Escape the Heat (or the occasional rainy day)

Need a way to escape the sun’s rays?

Venture inside and step back in time at Miniature World, where scenes from history and literature are reproduced in miniature – very popular with the little ones. All ages will love the realistic portrayals at the Royal London Wax Museum or for lovers of small creatures, check out the Victoria Bug Zoo, also downtown. If butterflies are more to your liking, head out the Saanich Peninsula to Victoria Butterfly Gardens, where thousands of colourful, free-flying insects dazzle against a backdrop of lush, tropical greenery. Also on the Peninsula is the Centre of the Universe, where visitors are invited to step inside the planetarium for an out-of-this-world experience. In Sidney, the Marine Ecology Centre is the place to learn about the creatures inhabiting the local waters in family friendly exhibits.

Pages from the Past

History buffs will enjoy the permanent and special exhibits at the Royal BC Museum, including this year’s special presentation, Free Spirit: Stories of You, Me and BC, celebrating the province’s 150th anniversary of becoming a Crown colony. Another hands-on favourite is the museum’s ocean exhibit, ideal for exploring under the sea. Also on-site is the National Geographic IMAX Theatre, where this summer kids can roam with dinosaurs! (Check with the theatre for the full line-up)

Sailing fans will want to visit the Maritime Museum of B.C. where scenes from the province’s maritime past are played out in terrific fashion. Pirates, explorers, military mariners? You’ll find them all here! Gain an historical perspective of the city’s nautical and military history at the Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites on the region’s West Shore. Even better, the historical displays – including an 1860s-era lighthouse – are dotted over large grassy fields, large beaches and lookouts with gorgeous vistas, perfect for burning off a little extra energy.

Fun & Games

Crave a few more thrills and chills with your West Coast vacation? Rev your engines for racing action at the West Shore’s Western Speedway, home to stock car racing, dragsters and more. At the neighbouring All Fun Recreation Park, find mini-golf, batting cages and go-karts. In Saanich, take a tour around the mini-links at Blenkinsop Valley Golf Centre with its series of beautifully landscaped holes.Also on the South Island’s West Shore is Adrena Line, a forest facility near Sooke featuring eight ziplines of various lengths that run through the towering trees. Take the adventure a little further with a short road trip to the Central Island’s Wildplay Element Park, with TreeGo courses through the trees, bungy jumping, a ride along the Nanaimo River and much more.

Free & Easy

In town on a Sunday morning? Stop by the Inner Harbour at 10:45am for one of the highlights of summer, the Harbour Ferry Ballet, featuring a choreographed dance of the jaunty little ferries, to the strains of the Blue Danube. Busy playgrounds, a water park complete with free-flowing watering can, children’s farm, numerous duck ponds, walking trails and an 18-hole putting green are more than a few reasons to visit Victoria’s Beacon Hill Park. Or, to stay really cool around town, spend a leisurely afternoon at one of the city’s many sandy beaches. Excellent choices include Elk and Beaver Lakes, Matheson Lake and Thetis Lake for freshwater fun, and for salt water – not to mention great skimboarding – Cadboro Bay, Willows and Cordova Bay are popular with families.