. A weekday tour of the Legislature is free and takes about forty minutes, which is about right for school-age children. If the little ones tire, a short harbour cruise is the easiest way to rest their legs while still feeling that something is happening.
Butterflies first, gardens second
The Victoria Butterfly Gardens in Brentwood Bay is the top choice for younger children. Inside, a warm indoor rainforest holds thousands of free-flying butterflies, along with a flamingo, parrots, tortoises, iguanas and koi, plus an insectarium. The paths are level and stroller-friendly, and most families spend about an hour. It is also the best answer to a cold or rainy day. The Butchart Gardens is a few minutes down the road, and it works well with children too, with a carousel, a gelateria and wide paved paths that suit strollers. Visit the butterflies first, while energy is high, then walk the big garden at an easy pace and keep an eye on the clock. In December the Magic of Christmas lights make the gardens a family occasion, though a timed ticket is strongly recommended, and younger children may prefer an earlier slot.
A museum that children actually enjoy
The Royal BC Museum is the best rainy-day plan in the city. There is a life-size woolly mammoth near the entrance, a walk-through coastal forest and seashore, a recreated submarine called Ocean Station that children love, and a full-scale early-1900s town street to wander. The IMAX theatre is on site if you want to add a film, and the totem poles of Thunderbird Park outside are free to see. Children under five enter free, and families should plan on two to three hours, which is plenty for most ages.
On the water
Whale watching is the signature wildlife trip, and families have a real choice. The small-group Zodiac is fast and exciting, suits older children and adventurous families, and is the only style that runs in the coldest months. The half-day catamaran is a better fit for younger children and anyone who dislikes a bumpy ride, with open decks for photographs, a heated indoor cabin and a naturalist on board. Dress in warm layers whichever you choose, because it is always cooler on the water, and remember that sightings cannot be guaranteed. The guided kayak tour is for older children only, since the operator requires children aged 3 to 9 to be with a parent or guardian and those aged 10 to 15 to be with an adult. The hot tub boat is a fun treat for older children and teenagers on a family holiday.
History with room to run
Craigdarroch Castle, a Victorian mansion with stained glass, carved woodwork and a tower with views, is better with school-age children than toddlers, and it has stairs, so check the open days before you go; in the cooler months it opens from Wednesday to Sunday. Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse offers cannons, a lighthouse and open meadow, with free admission for youth, and the field gun programme appeals to curious children. In the colder months the lighthouse and buildings open only at weekends, though the grounds are open daily. Beacon Hill Park, a short walk from the harbour, is the best free playground in the city, with duck ponds, wandering peacocks and the very tall Mungo Martin totem pole, and you can finish at the Mile 0 marker on the shore.
In autumn, add the salmon
From mid-October to early December, Goldstream Provincial Park lets families watch spawning salmon in the river, with eagles gathering above, and the Nature House runs free programmes. Avoid weekend afternoons, wear waterproof shoes and keep dogs out of the water.
Pacing and where to stay
Plan one big outing a day and leave space for the park or the harbour. Almost everything in the city is walkable, but the Saanich Peninsula, the Malahat SkyWalk and Fort Rodd Hill are easiest by car. The SkyWalk, with its gentle boardwalk and spiral slide, is a good half-day for families with children who can manage a ramp. For a base, Hotel Grand Pacific has a swimming pool and sits on the harbour, while the Days Inn by Wyndham Victoria on the Harbour offers free parking and a covered hot tub at a lower price. Book family rooms early in July and August.
