Things to do in Victoria with kids: Our family guide

Last updated on October 16, 2026

Victoria was one of the biggest surprises of our Canada road trip. It somehow manages to feel like a capital city and a relaxed seaside town all at once. The harbour is busy with seaplanes and boats, there are gardens and beaches close to the centre, and everything seems to move at a gentler pace. It’s also beautifully put together with flower displays everywhere.

After a few days there, I completely understood why it’s often ranked the best small city in the world. We loved wandering the waterfront, browsing independent shops and finding places to stop for coffee. And with whale watching and treetop adventures on the doorstep, there was plenty to keep the boys happy too. It’s also really bike-friendly, so perfect for family bike rides – we cycled pretty much everywhere while there from our home exchange near Cook Street Village.

This guide brings together the best things to do in Victoria with kids, plus advice on where to eat, stay and how to plan your visit. We were there in summer with our six- and eight-year-old boys, as part of our wider road trip through British Columbia and Vancouver Island.

Also see our Canada road trip itinerary, Tofino and Ucluelet guide, and Vancouver with kids guide.

Our BB favourites in Victoria

• Go whale watching – what an incredible thing to be able to do from the city!
• Ride the little harbour ferries – these are ridiculously cute and as much an attraction as transport
• Slow down around the Inner Harbour. Watch the seaplanes, admire the Empress and leave time for coffee and simply enjoying the city.
• Browse Munro’s Books. I’m always a fiend for an independent bookshop, and this is one of the loveliest.
• Visit Country Bee Honey Farm. We loved this stop on the Saanich Peninsula, which has farm shops and cafés to explore.
• Ride bikes around the city – definitely the best way to get around Victoria

Is Victoria worth visiting with kids?

Victoria has a lovely balance of things that both kids and children can enjoy. You can spend one day exploring the harbour and shops, then head out for a wildlife trip, a garden visit or an adventure in the trees.

It’s also easy to enjoy without filling every hour. Taking a little boat ride, time in a park and an ice cream stop can make a perfectly good family afternoon. The compact centre helps, although the bigger attractions outside town need more planning.

How many days do you need in Victoria with kids?

I’d allow three full days for a first visit: one for the harbour and city centre, one for whale watching and some slower exploring, and one for an outing such as The Butchart Gardens or WildPlay.

With four or five days, you could add beaches, Sidney and another museum or garden without feeling hurried. Two days would still give you a good introduction, but I’d be selective about the excursions.

The best things to do in Victoria with kids

1. Go whale watching

Victoria’s position beside the Salish Sea makes it a great base for heading out to look for marine wildlife, and whale watching is one of those unforgettable experiences that’s worth planning as part of a trip around. Although if you’re lucky you might even see them from the shoreline!

Prince of Whales tours depart from Fisherman’s Wharf and offers different boats and tour formats. Compare the time on the water, shelter, toilet facilities and any age/height restrictions before choosing. A covered area and space to move around can make a big difference with children, but the Zodiac boats get you closer to the wildlife and are more of an adventure. Our youngest wasn’t tall enough for the Zodiac option, but I think the catamaran was better for the kids anyway as they did get chilly and enjoyed having the option for downtime inside the boat. The indoor area is also brilliant with huge windows, comfy seats and refreshments. And they give the kids activity books too.

We saw humpback whales and orcas, as well as sea lions and seals – but remember it will vary by the day.

Take warm layers and waterproofs, even if it’s sunny in town. It can feel much colder out on the water, and a comfortable child is going to enjoy the experience a lot more. Even with layers, ours got chilly and definitely appreciated the hot chocolate from the onboard cafe!

2. Ride the little harbour ferries

Victoria’s little harbour ferries are a really fun way to get around. The boats are often called pickle boats, and seeing them potter across the water is part of the city’s charm. They look like little toy ships!

Use the water taxi service to reach Fisherman’s Wharf or another stop around the harbour, or book a sightseeing tour if you’d like a longer trip with commentary. These are different services, so check which ticket you need.

It’s an easy way to give children a break from walking while still seeing more of the city. It’s partnered with a little trolley service that can pick you up from certain hotels.

3. Explore Fisherman’s Wharf

Fisherman’s Wharf is one of Victoria’s most recognisable spots, with colourful floating homes, little food kiosks and boats coming and going. Arriving by harbour ferry adds to the fun.

It’s a lovely place for a casual lunch, with Barb’s Fish & Chips one of the classic stops. Wander along the docks and admire the different homes, remembering that this is a residential community as well as a visitor attraction. There’s a little playground in the park across the road.

The wharf isn’t a huge place, so you can easily combine it with a cycle ride or a whale-watching departure. We did it as part of a long bike ride day.

4. Wander around the Inner Harbour

The Inner Harbour is the heart of Victoria, and one of its most iconic, flowery sights. There are boats and seaplanes to watch, lovely waterfront views and the grand Fairmont Empress looking out over it all. The manicured flower displays, including a big Victoria sign are a highlight and big part of what makes it all so charming.

The Empress is worth visiting even if you aren’t staying there. Its afternoon tea or signature purple gin and tonic is a classic Victoria experience, and you get lovely views from the terrace.

5. Explore Beacon Hill Park

Beacon Hill Park is an easy way to add some green space to a day in central Victoria. The massive 200-acre park has gardens, ponds, playgrounds and paths, and even the odd peacock.

For younger children, Beacon Hill Children’s Farm is a cute stop with miniature pigs, donkeys, alpacas, guinea pigs, chickens and ducks. They even do a goat stampede!

You can make Beacon Hill a short playground stop or spend longer wandering through the park. It’s easy to combine with Cook Street Village, where there are cute cafés and places to eat, or continue towards the waterfront along Dallas Road. We were staying near Cook Street so a cycle through the park was a daily occurrence – I never failed to marvel at the gorgeous trees.

The park also has significant Indigenous artwork, including the tall carved pole created by Mungo Martin and fellow carvers – it’s one of the tallest in North America.

6. Visit The Butchart Gardens

The world-famous Butchart Gardens is one of the region’s best-known attractions, and a gorgeous family day out. The Sunken Garden has a stunning location in a former quarry, and the different garden levels give you plenty of paths, planting and viewpoints to explore.

Kids will likely be happy charing around the grounds, but there’s also a I love a kids discovery walk (pick up the guide at the entrance, and the Rose Carousel with hand-carved animals to ride.

The gardens are in Brentwood Bay on the Saanich Peninsula, around 35 mins outside central Victoria. Allow a generous half day including travel rather than squeezing them into a gap between downtown activities. You can combine them with a nearby stop, but leave enough time to enjoy the gardens themselves.

Displays and events change with the seasons, so have a look at the website for the latest info.

You could combine it with a visit to the Victoria Butterfly Gardens, which are just 5 mins away.

7. Browse Victoria’s independent shops

I’m always a fiend for an indie bookshop, and Munro’s Books is one of the loveliest. The grand former-bank building is a spectacular setting and there’s a children’s section to keep younger readers occupied.

You could combine it with a wander through the surrounding Old Town streets, Market Square and Chinatown. The narrow Fan Tan Alley has small shops tucked along the passage and is a novelty in its own right. Our kids adored the Good Vibe Space shop, and the little claw machine at the back of Otaki Victoria. Cherry Bomb Toys and Puzzle Lab are other good toy shops.

For clothes, ANIAN is a local name to look out for. Cook Street Village offers another neighbourhood wander, with independent businesses and easy access to Beacon Hill Park.

8. Head out to the Saanich Peninsula

The Saanich Peninsula is a nice contrast to downtown, with farms, food shops, gardens and little coastal stops. Country Bee Honey Farm is a highlight where you can browse honey and local products, explore the pollinator gardens and stop for something to drink. There’s also a self-guided farm experience with animals.

The peninsula is a good place for a slower driving day. Choose a couple of stops rather than trying to visit every farm, garden and winery. Butchart and Butterfly Gardens are in this area too, so you could pair it easily with that.

9. Have a treetop adventure at WildPlay

WildPlay is a good adventure option for kids with aerial obstacles and ziplines among the trees.

There are different courses, so check the requirements before booking (we’ve been caught out at these things before where our youngest has been too short). The Kids Adventure Course currently accepts children aged five and over who are at least 114cm (3 feet 9 inches) tall.

Wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes you can move in, and allow time for the briefing and harness fitting as well as the course itself. WildPlay is around 20 minutes west of the city centre, so this is a separate outing rather than something you can tack onto a downtown walk.

10. Spend time at the beach

Victoria’s beaches are lovely places to take a break from sightseeing, whether that’s a picnic, some time on the sand or simply a waterfront walk.

Willows Beach, in Oak Bay, is a good sandy option for families. Gonzales Beach is a smaller sandy bay near Fairfield, while Ross Bay Beach has a pebbly shoreline and works well as part of a coastal wander. On the day we went to Gonzales, there was a huge amount of stinky seaweed so it wasn’t quite the relaxing time we’d hoped for – but that isn’t usual.

Cadboro-Gyro Park, beside Cadboro Bay, is another lovely family option. It combines a sandy beach with a distinctive playground, including giant sea-creature sculptures and a zipline. It’s a good choice for a picnic and some playtime, and the park is free to visit.

The water is cold, so think more beach picnic than swimming holiday. Bring layers even on a fine day, particularly if you’re staying into the evening.

You can also walk along the Dallas Road waterfront or explore the breakwater at Ogden Point for more sea views.

11. Miniature World

Miniature World is a quirky indoor attraction beside the Empress, filled with detailed miniature landscapes, dollhouses and scenes from history and fairy tales. There’s plenty to look at for children who enjoy small worlds, model-making and spotting tiny details.

It’s a useful rainy-day option in the city centre, and easy to combine with a harbour wander. This is more about looking closely at the displays than hands-on play, so it’s particularly suited to children who enjoy that kind of exploring. Our kids would have liked to do this, but we didn’t have the time.

12. Haunted Manor mini golf

Haunted Manor gives mini golf a spooky twist, with an indoor 18-hole course set inside a haunted house and a story unfolding as you play. It’s a fun alternative to a museum or another sightseeing stop, particularly on a rainy day. While it’s more fun than scary, the whole vibe is meant to be spooky so some kids might find it frightening.

13. Visit the Royal BC Museum

The Royal BC Museum is a good rainy-day option, especially for children interested in animals and the natural world. Its Natural History Gallery brings British Columbia’s landscapes to life through recreated habitats, from an Ice Age scene with a life-sized woolly mammoth to coastal forests featuring grizzly bears and caribou. There are also displays exploring the seashore and underwater world, so it’s a chance to discover some of the wildlife you might encounter on your Canada trip. Don’t miss the Thunderbird Park story pole area just outside the museum.

Alongside the permanent displays, there are changing exhibitions, and you can add an IMAX film to your visit for an extra charge. 

14. Sidney and the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea

The seaside town of Sidney is a good option for an outing north of Victoria. Wander along the waterfront and visit the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, an aquarium and learning centre focused on the surrounding marine environment.

The exhibits include a touch pool, giving children a closer look at some local sea creatures. It’s a smaller outing than a big city aquarium, and pairs nicely with lunch and a coastal walk.

Sidney is close to Swartz Bay and the airport, so you could combine with your journey into or out of the city.

15. Malahat SkyWalk

Malahat SkyWalk is a striking forest walkway with a spiralling tower and panoramic views over the surrounding water, islands and mountains. There are fun things for kids (and adults!) like a big bouncy net and a 20-meter spiral slide down the middle (you need to be 42 inches to ride). There’s also a glass-bottom overhang for those looking for a vertiginous thrill.

It’s 35 minutes north of Victoria, so allow for the drive. If you’re travelling down Vancouver Island, it may fit your route better as a stop on the journey than as a return trip from the city.

16. Dino Lab

Dino Lab is a great option for dinosaur enthusiasts. Its guided experience takes visitors through a fossil gallery and behind the scenes of a working fossil-preparation lab, with an opportunity to try fossil restoration.

This needs advance booking rather than a casual walk-in, and the experience lasts 90 minutes. Participants currently need to be at least four-years-old.

More gardens, cycling and indoor fun

• Abkhazi Garden: a smaller heritage garden with a tea house.
• The Gardens at HCP: nine acres of gardens within a conservation park on the Saanich Peninsula.
• Galloping Goose Regional Trail: a scenic 55-kilometre multi-use trail winding through wetlands, forest and coastline. It’s a good family cycle route, but best to pick a section rather than trying the whole thing.
• Flying Squirrel: an indoor trampoline-park option for a more energetic rainy day.
• Victoria Bug Zoo is a little downtown attraction focused on insects and other arthropods. It’s small but perfect for rainy days and children curious about bugs. You can even hold some of them!

The best free things to do in Victoria with kids

Some of Victoria’s loveliest outings don’t require an admission ticket:

• Walk around the Inner Harbour and watch the boats and seaplanes.
• Explore Beacon Hill Park and its playgrounds.
• Spend time at Willows, Gonzales or Ross Bay Beach.
• Browse Munro’s Books, Chinatown and the Old Town shops.
• Wander through Fisherman’s Wharf (ferry rides cost extra).
• Walk along Dallas Road or the Ogden Point breakwater.

These make good counterpoints to pricier activities such as whale watching and adventure courses.

What to do in Victoria when it rains

The Royal BC Museum, Bug Zoo, Miniature World and Munro’s Books are useful central options. Butterfly Gardens and the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea offer alternatives further out, while Dino Lab works if you’ve booked ahead.

You can also make a slower morning of cafés, shops and the Victoria Public Market.

A rainy forecast doesn’t have to mean a full day indoors, but I’d keep the plans flexible rather than promise a beach afternoon whatever the weather.

Where to eat in Victoria with kids

Victoria has loads of relaxed restaurants, bakeries and breweries. Here are some places to build into your exploring, including recommendations we collected locally. Because we did a home exchange, we also loved cooking at home, and our favourite grocery shop was The Root Cellar in Cook Village where they had so many amazing treats (they sell local favourites there like tubs of Parachute ice-cream).

Pizza and relaxed restaurants

Pizzeria Prima Strada came recommended for wood-fired pizza, with a Cook Street location that fits nicely with Beacon Hill Park and a neighbourhood wander. Seal Point Pizza is another popular choice, but call early to order as it can book up for evening collections. Standard Pizza is an independent neighbourhood pizzeria serving wood-fired pizzas to eat in or take away.

For other casual meals, Birdman specialises in fried chicken and oysters, and Big Wheel is a local burger restaurant. Superbaba, Yalla and Syriana offer different takes on Middle Eastern food. Sizzling Tandoor is another option for Indian food and takeaway. And there’s a Tacofino downtown (we fell in love with the original in Tofino, and while this one isn’t half as charming, the food is still excellent).

Rudi and Zambri’s are other Italian options to look at. For a meal with waterfront views, consider Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub or Boom + Batten.

Fisherman’s Wharf and waterfront food

I’m veggie so this was lost on me, but Victoria is famed for its seafood. Barb’s Fish & Chips is the classic Fisherman’s Wharf choice. Red Fish Blue Fish, on the downtown waterfront, is another well-known seafood stop, and Finest at Sea has a seafood market and food truck across the park from Fisherman’s Wharf. The city also has plenty of sushi restaurants. Our local recommendations included Chobap Sushi Bar for omakase, plus Nubo, Sushi Field and Taisho.

Coffee, pastries and ice cream

Local recommendations included Mosi, GoodSide Pastry House, Crust Bakery, Empire Donuts and Parachute Ice Cream. They’re useful names to keep on hand for a treat between outings. We can definitely vouch for the pastries at Mosi and Parachute ice-cream is amazing!

For gluten-free baking, look at Origin Bakery and The Art of Slow Food.

Tourist Wine Bar was another recommendation for food and natural wine, but we didn’t make it on our visit.

Afternoon tea

Afternoon tea is a famous affair in Victoria. The Fairmont Empress is the famous choice, but Pendray Inn and Tea House and White Heather Tea Room are alternatives to consider.

Where to stay in Victoria with kids

For a first visit, the Inner Harbour and James Bay are convenient places to look. You can walk to many central sights and restaurants, which makes it easier to return for a rest between outings.

Fairfield and Cook Street Village have more of a residential feel, with cafés and the park nearby. We did a home exchange in Fairfield and adored it (I could easily live there!).

Hotel Zed Victoria

Hotel Zed offers the colourful, playful style that we loved at its Tofino and Kelowna properties. There’s an indoor pool and waterslide too.

It’s outside the harbour core, so factor transport into your plans, but it’s definitely one of the coolest family stays in Victoria.

Fairmont Empress

The Empress is the landmark luxury choice, right beside the Inner Harbour. The location is a big part of its appeal, along with the grand building, dining and indoor pool.

The Oswego Hotel

The Oswego is a practical option in James Bay, a short walk from the harbour. It has studios with kitchenettes and one- and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens, giving families more flexibility for meals and sleeping arrangements.

Inn at Laurel Point

Inn at Laurel Point sits on a six-acre waterfront peninsula at the entrance to Victoria’s Inner Harbour. It’s a particularly good location for families, within walking distance of both the central harbour sights and Fisherman’s Wharf, but with gardens and open space around the hotel.

There’s an indoor pool, rooms with two queen beds, connecting rooms and larger suites. The hotel can also provide useful items such as a playpen, microwave, kettle, step stool and children’s bathrobes on request, while the on-site restaurant has a kids’ menu. Choose a harbour-facing room if the views are a priority.

Map of things to do in Victoria

Getting to Victoria

Victoria is on southern Vancouver Island. If you’re coming from Vancouver, the main vehicle-ferry route connects Tsawwassen on the mainland with Swartz Bay on the Saanich Peninsula.

Neither terminal is in its respective city centre (around 30 mins outside), so allow for the journeys at both ends as well as ferry check-in and crossing time. Reserve vehicle space during busy periods and follow the check-in window on your booking. We had to be there around an hour ahead.

Victoria also has an international airport on the Saanich Peninsula.

If you’re combining Victoria with Tofino or Ucluelet, allow a substantial travel day across the island. I included some suggested stops in my Canada road trip itinerary.

How to get around Victoria with kids

Central Victoria is walkable, and the harbour ferries add a fun alternative for waterfront journeys. They’re separately ticketed boat services rather than part of the local bus fare. And there’s a little trolley that is connected to them and stops at downtown hotels. Look out for the cool crosswalks designed by local artists (like the animal one in the photo above)

Cycling is a great option, with good cycling paths throughout the city, and regional paths including the Galloping Goose. We hired bikes from Cycle BC in the city centre.

A car is helpful for combining the Saanich Peninsula, beaches and adventure attractions, but you definitely don’t need one for every central outing. BC Transit serves the region, and Route 75 has services to Butchart Gardens.

Children aged 12 and under currently travel free on BC Transit buses. Use the journey planner for the route.

When to visit Victoria with kids

Summer works well for a visit combining the harbour, wildlife trips, gardens and beaches. It’s also a busy time, so book accommodation and the activities you care most about ahead.

Spring and autumn can be lovely for gardens and a city break, with layers and a flexible weather plan. Winter is much milder in Victoria than in most of Canada, so expect a cool, often wet coastal city break rather than guaranteed snow.

Markets, boat services, garden events and adventure courses have their own calendars. It’s worth checking those before promising a specific experience to the children.

A three-day Victoria family itinerary

This is a suggested way to group the sights while leaving time to enjoy the city.

Day one: The harbour and Old Town

Start with a wander around the Inner Harbour and admire the Empress and Parliament Buildings. Browse Munro’s Books and explore the Old Town, then take a little harbour ferry to Fisherman’s Wharf for lunch or an afternoon stop.

Choose a playground break in Beacon Hill Park or a relaxed wander through Market Square later on.

Day two: Whale watching and a slower afternoon

Book a whale-watching trip and keep the rest of the day fairly flexible. Depending on the weather and everyone’s energy, add a beach picnic, the Bug Zoo or a café and bookshop stop. Finish with an easy family dinner.

Day three: Gardens, farms or adventure

Spend a day on the Saanich Peninsula, choosing Butchart Gardens and Country Bee Honey Farm, or Butterfly Gardens and Sidney.

Alternatively, make WildPlay your main outing if your family would prefer a treetop adventure. With more days, add Malahat SkyWalk, a museum visit or another afternoon by the sea.

Practical tips for visiting Victoria with children

• Group outings by area. The Saanich Peninsula, downtown and WildPlay are different parts of the region.
• Pack layers for boat trips. Conditions offshore can feel very different from the harbour.
• Check age and height requirements. Adventure courses and fossil activities have their own rules.
• Leave room for slower exploring. Parks, cafés and the waterfront are a big part of Victoria’s appeal.
• Book ferry space if bringing a car. Allow for the terminal journeys and check-in.
• Check hotel parking charges. They can change the cost and appeal of keeping a hire car throughout your stay.