From castles to forts, butterflies to whales, and museums dedicated to everything from local history to the history of the world in wax — there are lots of attractions and museums to experience in South Island.
The Sidney Marine Mammal Museum has some outstanding whale exhibits and the Sidney Historic Museum presents the pioneer history of the town. Near the airport, the British Columbia Aviation Museum has a hangar full of historic aircraft, as well as artifacts, uniforms, photographs, and personal histories, including the diary-like letters of a World War I pilot. Also in the Sidney area, the Institute of Ocean Sciences offers tours by appointment of this government facility devoted to the study of coastlines, oceans, lakes, and rivers. Other recommended Sidney-area attractions include the Marine Ecology Station, an excellent interactive science and teaching facility for all ages; Sandown Park, which offers live harness racing from June to September and simulcast racing year-round; and Scratch Patch, where kids can pan for gold, dig for fossils, and sift through barrels and ponds of
colorful stones to collect favorites.
On the Saanich Peninsula, two minutes from the Butchart Gardens, the Victoria Butterfly Gardens boasts hundreds of free-flying butterifies and birds in a tropical garden. Heritage Acres, a 12-hectare park operated by the Saanich Historical Artifacts Society, features antique farm equipment, a model train track, nature trails, heritage buildings, and an eclectic museum.
In Victoria, the Royal British Columbia Museum is the place to explore the history of the province from the pre-Ice Age to the present. In addition to excellent permanent exhibits, the museum has an outstanding exhibit of First Nations heritage and usually has a big travelling exhibit; this year, from July 10 to October 31, the museum is featuring Eternal Egypt: Masterworks of Anci ent Art from the British Museum. Behind the museum, in Thunderbird Park, you can check out the collection of totems, mostly carved in the 1950’s by acclaimed artist Mungo Martin. Every summer, more totems are created in the Carvers Shed in the park. The National Geographic IMAX Theatre is located in the museum complex and offers an exciting line-up of films.
The Maritime Museum of British Columbia is another top family attraction and offers three floors of nautical exhibits complete with pirates, shipwrecks, explorers,
the history of passenger travel, and the frilly restored courtroom of Sir Matthew Begbie, B.C.'s "hanging judge." For a peek into the world of provincial politics, sign up for a free tour of the Legislative Buildings. Then, for a taste of Canadian military history, take a free guided tour of Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt during the summer; year-round, you can visit the museum and archives on the base. More mifitary displays are presented at the Canadian Scottish Regimental Museum.
St. Ann’s Academy, Victoria’s first Catholic school, has been restored to its original
splendor; the chapel, auditorium, and grounds are open for public viewing. Several historic residences have also been
restored and make fascinating museums. Craigdarroch Castle is a 39-room mansion built in the 1880’s and designed to suit the lavish lifestyle of Robert Dunsmuir, B.C.'s first millionaire, and his family. Other residential museums include Helmcken House, a former doctor’s residence and the oldest house in the province
of B.C. on its original site; Carr House, the birthplace of B.C.'s most famous artist, Emily Carr; and Point Ellice House, a rambling Italianate waterfront home with a heritage garden.
Another great family stop in Victoria is
the Royal London Wax Museum, where you can see displays such as Royalty Row, the Chamber of Horrors, and the Galaxy of Stars. And speaking of stars, at the Centre of the Universe on the Saanich Peninsula, you can gaze out at the cosmos and learn all about it with interactive displays, a planetarium, and observatory tours.
In Colwood, Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites are situated in a beautiful 18-hectare park of wildflower meadows, wooded glens, and stretches of beach. Fort Rodd served as a coastal defence site from 1878 to 1956, constructed to protect Esquimalt and Victoria harbours. Now, the remaining buildings are a fascinating part of our military history. Fisgard Lighthouse is the oldest working lighthouse on the West Coast and features displays on shipwrecks and former lighthouse keepers.
Continuing west, Royal Roads University is surrounded by Hatley Park, complete with gardens, heritage trees, a lake, and opulent Hatley Castle; there’s a museum in the castle’s basement that’s open weekday afternoons with extended hours in the summer. The castle can only be viewed on tours available from the museum.
Explore the pioneer days of Sooke with indoor and outdoor exhibits and guided tours of Moss Cottage at the Sooke Region Museum. Take a nostalgic stroll around the grounds and discover Sooke’s logging and fishing history and First Nations culture.
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