Victoria question

[Giantfan13]

We will be sailing on NCL which arrives in Victoria, BC on a Sat at 6PM and leaves at 11:59PM.

 

What might we be able to accomplish during that time??. We rarely do ship tours, so what can we do on our own or with any private tours that we might be able to use??

 

Any suggestions appreciated

 

Cheers

 

Len

[Putterdude]

There are many things to do...the Butchart Gardens being one..after that there are horse drawn carriage rides, a walk thru the historic Empress Hotel, a walk on Government St., the buskers on the Causeway in front of the Empress, whale watching and many, many other things to do as well.

 

http://cvscruisevictoria.com/

http://www.princeofwhales.com/

http://www.orcaspirit.com/

www.victoriacarriage.com/

http://www.tallyhotours.com/

http://www.causewayartists.ca/[/url]

www.butchartgardens.com/

http://bigbusvictoria.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=28

http://www.royalbluelinetours.com/

http://www.bastionsquare.ca/

http://www.mmbc.bc.ca/

http://www.oldchinatown.com/

[Giantfan13]

Thank you so much for all the possible suggestions. Our problem seems to be the time we are in Victoria. Most of the tours seem like they are day tours and we will only be there for 6 hours in the evening??

Can we get a sight seeing tour of Victoria in the evening or at night, or might that be a waste of time??

I see there are fireworks at Butchart Gardens on Saturday night. Would it be a good idea to just do that for our time in Victoria and skip other things??

If our ship sails at midnight, do we have time to see the fireworks and get back to the ship in time using, say one of these tour operators??

 

Again, thanks for any help

 

Cheers

 

Len

[Putterdude]

The problem with the fireworks option at Butchart Gardens is that everyone leaves at once which causes confusion and congestion...so yes there are could be some timing issues. However don't just stay on the ship...depending on when you arrive (date wise) we may well have lots of light...the causeway buskers will be out and of course there are the carriage rides. Victoria really is a beautiful city.

[joyadvtr]

I now live in Victoria just moved here one year ago. http://www.tourismvictoria.com/ Walk into the downtown core follow the map from the cruise ship, or turn left and walk around the water front. Or you can walk straight up the street to town just follow the signs. If you turn left to go into town you will pass by a sign to a pier and fresh fish. Take this little detour - there are some fabulous "Boat houses" in beautiful colors, all decked out with plants, and other quaint things. You can also buy fish and chips on the wharf from two different restaurants. Both have been there for many years and very reputable. Who knows you might even see the harbour seals. There is so much to see and do. Lots of people as there will most likely be 3 ships in port. The weather for the weekend is going to be around 25 - 29 celsius. Take a light jacket or sweater if you are walking around at night as the breeze off the water is cool. Walk down to the Parliament buildings they are lit up at night, along the seawall there are various vendors, musicians, mimes, artists etc. A must see is the mime bronzed lady at the far end of the pier up on the sidewalk. She is amazing. Walk thru the Empress for a look at history. I would not recommend the wax museum or under see gardens, I have been to both and they bore me. Take the harbour ferries tour, they are little boats with ample seating for all. About $20 to $30 for the grand tour, well worth it in my opinion. They take you all through the harbour with various stops along the way. You can board these little boats right at the marina in front of the Parliament Buildings On Saturday night many of the shops stay open due to the cruise ships in town. There are British pubs, live music. Butchart Gardens is beautiful if you like gardens and the dancing waters show at night is truly spectacular, but there are only so many flowers shrubs and bushes one wants to see. There is a butterfuly gardens near the Butchart Gardens. I have been once it was interesting.

 

There are lots of horse and buggies $50 for 15 minutes, or pedi cabs / kabuki cabs, rickshaws, that are a little cheaper http://www.kabukikabs.com/

Hire one of them to take you back to the ship or grab a regular cab, it isn't far. Walk up government street, you will see various shops and vendors and more street,musicians. On Saturday night about 8Pm many vintage and classic cars gather at "Francellis coffee" in a local mall and then cruise down to meet the cruise ships. There is also a local company that rents old cars that you can drive. Most of our city buses are double decker sightseeing buses - you need to have the correct change $2.50 but you can hop on the bus and tour around.

 

If you walk out of the cruise ship terminal you can turn right and keep walking. Beautiful views of the water, lots of people walking, cycling, dog walking etc.

 

The Imax theatre is just down from the Parliament Buildings http://www.imaxvictoria.com/index.cfm Dinasours Alive is Playing or Ironman II last show at 8PM

 

The BC Provinicial Museum is open until 10PM Friday and Saturday night - that is also next to the Parliament Buildings, a true must see - not your run of the mill museum. http://www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

 

Hope this gives you some good ideas - it is a very easy walk to downtown. It is clean, safe, and almost magical at night. Everyone is tourist friendly and very willing to give directions, and tell you what to see and do. Enjoy your trip.

[Giantfan13]

Once again, thank you for the great suggestions. We do not mind walking, so some of the things you recommended sound very interesting.

 

Date wise, we will be in Victoria on August 28 of this year. About waht time will it get dark then??. The boat ride also seems like a great idea, but is this something you want to do if it is dark or getting dark??

 

Again, thanks for all your help.

 

\Cheers

 

Len

[joyadvtr]

The sun will set at 8PM on Aug 28 so you should still have about another hour of twighlight after that. The little harbour ferry boats will still run until that time. Make it your first stop if you are interested. Go to the pier that I talked about this will save you about 10 minutes instead of walking all the way downtown. You can board the harbour ferries at the pier with the houseboats on it. http://www.victoriaharbourferry.com/index.php/site/schedules_routes_fares/

http://www.victoriaharbour.org/f_fishermanswharf.php

 

Also our city bus system gives directions on how to get to popular attractions

http://www.transitbc.com/regions/vic/schedules/explore/attractions.cfm

 

Our Chinatown is another very interesting place and an easy walk in the downtown core.

 

Visit the gardens beside the Empress Hotel

[joyadvtr]

here is another tour site double decker bus

http://bigbusvictoria.ca/

[Giantfan13]

Once again, thank you so much for your help and suggestions.

 

Cheers

 

Len