15 Best Indoor Activities in Victoria

When the weather is dreary, locals and tourists alike want to stay indoors. If you are visiting or living in and around Victoria, this family-friendly list of ideas is for you. Below, you'll find the best indoor activities in Victoria.

Please note, that this content contains a few affiliate links. If you happen to purchase tickets or a tour through the provided link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

1. Afternoon Tea at the Empress

For over a century, the Fairmont Empress has served up England’s most famed ritual of afternoon tea to their guests.

Choose from over 20 fine loose-leaf teas and indulge in house-made delicacies such as scones, pastries, and delicate sandwiches. There's even a children's afternoon tea menu.

Menu items are created fresh daily using ingredients from local suppliers. While sipping and tasting, the lounge is filled with live classical piano music. Tea at the Empress is truly a quintessential Victoria experience.

Please note: This activity has a dress code.

2. Tour the Parliament Buildings

Enjoy a free guided tour or self-guided tour of the beautiful Legislative Building. Tours happen frequently throughout each weekday. There is also an onsite dining room and gift shop.

If castles thrill you, there are several others to explore while in Victoria.

3. Aviation Museum

Located next to the Victoria International Airport, and housed in three large hangers, the British Columbia Aviation Museum showcases many interesting aircraft, engines, pictures, models and artifacts.

The collection relates to the history of aviation in Canada, emphasizing British Columbia's aviation history. In the Memorial Room, you'll find artifacts from the wars Canadians fought as members of the Royal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force, or Royal Canadian Air Force.

4. Board Game Cafe

If you love playing games, the Board Game Cafe is the place to be. For just $7.00 per person, you can stay and play as many games as you like for as long as you like!

There are over 900 games to choose from, which is why they have game experts on hand to help you choose the perfect game for your group. While there, enjoy some yummy food, treats and drinks (including their famous milkshakes and cookies). They are fully licenced, too!

The Board Game Cafe is located at 732 Yates Street.

5. Haunted Mini Golf

Head to this haunted location for an interactive twist on the beloved game of mini golf. While there, play a round or two of ping pong in their private lounge area.

Location: 711 Yates Street.

6. Escape Rooms

Victoria has three escape room options.

7. Bug Zoo

Get up close and personal with Malaysian Jungle Nymphs, Tarantulas, Scorpions, Dead-Leaf Mantis, and Walking Sticks (to name a few).

If you are interested in learning about large tropical bugs and/or want to hold them, then the Victoria Bug Zoo would be a good place to explore.

Throughout your time there, staff offer ‘demonstration times’ for a closer look at a particular species. During the demonstration, you can have a “safe bug handling experience” (i.e.: let the bug crawl or sit on your hand). It's a great way to spend a few hours of your time.

8. Butterfly Gardens

Roam through this large facility while thousands of tropical butterflies fly freely. It's a unique opportunity to view the workings of a tropical jungle up close.

While at Butterfly Gardens, you’ll also encounter frogs, tortoises, flamingos, tropical ducks, free-flying tropical birds and more. In the pond and stream, equipped with a beautiful waterfall, you'll also see a variety of tropical fish.

Insider tip: It's warm inside, so leave your jackets in the car. Also, your camera tends to fog up due to the humidity, so getting that ‘magic shot' is hard to do.

Skip the line and purchase your tickets beforehand: Victoria Butterfly Garden Tickets.

9. Craigdarroch Castle

Robert Dunsmuir, a Scottish immigrant who made his fortune from Vancouver Island coal, was at one time the richest and most important man in Western Canada. He built his Victorian mansion between 1887 and 1890. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1889 before the castle was even completed, leaving his wife and children his entire estate.

His fortune is displayed and reflected in the four-floor mansion, now a National Historic Site. Craigdarroch Castle has been meticulously restored, showing visitors how the wealthy lived in the late 1800s.

Insider tip: Admire the architecture of Craigdarroch Castle with included tickets and see the landmarks of Victoria on a hop-on hop-off bus tour combo experience.

10. Maritime Museum

Visiting the Maritime Museum allows the whole family to experience British Columbia’s marine heritage. The museum holds a vast collection of over 35,000 artifacts, spanning from 1775 to the present, that have unique significance to the history of BC.

They also host evening talks and craft workshops that look at maritime history in unique and creative ways. Educational programs on immigration, pirates and privateers, women at sea, and the fur trade are also available.

11. Miniature World

Voted as one of the best places to visit in Victoria, Miniature World allows one to reconnect with their inner child. There are over 85 miniature dioramas, including two of the world's largest dollhouses (circa 1880), with over 50 beautifully furnished rooms. They also have one of the world's largest model railways.

Each of the displays is intricately constructed with exquisite detail. It's the perfect way to while away an entire afternoon.

12. Royal BC Museum & IMAX Theatre

Founded in 1886, and joined forces with the Archives in 2003, the museum has become British Columbia’s combined provincial museum and archives. They have a vast collection of artifacts, documents and specimens of British Columbia’s natural and human history.

The Museum showcases 550 million years of natural history and 9000 years of human history in BC. They also always have a large museum section dedicated to other major exhibits.

IMAX Theatre

Home to the largest IMAX screen in British Columbia. IMAX Victoria in the Royal BC Museum has one of only thirty-five IMAX 4K Laser Projections Systems in the World. It's an experience designed to transport the viewer to amazing worlds, where senses and emotions are engaged by the sharpest, brightest, clearest and most vivid images. Plus, it's all accompanied by a new level of immersive audio.

They offer traditional IMAX films and Hollywood Feature films in 2D or 3D. It makes a ‘night out at the movies' more magical.

13. Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea

Explore and learn about the Salish Sea Bioregion at the Shaw Centre. While there, view over 160 species of marine life, a marine mammal artifact exhibit, and a unique Coast Salish art collection. This aquarium and learning centre offers people of all ages an interactive, informative, hands-on experience.

The Centre is located in the Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa. (Which is a lovely place to stay!).

14. Throw an Axe

Head to Axe & Grind to satisfy your inner lumberjack! Before each session, a trained staff member teaches you the fundamentals. It's a great rainy day activity in Victoria and a fun place for a large group.

15. Indoor Trampoline

Head to the Flying Squirrel for the largest indoor trampoline park in the world! There are unique attractions available for all ages. And for parents who don't want to jump, a special area is dedicated to you.

As you can see, several great ways to spend a rainy day in Victoria exist. We hope you find this list of the 15 best indoor activities in Victoria useful!

Would you add any more locations? Let us know in the comments below.