Fun alleyways to discover in this small town within the beautiful Victoria. The grocery stores are…read moreespecially interesting to us, and some of the entrances to private residences were charming and quaint. It's especially pretty at night with the city lights. Be prepared for shops and restaurants to close early. Plan for an afternoon visit so you can check the ambiance to your heart's desire.

Standing 38 feet tall and spanning a full city street, the Gates of Harmonious Interest is an…read moreeye-catching red and gold beauty. Featuring three arches, each of the pedestrian pathways is guarded by a stone lion. It was erected in 1981 and marks the entrance to Victoria, B.C.'s Chinatown. Victoria's Chinatown is the second oldest in North America, behind San Francisco and is Canada's oldest Chinatown. We were surprised that it was only about three or so blocks in downtown Victoria. We thought it would be bigger. Even being that small, it had a vibrant mix of restaurants, shops, and colorful architecture. It offers a unique cultural experience with its rich history and lively atmosphere. You can explore the area's local cuisine, charming boutiques, and immerse yourself in the dynamic energy of this historic site. Whether it's indulging in delicious food or admiring the distinctive architectural charm, a visit to Victoria's Chinatown promises an enriching and enjoyable experience for all.

Fan Tan Alley, one of the narrowest streets in Canada and is only three to six feet wide and 240…read morefeet long, that runs between Fisgard Street and Pandora Avenue (formerly Cormorant Street). It came into being between 1885 and 1920 as Chinese and Western landowners initially constructed buildings fronting on Fisgard and Cormorant, then over time filled in the spaces behind with new building. "Fan Tan" is named after a game played in gambling dens above the alley. The lower storefronts housed opium dens, restaurants, and shops. Opium was legal in Canada until 1908, but gambling was not. Trap doors to second floors and locked gates at each end of the alley helped slow down police during raids on the illegal gambling dens. Today, Fan Tan Alley is a neat shopping street with several locally owned stores. The shops are small in size, but each offers something different. Products available in Fan Tan Alley range from ice cream and other treats to vintage records and trendy clothing. Another key feature of Fan Tan Alley is its architecture. A significant amount of the exterior has a brick finish. The old buildings appear extra tall thanks to the street's narrow width.

fan tan alley feels like a secret the city almost doesn't want you to find…read more you can wander through victoria's chinatown without noticing it, then suddenly there it is: an impossibly narrow passage wedged between old brick buildings. stepping in feels less like entering an alley and more like slipping behind the curtain of the city. its name comes from fan tan, a gambling game once played in hidden rooms nearby. a century ago, this alley was alive with apartments, businesses, clan halls, gambling dens, and opium rooms, all connected by stairways, courtyards, and passageways mostly invisible from the street. while some activity was secretive, the bigger story is the community that thrived here despite discrimination and exclusion. for generations of chinese immigrants, fan tan alley offered work, friendship, support, and a sense of belonging. the buildings and hidden courtyards weren't just functional, they were the backbone of a community carving out its own space in a world that often shut them out. the narrow alley, tiny doorways, upper windows, and unusual fractional addresses like "1/2" all hint at the dense, layered way life was lived here. today, fan tan alley hums with a quieter energy. independent shops, galleries, studios, and cafés occupy spaces that once hid games, meetings, and everyday life. the history isn't confined to plaques or museum displays, it lingers in the narrow passage, the hidden courtyards, and the oddly numbered doorways. for all the stories of gambling dens and opium rooms, what remains most striking is the sense that this was, above all, a place where people built lives. walking through it feels less like seeing a landmark and more like stumbling across a piece of history that never quite disappeared.

We had a very unique experience when visiting Bastion Square at the start of Summer Solstice. We…read morejust happened to stumble upon a fire dance being performed that evening by The Wandering Artist. I didn't know who they were at the time, but they are very popular in Victoria. It was such a mesmerizing performance. I wanted to keep watching it, but we were in the middle of a tour. I just remember our guide wasn't very happy because she wanted to show us something at the top of the steps. Most likely the beautiful view of the Inner Harbour from that elevated square. Ah, but we did get a very cool local experience in the form of an artistic performance. Everyone was cheering them on. The area is quite historic. There is a line of bricks with names of pioneers and business owners that mark what was once the northeast bastion of Fort Victoria. It would later become a courthouse and a jail complete with gallows. Yes, the prisoners were executed by hanging. That may be why people say that it's haunted. I don't know. The square was full of locals and tourists on a very busy Friday night. There are 2 very well known pubs at the entrance of the alley. Let's just say that everyone was having a great time. We learned a lot that night while walking through the alley & square. It was a very interesting experience. Maybe one day I'll actually see that view of the Harbour that everyone talks about.

Bastion Square is not really a square; it's more like an open-air alley that descends (or ascends,…read moredepending on which way you enter it) for several city blocks and through multiple intersections of lightly-trafficked side roads. On a late Sunday morning, we passed by a handful of pop-up tents from local artists and craftsmen that weren't there the day (and night) before, so depending on when you visit, what you encounter here might be different than another. The "square" itself is clean, well-maintained and attractive, passing by several storied, stately structures built well over a century ago, repurposed and repopulated with nascent businesses, many of them pubs, clubs and restaurants, but also a smattering of others, such as a rare book store, and some satellite offices for regional colleges. At sunset, visitors are afforded a gorgeous view of Victoria Harbor painted in a pageant of dusky and fiery hues that encompass the entire color spectrum: a radiant sky with shades of red, orange, yellow, indigo, violet, framed by green foliage and blue water. Worth a visit for the ambiance and atmosphere alone, particularly when it is buzzing with visitors, tourists and patrons, but Bastion Square is made complete by the quantity and variety of quality dining establishments along its concourse. One of my favorite places to idle away the time in Victoria, and after your visit, I am sure you will agree.

Like the fact that I can simply click on "GVPL" and connect to wifi. No hoops to jump through like…read moreopening up a web browser that then redirects me to a login page. No barcode numbers & passwords to enter. Nice spot to turn into workspace when in town. The Internet can slow down to a crawl at time so be prepared to use up some of your cellular data as a hotspot or there are other wifi locations around. It is near many restaurants when you need a break. I do find that this library is lenient on ringing cellphones, loud chatter other library disturbances.

I like the fact that there is free internet here, but usually, in the mornings and around lunchtime…read morethe download speed drops off, sometimes to zero. Does anyone know why this happens?

The address reminds me of the Train station number in the Harry Potter books, the one that took him…read moreto Hogwarts. This address is 533 1/2 Dragon Alley that flows through a block in Chinatown - ish, (actually on the edge of Chinatown. Cuts through it like a knife! A friendly tolerant one. It is a cool place to visit. There are some shops, cafes, and curiosities here. The entrance is next to Union Pacific Coffee Co. The others entrance is on Fisgard.

Great selection of teas; both loose leaf and boba/bubble, with some very creative and taste bud…read morestimulating tastes! Great vibe for a tea shop, especially and the front business for the traditional Thai massage they offer in the back. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone!

Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, known for its rich colonial history, incredible…read morewildlife, and vibrant cultural scene. Nicknamed the City of Gardens, it plays host to a plethora of open green spaces, where visitors and locals can relax. The waters around Victoria abound with life and three of the world-famous orca pods call them home. Millions visit this city every year and enjoy its natural beauty, temperate climate, and heritage charm that Victoria offers its citizens every day. Victoria is a city of neighborhoods, each with distinctive character and charm.

Victoria is a cool city to visit, or to live in. There's a lot of interesting history and…read morehistorical buildings. The downtown area offers plenty of shopping options for all budgets. The demographics here tend toward older European/white people so there's a lot of tea/coffee shops, bakeries, jigsaw puzzles, wool shops, and souvenirs. People are friendly and polite in general. Being a harbour town, you'll see ferries and boats, and seaplanes right in town. Lots of tourists and touristy things to do. Many diverse restaurants. Flowers and sculptures abound. Be sure to take in the magnificent Empress Hotel that dominates the waterfront. Explore the region from this central location. It's a beautiful island and Victoria is a real highlight.

This post office is filled with friendly, knowledgeable staff who are very patient and nice. There…read moreare a lot of terrible post offices out there, but this is one of the good ones! They carry a wide range of sizes of Priority Mail packaging (free) as well as a variety of the shipping supplies that you can purchase. If you need to mail something while you are on the island, they can make it happen!

Wonderful, friendly little post office. I'm so grateful for all their help!read more

I love Sidney-by-the-Sea! It is one of the nicest walking…read moretowns in Canada. Maybe THE nicest! It has the second most bookstores, new and used, in the world, so is a bibliophile's paradise. The stores and cafes and markets are wonderful. And while the seats in the Star Cinema may be bumpy, it is an adorable and intimate place to see films. Within an easy drive of Butchart Gardens and Victoria too, but why go to Victoria when you can stay in Sidney? :-) A great place for families and dogs!

The town of Sidney affectionately referred to as 'Sidney-by-the-Sea' is located on Vancouver…read moreIsland. My mother spent a few years here way back in the day. She would often have us drive by her old home just to see it - if she could have gone in for a peek she definitely would have. It's a very quiet calm small town right by the ocean. Take the scenic oceanside drive by beautiful homes & enjoy the spectacular views. I got lucky on my way back to the ferry terminal to get back to the mainland. Sidney is only ten minutes away from catching the ferry. I had an hour to spare & on Thursdays through the summer, Sidney hosts - The Sidney Street Market. https://www.sidney.ca/events-and-attractions/sidney-street-market/ It was fantastic. This stroll through downtown Sidney had me planning my next visit & to spend some more time here. Mark this down for a future summer visit if you're in town.