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In addition to Victoria's incredible natural beauty, threre are
a host of attractions for you to experience.
 Art
Gallery of Greater Victoria
Victoria’s Art Gallery houses one of the largest collections of
Chinese and Japanese artifacts in Canada. The Japanese Garden between
the historic 1899 mansion and the later addition is home to the only
authentic Shinto Shrine in North American. There is a permanent exhibition
of well-known Canadian artist Emily Carr and features changing exhibits
of Asian, historical and western contemporary art. A 20-minute walk from
Belleville Park. Tel: (250) 384-4101
 BC
Forestry Museum
Get back to nature and enjoy 100 acres of BC forest heritage. Explore
numerous exhibits, demonstrations and historical collections. Tel: (250)
715-1113
 Butchart
Gardens
Butchart Gardens is 130 acres of horticulture beauty. Summer at the Gardens
bring ravishing floral splendor and the added attractions of nightly
summer musical entertainment, magnificent night illuminations and a glorious
Saturday night Fireworks display. Christmas brings sparkle and glisten
with all the marvelous lights and sounds of the holiday season. A gift
shop, visitor services and two restaurants are also on site. Located
45 minutes from Belleville Park. Tel: (250) 652-4422
 Craigdarroch
Castle
A resplendent mansion, built as the home of one of British Columbia’s
wealthiest men, coal baron Robert Dunsmuir, who died in 1899 just months
before the Castle’s completion. The Castle features the best collection
of residential stained and leaded glass on the West Coast, magnificent
woodwork and period furnishings. A 10-minute drive from Belleville Park.
Tel: (250) 592-5323
 Beacon
Hill Park
The abundant flowers and gardens, children’s farm yard, cricket
pitch, ponds, jogging and walking pathways provide hours of entertainment
for everyone in the family. There are great views of the Olympic Mountains
and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The Park is home to Mile Zero of the
Trans-Canada Highway and the world’s largest free-standing totem
pole. The Park is located near the end of Douglas Street and just a 10
minute walk from Belleville Park.
 Fisherman’s
Wharf
The word “marina” conjures up visions of yachts and luxury
cabin cruisers. You’ll find some of those at Fisherman’s
Wharf, but you’ll find everything else too. The North Star is the
only full rigged (square rigged sails on all three masts) ship in Canada.
The present owners of the North Star live on the ship. You’ll see
many float Homes, which are miniature architectural wonders on rafts.
Fisherman’s’ Wharf is the home of Barb’s Fish and Chips,
a well-known restaurant on floats. Wander along the Oceanside walkway
in front of the Gatsby and you’re only a 10 minute walk from Belleville
Park.
 Fort
Rodd Hill
National Historic Site - is a coast artillery fort built in the late
1890s to defend Victoria and the Esquimalt Naval Base. The Fort includes
three gun batteries, underground magazines, command posts, guardhouses,
barracks and searchlight emplacements. There are numerous interpretive
signs and audio-visual stations, as well as period furnished rooms and
friendly, knowledgeable staff.
 Harbour
Ferries
Jaunty little Harbour Ferries have been operating in Victoria Harbour
since 1990. What a wonderful way to see what Victoria has to offer. You
can board these little ferries at the always-salty Fisherman’s
wharf and the West Bay Floating village. There are seabirds, seals and
otters that you may meet along the way. Historic homes, condominiums,
shipyards, hotels, seaplane terminals, parks, hotels, trestles, and even
a reversing falls make these tours one of the most popular attractions
that Victoria has to offer. Hop onboard, enjoy the sea breeze, and see
Victoria from a very different waterfront view. Phone 250-708-0201 for
a schedule.
 Hatley
Castle and Park, National Historic Site
Located next door to Fort Rodd is Hatley Castle the former estate of
coal and railway baron, James Dunsmuir. The 1908 Castle is on 650 acres
of beautifully landscaped grounds which include Italian, Japanese and
English rose gardens. Today, it is part of the Royal Roads University
Campus. Castle tours take place in summer. A small museum in the the
Castle is open from 1:00 to 4:00 pm and just a 20 minute drive from Belleville
Park. Tel: (250) 391-2666
 Horticulture
Centre of the Pacific
The Gardens demonstrate landscaping techniques suitable for the Pacific
West Coast . The Winter Garden has colourful flowers or berries in the
winter, yet is beautiful year-round; a shaded stream runs through the
Takata Garden; Eucalyptus and Mediterranean plants thrive in sunny areas.
Come visit the beauty of 110 acres of property, gardens and splendor.
Tel: (250) 479-6162
 IMAX
Theater
The National Geographic Theatre is located only two blocks from Belleville
Park. The 406 seat theatre features the 2-D IMAX Experience; with a projected
area more than 6 stories high and 70 feet wide, up to 10 times larger
than conventional screens, filling the viewer's entire field of vision.
The Theatre gives you the most powerful and involving film experience,
bringing images to life with 12,000 watts of IMAX Digital surround sound.
Recorded Info: 250-953-IMAX (4629)
 Legislature
Building
In 1898 Architect Francis Rattenbury completed the Legislative Buildings.
These massive stone structures dominate the Inner Harbour. Free tours
are offered during the week. Visitors will walk through the Legislative
Buildings and will be given history and details on Canada's Legislature.
Just 2 blocks from Belleville Park. Tel: (250) 387-3046
 Maritime
Museum
The ship bells, model ships, Royal Navy charts, photographs and uniforms
chronicle the province’s sea-faring history. Among the hand-built
boats on display is the Tilikum, a dug-out canoe that sailed from Victoria
to England between 1901 and 1904. Located a 15-minute walk from Belleville
Park. Tel: (250) 385-4222
 Mineral
World
Explore the world of minerals. Visitors can purchase a scratch patch
and fill their bags with gems or pan for fool's gold. The Interpretive
Centre is free to visit. Family-oriented, it offers a range of hands-on
activities that teach about Earth Science. Make rocks float! Lift a Reserve
Bank gold bar! Check out crystals under a magnifier! See fossil bugs
trapped in amber, and much more. The major expansion is now complete,
with over 30 exhibits!
Tel: (250) 655-4367
 Miniature
World
The Greatest Little Show on Earth! See the Little people's Wonderful
World of Smallness. Special effects in lighting, sound and animation
are added to create this miniaturized extravaganza that continues to
thrill and delight the young and young at heart. Tel: (250) 385-9731
 Point
Ellice House
An 1860’s Italianate Villa owned by the O’Reilly family overlooks
the Upper Harbour. It has the largest collection of Victorian furnishings
in Western Canada. The home has been restored to it’s original
splendor. Tea and baked goods are served on the lawn noon to 4:00 pm.
You can also take an audio tour of the house, stroll in the gardens or
perhaps play a game of croquet. Just a few minutes north of downtown,
and about a 10 minute drive from Belleville Park. Just as the British
Navy officers and other guests could do over a hundred years ago, you
can still be dropped off at the dock. Today you can step aboard the Harbour
ferry at Fisherman’s Wharf and a leisurely tour past Victoria’s
Old Town on your way to Point Ellice House. Tel: (250) 380-6506
 Royal
London Wax Museum
Home of many of the world's most famous faces, leave your disbelief at
the door and join the ageless, timeless world of wax. The Royal London
Wax Museum is located in the original Canadian Pacific Steamship ticket
office, where ocean liners once arrived from destinations around the
world. Its noteworthy architecture is the work of Francis Rattenbury,
who also designed the BC Legislature buildings. The historical past is
fitting, since the museum now displays more than 300 fascinating and
accurate wax reproductions of history’s most famous (and infamous)
individuals. The Royal London Wax Museum is an entertaining way to learn
history as you stroll through the pages of time. Just 2 blocks from Belleville
Park, located across the street from the Legislative Buildings. Tel:
(250) 388-4461
 Victoria
Bug Zoo
The Victoria Bug Zoo is home to a wide variety of bugs and arachnids
found throughout the world. With a variety of living creatures to observe
and to hold, kids and adults of all ages will marvel at this amusing
and instructive experience. The Victoria Bug Zoo is ideally located at
631 Courtenay Street. Telephone: (250) 384-2847.
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