What To Do in Victoria BC on Land?
Are you wondering what to do in Victoria? Wonder no more. We have compiled a list of the most popular things to do on land with all the information you need to book tours, activity rentals and lessons. Be sure to also check out our water activities guide and guide to aventures by air. Let’s get started!
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Bicycling & Skateboarding Tours & Rentals
Bicycling is extremely popular in Greater Victoria as you'll soon discover. Because of our incredibly mild climate, it is an activity to be enjoyed throughout the year. We have a network of trails that connect Sidney to Sooke as well as designated cycling lanes on our most popular roadways. We even have dedicated bike lanes in the downtown area. I encourage you to use caution cycling downtown and follow the signage carefully. Rent a bike from one of the vendors below or book one of our popular bike tours.
Want something a little more challenging? The Bear Mountain Bike Park in Langford BC is home to the Canadian National Mountain Bike team and the brand new Jordie Lunn Bike Park opened in Langford in May 2021. Riders of all ages and abilities are welcome. A smaller bike park opened in View Royal Park and is attracting young riders although all are welcome.
One of Victoria's popular sports activities is the Ryder Hesjedal Tour de Victoria. The event draws hundreds of riders with varying skill levels to Victoria each August. With 8 distances to choose from, there's a ride for everyone!
- 1-1610 Island Highway, Victoria, BC V9B 1H8
- 250-391-1980
- Rent hybrid, road and tanden bikes
- Child trailers and trail-a-bikes also available to tow behind your bike
- 685 Humboldt St, Victoria, BC V8W 1A6
- 250-380-2453
- convenient downtown location
- rent bicycles, scooters and motorbikes
- 65-560 Johnson Street, Victoria, BC V8W 3C6
- 778-265-4551
- Rentals and guided bike tours
- Hybrid and Town bike rentals by the half day or by the day
- Road and Gravel bike rentals by the day
- located minutes from the cruise ship terminal and right next door to most downtown hotels
- 1990 Oak Bay Ave, Victoria, BC V8R 1E2
- 250-598-4111
- mountain bikes, e-bikes and road bikes for rent
- 321 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC V8V 1X2
- 778-265-7433
- bicycle tours and rentals
- urban cruisers, single speeds, hybrids, road bikes and electric-assist bicycles
Ride the Glide Electric Bike Rentals
- 307-1208 Wharf St, Victoria, BC V8W 3B9
- 250-889-9512
- Free delivery and pick-up
- Highly adjustable bikes to fit almost anyone
- Perfect choice for all fitness levels and capabilities
Seawall Adventure Centre (formerly Cycletreks)
- 950 Wharf Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1T3
- 250-414-4284
- hours of operation are weather dependent
- Guided and self-guided tours
- For self-guided tours you are transported by van to the outskirts of town where you will self guide the Galloping Goose or Lochside trail system back into Victoria
- 3-1950 Government Street, Victoria, BC V8T 4N8
- 250-385-7368
- rentals include SUPS, surf gear, bicycles and much more
- 185 Dallas Rd, Victoria, BC V8V 1A1
- 250-661-9692
- pick up and drop at the Pier B cruise ship terminal
- hybrid road bikes; options for kids available
West Coast Outdoor Adventure Rentals
- 6971 W Coast Road, Sooke, BC V9Z 0R7
- 250-664-7794
- kayaks, paddleboards and bikes
- rentals and tours
Skateboarding
What to do in Victoria if you're a teenager? Visit one of the skate parks popping up around town. The most popular one still is the Victoria Skate Park on Esquimalt Road in Vic West (close to downtown) although locals are anxiously waiting for the next new bike park to open at the Westshore Parks & Recreation complex.
Bird Watching
When you're looking at what to do in Victoria, it's perfect when you find a location that suits many family members and that's just what the Esquimalt Lagoon is. Not only an oceanfront destination perfect for walking, playing on the beach, marveling at the driftwood art, but also home to the Esquimalt Lagoon Migratory Bird Sanctuary where you may see:
- American coot
- mallard
- northern pintail
- green-winged teal
- American wigeon
- hooded merganser
- black oystercatcher
- pacific great blue heron
Visit the Government of Canada website to learn more about this protected sanctuary. Other places for bird watching include Goldstream Park for the Eagle Extravaganza each winter and:
Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary
- 3873 Swan Lake Road, Victoria, B.C. V8X 3W1
- 250-479-0211
- Guided bird walks every Sunday @ 9:00 a.m.
- Bring your binoculars and walking shoes and meet in the parking lot for an informal and informative walk around the lake area
- Donations appreciated
Victoria Natural History Society
- P.O.Box 24061, Royal Oak, Victoria, BC, V8Z 7E7
- 250-704-2555 (events listing)
- Become a member in the society to participate in their outings
- Approximately 4 outings weekly
Brewery & Distillery Tours
We have an exceptional variety of locally produced beers and spirits and we love to show them off with tastings and tours. Use a designated driver for your self-guided tours or sit back and let a professional driver whisk you around. I recommend using TourScanner to compare the prices of our most popular food & drink tours.
- A self-guided tour highlighting local craft brewery destinations
- Within each Ale Trail you will find recommended itineraries to explore, including an array of craft breweries, pubs, restaurants, cafes and more
- 1-800-601-9483 OR 778-320-3409
- Brewery, distillery, cidery and wine tours
- Includes round-trip transportation and samples
- Cook Street P.O. Box 23070, Victoria, BC V8V 3X0
- 1-877-789-8752
- Custom private tours in a Tesla
- Up to six guests per Tesla + pick-up & drop-off at your hotel or port-of-entry
- 254 Belleville St, Victoria, BC V8V 1W9
- 250-516-4402
- Public and private tours
- Choose from brewery, cidery, distillery tours and food + drink tours
- Includes round-trip transportation and samples
Golf
Many of our visitors know exactly what to do in Victoria - golf! Bear Mountain Resort in Langford is Golf Canada’s official training centre so that should tell you something about golf and Victoria – it’s a pretty big deal around here. There are so many courses and clubs, they got their own page! Popular destinations to get your golf fix include:
- Bear Mountain Golf Course
- Cedar Hill Golf Course
- Cordova Bay Golf Course
- Green Acres Par 3 Driving Range
- Highlands Pacific Golf Course
- Iron & Wood Golf Simulators
- Mattick’s Farm Mini Golf
- Metchosin Golf & Country Club
- Mount Douglas Golf Course
- Olympic View Golf Club
- Uplands Golf Club
Find a complete list of golf clubs in Victoria BC here.
Guided & Self-Guided Attraction Tours
If you're undecided about guided versus self-guided tours, read this article first which will highlight the pros and cons of each. For all tours of Victoria, I highly recommend using TourScanner to find what's available and compare prices to find the best one for you and your travel group.
- Call (250) 477-3322 or text 250-516-6077
- 463 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC V8V 1X3
- wine tours, city tours and Butchart Gardens tours
- Departs daily from front of Fairmont Empress Hotel
- 721 Government Street, Victoria
- 250-385-6553 or 1-855-385-6553
- Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tours
- open top double-decker buses
- book tickets online or purchase from kiosk in front of the Empress
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
What to do in Victoria when you want to sit back, relax and enjoy a fully narrated tour of some of the city's most famous downtown sights? A horse-drawn carriage ride of course! For the ultimate in romance or just a fun way to see the sights, an iconic carriage ride is one of the most beloved activities here in Victoria. Book a carriage ride here.
- 469 Belleville St, Victoria, BC V8V 1X3
- 250-514-9257
- Daily tours and custom tours
- Reservations recommended
- 600 Menzies St, Victoria, BC V8V 2G2
- 1-877-663-2207 or 250-383-2207
- Reservations are required
- Each carriage holds 4-6 people
Motorbike Rentals
- 685 Humboldt St, Victoria, BC V8W 1A6
- 250-380-2453
- convenient downtown location
- rent bicycles, scooters and motorbikes
- 16-1338 Stelly's Cross Road, Brentwood Bay, BC
- 250-885-1011
- 1, 2 and 6-day guided adventure rides with an experienced local guide
- Motorbikes delivered free in Victoria
- Use contact form to make reservation
- Not taking 2019 bookings; reserve now for 2020
Paintball, Laser Tag & Escape Rooms
Experience an unforgettable day of adventure with these sports activities.
If you're unfamilar with escape rooms, think live-action adventure game that incorporates puzzles, codes and the sleuthing of clues. Fun for the whole family.
Paintball is played outside on a wilderness course and requires a bit of speed, agility and the acknowledgement that it just might hurt a little when you get hit. At least one paintball company offers your money back if you really aren’t enjoying yourself. You’ve got nothing to lose by giving it a try.
Laser Tag
- Laser City Fun Centre, 749 View Street, Victoria
- 250-382-1361
Paint Ball
- TNT Paintball, 4590 East Sooke Road, Sooke
- 250-658-1177
- Stormin Norman's Paintball, 4800 East Sooke Road, Sooke
- 250-886-5828
Escape Rooms
- Victoria Escape Games, 531 Yates Street, Victoria
- Book Online
- Text message or voicemail: 250-800-0120
- Horror Escape, 523 Broughton Street, Victoria
- 778-265-7995
- Quest Reality Games, 1211 Wharf Street, Victoria
- 250-800-1008
Pedi-Cabs
With a fleet of pedi-cabs that hit the streets each summer, this cool mode of transportation is ideal for whisking you around the narrow streets of downtown and the surrounding James Bay neighbourhood.
- 3073 Millgrove Street, Victoria V9A1X4
- 250-884-0121
- tours for individuals and groups up to 40
- pick up location, tour selection and departure time to fit your schedule and desires
Rugby
I was first introduced to rugby in Victoria in the spring of 2015 when my son was in middle school. I initially hated the idea of him playing such a rough sport and secretly hoped he would hate it too. But he didn’t hate it, so then I started hoping he would just lose interest and move on to something safer.
Like rowing.
But neither of those things happened. In fact, just a couple of weeks after playing his first game, he approached us about his desire to play rugby in Victoria and pursue entrance to a rugby academy. And that’s when I went and had a chat with his coach to see what this nonsense was all about!
Within minutes of speaking to him though, I felt my apprehension ease. Suddenly I saw what rugby people already knew – the game was going to teach my son way more than just how to play.
It took about a full year of my son playing before I realized that I was truly enjoying the game. I mean I actually began to look forward to game day and even took vacation time to leave work early to be at the field for kick off.
At the field, I began having conversations with people who have their roots deeply planted in the local rugby community and I gained a better appreciation of what it means to be a rugger and play rugby in Victoria.
The guys and girls who play this sport and those who support them are a tight-knit group who look out for each other.
The camaraderie is genuine.
They are like family.
One person I met shared with me that every job they had ever had came from a connection they had made while playing the sport. And I see this in my club’s Facebook group – members offering everything from jobs to free furniture to each other. Taking care of each other first.
So how did I go from hoping my son would quit to developing such a passion for the game that I will attend without him? First it has got to be the people – genuine, caring and helpful. Ruggers and those that support them have a sense of belonging to the greater rugby community.
And then there is the action!
I’m a life-long ice hockey fan. I love the speed, the intensity, the skill and the excitement. Hockey has it all and so does rugby! The action, the thrills, the awe-inspiring plays. It really is a fantastic spectator sport.
Finally, I love the many skills that players learn through practice and game play that are easily transferable to everyday living: teamwork, integrity, discipline, respect, communication and how to deal with winning and losing with class and dignity.
Participants face a number of adverse situations when playing and learning to navigate those within the context of a game provides valuable learning opportunities.
Team sports should be required for all youth – that’s how we grow kind, compassionate and well-rounded adults.
There is some great rugby in Victoria being played with several teams participating in the BC Premier and Premier Reserve divisions. As well, there is rookie rugby (sometimes called "minis" for ages 6-13) and age-grade rugby for 14-20 year olds.
If you or someone you know is interested in playing rugby in Victoria, check the clubs listed below to find the one that best suits you.
The only equipment you'll need is a mouthguard (I recommend you purchase the best one you can to protect teeth and gums) and pair of cleats (you may need one for mud and one for a dry field). What to do in Victoria on a Saturday? Come on down to one of these fields and enjoy one of the fastest growing sports. You’ll frequently find me on the sidelines cheering on the James Bay Bears – stop by and say hello. Hope to see you there!
Go to BC Rugby for all the schedules and results.
James Bay Athletic Association (JBAA) - This is the most convenient location to watch rugby in Victoria if you are staying in the downtown core.
Home games played at Macdonald Park in James Bay, 205 Simcoe Street, Victoria BC
- Mini (ages 6-13)
- Age-Grade (ages 13-19)
- Senior Men (over 19 years of age)
Castaway Wanderers
Homes games played at Windsor Park, 1200 Newport Avenue, Victoria BC
- Mini (ages 6-13)
- Age-Grade (ages 13-19)
- Senior Women (over 19 years of age)
- Senior Men (over 19 years of age)
University of Victoria Vikes
Home games played at Wallace Field on the UVIC campus
- Senior Women (over 19 years of age)
- Senior Men (over 19 years of age)
Westshore RFC
Homes games played at Westshore Parks & Recreation, 1767 Island Hwy, Victoria BC
- Mini (ages 6-13)
- Age-Grade (ages 13-19)
- Senior Women (over 19 years of age)
- Senior Men (over 19 years of age)
Scooter Rentals
- 685 Humboldt St, Victoria, BC V8W 1A6
- 250-380-2453
- convenient downtown location
- rent bicycles, scooters and motorbikes
Tesla Tours
Tesla Tours provides personally-guided tours to popular attractions around Victoria in their solar-powered luxury Tesla vehicles.
- Cook Street P.O. Box 23070, Victoria, BC V8V 3X0
- 1-877-789-8752
- Custom private tours in a Tesla
- Up to six guests per Tesla + pick-up & drop-off at your hotel or port-of-entry
Walking, Hiking & Nature Tours
What to do in Victoria on a beautiful day? Get out in nature of course! You don’t have to hike the West Coast Trail or the Juan de Fuca Trail to enjoy the great outdoors. There are plenty of options for all fitness levels in the Greater Victoria region. Some of the popular walking paths in the downtown area are Ogden Point Breakwater, The David Foster Harbour Pathway and the Westsong Walkway. I'm also a fan of the trail around the Westshore Parks and Recreation Centre and these 5 good places to walk around Greater Victoria.
For all walking and hiking around Victoria I highly recommend the use of hiking poles. They help with balance and support and I think they make me more confident when I'm out exploring because I'm not concerned about twisting my ankle (I've actually broke both ankles at different times in my life so I rarely walk anywhere without them now). For hikes in our more remote regions, we highly recommend using a local guide.
Walking Tours
Be sure to check TourScanner to compare some of our most popular tours.
- 250-384-6698
- Family run company offering walking tours since the 1960s
- Founded by local historian
- Ghost walks available
- Self-guided heritage walks through some of the oldest parts of Victoria
- Choose from Mysterious Chinatown, Rollicking Boomtown, Haunted Victoria, Victoria's Law and Order, James Bay Emily Carr House or James Bay/Ogden Point
- No charge
A Taste of Victoria Food Tours
- 250-893-9815
- 2-hour tour beginning at the Victoria Public Market
- 6-8 tastings along the route
- History of Victoria and quirks of the city will be discussed
Wildplay
Do you know what to do in Victoria if your idea of fun includes climbing, jumping and ziplining through nature? Wildplay!
If you are looking for an exhiliarating outdoor adventure, Wildplay Elements Park in Victoria may be just what you're looking for. Wildplay Elements Park is an obstacle course suspended from the towering trees and it’s incredible. There are ziplines, cargo nets, swinging logs, tightropes, wobbly bridges and more throughout the course. Start just a few feet off the ground and the higher you get, the more challenging it becomes.
A few years ago, my son was invited to the park as part of a birthday celebration. I always appreciate free parking and there was lots of that – bonus! We all signed a waiver and because the kids were under 13 at the time, we stayed with them to supervise.
If your kids are older and you choose not to participate in the activity yourself, there are a ton of other things to do at the Westshore Parks and Recreation complex – including a fabulous walking trail that will loop you right back to the park entrance.
You should come dressed for outdoor adventure including wearing clothes that fit snugly so they don’t catch on the trees or obstacles. Same for jewelry – remove it before you lose it. The most important thing to wear is closed-toe shoes – no sandals or flip flops. They do have an outdoor footwear loan program though if it’s a last-minute decision and you don’t have time to get the proper shoes.
The Wildplay Elements Park staff gave our group a safety introduction first with instructions on how to clip in to the fasteners and maneuver through the course and then they were off.
At first it was exhilarating for all the kids to finally be let loose in the trees. Some were fearless and moved swiftly through the games, but we quickly discovered some that needed a little encouragement to move along.
The fee for the kids includes completing the course twice and, in the end, all but one of the children in our group chose to go a second round. The maximum height off the ground for the kids’ course is 15 feet.
The adult course, known as the classic course, includes 4 ziplines, is up to 40 feet high and can take 2-4 hours to complete. Need more thrills? Try the extreme course with games and ziplines up to 52 feet high!
If fear gets the best of you, there are always staff nearby that can safely help guide you down.
There is lots of adventure to be had on Vancouver Island and this one is right inside the city. Check their website for hours of operation and directions to get there.
Wine & Cidery Tours & Tastings
What to do in Victoria that's strictly for adults? Wine and cidery tours are some of the most popular attractions in the region and even more popular when combined with local attractions such as Butchart Gardens. Check out all the options on this page.
- 1-800-601-9483 OR 778-320-3409
- Brewery, distillery, cidery and wine tours
- Includes round-trip transportation and samples
- 4226 Rossiter Drive, Victoria BC
- 250-380-1911 or 877-778-4777
- Select from pre-arranged itineraries or contact directly for a customized package
- Call (250) 477-3322 or text 250-516-6077
- 463 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC V8V 1X3
- wine tours, city tours and Butchart Gardens tours
- Cook Street P.O. Box 23070, Victoria, BC V8V 3X0
- 1-877-789-8752
- Custom private tours in a Tesla
- Up to six guests per Tesla + pick-up & drop-off at your hotel or port-of-entry
- 250-661-8844
- Afternoon and full-day tours
- Tours include pick up and drop off at central downtown locations, tasting charges at all locations and a vineyard tour
Are you still looking at what to do in Victoria?
Be sure to check out our guide to water adventure or ways to explore Vancouver Island by air.
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Discover the beach art at Esquimalt Lagoon.