Things to Do Around Victoria Over Spring Break

March 18, 2022

Academics

GNS

As temperatures slowly warm up, allergy symptoms begin, and the City of Victoria vehicles drive around decorating the streets with hanging floral pots, it is a sure sign that spring break is almost here. With school out, students, parents, and staff alike are set free to do whatever they want. If you’re unsure of where you want to go with your family, here is a short compilation of suggested activities for spring.

With the COVID-19 restrictions lifted, many students are heading out of town with their families for long awaited or postponed trips. Many students are hitting the slopes or participating in the school surf trip to Tofino.

If you’ve decided to stay in Victoria, there are still many places to go. It is the perfect time to visit the many gardens, such as the ever popular Butchart Gardens or just stroll the streets of downtown Victoria and the Inner Harbour to enjoy the beautiful hanging floral baskets. It is also the time of year when the cherry blossoms alongside the streets start blooming. The origins of cherry blossoms in Victoria began in the 1930s when superintendent Herb Warren of Victoria City Parks chose to replace trees on the streets with Cherry Blossoms. His campaign was supported by the Victoria Japanese Community and from there, the number of trees just blossomed!

Stroll along Blanshard, View Street, Belleville Street, Dallas Road and Fisgard (just to name a few) or cycle out to Hatley Castle and Gardens or Government House to enjoy the many Cherry Blossom trees blooming in our city.

If you would rather not deal with seasonal allergies, Vancouver Island is also home to a beautiful scenic coastline, with many beaches and parks such as Beacon Hill and Willows Beach. Or if you prefer to sit at one of the many local cafes watching people stroll by, try to spot the tourists. Hint: they usually stop in the middle of the road holding up their cameras catching that beautiful shot of our city unaware that the traffic lights have turned green and a long line of cars is patiently wait until they finish crossing.

If you enjoy animal watching, there is no shortage as we enjoy sharing our city with the many deer that roam about. Or look to the sky to see hawks, bald-eagles, and hummingbirds that flit around the many bird feeders hanging in people’s backyards. As a cautionary side note: when a hummingbird starts feeding at your feeder, that becomes their primary food source, and if you stop feeding them, they can die.

If you are not an outdoor enthusiast, or just have severe allergies, there are still many places to visit. There is the Shaw Center for Salish Sea in Sidney and downtown Victoria is full of quaint boutiques and cafes: https://www.tourismvictoria.com/eat-drink/restaurants-cafes.

As a final reminder, please plan to save and collect your refundable bottles for the Round Square Bottle Drive on April 8—all proceeds will be for Ukraine and the environment.

Whatever you choose to do, have a wonderful, relaxing, and enjoyable spring break.