Post by Nancy D. Brown

Beacon Hill Park, Wendi Dube photographerMy favorite tips and locations for visitors to Victoria, Canada.

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is to the  Inner Harbour or Dallas Road.

When I crave Victorian cuisine, I turn to Red Fish Blue Fish.

To escape work I go to Lower Johnson Street (LoJo) for awesome shopping, North Fort for food (Sally Bun), exercise (yoga) and more shopping or to the beach to relax.

For complete quiet, I can hide away at Sooke Harbour House. To be surrounded in nature, head to Gold Stream Park or East Sooke Park.

If you come to Victoria, get your picture taken in front of the Parliament buildings.

If you have to order one thing off the menu at Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub, get one of their hand crafted Artisan Beers - Iceberg Pale Ale is an excellent choice.

Victoria is my one stop shop for outdoor adventure.

When I'm feeling cash-strapped, I go to Daidoco or the Noodle Box. 

For a huge splurge, I go to Brasserie L'ecole. 

Butchart Gardens, Nancy D. Brown photographerPhoto ops in Victoria include The Fairmont Empress Hotel, Butchart Gardens, the Inner Harbour, Fishermans Wharf, Market Square, Bastion Square, Dallas Road and Beacon Hill Park to name a few.

The best vantage points are taken by hiking or driving to the top of Mount Tolmie or Mount Douglas. Or by taking a quick elevator trip to Vista 18.

The most random thing about Victoria is the Free B Film Festival and the Symphony Splash.  

In Victoria, an active day outdoors involves walking, hiking, kayaking, cycling, kite surfing or scuba diving.

My favorite walking route is walking through Cook Street Village (stopping at the Mocha House to get a "London Fog") and to Dallas Road, along the beach and back through Beacon Hill Park.

Victoria's best museum is The Royal BC Museum. 

For a night of dancing, go to Darcy's Pub and onto Lucky Bar. 

The Mint is the spot for late night dining.

To find out what's going on at night or on weekends, read The Monday Magazine and Eat Magazine.

You can tell a lot about Victoria and Vancouver Island from visiting the Cowichan Valley and attending the Feast of Fields. 

In the spring you should attend the Spark Festival and the Island Chef's Collaborative's Defending your Backyard event.  

In the summer, you should attend the Symphony Splash and Luminara.

In the fall you should visit Goldstream Park to watch the salmon spawn. 

In the winter you should go to Butchart Gardens and skate on their outdoor ice rink and view the gardens lit up with Christmas lights.  

Beacon Hill Park Petting Farm photo Christina CraftA hidden gem in Victoria is the Fernwood Neighborhood - Tapas at Stage, then a play at the Belfry Theatre.

For a great breakfast treat or espresso, go to The Black Stilt Cafe. 

Just outside of Victoria you can visit Sidney and have lunch at the Fish on Fifth.  

The best way to see Victoria is to walk, cycle or rent a scooter.

If you have kids, you won't want to miss The Beacon Hill Park Petting Farm. 

What are your favorite things to do in Victoria, BC?

Thank you to Kelsey Ewart of Tourism Victoria for assistance with this post.