Top 8 places to visit in Victoria
Top 8 places to visit in Victoria
Transcript
00:00In today's video, we will talk about the best places to visit in Victoria, British Columbia.
00:06If you like the video please subscribe to my youtube channel and hit the notification bell
00:10so you won't miss the upcoming videos. A little information about the city itself.
00:16Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia, is set right at the southern tip of Vancouver
00:22Island and it is one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. The city is home to a variety
00:28of historic buildings, including the beautiful Parliament Buildings and the world-famous Empress
00:33Hotel. The city is widely known as the Garden City because of its mild weather and almost
00:39year-round gardens. Victoria is also ranked as one of the top 20 cities worldwide for its quality
00:45of life and snow-free winters, which is very unusual for a Canadian city. Another benefit
00:52of visiting Victoria is the city's surroundings, which include a stunning Pacific coastline,
00:57lush rainforest, and beautiful mountains. Here is a quick list of the top 8 best places I
01:03recommend you check out. Number 8. Empress Hotel. This hotel is not only one of the top tourist
01:10attractions in the city but also one of the most historic buildings as well. Stepping inside is
01:16like stepping back in time to the days of the British Empire. Admiring the flora crawling up
01:21the building from the outside is just stunning. This iconic Canadian Pacific Railway Hotel was
01:27built between 1904 and 1908 and has become one of the world's most famous hotels. It has hosted
01:35celebrities and famous people throughout the decades, including members of the British monarchy.
01:40Enjoying afternoon tea, served with great style in the lobby lounge, is one of the most popular
01:46things to do if you are visiting the city. Be sure to make a reservation if you want to
01:51guarantee a spot. Number 7. Hatley Park National Historic Site. Hatley Park National Historic Site
01:59consists of Hatley Castle, built in 1908 by former British Columbia premier and coal baron
02:05James Dunsmuir. This Edwardian estate also showcases Japanese, Italian, and rose gardens.
02:13The castle has also been featured in several films. Most famously, it was a filming location
02:19in the X-Men movie series. The building today houses the administrative office of Royal Roads
02:25University but is open to the public. Number 6. Abkhazia Garden. A very peaceful and picturesque
02:33place, Abkhazia Garden is set just a short drive to the southeast of downtown Victoria.
02:39Here you'll find an exquisite heritage house, as well as lovely grounds and gardens to wander
02:44around. In addition to ambling peacefully about its paths and taking in all the natural beauty,
02:50visitors can enjoy tasty treats in the tea house. Due to its scenic nature, Abkhazia Garden hosts
02:57weddings and private events during the year. Number 5. Miniature World. Located on the north
03:04side of the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, Miniature World lets you immerse yourself in a
03:08bit of fantasy and history, and bring out your inner child with more than 80 miniature yet very
03:13detailed displays of places, events, and themes. You can see the smallest operational sawmill in
03:20the world, which took 11 years to make, two of the world's largest doll houses, and one of the world's
03:26longest model railways. Number 4. Fisherman's Wharf. The mini floating community of Fisherman's
03:33Wharf is one of the best and most unique places to visit in the city. The wharf is made up of a
03:39multitude of floating homes and restaurants all of which are uniquely designed and decorated.
03:44It is such an awesome place and there is a cacophony of colors on display here. Most of
03:50the homes actually have people living in them full-time and you can see them sitting on their
03:54porches soaking in the sun. If you are lucky, you may also see some of the local seals who like to
04:00swim right up to the wharf to get a look at all of the tourists walking by. A few of the floating
04:05homes have been converted into food kiosks and offer everything from fish and chips to sushi.
04:11Number 3. Chinatown. It's quite amazing how many cities around the world are home to Chinatown.
04:19But Victoria's is unique in that it's the second-oldest Chinatown in all of North America,
04:24second only to the one in San Francisco. Created by Chinese immigrants more than 150 years ago,
04:31Chinatown has become a testament to the resiliency of the culture and traditions brought overseas
04:36long ago. From the gate of harmonious interest to the bold colors of lucky red and gold throughout
04:42the neighborhood, Chinatown is simply a place you shouldn't miss when visiting Victoria.
04:48While there, don't miss meandering down Fantan Alley as well,
04:51which is one of the narrowest streets in Canada.
04:55Number 2. Beacon Hill Park. Green and well-tended,
04:59Beacon Hill Park is a favorite outdoor area close to the city center.
05:03From its highest point, lovely views look across Juan de Fuca Strait to the snowy peaks of the
05:08Olympic Peninsula. The park is home to huge trees, gardens, and ponds. Walking trails lead through
05:16the park to quiet benches and areas for peaceful relaxation. You can see a variety of wildlife here,
05:23from deer to peacocks, ducks, and occasionally even an otter. Paths also lead to high points
05:29with beautiful views out over the ocean and mountains.
05:33Number 1. Craigdarek Castle. Perched atop a hill overlooking downtown is the massive
05:39Victorian-era mansion of Craigdarek Castle, which exhibits some of the most attractive
05:44architecture in the area. Built back in 1890 for a wealthy coal baron, it is now protected
05:50as part of a museum with tours taking you around the national historic site.
05:55Looking every bit like a fairy-tale castle, the well-preserved property boasts turrets and
06:00stained-glass windows, as well as wraparound porches and balconies. Particularly known for
06:06its intricate woodwork, the mansion has 39 rooms to explore with informative displays
06:11highlighting the history of the castle and the Dunsmuir family, who lived here.
06:17I hope this video was helpful if you are planning to visit the city.
06:20If you liked it please support the channel by subscribing and liking the video.