I’m living in Vancouver and will be taking my in-laws to Vic this weekend, just for two days/ one night. Any suggestions? They’ve been there a long time ago but we’ve really never been (I went to U Vic for a conference and other than a lot of bunnies didn’t see much, especially of town proper). We’re an overeducated arts and culture, antiquing and drinking kind of crew, but with a finite tolerance of “Olde England” schmaltz. Dinner suggestions (esp for holiday Monday?)? Good eating pubs? I know we have some Vic dopers here. Thanks in advance for the ideas.
Oh, also, should we just take the Tsawassen-Schwatz bay route? Is the longer Horseshoe Bay-Nanaimo and drive down the issland worth it for scenery or anything like that?
Oh, gosh. I remember an Ask Metafilter thread or two on Victoria:
Go downtown and walk around a bit, stopping in at Munro’s Books. I like to eat at Pagliacci’s on Broad. There’s always the Butchart Gardens, the BC Museum.
I wouldn’t take the longer ferry/drive route. Try and get a window seat on the ferry, or walk around outside–I’ve seen orcas.
More as I come up with suggestions–I’m really bad for living in a nice city with lots to do, and not getting around to doing it…
I have heard good things about tea time at the Empress Hotel. If you miss the tea, still wander through the hotel, it is a beautiful place.
Is Whale Watching in season?
If so you might want to check that out.
The tea is good, but pretty pricey. I always got as much as I wanted just wandering through the hotel. The legislature is beautiful, inside and out, and the tours are pretty good. There’s usually a spot to lineup out front next to a sign that tells you when the tours are.
As for whale watching, it tends to be more expensive and there is never a guarantee of seeing anything. If you do see something, though, it is fantastic. The guides of all the tour groups communicate with eachother to spot whales for everyone to see, and there are tons of other animals the boats will take you to see. But if you have your heart set on whales, you might be disappointed.
If you do want to check out sea life, I’d recommend the Undersea Gardens instead. It is sitting in the middle of Victoria’s harbour, looking like a houseboat. The houseboat is actually a sort of entrance to an underground viewing area. Lots of animals to check out up close. The octopus show is one of my favourite childhood memories.
The Royal British Columbia Museum is always a nice place to go get lost in, and has an IMAX if your feet get tired. This weekend, I noticed they’re opening a new exhibit on animal courtship, which looks interesting.
There are also some really excellent shops hidden in little corners in Chinatown.
There are many antique stores in Victoria. There’s a street just up from the harbour that has an ‘official’ name but is also known as Antique Row. There are several little antique stores along there, along with some other interesting little shops.
If you’re looking for a hotel, the Laurel Point Inn is very nice. It’s located on Laurel Point, a transition between the Inner and Outer Harbour. Here is the link for their home page.It’s well worth getting at least a Studio Suite, by the way.
There’s a nice jewellry store downtown called Artina’s. I’ve bought several pieces of jewellry there. Just near Artina’s on Government Street there is also a very nice store selling Coast Salish crafts and art. Walking further down Government, I’d echo Munro’s Books as a great stop.
I’ve been in several pubs in Victoria, but I can’t recall the names of any of them. They seem to be a dime a dozen.
Butschart Gardens (sp?). We went in October years ago and they were extensive (but accessible) and lovely. There is a nice place for tea and souvenirs as well.
I second the recommendation for Pagliacci’s, I go everytime I am in Victoria and I have yet to be disappointed. I also recommend Barb’s Place on the waterfront for fish & chips.
Fort Street has a number of nice antique shops, along with a rather cool used books store whose name escapes me at the moment.
Duck into Fan Tan Alley in Chinatown.
The Fort Street bookstore is Russell’s Books. Don’t forget to go outside and to the next door, up the long flight of stairs, to the fiction and other section.
Ah, some good ideas. Thanks for the suggestions and keep 'em coming.
Actually, I have another question: I ran into somebody who mentioned that a Michelin-starred chef opened a small restaurant in Victoria a while ago, but of course I totally forgot the name of the place. Anybody know anything about this restaurant?
A nice little secret is the old swimming pool behind the Empress Hotel. I think it’s called the Crystal Palace. It’s now a rare plant conservatory. It has a butterfly garden as well as an exotic bird collection.
That’s the name of that damned alley.
Don’t GET me started.
They closed it. To put in the “BC Experience”. Lasted, what? Three months? It’s bankrupt.
Kind of a lame webpage, but the Sooke Harbour House has an excellent reputation.
The Marina is nice, too, and hoist a pint at the Snug in the Oak Bay Beach Hotel.
I went to the BC Experience. There’s a very good reason it only lasted 3 months.
A really good brew pub, complete with great live music is Swan’s. In fact, if you’re there on Monday, there’s a good chance you’ll see me there for the dancing.
I went whale watching last year around this time (well, late September, but close enough). We managed to see a superpod as all the residents ganged up to go after the salmon run. You might want to keep an eye on the websites for the whale watching companies, because they tend to post updates on how good the sightings have been lately. I also got to see orcas from BC Ferries the Labour Day weekend, but I didn’t manage to get my camera out in time.
It definitely wasn’t the Sooke Harbour House. (Though the SHH is really good and well worth a visit. Also note that the Tugwell Creek meadery is just down the road from there.)
Rogers’ Chocolates on Government Street. 
Murchie’s on Government Street for tea - in my opinion, nicer than the Empress and slightly less touristy.
Definitely Munro’s Books.
Take one of the little water taxis (hop-on, hop off) around the Inner Harbour and then go for fish and chips on Fisherman’s Wharf (watch out for the gulls and the mostly tame harbour seal who cadges snacks).
Enjoy the city!
Weirdly, and even though one of my best car trips ever was on Vancouver Island, and I rather like Nanaimo, I’d go with the Tsawwassen route. It’s worth the convenience especially for just a two day trip.
If you’ve never been to the Royal British Columbia Museum, you could spend two days there - (merely several hours if you have been before), and it’s always nice to just kind of wander around the harbor.
I have a bad habit of picking the very worst hotels Victoria has to offer, so I can’t help there.