While nothing beats a hot summer day filled with patio beers and outdoor music festivals, there are ways to stay entertained while we get some much-needed rain.
To help you in your noble quest, we wanted to highlight a couple of activities for you to fight boredom and all things gloomy.
Whether it’s cozying up for a movie or wandering the town, there’s plenty to see and do!
So, here’s 10 ways to stay dry and have fun:
Bookstore Hop
Victoria is a hotspot for many things, including a variety of stunning bookstore options for all of your reading needs.
Start at Bastion Books, an iconic used bookstore that is tucked away in Bastion Square down Commercial Alley and is just as filled with rich history as it is novels.
Close by, Munro’s Books awaits your wandering eye. Here, you’re able to browse a variety of genres underneath gorgeous vaulted ceilings.
Next, Russell Books will leave you in awe, as their floor-to-ceiling displays of used and new books are unlike any other in the city.
If you’re willing to venture out of the downtown core, Bolen Books is worth the trek. This large, peaceful bookstore is the perfect place to spend hours in, getting lost between the stacks. They also have a huge selection of puzzles and other games!
- Where: Across the downtown core and beyond!
- When: Hours vary by store
Wild Wood Sauna
Looking for the ultimate way to revive and rejuvinate?
If you’re up for a little drive, Wild Wood Sauna offers a relaxing 90 minute wood-burning Sauna and Cold Plunge Cycle at their beautiful Bilston Creek location!
Their saunas are available for booking—decide on private reservation costs or jump in on a community experience with other spa-goers.
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- Where: 4185 Metchosin Road
- When:
- Wednesday to Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Victoria Butterfly Gardens
Humid, naturally-lit, filled with tropical animals and plants, the Butterfly Gardens is the perfect place to spend a couple of hours out of the drizzle.
You begin by browsing their collection of exotic bugs and slowly move towards their vibrant jungle adventure that’s been beautifully crafted for visitors and animals alike.
The ceilings are high to allow for spacious flying zones and growing trees. There are also multiple water features and plenty of gorgeous flowers to peek at.
Ticket prices vary, but a general adult ticket is $19.50, $9 for children aged 5 to 12 and $15.50 for kids 13 to 17.
- Where: 1461 Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood Bay
- When: Open 7 days a week
- Monday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Horror Escape
Get together with a group of pals and challenge yourselves to the city’s most exciting escape rooms, all horror themed for the best thrill!
You’ll need between two and six players to help you escape these puzzle-filled rooms, and you can pick between three different rooms.
Costs to book a room are $27 per person.
- Where: 523 Broughton Street
- When: Open 7 days a week
- Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Royal BC Museum
With something new always on the go, you’re bound to find something interesting even if you’re a returning visitor!
If you’ve seen their permanent displays already, consider checking out their current exhibition, Stonehenge!
It opened in May and will be running until January 5th, 2025.
Another exhibit to check out is All Things Terry, a special memorandum of understanding for Canadian legend, Terry Fox.
- Where: 675 Belleville Street
- When: Open 7 days a week—hours vary
Axe and Grind
Need to let off some steam or are just looking for something fun and different?
Axe and Grind is where you’re actually encouraged to throw things and put a little aggression into it, so you can have fun and release the tensions from a difficult day.
Staff are there to guide you through technique and perhaps teach you a trickshot or two as well!
They offer knife throwing as well as axe throwing—customize your experience and have a blast. Check out their website for all of the different offerings and rates.
- Where: 910 Government Street #107
- When: Open seven days a week from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Victoria Public Market
Get into the heart of downtown Victoria at this public market!
Here, you can shop local vendors for produce, artisanal items, flowers, and sample unique cuisines from all over the world.
This is a great place to spend hours walking around as there’s always something to catch your attention—whether you’re sampling, buying gifts, or just simply passing the time.
Don’t just take our word for it, go and check it out for yourself!
- Where: 1701 Douglas Street #6
- When: Open 7 days a week
- Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Neon Ranch
If you’re looking for a fun new place to take your kids or go on an entertaining date night, this pinball hotspot may be for you!
Neon Ranch, located on Hunt Valley Farm in Saanich between Cordova Bay and Keating, grew from humble beginnings into a complete passion project and has been operating since April.
A membership is required to play and they offer a few different options to suit your pinball needs—including a ‘lifetime’ or ‘passing through’ membership.
- Where: Hunt Valley Farm, 5960 Hunt Road (pull into driveway, the 1st left is the parking lot)
- When: Open 5 days a week (closed Monday and Tuesday)—hours vary
Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea
Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea offers a fun, interactive and informative experience of science and culture to visitors of all ages!
It’s home to many incredible features including 35 aquarium habitats with more than 160 marine species and 3,500 animals including a giant Pacific octopus and wolf eels.
There are also shallow pools to get up close to colourful sea stars, urchins, anemones, and sea cucumbers!
An adult day pass is $17.95, for seniors 65 and older it’s $14.50, $12.40 for those ages 13 years and up, and $8.50 for children ages 4 to 12.
- Where: 9811 Seaport Place, Sidney
- When: Thursday to Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Moon Under Water Brewpub and Distillery
From shaft flights and craft beer to whiskey, Moon Under Water meets all of your cozy pub needs!
Plus, enjoy a full menu on their pub side with favourites such as wings, nachos, poutine and a variety of burger options.
Shaft flights are only offered in the Distillery Lounge only (right next to the pub)!
- Where: 350 Bay Street
- When: Open 7 days a week
- Monday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday from 11:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
