Attractions in Victoria, many just steps from the condo!
As much as we hope you will enjoy the Oasis at The Falls, we hope you will enjoy the Attractions in Victoria and your downtown community.
This Website is a GREAT resource for things to do, eat, drink, and see in the vibrant city of Victoria, BC. Check it out for more information!
Walking Around Attractions in Victoria:
All sorts of shopping:
Victoria has a superb shopping scene, with anything that would be found in a larger city, plus a few things that wouldn’t. Short walk to Government Street. which boasts speciality stores ranging from: British to Indigenous, to Artisan goods. Just a 10 min walk to Fan Tan Alley, the narrowest street in the Canada! Or visit the Mayfair Shopping Centre if you prefer an indoor mall, or higher end brands.
Fan Tan Alley – just a 10 min walk away!
Arts, Entertainment & Culture:
Vancouver Island and Victoria’s fascinating history is rooted in First Nations culture stretching back thousands of years, and British and Asian traditions since the mid 1800s.
These influences echo proudly through Victoria’s amazing architecture, heritage sites, museums, gardens, galleries, markets and cultural celebrations – all within walking distance!
Victoria’s Inner Harbour:
Inner Harbour is said to be one of the most beautiful harbours in the world and yet another of the many attractions in Victoria! The harbour has had a long history, starting with its use by First Nations. During the summer months, the harbour is the focus of festivals, shows and music.
The harbour also serves whale watching and ecotourism businesses, float planes, an International Ferry terminal with connections to Port Angeles, Bellingham and Seattle, and a water taxi service.
Inner Harbour: Just a 10 min walk away!
Beacon Hill Park & its Attractions:
The Beacon Hill Park is beautifully landscaped and manicured with bridges, lakes and ponds, and an alpine and rock garden. WOW what an attraction in Victoria to see! It is home to numerous species of ducks, birds and wildlife.
A delightful quiet envelops this sunny spot of Victoria, where walking trails link with neighbourhood streets that lead down into the busy hum of commercial activity. Keep in mind the park is huge (200 acres), and there’s much to see and do there (including a zoo), so allow plenty of time to view the entire park!
Beacon Hill Park: Less than a 10 min walk away!
Fishermans Wharf and Floating Homes:
Just around the corner from Victoria’s Inner Harbour, Fisherman’s Wharf is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. This unique marine destination offers food kiosks, unique shops and eco-tour adventures in the heart of the working harbour.
Wander down the docks with your lunch, buy seafood fresh off the boat, see moored pleasure vessels and float homes, and watch as fishing vessels unload their wares. Just a 20 min walk away!
Fishermans Wharf and Floating Homes: Visitors can see seals & other marine life along this quaint floating pier with food kiosks & shops
Sightseeing Bus/Boat Tours:
Unlimited hop-on hop-off, stops at the best attractions around the city – is there a better way to explore Victoria? Sightseeing Victoria’s Hop-On Hop-Off City Sights Tour allows guests great flexibility to explore the many popular attractions Victoria has to offer.
They also offer Bus-to-Boat tickets, so you can hop aboard for a scenic boat cruise around Victoria’s Inner Harbour and soak in the sights from a fresh, new perspective.
Victoria Sightseeing: Hop on & off to explore the vibrant city of Victoria.
Museums (Including the Royal BC & IMAX Theatre):
The Royal BC Museum is one of Canada’s greatest cultural treasures and is less than a 5 minute walk away! Since 1886 the Royal BC Museum has preserved and shared the human and natural histories of this province.
Discover the famous First Peoples, Natural History and Modern History Galleries – a feast of sights, smells and sounds of British Columbia. Visit the IMAX theatre while you’re at it!
Royal BC Museum and Imax Theatre: Wander through the unique and inviting galleries or catch a show at the IMAX!
Restaurants/pubs/bars/fine dining :
Restaurants in Victoria serve up deliciously unique dining experiences with menus featuring fresh, local ingredients from growers, artisan food producers and the waters of southern Vancouver Island.
Dozens of restaurants, pubs, bars, fine dining, and nightclubs are located within walking distance. Check out the large outdoor patio located on top of the Sticky Wicket in the photo below!
Stickey Wicket: Located right across the street from the Falls
Movie Theatre:
Modern multiplex cinema chain screening the latest Hollywood films, plus new independent releases. Find it in the heart of downtown Victoria, less than a 10 minute walk away from the condo. How convenient! ALL auditoriums now feature RESERVED luxury RECLINER seating!
Odeon movie theater: Within a ten minute walk from The Oasis at the Falls
Bustling Coffee Shops:
Victoria has had much success creating a substantial market for Coffee. Locals can’t get enough of the city’s excellent java and more, and you’ll often find them, along with eager tourists, at popular Bean Around The World Coffees (less than 15 minute walk away) or at Discovery Coffee (a 4 minute walk away), 2 major players in the field.
Make sure you see what all the fuss is about!
Starbucks: only a 2 minute walk from the condo!
Discovery Coffee: Less than 5 mins away from The Oasis at the Falls!
Bean around the world: less than 15 minutes away!
Spas and Wellness Centres:
Downtown Victoria also has tons of luxury spas and wellness centres – most within walking distance!
The Spa Magnolia is Victoria’s chic urban spa located in the heart of downtown Victoria. Merging luxury with certified organic products, they offer the very best in massage, facials, body treatments and pedicures! The best feature is that it is only a 3 minute walk from the Falls!
Spa Magnolia: Treat yourself, you deserve it!
Markets/Farmer’s Markets:
The Victoria Public Market at the Hudson is a must-see! Located in a historic building downtown Victoria, this venue features fresh seafood, local cheese, meats, farm fresh groceries, pies, a French bakery, oils and vinegars, fresh flowers, speciality retail, gourmet food, and much more!
This market is a combination of food, art, and entertainment all in one place! It is located just a kilometre away from the Falls, yet another of the many attractions in Victoria!
Victoria Public Market: Less than a 15 minute walk from The Oasis at the Falls!
Wineries and Vineyards:
A cluster of Vancouver Island wineries are just a short drive north of Victoria along the Saanich Peninsula. Idyllic farms, dramatic ocean views and arbutus trees provide the backdrop for wineries here.
Many wineries are small and family-owned and welcome visitors for tours and tastings. The peninsula is also home to a cidery as well as parks and organic farms. De Vine Vineyards is only a 20 minute drive away and offers daily tastings from 11 am to 6 pm. On the list of must sees for attractions in Victoria.
De Vine’s tasting room is child & pet friendly!
Historic Sites:
World Famous Fairmont Empress Hotel:
The Fairmont Empress graces Victoria’s sparkling Inner Harbour with an iconic presence. Located on the picturesque West Coast of Canada, this is the ideal location to explore all the natural beauty of Vancouver Island.
The hotel boasts a beautiful luxury spa, and world class high tea. At the Falls, you have a great view of the Empress as it is just a stones throw away. Many people put this on the top of the list for their attractions in Victoria to see!
The Fairmont Empress can be viewed from the Falls
The British Columbia legislature buildings:
Check out the provincial government buildings that we have here in British Columbia’s capital city just a 6 minute walk away. Visitors are welcome to join one of the regularly scheduled guided tours, stroll through the buildings on their own self-guided tour, or even have a bite to eat in the Legislative Dining Room.
FREE guided tours are available Monday through Friday throughout the year, and seven days a week during the summer!
The British Columbia legislative: The lit up building at night is a must-see!
Craigdarroch Castle:
This Victorian style castle was built between 1887 and 1890 on a hill that overlooks Victoria. It has 39 rooms and over 20,000 square feet of interior space full of history ans also features one of North America’s finest stained glass art collections!
The castle is open daily from 10 am – 4:30 pm, with extended hours from June 15th to September 6th (9 am – 7 pm).
The Craigdarroch castle is only a 25 minute walk away from the condo!
Emily Carr House:
Emily Carr House is a National Historic Site of Canada located in Victoria, British Columbia. It was the childhood home of Canadian painter Emily Carr, and had a lasting impression on her paintings and writings.
Take a trip to see, internationally renowned painter and writer, Emily Carr’s family home to see how she emerged from traditional colonial upbringing. One of the oldest attractions in Victoria!
The Emily Carr House is located only 1.2 km from the condo!
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse:
See secret bunkers, military command posts, and original buildings from the 19th century at Fort Rodd Hill. This fortress was active from 1895 to 1956. At this location you can also see Fisgard Lighthouse which is the oldest on the west coast of Canada.
The national historic site is oceanfront, with a park offering a historic lighthouse, trails, naturalist tours & old military structures
The Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse is only 13 km away
Hatley Park National Historic Site:
Hatley Park National Historic Site is located in Colwood, British Columbia in Greater Victoria. It is the site of Hatley Castle, a Classified Federal Heritage Building. Completed in 1908, this castle is now the administrative centre for the Royal Roads University.
There are guided tours of this historic site daily. Enjoy the fascinating history, diversity, and their 565 oceanfront acres with an amazing view of the majestic Olympic Mountains in the USA. Let us know if this is on your list of attractions to see in Victoria!
Hatley Park National Historic Site is only 12km away
Outdoor Activities:
Bike Rental:
There are many bike rental places around the condo. The closest being Cycle BC Rentals only 73 meters away! Hop on a bike and explore the city by yourself or go on one of the many available guided tours.
Cycle BC Rentals also rents out scooters and motorcycles for those who want to combine exploring the island with a little thrill-seeking!
Cycle BC Rentals and Everything is conveniently in walking/biking distance.
Sports & Outdoor Adventures:
Victoria combines the best of land and sea to create a perfect island playground for adventurous outdoor enthusiasts. A year-round temperate climate, rugged west coast shores and mountains, lush rainforest canopy and pacific breezes offer a natural environment tailor made for everything from hiking, cycling and kayaking, to diving, fishing, picnicking and even ziplining above the treetops.
Many hair raising attractions in Victoria with these ones!
Wildplay Element is just a 20 minute drive away!
Butchart Gardens:
Open year-round, The Butchart Gardens is located near Victoria, on beautiful Vancouver Island. The gardens also are dog friendly. The gardens are huge and absolutely BEAUTIFUL, boasting lush gardens that change from season to season.
Activities at the gardens include concerts, fireworks, fine dining, and much more. This is definitely a must-see and is located less than 20 km away from the condo! Visiting this area this must be on your top 10 for attractions in Victoria!
The Butchart Gardens are a National Historic Site of Canada.
Victoria Butterfly Gardens:
Victoria Butterfly Gardens offers a unique opportunity for people of all ages to experience the beauty and curiosity of a tropical jungle up close. With surprises at every turn, you’ll encounter tropical fish, poison dart frogs, tortoises, large iguanas, flamingos, tropical ducks, free flying tropical birds and more.
Thousands of tropical butterflies (up to 70 species) fly through. Stroll through and marvel at the lush gardens including tropical flowers, carnivorous plants and fruits of the world.
Your unique jungle adventure is just a 20 minute drive away to the Victoria Butterfly Gardens
Beaches and Lakes:
Surrounded by the sea is a perfect place to be. With a vast network of bays, coves, beaches and lakes—plus breathtaking views of the rugged pacific coast, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Olympic Mountains—there are countless places to have fun on the water surrounded by stunning natural beauty.
There are many more attractions in Victoria that are beautiful like these ones. We hope you have time to explore several of them.
Muir Creek Beach
Mount Douglas:
A must see on the attractions in Victoria list!
The largest park in the Saanich area, Mount Douglas offers a spectacular 360-degree view of the area around Victoria, including east to Haro Strait, north and west through Saanich, and south towards downtown Victoria, as well as Washington State.
Mount Douglas is rated as an intermediate hike. This 1.5 hour long hike brings you to the summit at an altitude of 227 metres. You can also drive most of the way up the mountain instead of the hike up. You can take public transportation to get here.
Just 11 km away, your adventure awaits.
Sooke Potholes Provincial Park:
Sooke Potholes Provincial Park provides access to the series of deep, polished rock pools and potholes carved naturally into the bedrock of the Sooke River.
This area is a favourite day-use destination for many local and regional residents.These potholes were created by the ice age 15,000 years ago. The wonderfully clean and clear water that can be found at these potholes makes it a great swimming and picnic destination.
The Sooke River is also an important coho and Chinook salmon spawning river, and opportunities exist for catch and release fishing. Sooke Potholes Provincial Park provides an ideal location to view the annual salmon spawning run.
Is this on your list of attractions in Victoria?
A 45 minute drive away – but completely worth it!
Thetis Lake Regional Park:
As Canada’s first nature sanctuary in 1958, this park offers many outdoor activities. There are easy trails to follow around Upper and Lower Thetis lakes.
The more challenging trails that allow you to see panoramic views of the area are up Seymour and Scafe hills. Features: Swamp/lake ecosystems for nature study, spring wildflowers, Garry oak ecosystems & Douglas-fir fores, freshwater lakes for swimming, canoeing, fishing (lakes stocked with catchable Rainbow Trout) & beaches & picnic areas.
10km away and accessible by public transport!