Attractions
Educational Heritage Attractions
Heritage Churches
& Synagogues
Heritage Tours
Quick Links: Cemetery Walking Tours | Parliament Buildings (Legislature Tours) | Victoria Harbour Ferry Company Ltd. | Victorian Garden Tours Ltd. | Architectural Walking Tours | Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt Bus Tours |
CEMETERY WALKING TOURS
Old Cemeteries Society of Victoria
Ross Bay Villa
1490 Fairfield Road
PO Box 50004, RPO Fairfield Plaza
Victoria BC V8S 5L8
www.oldcem.bc.ca
oldcem@pacificcoast.net
Tours: 2:00 pm every Sunday of each month (except January), at various heritage cemeteries in the Capital Regional District. The majority of the tours are at Ross Bay Cemetery, and have a different topic each Sunday. Donations for tours are $2.00 for members and $5.00 for the general public; all monies raised are used to assist in the preservation of the cemeteries.
Membership: Single $30/year. Family (two or more family members in the same household): $45/year. Student: $20/year. Membership fees include a discount on the weekly tours, an annual subscription to "Stone Cuttings" the bimonthly Old Cemeteries Society newsletter, and "Stories in Stone," the quarterly journal of the Old Cemeteries Society, as well as advance notification of tours, lectures and other activities.
Promotes interest in local history and appreciation of the heritage value of cemeteries through tours for school children and the general public, combats cemetery vandalism through education, does historical research, monument restoration, cleaning and conservation not covered by the perpetual care agreements, if any, with heritage cemeteries in the Victoria region. Donations are gratefully accepted; the OCS is a Registered Charitable Organization and will issue an Income Tax receipt for donations over $25.00.
PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS (LEGISLATURE TOURS)
Belleville Street on the Inner Harbour
250-387-3046
www.leg.bc.ca/tours
Come and discover the history of the Province, the architectural splendor of the Parliament Buildings, and learn about the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. During the busy summer season (May Long Weekend to Labour Day) free guided tours are offered seven days a week from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Throughout the rest of the year, free guided tours are offered from Monday to Friday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.
Please call the Tour Office for the daily tour schedule or to reserve for groups of 10 or more people. Visitors are also welcome to view the Legislative Gift Shop, eat in the Legislative Dining Room, and to observe debates from the Public Galleries when the Legislative Assembly is in session. We look forward to your visit.
Free.
VICTORIA HARBOUR FERRY COMPANY LTD.
Inner Harbour
250-708-0201
www.victoriaharbourferry.com
Daily: March 1 - October 31. Hours vary; peak season (May through September): 9 am - 9 pm.
Tours approximately every 20 minutes during shoulder and peak seasons.
Harbour Tours - Adults: $22; Seniors: $20; Children: $10; Students: $20; hops from $5;
Gorge Tour - Adults $26; Seniors: $24; Children: $14; Students: $24;
Victoria Harbour is world renowned for its bustling traffic and unique waterways. Victoria Harbour Ferry tours are equally renowned for their friendly skippers and fun, informative tours. Hop aboard a ferry to see Victoria and some of its heritage sites from the water. Look for the distinctive "FERRY STOP" signs at major waterfront locations around the harbour.
Enjoy a 45 minute harbour tour or 60 minute Gorge Cruise.
VICTORIAN GARDEN TOURS LTD.
250-380-2797 for reservations
www.victoriangardentours.com
Year-round narrated guided tours of Victoria's public and private gardens. Gardens that can be toured include turn of the century gardens, heritage rose gardens, Japanese style gardens and private gardens that have gained recognition for their unique west coast garden style. Learn about Victoria's colourful past as you visit these wonderful gardens. You can even meet the spirit of Emily Carr and join her for tea. Complimentary transportation, umbrellas, and personalized service provided.
ARCHITECTURAL WALKING TOURS
G6 - 1001 Douglas Street at the Sussex Building Courtyard
(Community Arts Council office)
1-800-667-0736 Ext. 306
www.aibc.ca
tours@aibc.ca.
$5 per person.
The Architectural Institute of British Columbia conducts walking tours of Victoria in July and August. Tours take you through Victoria's downtown core including the Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, Old Town, Chinatown, and more! All tours start from 1001 Douglas Street at the Sussex Building Courtyard (Community Arts Council office). More information can be obtained by calling 1-800-667-0753 ext. 306 or e-mail to tours@aibc.ca.
CANADIAN FORCES BASE ESQUIMALT GUIDED TOURS
HMCS Naden, Admirals Road, Esquimalt
250-363-2595
www.cfbesquimalt.ca
www.navalandmilitarymuseum.org
Free Walking and Bus Tours
Bus Tours: May 21 - August 24, weekdays at 11 am (excluding July 2, August 6). Bus leaves from Museum Square at Naden (Admirals Road entrance). Length: approximately 1.5 hours.
Walking Tours: May 26 to August 25, Saturdays at 11 am (excluding June 30, August 4). Tours begin at the main gate of HMC Dockyard (end of Esquimalt Road). Length: approximately 2 hours.
All tours are guided and cover both historical and modern aspects of the West Coast Naval Base. Picture identification is required for all people over 12 years of age. Under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Cameras are permitted, closed toe, sturdy shoes are required for the walking tour.