Things to do in Victoria with kids: a perfect one day itinerary

Victoria, BC is a city that truly hits the mark. Not only is it located in a gorgeous coastal setting along the southern edge of Vancouver Island (hello ocean views!), it is a city that is teeming with flowers, historical buildings, and all the good vibes. I’m not even a city person and I am itching to return to Victoria. If you’re planning a day trip with the whole family, or just need a place to start for exploring Victoria,  I’ve got the perfect day trip with things to do in Victoria with kids ready for you!

A note on my philosophy on traveling with kids…

Traveling is something I value and I will take my kid anywhere on earth that I’m planning to travel to (because let’s be real, the places I wouldn’t take my kid are unlikely to be places I want to visit myself at this point in my life). I don’t believe in planning a trip entirely around what my kid wants. If I did, it would probably look like hanging out at parks and running after him on his bike all day. But I also want my kid to enjoy our travels, and generally have a good time.

So I like to strike a balance of activities that are definitely targeted to him or that he will enjoy versus what I as the adult planner want to do. I think this itinerary is great for hitting that balance.

One day in Victoria with kids: a detailed itinerary of things to do with your family in Victoria

Early morning in Victoria with kids: Pastries and park

Let’s start off the day with pastries, coffee, and a park date. This is particularly useful for those of us who have children who wake by sunrise before many areas are even open!

First things first: grabbing your pastries and coffee. We stopped at Bubby Rose’s Bakery and Cafe mainly because it was one of the only places open before 8 am (I was surprised that most bakeries/cafes did not open until 8 or even 9 am in Victoria!), and it was on our way to the park. However, I can confirm that the chocolate croissants are delightful as are the cinnamon rolls, which they are famous for. They have a large selection of pastries, including gluten free options, savory items like pesto & cream cheese croissants, and more. They open at 7 am daily.

Take your food to go and head to Beacon Hill Park, which is a gorgeous place that will be fun for both you and your kids(s). Known as the “crown jewel” of Victoria’s parklands, there are footpaths, a playground, picnic areas, and sports fields for all to enjoy. We brought a bike for my son and I ran alongside him down the paths along the coast. I got to enjoy gorgeous coastal views while he got out some of his energy on the bike. It’s a true win-win to visit Beacon Hill Park, and one of the best things to do in Victoria with kids.

Mid morning in Victoria with kids: Brunch

Our brunch spot in Victoria blew me away. Do not miss OEB Breakfast Co. Trust me. The food and drinks here are superb, as is the service. They have booth seating, which I always prefer with kids. They offer an extensive menu with specialities like breakfast poutines, banana cream pie french toast, and egg benedicts with creative flavors like truffled squash. For the kids, they have a dedicated kids’ menu if your little ones are not going to eat from your own plate.

Finally, their brunch cocktail options are delightful. I loved the iced con panna, a coffee cocktail with kahlua, Bailey’s, butter ripple schnapps, whipped cream, and chilled espresso. My mouth is watering just remembering it.

Mid-day in Victoria with kids: Royal BC Museum & IMAX

After brunch, you’ll head with happy tummies to the Royal BC Museum & IMAX. When we went, we timed it perfectly with our son’s midday nap. He slept on my chest in the Ergo carrier while we walked around the museum for a full hour (shorter than his typical nap, but still helpful!). This gave us time to enjoy the museum in relative peace for a bit which was awesome.

But even if your kids are fully awake, the Royal BC Museum is a place that the whole family can enjoy. Why? A couple of reasons:

• The natural history exhibit is super cool for kids, with displays involving animals and landscapes that will intrigue them while allowing them to learn about the environment and history of Vancouver Island and British Columbia
• IMAX is a huge hit with older kids, and it only costs a few dollars more to include an IMAX show alongside your museum ticket entry!
• The area with the replica of historic Victoria is really fun for kids to explore

We spent about two hours at the museum between nap time and our son being awake and exploring and that was the right amount of time for us!

Afternoon in Victoria with kids: Exploring Chinatown

After visiting the museum, head to Victoria’s Chinatown, the oldest in Canada, to learn about the history of Chinese Americans in the region and sample yummy foods. There are bakeries, boba shops, art studios, and more. It’s a nice area to walk on foot as there are pretty alleyways and decorations to discover.

If you’re up for another museum, the Chinese Canadian Museum is a tiny museum worth a 15 minute visit. It even has kids’ games and a kids’ coloring area so you can read about things like the Chinese Exclusion Act while your kids color.

Late afternoon in Victoria with kids: Happy hour snacks and drinks at Bodega

After exploring Chinatown, head to Bodega for the happy hour deal at Bodega, a Spanish tapas restaurant and bar in the heart of Victoria. Is this perhaps a surprising choice for things to do in Victoria with kids? Perhaps, but only until you can see the perks!

• Tapas are a fun experience for kids. You can select several small plates for them to sample, which is enjoyable in and of itself and practically speaking, the kids are bound to find something they enjoy when there are 4-5 options on the table!
• Bodega has a great outdoor seating area which we always prefer, or high stool tables inside that I just know a young kid would enjoy.

Be sure to try the patatas bravas and the albondigas, those were our favorite plates!

Evening in Victoria with kids: Sunset whale watching tour

As the day winds down, the last activity you’ll want to do in Victoria with kids is a whale watching tour. Victoria is renowned for being an incredible area to spot various types of whales, including humpback whales and orcas. Here’s the intel on whale watching with kids in Victoria:

• Pick the covered boat tour. There are zodiac tours which get you closer to the water and are more adventurous, but you can only take those with older kids (minimum age for the highly rated option above is 7 years old).
• The covered boat options allow for you to take children of any age, including infants, with children under 2 as free. They also allow you to walk around, which is helpful for parents of toddlers who always like to be on the move, and provide you with a sheltered area if the weather is rough. Book your sunset whale watching excursion here! This is the tour we did and we loved it. Great guides, free coffee/tea/hot chocolate, and comfortable.
• Bring snacks on board. They do have some available for purchase, but when we went it was just cookies and apples. I made the mistake of not buying snacks beforehand and really wished I had snack options for my toddler during the ride.
• Wear or bring layers and sunglasses. Even in August, it gets very cold when you are on the boat deck. We had a fleece bunting for our toddler and fleece and down jackets for ourselves and they were definitely warranted.
• Don’t worry about getting too many photos. They have a photographer on board and will email you photos of your trip that are likely better than what you can capture on your own.

After your whale watching tour ends around 8:30 or so, you may be ready for a snack. There are plenty of restaurants open late, and MANY ice cream shops in the area where you unload from the boat, so maybe grab a cone before heading back to your lodgings. You’ll sleep well after a very full and active day doing ALL the things to do in Victoria with kids!

Psst. Looking for a place to stay in Victoria with kids? I really liked our hotel for the value for the cost, proximity to downtown, and fun kid activities (hello game room and pool!) Check out The Vic if you’re looking for a great hotel to stay in in Victoria with your family. You can book The Vic here.