Free Summer Activities in Victoria, British Columbia

Victoria is a exceptional place to wander around during the summer, and find a great variety of free entertainment! As somebody who spent her entire childhood in Victoria, British Columbia, I never ran out of free summer activities! Here's a list of suggestions from an once Victoria resident.

A favorite free summer activity for every Victoria resident or visitor would be the obvious. Thetis Lake Regional Park. This park is unbelievably large, and full of trails to hike, cycle, jog, and power-walk through. You are allowed to bring your pets with you as long as they are leashed. As for the lake, you are able to swim, and explore around in a canoe. There are various spots to stop, sit down, and have a nice little picnic.

During the day, the Inner Harbor Causeway, found downtown, comes alive with street merchants. Granted this may cost money, but you can simply only wander from one merchant to another, observing the works they are selling as I have done many times. Then as the sun begins to set, more entertainment comes such as jugglers and musicians. They will however ask for donations, but they won't pass the hat around. You can go up and donate if you wish, or just walk onto the next entertainer.

Beacon Hill Park is a charming park, filled with an incredible assortment of flowers, plants, and trees scattered all around the park. You will found three or four ponds through-out the park where ducks and Canadian geese naturally flock to. Please do not feed the ducks, it is not good for them and is the law according to the parks staff. There is also a children park within the park with swings, monkey bars and the works. In addition, there is the children's petting zoo, which contains mostly farm animals. They ask for donations, so if you choose, you can enter for free, or donate a little bit of money. You will have the opportunity to pet cute little baby goats, gaze at peacocks, diverse breeds of little birds, pigs, cows, alpacas, and so on.

If you are the type who really enjoys window shopping, Victoria has really interesting shops to explore. Such as the shops found at Market Square, a source of pride in Victoria. Market Square is a place full of history, which you can read about on the walls found in one of the entrances. The market is three floors high. The shops range from restaurants, bead shops, toy shops, cultural shops, and bakery shops. Much of an eye candy to window shoppers!

Also, one must not overlook the fact that various shops also offer free tours. Such as The BC Provincial Legislature, the Victoria Estate Winery, Rogers Chocolates and the Vancouver Island Brewery (2330 Government Street) all have free tours. Just enter the desired shop, and ask for a free tour and they would be more than happy to comply.

One great feature of Victoria is the beautiful scenic beaches, such as the Dallas Road Cliffs, Willows Beach, Cadboro Bay, Whitty's Lagoon, Island View Beach, and so on. Search through the official Victoria Travel Guide Website to find more information, along with directions.