Mod Notes: ALL Victoria threads merged.

Go on the ghost walk ... it is cool. +1 to the Delta ocean point ... i stayed there for two months and loved every minute.

Bump, taking my gf down to Victoria next week for two nights. I plan to go to the underwater aquarium plus something else, was thinking the bug zoo, but open to alternatives. What's a good place to go for a couple that's 25/26?

Shopping in downtown, take the car along the coast, miniature world...

Afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress: http://www.fairmont.com/empress/Gues...ternoonTea.htm

Holiday lights a Butchart Gardens: http://www.butchartgardens.com/plann...christmas.html

Eat at a nice place downtown and then go pub hopping. Not sure what else...

i've had great dinners at cafe brio.

^ those places still good?

Since this thread is lookin' pretty old ... anything new to add for things to do/eat?

I'm planning to go there for a couple days on Labour Day Sunday

I'll probably eat dinner at that Ferris's Oyster Bar since it's the highest ranked and most popular restaurant that I can find on dinehere.
Any other suggestions for breakfast/lunch/dinner?
I've heard of this restaurant where there's like a rooftop patio + Volleyball, is that place good?

hm.. what else to do .. I was also thinking of renting a moped to cruise around D/T for the afternoon? Have people done that before?

Then there's Bug Zoo? Aquarium? Good malls?..

Brasserie L'ecole is excellent, as is Fire and Water (although pricey). Another fantastic dining experience is the Oak Bay Marina, it's about 10 minutes out of town but the drive itself is worthwhile. Very good food, too. Don't bother with the Empress tearoom, it's too expensive for what it is.

Baan Thai and The Noodle Box are both very casual Asian food places, nothing to write home about but very good for an affordable meal. Paggliachi's is a very affordable Italian place with outstanding pasta. Il Terazzo is good although pricey. Stay away from the Wharfside Eatery, it's overpriced rubbish.

The rooftop patio/volleyball place you speak of is the Stickey Wicket Pub, located right downtown. The outdoor patio and volleyball portion is called "Rooftop," the basement is a crappy club called Element. Anyway, Rooftop is very trendy on Sunday nights so be sure to arrive early if you're going on a Sunday.

Renting a moped is a fantastic idea. Take the scene waterfront route (Dallas Road --> Beach Drive) around the east coast of the city and the views are absolutely spectacular... mountains, golf courses, the posh Uplands neighbourhood, etc.

The Butchart Gardens are nice, especially for the Saturday night fireworks display. The Royal BC Museum is actually excellent, as is the wax museum... both are worthwhile. I don't know much about the bug zoo and I've never been to Miniature World, both seem a bit tacky touristy for my taste. Don't bother with "Undersea Gardens," waste of time and money.

Take a drive out to Sooke if you've brought the car, there are some spectacular beaches about an hour's drive away (China & French beach). The drive is also very impressive. Stop at Sooke Harbour House on the way home for dinner if you want some very upscale cuisine.

There are no good malls in Victoria, but take a stroll down the length of Government Street (from the Empress down to Chinatown) and you'll find some very cool shops and delicious ice cream/chocolate/etc. Very touristy, but fun.

The best hotel in the city is undoubtedly the Grand Pacific, although the Delta Ocean Point offers nicer views and may be slightly cheaper. The Marriott and the Magnolia are also both nice. There are many cheaper ones around, mostly boutique hotels, just make sure you're in downtown or James Bay (a pleasant suburb right next to downtown).

Wax Museum is now closed down incase anyone was planning to check it out :(

underwater aquarium is gayer than ever. dont' go.

Was just wondering if anyone can recommend any good places to go to in Victoria. I've read the previous posts, but seems like it's been awhile ago. I'm gonna be going down there later this month and will be staying there for 3 days. Planning to stay at queen victoria hotel, has anyone heard anything good about it?

I was there last Saturday for a day trip. There's a big sailing boat, Pallada, from Russia that you can get on and take a look for free. Although the wait was ~30 mins, the experience was quite interesting.

Also walked up to Bluefox Cafe on Fort and Quadra, they have HUGE portions breakfast/brunch. The quality is alright, but the portions and affordable prices draw a crowd.

Wax muesuem is still closed.

For a good viewing of hipsters and the like, check out Habit | Coffee & Culture in Victoria Canada

One of the funnest things I've done in a long time is go to Victoria on a sunny day with a bunch of friends, and rent Honda Jazz scooters!

Then from the rental place, take this route, riding around UVic as well:


http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Br...=13&iwloc=ddw4


I guarantee a good time!

If you are downtown Victoria, Pagliacci right next to the Eaton Center is a great place to grab a bite.

"Dish with no name" is to die for!

If you want to go for high tea, don't go to Fairmont. Go to the White Heather Team Room instead!

^
Werd. High Tea @ The Fairmont is I think $75 a head and personally, I don't think it's that great.

thanks for everyone's input :) I won't be driving down there so will just be taking public transportation to most places. I guess I'll just be doing random explorations when I get down there. But I'll definitely be heading to some of the places you guys recommended. How's the nightlife down there anyway? Any recommendations during late night?

Damn, if you were driving, this place has THE BEST sandwiches I've ever had.

Dad's Soup and Sangy's - Westshore - Colwood | Urbanspoon

The roast beef is the most ridiculously awesome sandwich I have ever eaten.

^^^ interesting, I live about 2 mins away from there and have never tried it. I will have to make a stop by someday. Thanks

While you're at it, (though I'm sure if you live around the area, you'd have been here). 6-Mile pub for garlic aioli fries....

:sweetjesus::sweetjesus::sweetjesus:

Go for lunch, breakfast isn't merely as good (reference to dad's).

Bump. Going this weekend

try out The Mint, i believe the address is 1414 Douglas Street, in victoria, good food. theres not really much to do there other than look at things, wax museum is closed, however the royal bc museum is doing a dinosaur thing right now.

I go there quite often for work.

Dino thing was a let down, but i still enjoyed it. The Mint on Douglas has the BEST prawn cakes in the city. The BEST. I could swim in the sauce they put on them all day. Get some bread to sop that shit up!!

Recommended places for breakfast? Going there next week.

John's Place - Victoria Restaurant

Portions were so fat!