Victoria is often referred to as one of Canada’s most picturesque cities and as one of the oldest cities in Western Canada, it is also a place with rich history. The area is the traditional territory of the Lekwungen People, who inhabited the land for thousands of years before the arrival of the first Europeans in 1778. As a result of the fur trade, a European settlement was permanently established in the region, bringing both businesses and migrants further west. It was eventually the Hudson’s Bay Company who, in 1843, founded the City of Victoria as a trading post. But it was with the beginning of the Gold Rush in 1858 that Victoria significantly began to expand.
Gold was discovered on mainland British Columbia, but as Victoria was the only port, it attracted migrants from around the world. Many migrants moved north from California, but Victoria also attracted a number of adventure-seekers from further afield. From there, Victoria continued to grow into a bustling area, and the city was officially incorporated in 1862.
Today, Victoria’s beautiful waterfront and many old buildings make it an ideal place for a historical vacation. There are a number of interesting sites to visit and the city is also great for eating, drinking and enjoying the outdoors. To help guide your trip, below I’ve listed 10 Historical Things to do in Victoria, British Columbia.
1. Visit the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.
One of the most recognizable sites in Victoria is the parliament buildings that overlook Victoria Harbour. The construction of the first government buildings on this site, known as the “Birdcages“, began in 1859. and the site has been a seat of government in British Columbia since 1864. The current buildings were opened in 1898 and have played a key role in the political history of British Columbia over the past 120 years. Apparently, there was quite a bit of criticism at the time the new buildings were opened, as they were seen as extravagant and costly. However, over the years the buildings have become a key landmark of the city.
Today, visitors can tour the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia to learn more about the history and politics of the region. Tours run from Monday to Friday in the Fall and Winter and you have the option of joining a group tour, or taking the self-guided one.
To learn more about touring the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, visit here.
2. Go shopping at the historic Market Square.
The Market Square in Victoria is a popular place to go shopping or grab a bite to eat. Many of the buildings originally date back to the 19th century, when this part of Old Town Victoria would have been a hub for those living or passing through the city, including miners, loggers, sailers and those who had migrated as a result of the gold rush. Around the turn of the century, Johnson Street (on the corner of Market Square) was also home to one of Victoria’s most well-known red light districts.
Today, Market Square is filled with a number of local boutique stores as well as restaurants offering all different kinds of food. It’s a great place to walk through and experience 19th century Victoria.
3. Stay in a historic hotel.
The Fairmont Empress hotel is a well-known landmark in downtown Victoria. Originally known as just “The Empress” the hotel first opened in 1908. Similar to other grand Canadian hotels, the Fairmont Empress was initially opened as a stop along the Canadian Pacific Railway. The purpose of these hotels was to provide luxurious and impressive-looking accommodation for travellers along the new national railway (others included the Royal York hotel in Toronto and Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City). Over the years the Fairmont Empress has welcomed a number of high-profile guests, including King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II, Roger Moore, Katharine Hepburn and Shirley Temple.
Today, the Fairmont Empress provides luxury accommodation in the heart of the city. You can also dine at the hotel, or visit for a traditional Afternoon Tea.
Visit here to learn more about staying at the Fairmont Empress.
4. Explore Canada’s oldest (and North America’s second oldest) Chinatown.
I never realized this before visiting Victoria, but the city’s Chinatown is actually the oldest in Canada, and second oldest in North America (behind San Francisco). The area dates back to the 1850s, when a number of migrants moved to the region from California as a result of the Fraser River Gold Rush in British Columbia. Victoria’s Chinatown had humble beginnings and was mostly made up of wooden buildings, primarily for housing Chinese labourers. However, the area grew over the years to become a strong centre for the Chinese community. The area also has a bit of an infamous history, as it was known for its gambling rooms, brothels and opium dens. Today however, it’s a popular tourist destination with great shopping, restaurants and atmosphere!
5. Visit Fan Tan Alley, the world’s narrowest street.
One of the most interesting streets in Victoria is Fan Tan Alley, located in Chinatown. The alley is often referred to as the narrowest street in the world and certainly feels like it as you walk down it! The alley is named after the Chinese gambling game “Fan-Tan” and was constructed in the early 20th century. It was originally part of the gambling district, which also consisted of restaurants and opium dens and has quite an interesting history. It is said that Fan Tan Alley had a number of secret passageways and trick doors, so that when the police came to the area, those partaking in any kind of illegal entertainment would scatter so quickly that it was hard to catch them.
Today, Fan Tan Alley is filled with interesting little shops and cafés. The Chinese Canadian Museum also has an exhibition located there named, “First Steps: Chinese Canadian Journeys in Victoria.” Overall, Fan Tan Alley is a unique piece of the city’s history that’s definitely worth walking through.
6. See the world’s tallest free-standing totem pole in Beacon Hill Park.
One of the most magnificent sites in Victoria is the “Story Pole”, a totem pole that stands in Beacon Hill Park. Totem poles are monuments, created by the Indigenous Peoples of the Pacific Northwest. They are normally carved out of large trees and depict stories of history, ancestry and other important events. The “Story Pole” was erected in 1956, by Mungo Martin, Kwakiutl tribal chief, and his team. The totem pole stands at over 127 feet and once erected, became the tallest free-standing totem pole in the world. On average, totem poles usually have a life expectancy of approximately 50 years, but thanks to restoration works completed in the early 2000s, the Story Pole remains in Beacon Hill Park today. Beacon Hill Park is located just south of downtown Victoria and I would highly recommend visiting to view this important piece of Indigenous history.
Visit here to learn more about the Story Pole in Beacon Hill Park.
7. Enjoy a seafood lunch at Fisherman’s Wharf.
As a lover of seafood, this was one of my favourite areas in the city. The area had long been used by the Lekwungen as a place to harvest shellfish and in the 1850s a shipyard was established here by Scottish shipwright Robert Laing. Fishing has always been an important part of Victoria’s economy but became even more so after World War II. Fisherman’s Wharf is also well known for its “float homes,” which are literally floating homes, that started to appear in the wharf in the 1970s. Today, Fisherman’s Wharf still consists of colourful homes, shops and an amazing array of seafood vendors. It’s the perfect place to stop for lunch!
8. Peruse the shelves of Munro’s Books, originally opened by Jim Munro and his first wife Alice Munro.
9. Visit the statue of Emily Carr, one of the most well-known female Canadian painters and writers.
One of Victoria’s most notable historical figures is painter and writer Emily Carr. Carr was born in Victoria in 1871 and was one of the most successful female artists of her time. Much of her work was inspired by the Indigenous culture of the west coast and her paintings are known for depicting scenes of nature. There are varying opinions on her representation of Indigenous culture, with some celebrating her interest and understanding, and others criticizing her work of cultural appropriation. Nonetheless, you’ll find references of Carr scattered throughout the city as she was certainly an important figure of her time. The Emily Carr Statue was erected in 2010 and is located just outside of the Fairmont Empress hotel.
10. Learn about the history of the region at the Royal BC Museum.
The Royal BC Museum is located in the heart of central Victoria and tells the stories of the history of British Columbia. The museum is made up of two historic institutions, the actual museum (which first opened in 1866) and the Archives (which first opened in 1894). In 2003, the two joined together to form the current museum, which covers both the human and natural history of the region. I found the Natural History Gallery to be one of the most impressive parts of the museum, as it allows you to feel like you’re walking through nature. There’s also an important exhibition entitled, “Broken Promises“, which covers the heartbreaking history of Japanese Canadian dispossession.
Bonus: Take a look at the Former Victoria Law Courts.
If wandering around central Victoria, you’ll likely come across Bastion Square and here, you’ll find this impressive historic building, the Former Victoria Law Courts. The courts first opened in this building in 1889 and trials were held here up until the year 1962. While the building no longer houses the law courts, it was designated a national historic site of Canada in 1980 because of the significant role it played in the history of the judicial system in British Columbia. It’s a beautiful building and worth taking a wander by.
This article’s information was last updated in October 2022.