Victoria Activities and Attractions

The following festivals, music and performing arts; as well as bookstores, pubs, restaurants and shopping are concentrated within a small area, close to the Inner Harbour or Old Town area and are within walking distance from Mermaid Wharf condos. Your Victoria condo experience can be filled with a variety of fun activities. We have provided several categories for your review.

ANNUAL MUSIC FESTIVALS

Terrific Vic Jazz Party (250) 953-2011	One of the biggest musical events of the season, featuring a collection of performances. Takes place at the end of April.
ICA Folkfest (250) 388-4728	On Inner Harbour from late June to early July, this festival features not only folk music, but also music, dance and food from all over the world.
Jazz Fest International (250) 388-4423	Very experimental and includes more than just jazz. Begins in late June.
Blues Bash (250) 388-4423	A blues oriented festival wraps up the summer over Canada's Labour Day weekend at the end of August.

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ANNUAL PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVALS

Victoria Fringe Festival (888) 374-6432 (250) 383-2663	A series of performances around town than runs from spring until the last 2 weeks of August.
UNO Festival (250) 383-2663	Each Mid-May, run by the same folks who run the Fringe Fest.
Victoria Shakespeare Festival (250) 360-0234	At St. Ann's Academy on Humbolt, during August.
The Victoria Symphony (250) 385-9771	Performs a free waterside show called "Symphony Splash" from a stage floating on the Inner Harbour. The orchestra follows this event on the first Sunday in August.
Several opera and theater companies and a small orchestra do a great job of presenting the arts.

Royal Theater 805 Broughton Street (888) 717-6121	The orchestra's full season follows the "Symphony Splash" in August. In Old Town, walking distance from Mermaid Wharf.
Pacific Opera Victoria (250) 385-0222	Sings at the McPherson Playhouse. The season comprises 3 different works, each presented about 6 times. You may hear classical or an operetta. Walking distance from Mermaid Wharf.
Victoria Operatic Society (250) 381-1021	More a musical theater. Performs well known works.

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THEATRE

The Belfry Theatre (250) 385-6835 1291 Gladstone Avenue Fernwood	A small local company. Call ahead for tickets! Popular with locals and Vancouverites.
Intrepid Theatre Company (250) 386-2663

CURRENT HAPPENINGS, MUSIC & SPORTING EVENTS, AND EXHIBITIONS

Ticketmaster	The best general source for event tickets.
Monday Magazine	A free weekly entertainment paper, listing upcoming cultural events, museum exhibitions and sporting events.
The Times Colonist	A local daily paper for current happenings.
Tourism Victoria (250) 953-2033	Dispenses schedule, ticket and venue information for all performing arts, including theatre, opera and classical music venues.
Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria (250) 381-2787

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MUSIC

Pubs/Clubs Providing Live Music:
Victoria has a thriving folk and jazz scene. The following places are all within walking distance of Mermaid Wharf, including:

Hermann's Jazz Club (250) 361-3310	753 View Steet (Downtown/Old Town)
Swan's Pub (250) 361-3310	506 Pandora Street (Downtown/Old Town)
Steamer's Pub (250) 381-4340	570 Yates Street (Downtown/Old Town) A blues club

Nightclubs:

Uforia (250) 381-2331	1208 Wharf Street. (Downtown/Old Town) Dance to pop music charts music in a club near the water.

Sports Bars:

Sticky Wicket (250) 383-7137	919 Douglas Street (Strathkona Hotel)
Sopranos Sports Bar (250) 382-5853	1961 Douglas Street (Downtown/Old Town) Tucked within Traveler's Inn. Offers the usual mixture of hockey, Canadian football and other games on TV; karaoke an added attraction.

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SPORTING ACTIVITIES
Victoria has something for everyone. Victoria offers a wide variety of sporting activities, including:

Golf
Golfers can enjoy play on the public courses situated around the Victoria area including:

Gorge Vale Golf Club (250) 386-3401	1005 Craigflower Road Centrally located in the heart of Victoria, only minutes from your Victoria condo. Just cross over the Johnson Street Bridge.
Royal Oak Golf Club (250) 658-1433	About 10 minutes from Mermaid Wharf.
Olympic View Golf Club 250 474-3673	643 Latoria Road

Biking/Hiking/Walking/Horseback Riding
Whether you like to cycle, hike, horseback ride, or just stroll, the Galloping Goose Peninsula Trails are the place to be. This trail system provides one of the most picturesque trail systems in Canada. Access trails are found along the entire route. Stretching like a green ribbon from Sooke to Sidney, their 100 kilometers link the region's parks to form a continuous chain of green spaces. The Galloping Goose is part of the TransCanada Trail which traverses the country. This network of trails can be accessed easily from your Victoria condo by simply crossing over the Johnson Street Bridge, located on the south side of Mermaid Wharf Condo, to Esquimalt and proceed either west towards Leechtown (a former gold mining community) or East towards Sidney. These trails offer an alternative transportation choice and safe recreational opportunities. Galloping Goose BC's Trans-Canada Trail

Biking	Numerous bike rental companies are within walking distance of Mermaid Wharf, including Reckless Bicycle. Cross the Johnson Street Bridge next to Mermaid Wharf, veer right and start on a bicycle path which connects to the Galloping Goose Bike Trail.
Kayaking	Directly outside Mermaid Wharf on the waterfront, rent kayaks at the Mermaid Marina to explore the Inner Harbour or Gorge waterway.


Boating	Long-term and short-term moorage available at the Mermaid Wharf Marina. Anchor your own boat or rent a power boat for water activities.
Jogging	Cross over Johnson Street Bridge and turn left for miles of jogging trails along the waterfront.

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LEISURE ACTIVITIES
Now that you are on vacation, take some time for your personal leisure activities. This of course could include sporting events and music concerts which will be happening at the new Save On Foods Memorial Stadium. And of course, this new world class facility is within walking distance of your Victoria condo.

Save On Foods Memorial Stadium	Located at 1925 Blanchard Street, this world-class facility will be home to the Salmon Kings ice hockey team and will host skating and lacrosse events. This facility will provide a forum for live music concerts as well. This new stadium is, within walking distance of Mermaid Wharf. Upcoming Events

Yoga/Spas:
Looking for something more peaceful and soothing? We have found a number of yoga studios within walking distance of this Victoria condo that welcome walk-in visitors. Their addresses are provided below:

Yoga:

Yoga Shala (250) 383-3849	1322 Broad Street
MokSana Yoga Centre (250) 385-2105	#500-3 Fan Tan Alley
Stretch Yoga Studio (250) 385-8090	538 B Yates Street

Spas:

Silk Road Natural Spa (250) 704-2688	1624 Government Street
The Spa at Delta Victoria 250 360-5858	45 Songhees Road
Angel Beauty Sea Spa (250) 383-9333	1111 Wharf Street
Le Spa Sereine (250) 388-4419	1411 Government Street

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SHOPPING
Many unique shops, restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries and books stores are packed into the Downtown/Old Town area, again-all within walking distance of Mermaid Wharf. One can easily spend many hours of delightful browsing any season of the year. Be sure to check out:

Yates & Douglas Streets	Including the side streets of Boughton, Johnson and Pandora. Travel North/South along Douglas and East/West along the cross Street of Douglas.
Market Square	560 Johnson Street near the Johnson Street Bridge is one of the city's most interesting little shopping complexes. Music and other arts performances are happening here. Several dozen shops offer eclectic shopping.
Bastion Square	On Government Street for cafes and shops. Weekend craft vendors and music can be found here in the summer months.
Chinatown	Visit the oldest Chinatown in North America, condensed into a few short blocks, but providing an array of sidewalk vendors selling fresh fruit and vegetables.
Antique Row	Along Fort Street, starting at Blanchard to the South Side of Mayfair Shopping Center. Browse for antiques, especially of British origin, including porcelains, estate jewelry and silver.
Trounce Alley	The historical Trounce Alley is a privately owned pedestrian area containing small, unique shops and places to eat, looked upon by authentic gas lamps.

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ATTRACTIONS BY TYPE

Art Museums	Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Historic Attractions & Museums	Craigdarroch Castle The Fairmont Empress & Rose Gardens

	Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse Maritime Museum of British Columbia
	Parliament Buildings

	Royal British Columbia Museum



Parks and Gardens	Beacon Hill Park Butchart Gardens

	Thunderbird Park Victoria Butterfly Gardens


OTHER INTERESTING THINGS TO DO

Tour Victoria:

By Foot	Take a free guided tour, beginning at the Visitor InfoCentre, any afternoon during the summer, provided by the local chapter of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia.
Gray Line of Victoria (800) 667-0882 (250) 388-5248	90-minute tour. Can combine with tours of Butchart Gardens, Butterfly Gardens and Craigdarroch Castle. Tours generally run from April through October.
Tallyho Sightseeing (866) 383-5067 (250) 383-5067	Horse-drawn carriage tour. Find the carriages waiting in front of the Fairmont Empress or at Belleville and Menzies streets, next to the ferry dock.
Kabuki Kabs (250) 385-4243	Pedicab tours.
Victoria Harbour Ferries (250) 708-0201	Boat tours and water taxi service around the Inner Harbour waters from late spring until early autumn. Tours include the inlet known as the Gorge. Tours last about 45 minutes. Catch the harbour tour or taxi boats directly in front of Mermaid Wharf at the marina dock, which is one of the designated stops for the water ferry service. A fun and inexpensive way to cover the inner harbor areas.

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OTHER ATTRACTIONS

National Geographic IMAX Theatre	Housed inside the Royal British Columbia Museum, providing science, nature and popular films numerous times throughout the day. A great high-tech attraction!
Whale Watching	Book a whale watching adventure tour, directly in front of Mermaid Wharf, just steps from your condo.
Pacific Undersea Gardens
Royal London Wax Museum
Crystal Garden Conservation Centre

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DINING OUT
Dining Out is one of the fun things about being on vacation. This Victoria condo is centrally located within a short walk to a wonderful array of restaurants, cafes and coffee shops-something for everyone! Enjoy every moment of your vacation-no need to cook! I have provided a brief list of some restaurants which we have tried and enjoyed (the list will be continually growing as we spend more time here) and which are within easy walking distance from Mermaid Wharf.

Restaurants:
Canoe Brewpub & Restaurant 450 Swift Street (250) 361-1940	Molé 554 Pandora Street (250) 385-6653
Pagliacchi's 1011 Broad Street (250) 386-1662	Il Terrazo (Reservations Recommended) 555 Johnson Street (250) 361-0028
Tamami Sushi 509 Fisgard Street (250) 382-3529	Don Mee (Chinese) 538 Fisgard Street (250) 383-1032
Spinnakers Brewpub 308 Catherine Street (250) 386-2739	Syn Bar & Grill (Martini Bar) 759 Yates St (250) 384-7494
Brasserie L'Ecole (Reservations Recommended) 1715 Government Street

Coffee Shops:
Bean Around the Word 533 Fisgard Street	Grindstone 504 Herald Street
Willies Bakery and Cafe 537 Johnson Street
Great home-made soups daily at both!

Budget Breakfast:
Sour Pickle 1623 Store Street $3.50 breakfast special till 11:00am

Afternoon Tea:
Murchies 1110 Government Street (250) 383-3112	Fairmont Empress Hotel 721 Government Street (250) 389-2727

Pubs:
A number of English and Irish themed pubs offer a fun-filled evening, walking distance from Mermaid Wharf. Live music, usually on weekends, but sometimes during the week as well. including:

Irish Times Corner of Bastion Square and Fort Street	Darcy's Pub 1127 Wharf Street in Old Town
Garricks Head Pub (250) 384-6835 In Bedford Regency Hotel, 69 Bastion Square. Authentic Brit food

Microbreweries:
The microbreweries in Victoria are world class and mini-tours of the local brewers are available. Three of the best, are within walking distance of Mermaid Wharf. They include:

Canoe Club (250) 361-1940	450 Swift Street Located directly across the street is one of the best microbreweries. Food served until 11:00 pm daily.
Swan's Pub (250) 361-3310	Located 1 block from Mermaid Wharf. Terrific beers, happy crowd and live music.
Spinnakers Brew Pub (250) 386-2739	308 Catherine Street Walk there-cab home. Head across the Johnston St. Bridge to get to Esquimalt. This was the very first brew pub in Canada. Has dozens of home brews, tremendous water views and active dart games.

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MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Internet connections within walking distance of Mermaid Wharf:

Stain Internet Café (250) 382-3352	609 Yates Street Open 11:00am to 2:00am daily
Greater Victoria Public Library (250) 382-3352	735 Broughton Street 11 terminals available