Hatley Castle, tucked away on Victoria Island, was a serene and picturesque stop on a crisp…read moremorning. Even though the air was chilly and the castle didn't open until 10 a.m., wandering the grounds beforehand felt like a moment out of a storybook. The expansive, beautifully kept gardens and coastal views made the stroll well worth it, offering a quiet and peaceful way to take in the surroundings. Paid parking is available, making it an easy stop to add to a morning itinerary.

Cool to view but tours are closed in the winter, so we were able to wander the grounds only. Not…read morethe size expected for a castle, it's part of the university and classes are held in the winter which is why there weren't any tours available.

While passing by this behemoth one night in December, the males I was walking with mistook the…read moreknees held against the sculpture's chest for a pair of boobs. Perhaps that has soured my experience with said behemoth, though only slightly, as I can now gaze upon it and smile at what could have been if only the artist were more boobily inclined. But really, it's intended to showcase the diversity of Vancouver with all its different letters and number making up a person. It's also fun to walk around in it.

If you love Art Deco, pop into this 1930s office building near the water. It's open to the public…read moreto see the architecture inside. Most of the design is in the lobby and don't sleep on going inside one of the elevators. There are a few shops in the basement. Restrooms are in the basement but they aren't open to the public unless you ask a shop owner to let you in.

Went there under renovation, but the side decor is still able to be seen alongside the building…read more Very iconic, but wish it was not under construction

I am an out-of-state transplant looking to explore all of Washington and its beauty. Last weekend,…read morewe decided to head up to the Dungeness Spit and make the walk out to the lighthouse! That trek is definitely not for the faint of heart -- it's an 11-mile round trip walk, making sure you have plenty of water and light snack or lunch. The tide should absolutely be taken into consideration before making the journey out there. It was a beautiful walk and such an interesting experience at the lighthouse. Hats off to all of the volunteers who dedicate their time to making that experience so special. Thank you for restoring and preserving the lighthouse for everyone to enjoy and experience. It truly made the trip unforgettable.

The longest walk I've ever done to get to a lighthouse. It's about 5 miles to and back, not…read moreincluding the walk from the parking lot. Direct sunlight, so wear a hat and sunblock. The nice part is you're next to the waters and there's sea shells and neat rocks to find along the way. Once you get to the lighthouse, you can go up to observe the views, and there's a bathroom. It's just a very long walk!

For the ladies that act as docents for the Pickett house, this is truly a labor of love. Their…read moreexcitement about the house and it's history are contagious. When you visit, donate well, as the house needs a lot of care. Many of the repairs are done by the ladies themselves.

This trail leads from Lighthouse Point Rd down to Sheringham Point Lighthouse. Most likely you'll…read moreaccess it after walking down from the Sheringham Point Lighthouse and Trail Parking Lot onto Sheringham Point Rd, which ends at Lighthouse Point Rd. That's a lot o' Sheringhams, Points, and Roads! In any case, it is a little steep and not wheelchair accessible. Additionally, it will be slick because the area tends to be damp, even without rain. The trail itself zig-zags until the Lighthouse opens up among the trees. You'll be treated to a wonderful view of the water, waves, and wind surrounding Sheringham Point Lighthouse. It is a short trail, but will take 10 minutes to safely traverse. See my review of the Lighthouse for more info about it. This trail is a great place to take pictures from afar on the way down or back up. Even without the sun, it is quite spectacular!

The Stanley Park Hollow Tree stump, standing approximately 40-50 feet tall, is a popular spot for…read moretaking photos. It is worth checking out if you're already in the park, but I wouldn't go out of my way just to see it. The Hollow Tree is located towards the interior or central part of the area, away from the water, while Siwash Rock is closer to the shoreline.

Honestly, I'm not sure what the big deal is. It's an oddly big and hollow tree. You can see hollow…read moretrees in nature all the time as there are always in some sort of state of decay or rot if they're not alive. This is nothing special and would be more impressive if it were a live tree that was still flourishing whilst being hollow. There is a metal substructure holding the wood together and upright. It's a remnant of the past & a dead upright lower trunk of a tree. You can see trees of this size in the redwood forests in California and maybe even the large spruces in the Hoh Rainforest. Granted it's been around since grass began to grow (more than 700+ years old) but I feel like it's nothing but a place for free photos op. It was slightly nice to read the informational placard nearby dealing with the history of the tree and how it's always been a tourist destination because apparently people don't see big trees often. I can say I've seen it though.

I've visited Victoria more times than I can count and somehow the Parliament Buildings still manage…read moreto stop me in my tracks every single time. The exterior alone is one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture in British Columbia. During the day, the grand dome, and maintained grounds make it feel like something you'd expect to find in a Europe than in BC. I highly recommend taking one of the free guided tours. Stepping inside reveals craftsmanship with soaring ceilings, beautiful woodwork and historic artwork. The tours are informative without feeling overwhelming and offer a fascinating look into both British Columbia's political history and the building itself. One of my favourite aspects of the tour was seeing the various royal connections and items related to the monarchy. As someone who enjoys learning about the Royal Family, I loved seeing portraits and hearing stories about visits from members of the royal family over the years. I honestly think it becomes magical at night. When all of the lights illuminate the exterior, the entire building seems to glow against the harbour. It feels almost storybook-like.

Review #1 for 2026 I…read morewas determined to go to the Parliament buildings when we did a day trip to Victoria from Vancouver. The building itself is huge from the outside and does feel a bit smaller on the inside, but it is beautiful! They do free tours and I was afraid we would not be able to catch a tour, but during the summer, they do tours everyday of the week! The tour tickets are first come first serve. We managed to get tickets for the 12pm tour the day we were there. You just go towards the entrance and there will be volunteers passing out tour tickets for the next available tour. The tours are all done by volunteers. The parliament buildings are part of British history and now used for government business. We had roughly 30 minutes before our tour. So we went and took pictures around the outside of the building. To get the entire building, you have to take a picture from the sidewalk since the building is so big. There is a water fountain in front of the building as well as across the street. There is also a massive totem pole near the building. The tour was filled with information. Make sure you go to the bathroom before they start the tour. I think the tour is about an hour long, but it flew by as all of it was so interesting and there was so much so see. I enjoyed the tour. There is a gift shop at the end of the tour. The gift shop is TINY! I ended up getting some pins as I collect them and I also bought some Parlia-Mints! Get it? HAHA. My husband loved it and had a good laugh. I think I should had gotten some more to hand out to people when I got home. It came in a cute metal container. Apparently there is also a cafe here which I would had liked to try but it was not open when we were there. Also at night, the buildings are lit up. We had to leave before the lights came on as we had a ferry to catch back to Vancouver, but the pictures I have seen look absolutely stunning. Would I come back? Yes I would! I would love to see the buildings all lit up at night... and of course I have to buy some more of those ParliaMints!!

Themed heritage cabins, large collection of artifacts, and beautiful gardens. Great place for a…read morepicnic.

From the owner: The Parksville Museum will transport you to the past. Located at 1245 East Island Hwy, next to the…read moreParksville & District Chamber of Commerce, the museum features eight historic, themed buildings, including the Montrose Schoolhouse and Knox Heritage Church. Come see why our mix of fun and education has made us a beloved Oceanside landmark.