A Glimpse of Victoria, BC

 

Well, Hello Victoria!

This city’s connections with Queen Victoria are many.

• It is a Canadian city was named after Queen Victoria.
• It is a seat of government (being the capital city of the province of British Columbia.)
• This city retains a British “feel” in many ways.

So let’s take a look at some of the sites in this small, regal city.

1. The Empress Hotel

This hotel is the first place I think of when I think of Victoria. One of these years I will have high tea at the Empress (as I have been promising myself for many years, but never have actually done!)

2. Parliament Buildings

Do make an effort to walk in this area in the evening when the building is all lit up…really quite lovely!

One can take tours of the parliament building (check out their website for times). Did you know the original administrative buildings here were fashioned in such a way that they got the nickname “The Birdcages”?

3. Miniature World

Located on the north side of the Empress Hotel, Miniature World has been there forever yet it keeps getting better each time we visit. It is the type of place you can visit again and again and still not see everything!

Inside you will feel like Gulliver when he visited the Land of the Little People (that is what one review I read said..and I agree!) You will be part of Olde London, Castles in Europe, the circus world, and so much more. You will see inside gorgeous doll houses from different eras.

And…you will follow the Great Canadian Railway through the Rocky Mountains and onto the Prairies.

(Hint: Click on any photo to enlarge it.)

Find the RR tracks in the foreground of this scene depicting the Canadian Prairies 1885.

Aside: Do check out the official website for Miniature World. It alone is a treasure!

4. Beacon Hill Park

Beacon Hill Park is the edge of the James Bay area.

5. Emily Carr House

The above places are all very close together in the downtown and James Bay area.

When Beacon Park meets the ocean (and if you walk through the park you will come to the Pacific Ocean…or is it the Staight of Juan de Fuca? Hmm…  and be able to see across to the USA) you will be on Dallas Road.

6. Follow Dallas Road (to the right when you leave Beacon Hill Park)

Lovely scenes

Historical markers

(If you are too young to remember Marilyn Bell, do some research on this athlete)

While you are in research mode, check out Trans Canada Highway and Terry Fox.

7. Fisherman’s Wharf

Just off Dallas Road, on the Inner Harbour, is Fisherman’s Wharf where you will find herons, whale watching excursions, and house boats and “shop boats”. Yes, there are a few eating places that are “floating” just like a house boat.

Speaking of house boats…there are some very cute ones at Fisherman’s Wharf.

So, that is just a glimpse of Victoria.

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