Fun for the Whole Family

Victoria, BC, is well known for its friendliness, beaches, wildlife and adventurous escapes. From goat stampedes to whale watching, Greater Victoria is the ultimate destination for a family getaway.

Furry Animals

Goats, donkeys and sheep, oh my! The Beacon Hill Children’s Farm located in Beacon Hill Park is a must-do for the family. This charming petting zoo is home to a multitude of different animals, with the most popular being the playful goats. You have access to the goat barn where you can pet, brush and play with the goats (even baby goats!). Kneel to see if one of the goats will jump on your back! Watch everyday at 10:10am and 4:10pm as the goats run from one pen to the other for feeding time. It’s a goat stampede!

Also, home to some friendly goats and animals is Country Bee Honey Farm. Stop in for some fireweed honey (made right on site from native fireweed), then grab a handful of feed for the goats.

Green Spaces

Victoria is an outdoor wonderland, and it is speckled with an endless amount of green spaces throughout the city. Starting off with the largest park – Beacon Hill Park. This 22-acre park is rich in greenery, flowers and walking/cycling paths. Keep your eyes peeled for peacocks peppered throughout the park. Don’t miss a photo with the Moss Lady, or the tallest free-standing totem pole in the world, located on the edge of the park.

Directly beside the lively Fisherman’s Wharf is a beautiful green space that’s perfect for enjoying your fish and chips from Finest At Sea Seafood Boutique or Barb’s Fish & Chips. Check out the playground made primarily out of wood!

Crawly Creatures

Test your bravery at the Victoria Bug Zoo. This mini zoo offers the opportunity to view live tropical bugs from around the world – such as giant walking sticks, glow-in-the-dark scorpions, tarantulas, and Canada’s largest ant colony. Home to some not so crawly creatures is the Victoria Butterfly Gardens. Look above to see over 100 varieties of butterflies and listen for the parrot saying “Hello!”. The Victoria Butterfly Gardens is certified Green by Vancouver Island Green Certification Program, showing off initiatives such as in-house butterfly reproduction, biological pest control and rescued and adopted animals.

Connect with the Salish Sea

Connecting with water will give you the true Victoria experience, bring the kids along too! Whether you’re paddleboarding with South Island SUP on a bioluminescence tour, or whale-watching on a catamaran with one of our sustainable whale-watching companies like Eagle Wing Whale and Wildlife Tours or Five Star Whale Watching, the Salish Sea is the place to be.

Learn even more about our blue backyard at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. This awe-inspiring aquarium is home to more than 160 different marine species and 3500 animals including a Giant Pacific Octopus and wolf eels and shallow touch pools to get up close to colourful sea stars, urchins, anemones, and sea cucumbers.

Let’s Get Physical

For the young adrenaline junkie whose bravery rivals your own, try Adrena LINE Zipline Adventures. You’ll get to hang out at cool heights and zip line from platform to platform in a canopy of trees. If that doesn’t satisfy your appetite, try the not-for-profit Boulders Climbing Gym to experience a world-class climbing facility.

Test your skills at WildPlay Element Parks, an aerial adventure of tree-top obstacles and zip lines, where dozens of suspended games weave 2 to 18m (6 to 60 ft) through the island's beautiful forests. Elements are built to conform to existing vegetation and terrain, minimizing the impact on the land, and reconnects people to healthy environments.

Princes and Princesses

Greater Victoria is steeped in history, including fit for a royal Craigdarroch Castle Historic House Museum and Hatley Castle. Previously a hospital, and home to the Dunsmuir family, Craigdarroch Castle known as Canada’s Castle is a National Historic Site. Does Hatley Castle look familiar? That’s right, it was featured in famous films such as X-Men, Deadpool and many more. The storied ‘Castle on the Coast’, aka. Fairmont Empress offers a truly royal kids version of the famous high tea. Alternatively, check out the charming Abkhazi Garden, where you can take in the stunning horticultural work of an exiled prince and his wife, discover their history, and enjoy a homemade afternoon tea.

Games Galore

With the creative souls in Victoria, its only natural we have games galore! Quazar’s Arcade is a retro-inspired arcade with over 50 games, and Board With Friends Café holds over 300 board games to choose from … not to mention, delicious milkshakes. The newly opened Haunted Manor gives you a creative twist on mini golf. Try your luck at putting through obstacles and think outside the box to complete this unique 15-hole course.

Good Eats

Eating with the whole family can sometimes be … well, an adventure! Make it easy with these family friendly restaurants serving up fun activities for the little ones and good eats. Let your tastebuds dance at spots like Milestones, Old Spaghetti Factory and Lot 1 Pasta Bar. Head over to a more casual atmosphere with delicious brunch at Floyd’s or grab a Big Wheel Burger and head to the beach.