[RainCoastMama]

Hi mamas! DH has just ended a 3-month work-travel stint and we want to take the girls - 1.5 yrs and 3 yrs - to Victoria for a few days, just for fun. What great things are there for families/little ones? As simple as beaches and tidal pools, or museums...thanks mamas!

 

[Autumn Mama]

Hi Raincoastmama!<br><br>
Have you considered any gardens to tour while you are there? We have never been to see the ones I am about to mention, but have heard great things about them and have seen lovely footage of them on our favourite gardening shows: Butchart Gardens is an obvious one (somewhat commercialized, but quite beautiful), and there are also a couple of others that you could check out: Royal Roads University has a garden open to the public, and there is another botanical gem called the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific. Right now would be a great time to see so much of what Spring has to offer, and children naturally seem to enjoy the beauty and serenity of gardens. You could get specifics at one of the Victoria Visitor Centres; I'm sure they would all be child-friendly. We take our boys to the botanical gardens here in Vancouver and they always love it...so much open space to run and play!! Good luck garnering ideas!!

 

[mammastar2]

Beacon Hill Park - playgrounds, gardens, and a petting zoo where they can brush the baby goats<br><br>
Beaches - Willows Beach, Gyro Beach are very kid friendly<br><br>
there are a number of good indoor pools if the weather isn't great: Commonwealth Pool, one in Esquimalt, one in Oak Bay for example<br><br>
if there's a storm, watching the waves at Clover Point along Dallas Road

 

[MamaFern]

the bug museum! my 4 year old son just went there with my sister and his best friend who lives in victoria and has been talking about it since.<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[Mama_Bear]

I went to UVic, but it's been a few years since I've been there, so forgive me b/c I can't remember all the names of the places.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/duck.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Duck">:<br><br>
Beacon Hill has the best ice cream EVER. Be sure to stop in for a cone while checking out the park.<br><br>
Take a walk along the breakwater and enjoy a cup of tea and slice of cheesecake at the Ogden Cafe on Dallas Road. In fact, it is worth driving from downtown to UVic along Dallas Road, if you have a car. It's a really nice drive (only about 30 min), with many places to stop and check out beaches, small tidepools, etc. There's a great beach and park at Cadboro Bay, just down the hill from the university.<br><br>
Cooke Street Village is always cool.<br><br>
Stroll along the waterfront right in front of the Empress Hotel in the Inner Harbour. There are so many talented street vendors and entertainers there.<br><br>
Get some fresh bagels from Mount Royal Bagel Factory (I looked up the address: 6 - 1115 North Park). These are the best bagels I have ever eaten. You need to grab a least a half dozen for your family, and eat them all that day. Sooo good.<br><br>
If your family skates or bikes, the Galloping Goose is a great trail to hit.<br><br>
Hmm... I'm drawing a blank. Like I said, it's been a few years. Have fun! I miss Victoria terribly.

 

[spughy]

The Royal BC Museum has some fun stuff for kids - my little one enjoys it and she's only 18 mo.<br><br>
I second (third?) the recommendation for the Beacon Hill petting farm. The baby goats are sooo much fun and apparently the donkey is about to give birth any second now.<br><br>
Saanich Commonwealth Place has a GREAT kiddie pool.<br><br>
I live here and I'm totally drawing a blank right now... sorry, I'll post more if I think of anything else!

 

[ndunn]

Barb's fish and chips down on Fisherman's Wharf (<a href="http://www.barbsplace.ca/" target="_blank">http://www.barbsplace.ca/</a>) has great fish and chips and you can feed the seals right off the pier. Just a small thing to do but my DD gets a huge kick out of watching the big seals swim around!<br><br>
Hope you enjoy yourself!