Fisgard is the oldest lighthouse on the West Coast. Interactive exhibits. Special events are planned throughout the year. Only 15 minutes west of downtown Victoria. Open daily. Located off Ocean Blvd, in Colwood. Fort Rodd Hill Rd, 250-478-5849. www.pc.gc.ca/ fortroddhill Map 2 G9 GARDENS AT THE HORTICULTURE CENTRE OF THE PACIFIC Specialty and demonstration gardens including the Doris Page Winter Garden, the Takata (Japanese Style) and Zen gardens, heather and rhododendron collections. The remainder of the 108acre site is being rehabilitated and preserved as a functioning Douglas-fir ecosystem. Open daily; hours and admission vary. 505 Quayle Rd, 250-479-6162. Map 2 H7 GOVERNMENT HOUSE GARDENS Six hectares of dazzling gardens open to the public (house is a private residence). Take a self-guided tour through a wide variety of gardens, including the terraces, a public area that overlooks out over a Garry oak woodland and the Juan de Fuca Strait. Gardens are open sunrise to sunset. Free admission. 1401 Rockland Ave, phone. Map 1 J10 GREAT CANADIAN CASINO – VIEW ROYAL Looking for a fresh spin on excitement? Enjoy hundreds of slot machines and all your favourite table games then satisfy your appetite at the deli or restaurant. Call for details about the free shuttle. 1708 Island Hwy, 250-391-0311. Map 2 G9 HATLEY PARK NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE This gracious castle built by James Dunsmuir, whose father built Craigdarroch Castle, is now home to Royal Roads University, after years as a military college. Gorgeous gardens and forested walking trails surround the castle, which features a museum in the basement. Call for hours and tour details for castle, gardens and museum. Hatley Park, 2005 Sooke Rd, 250-3912666. www.hatleypark.ca Map 2 G9 HERITAGE ACRES Twelve-hectare forest and park featuring the Saanich Historical Artifacts Society’s oldfashioned museum housing thousands of household, agricultural and industrial artifacts dating from 1900 to the present and a huge model railway track used by the Vancouver Island Model Engineers. Miles of beautiful nature trails. September to May 9:30am to noon. December 7 to 9 and 14 to 16
The Italian Garden
PHOTO COURTESY THE BUTCHART GARDENS
Christmas in the Gardens Celebrate the holiday season amid thousands of twinkling lights at the beautiful Butchart Gardens, December 1 through January 6. Entertainment, holiday treats, outdoor ice skating and breathtaking displays make this a seasonal spectacle not to be missed. Beginning January 15, the National Historic Site presents the Spring Prelude Indoor Garden and in the former family home, an engaging historical display. Christmas in the Village Lights, holiday displays and family fun. Take the Island View exit off Hwy 17 and turn left onto Lochside Dr, 250-652-5522. Map 2 H4 MARITIME MUSEUM OF BC An excellent museum for all ages! Explore BC’s extensive maritime history through collections of models, the Canadian Navy Gallery, exploration and shipwreck exhibits and much more. View the open-cage, turn-of-the-century birdcage elevator Chief Justice Begbie rode to the Vice-Admiralty Courtroom on the third floor. See the restored courtroom where Begbie, the “hanging judge” presided. Open daily 10am to 5pm. Gift shop. Wheelchair accessible. 28 Bastion Square, 250-385-4222. Map 1 E8 MINIATURE WORLD More than 80 attractions for the whole family from the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace to the Enchanted Valley of Castles. Excellent for children. Open daily. 649 Humboldt St, in The Empress Hotel, 250-385-9731 or 250-953-9000 ext. 4555. Map 1 E9 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC IMAX THEATRE Featuring the most
technologically advanced theatre system and a six-storey-tall screen, this is an adventure you won’t soon forget. Film showings rotate hourly from 10am to 8pm. Call for detailed schedule information. The theatre is located at the Royal BC Museum at 675 Belleville St, 250-953-IMAX. www.imaxvictoria.com Map 1 E9 ROYAL BC MUSEUM Discover the Royal BC Museum and its awardwinning First Peoples and Modern History galleries, Natural History gallery and interactive Ocean Station gallery. Cafe; fine gift shop with well-stocked book sections and exceptional art and jewellery. Open daily. Also home to the National Geographic IMAX Theatre. 675 Belleville St, 250-356-7226. Map 1 E9 www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca SAANICH COMMONWEALTH PLACE Fun for the whole family with five ozone pools: wave pool, teach pool, dive tank, tot pool and competition pool, as well as a hot tub. Water slide and 10-metre diving boards. A real family place to visit. Ample parking. 4636 Elk Lake Dr, 250-727-7108. Map 2 H7
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