With so much going on in the city, it can be difficult to know where to start!
Not only are there a multitude of fun events planned for every day, there are also a wide variety of activities that are open to the public all year round and are always worth checking out.
So, in case you’re feeling uninspired by the daily things to do (we’re not judging), we wanted to compile a list of incredible entertainment options that aren’t limited to a single day.
Dive into popular things to do such as axe throwing, wandering through tiny worlds, challenging yourself to a horror-themed escape room, and much more!
Without further ado, here’s 12 activities in and around Victoria you may have forgotten about:
Horror Escape
Thrilling and challenging, these escape rooms are impressively decorated to immerse you in the terrifying story and difficult enough to keep you coming back!
Plus, their room themes will often rotate, so if you’ve already solved them all, newly introduced themes are just around the corner.
Tickets are $27 per person. Will you escape?
- Where: 523 Broughton Street
- When:
- Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Miniature World
Attached to the hip of the Fairmont Empress, this big little world features over 85 exciting miniature dioramas and displays!
It’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in Victoria and is definitely worth a visit if you’ve never been.
Now’s your chance to step into the Story Books of fact, fiction and fantasy.
Admission rate for an adult is $18, $11 for a youth aged 13 to 17 years old, and $9 for a child aged 5 to 12 years old).
- Where: 649 Humboldt Street
- When: Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last admission is at 5:15 p.m.)
Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea
Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea offers a fun, interactive and informative experience of science and culture to visitors of all ages!
It’s home to many incredible features including 35 aquarium habitats with more than 160 marine species and 3,500 animals including a giant Pacific octopus and wolf eels.
There are also shallow pools to get up close to colourful sea stars, urchins, anemones, and sea cucumbers!
An adult day pass is $17.95, for seniors 65 and older it’s $14.50, $12.40 for those ages 13 years and up, and $8.50 for children ages 4 to 12.
- Where: 9811 Seaport Place
- When: Thursday to Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
White Heather Tea Room
Cozy and charming, the White Heather Tea Room invites you to enjoy the exquisite nature of high tea and indulge in their list of freshly made culinary delights.
Their signature afternoon tea serves two seating times per day at 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. They offer three different sizes of afternoon tea sets and a GF tea option.
Prices depend on the type of tea you select.
They are currently taking a January vacation but will be back on Wednesday, January 31st!
- Where: 1885 Oak Bay Avenue
- When:
- Afternoon tea at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
- Lunch served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday
Haunted Manor: Mini-Golf and Ping Pong Lounge
Located on Yates Street in downtown Victoria, the immersive experience offers incredible detail as you putt your way through a dilapidated manor with a ghoulish history.
As the twists and turns lure you through your 15-hole game, you’ll have the chance to snap the picture-perfect photo along the way.
General admission is $24.95 and $17.95 for kids ages 15 and under.
- Where: 711 Yates Street
- When: Open seven days a week—hours vary
Wander Through Bastion Books
Tucked in the elbow of Bastion Square, Commercial Alley is home to one of Victoria’s few remaining used bookstores and is an absolute treasure to experience.
They stock both vintage and contemporary books across a wide variety of genres. There are comfy chairs and a children’s nook for those with time to linger.
Find your next favourite book or the one you’ve been searching for everywhere in this cozy and heartwarming shop.
- Where: 14 Bastion Square
- When:
- Tuesday to Friday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hot Tub Boat
In case you had no idea, Victoria offers hot tub boat rentals where you can sit and relax as you explore the Upper Harbor and Gorge Waterway!
Up to six friends can join and experience this unique opportunity with you.
Rates vary depending on the amount of people—you can take a look at prices here.
- Where: 450 Swift Street
- When:
- Sunday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dino Labs Inc.
Dino Lab Inc. is a high-tech, low-tech, all fun fossil restoration lab right in Victoria!
You can organize your own trip to take a look at their private gallery and prep lab to get a taste of what these incredibly dedicated individuals get up to.
It’s perfect for anyone wishing to learn more about the ancient beings that roamed before us—they even offer junior programs!
Prices will vary depending on the kind of tour you would like, but regular tours start at $40 and can be booked here.
- Where: 43 & 45 Erie Street Unit #100
- When: Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Abkhazi Garden
It’s a charming estate host to not only a garden, but an exquisite heritage home that has been transformed into a teahouse—it’s open to the public year round.
Known as ‘the garden that love built,’ it can be found along Fairfield Road in Victoria and you may have passed by without truly knowing about this hidden gem.
Stretching out at just under an acre, this textural landscape has a mix of water features, rock, moss, and a variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers.
- Where: 1964 Fairfield Road
- When:
- April 1st to August 31st—7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- September 1st to March 31st—Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
FiredUp!
Create your own personalized masterpiece at FiredUp!
Simply reserve a time for you (and perhaps some friends), chose from over 150 different pre-formed items, and get to designing a special item.
They’ve worked hard to create a welcoming, creative, and meditative space, so you can fulfill your artistic and relaxation needs all at once!
Prices depend on the pre-formed item you choose, but they can start as low as $10.
As of October, they even offer imprint options!
- Where: 1801 Fort Street
- When: Open seven days a week—hours vary
Artemis Whiskey Bar
This whiskey bar is an experience in and of itself—not are there a multitude of whiskey options, the atmosphere has been specifically curated to match their space theme and whimsical vibes.
As described on their website, it’s riddled with superstition, divination and charms, and is sure to offer a magical space for you and your friends.
They also offer a selection of cocktails with spirits such as gin, mezcal, and vodka.
- Where: 560 Johnson Street
- When: Open seven days a week—hours vary
Axe and Grind
Need to let off some steam or are just looking for something fun and different?
Axe and Grind is where you’re actually encouraged to throw things and put a little aggression into it, so you can have fun and release the tensions from a difficult day.
Staff are there to guide you through technique and perhaps teach you a trickshot or two as well!
They offer knife throwing as well as axe throwing—customize your experience and have a blast. Check out their website for all of the different offerings and rates.
- Where: 910 Government Street #107
- When: Open seven days a week from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
