Jim McAvoy: Victoria, BC Resident Shares Top Insider Tips for Every Tourist in the Area

Jim McAvoy, a Victoria, BC resident, says that there is more to the city than what is written in guide books.  McAvoy relates, "I do not keep people from visiting the tourist spots in the city.  In fact we have some of the most beautiful spots that would attract any tourist, seasoned or otherwise.  But I encourage them to go beyond what is written in the guide books.

McAvoy shares that Victoria is where you should go to if you want a relaxed pace.  It is very laid back, just like Vancouver, or Seattle even.  Plus, the weather is great.

What can you do in Victoria that would give you a better feel of what it is like to live in the city beyond the usual tourist traps?

If you are going sightseeing, rent a scooter!

Forget the tour buses and private vans; the best way to see Victoria is on a scooter.  There are a lot of rentals in the Inner Harbour and you can just see everything you want.

Walking can be very tiring and could seriously limit the places that you could visit.  Now where to go?

Jim McAvoy: Victoria, BC has a lot of nature sights.  You can just ride a scooter and follow the waterfront.  There's the Beacon Hill Park with its magnificent gardens and equally astonishing views.  You can also visit the Ross Bay Cemetery, the Royal Victoria Golf Course and the Ogden Point Breakwater.

And oh, while at Beacon Hill Park, be sure to try the ice cream!

You will be able to visit a lot of neighborhoods along the way, so do not hesitate to stop and tour the neighborhoods if you find one interesting.

Visit Chinatown.

Jim McAvoy: Victoria, BC has a very interesting Chinatown, with its Chinese buildings that make you feel like you are visiting a mini Chinese city.  You would also appreciate the shops in the area where you could buy Asian foodstuff and trinkets that you would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.  It is highly recommended to walk around the area to fully experience Chinatown, so wear comfy shoes and dress comfortably.  If you do not have the time to spend on an afternoon in Chinatown, you can get on the evening Hidden Dragon Tour.

Visit the Parliament Buildings.

Jim McAvoy: The Parliament Buildings are very near the Fairmont Empress Hotel.  You can go on the free guided tours on weekends that would tell you about the history of Victoria and see the awesome interiors of the place.  The beautiful paintings are a definite plus!  After the tour, be sure to make time to visit the gardens that surround the buildings.  You could also sit in on a session if you like.

Go on a pub tour.

Jim Mc Avoy: Victoria, BC is home to a lot of pubs offering some of the best brews and food out there.  Even if you do not drink, you will still love the opportunity to see some great places, try out great food and unwind while catching some of the most majestic views in the area.  You can start early, and maybe grab some lunch at Spinnakers.  A short harbour ferry ride will take you there where you could choose from a variety of excellent house beers that you cannot find anywhere else.  You could enjoy the city's best views from here and you would love their lunch fare.

Another pub you should try is Irish Times.  Located on Bastion Square, you would have a great time here with both locals and tourists filling up the joint.  Also on Bastion Square is Darcy's.  Ask for a seat on the patio so that you could see the harbour and the seaplanes that land.

Then there's Canoe on Swift Street.  Canoe has a lot of patios that allow you to take in different views of the city.  The atmosphere, the brews and the food are all great, making Canoe the best place to unwind after a particularly tiring day of touring the city.

Go the extra mile and visit the Butchart Gardens.

Jim McAvoy: Victoria, BC visitors will not be able to say no to the beauty of the Butchart Gardens.  Although technically part of Brentwood Bay, the Butchart Gardens is world-renowned and is a National Historic Site of Canada.

The place is simply breathtaking and magical.  There are simply no words to describe it.  You just have to go there and be in awe of its unmatched beauty and serenity!

Other stuff you should do:

Jim McAvoy: Victoria, BC, is just teeming with activities, so be sure to check out what's happening during your visit and try to attend as many of these activities as you can.

But here are some of the things you should not miss, in case you are in town at the right time:

• Salmon spawning.  If you are visiting in the fall, you might catch the salmon as they return to their homes and spawn.  Interested? Be sure to go to Goldstream Park.  Once you get tired of the salmon, you can also get to see the bald eagles.
• Swimming at Thetis Lake.  Thetis Lake is where most locals go for a swim.  You could also have a brisk walk on the trail that goes around the lake.
• Jordan River.  If you are a surfer, you would love the waves here.  But you can easily have fun watching the surfers in action while also having a good burger.
• Hiking at Mount Finlayson.  If you really want to get the best views of Victoria, and get a fine workout in the process, then you should go hiking through the forests of Mt. Finlayson.  This will take you to the top where you could admire Victoria in all its beauty.
• See the whales.  There are whale watching tours that depart from the inner harbour.  These will take you out to the Salish Sea, where you could see the whales if the weather cooperates!

Jim McAvoy is a Victoria, BC resident and has been living in the area for most of his life.  He co-founded McAvoy Rule and Co. and is an accountant by profession.