Celebrate the Mom in your life with a special getaway to Victoria, BC! From scenic strolls through lush gardens to indulgent culinary experiences, Victoria offers an abundance of activities to make your weekend truly memorable. Read on for ideas on how to make sure your getaway is unforgettable.
Save BIG when you book your Mother’s Day getaway to Victoria through us. Packages with our featured hotel, the Royal Scot Hotel & Suites, are from $119 USD pp/do and include round trip ferry and chocolates in the room.
Exterior of the Royal Scot Hotel & Suites. Credit: Royal Scot.
Day One - Sail Away to Victoria on an Overnight Stay
8:20am Depart from Port Angeles. We recommend taking the 8:20am sailing to maximize your time in Victoria!
If you are traveling in a vehicle, you must be at the terminal 60 minutes prior to your departure, or 30 minutes prior if you are traveling as a walk-on passenger.
9:50am Arrive in Victoria, go through Canada Customs, and check into the Royal Scot (our featured Mother's Day hotel), or another one of our Victoria hotel partners. If you are unable to check into your room early, your hotel can store your bags complimentary until your room is ready.
12:00pm Take Mom for lunch! Once you’re settled, it’s time to start exploring the city. Victoria has an amazing selection of local restaurants to choose from. You should (obviously) let Mom pick, but we recommend one of the following restaurants:
- Bao (626 Fisgard Street | 18-min walk from Black Ball's terminal): Easygoing restaurant specializing in a variety of Asian street food dishes.
- Tacofino (760 Pandora Avenue | 20-min walk from Black Ball's terminal): Popular taqueria serving up creative tacos and burritos in a simple counter-service environment.
- 10 Acres Bistro (611 Courtney Street | 8-min walk from Black Ball's terminal): Farm-to-table meals that showcase locally sourced ingredients in flavorful and creative dishes.
Credit: 10 Acres Bistro.
Alternatively, you could take Mom to Afternoon Tea. For an authentic Victoria experience, enjoy afternoon tea at one of our favorite spots:
The Butchart Gardens: Enjoy picturesque views of The Butchart Gardens before diving into an unforgettable afternoon tea experience. Pick your choice of tea to sip on, and enjoy sweets, scones and savory sandwiches made with locally sourced ingredients in the original Butchart family home.
Pendray Teahouse: Located in the Inner Harbour of Victoria, just moments away from our terminal and the Royal Scot Hotel & Suites, the Pendray Tea House offers an antiquated experience in a tranquil setting. Try a unique spin on afternoon tea — West Coast Afternoon Tea — with sustainably sourced seafood.
1:00pm Do some local shopping. Be sure to check out some of Victoria’s most popular shopping areas, including:
- Government Street: Home to several iconic local shops and excellent places to pick up souvenirs, including Murchies, Shop Makers, and Roger's Chocolates.
- Low Jo (Lower Johnson Street): Here you can find clothing and lifestyle boutiques such as Nezza Naturals, The Dancing Lily, and Rook and Rose.
- Fan Tan Alley: At just over three and a half feet wide, this is the narrowest commercial street in North America (and home to some amazing shops such as Saltspring Soapworks and Triple Spiral Metaphysical Gifts).
Fan Tan Alley. Credit: Destination Greater Victoria.
3:00pm Visit the Royal BC Museum and explore the history of British Columbia. The museum features authentic artifacts and realistic displays that tell stories of Canada's past. Be sure to check out their featured exhibit — Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Then, take in captivating scenes of the animal kingdom at a spectacular IMAX show.
6:00pm Indulge in a delicious dinner at one of Victoria’s most popular spots. We recommend the following:
- Bodega (1210 Broad Street | 13-min walk from Black Ball's terminal): Intimate setting featuring Spanish tapas, wine and cocktails.
- Pagliacci’s (1011 Broad Street | 11-min walk from Black Ball's terminal): Pasta dishes and other Italian staples served at the stalwart eatery with kitschy decor and live music.
- Bin 4 Burger Lounge (911 Yates Street | 24-min walk from Black Ball's terminal): Casual grill offering inventive, locally sourced burgers, hand-cut fries and draft brews.
- Marilena Cafe & Raw Bar (1525 Douglas Street | 19-min walk from Black Ball's terminal): Highly acclaimed restaurant featuring local and global seafood paired with high-quality sustainable ingredients.
Citrus and Cane Interior. Credit: Citrus and Cane.
8:30pm Check out some of Victoria’s local pubs, breweries, and cocktail lounges before winding down at your hotel.
- Cenote (768 Yates Street | 17-min walk from Black Ball's terminal): Inventive cocktails and casual eats such as nachos, burgers and sausages.
- Citrus and Cane (1900 Douglas Street | 23-min walk from Black Ball's terminal): Fashionable bar presenting cocktails, beers & wine amid retro-style surroundings.
- Bard and Banker (1022 Government Street | 10-min walk from Black Ball's terminal): Scottish-style pub pouring whiskey and drafts in a storied space with kilt-clad servers and live music.
- Superflux Cabana (804 Broughton Street | 15-min walk from Black Ball's terminal): 70’s inspired bar and restaurant with a rooftop patio serving beers, cocktails, and casual classics made with fresh ingredients.
Day Two - Explore Downtown Victoria Before Going Back to Port Angeles
9:00am Enjoy a coffee and a bite to eat from a local cafe. A couple of our favorites include:
- Rise and Grind (1294 Broad Street | 15-min walk from Black Ball's terminal): A casual cafe serving a wide selection of breakfast sandwiches and classic espresso drinks.
- Union Pacific (237 Herald Street | 20-min walk from Black Ball's terminal): Espresso drinks, breakfast sandwiches, and daily-made pastries served up in a rustic setting.
Beacon Hill Park. Credit: Destination Greater Victoria.
10:00am Stroll through Beacon Hill Park! May is an ideal time to visit the park as the beautiful gardens burst into bloom, featuring a spectacular array of tulips, rhododendrons, and cherry blossoms. The park’s picturesque landscapes provide a serene backdrop for lounging on the expansive lawns. The resident peacocks often stop by to display their vibrant plumage, adding a unique charm to the experience.
11:30am Head down to Fisherman’s Wharf for lunch! Fisherman’s Wharf is a picturesque waterfront destination that is home to a variety of culinary experiences - the perfect place for lunch! Savor fish and chips, Mexican food, or pizza as you enjoy the panoramic views of the harbor. Colorful floating homes line the docks, creating a whimsical atmosphere. The boardwalk is home to several unique shops selling souvenirs and local artisan crafts.
Fisherman's Wharf. Credit: Destination Greater Victoria
12:45pm Embark on a Kayak tour of the Inner Harbor with Kelf Reef Adventures. Experience a new perspective of the Inner Harbor when you explore it from a Kayak! Discover hidden coves and protected waters – you may even encounter some local wildlife including seals, river otters, great blue herons, bald eagles, and much more!
If kayaking isn’t your cup of tea, treat mom to a luxurious spa day!! Unwind and rejuvenate with pampering treatments designed to melt away stress. A few of the top spas in Victoria include:
- Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Empress (633 Humboldt Street | 8-min walk from the Black Balls terminal): Offering a luxurious spa experience with a range of treatments, including facials, massages, and body wraps, in a historic and elegant setting.
- Spa Magnolia (625 Courtney Street | 9-min walk from the Black Ball terminal): Nestled in the heart of downtown Victoria, this boutique spa offers a tranquil escape with personalized treatments, including massages, facial, and body therapies.
- Silk Road Aromatherapy & Tea Co. Spa (1624 Government Street | 17-min walk from the Black Ball terminal): Combining the healing properties of aromatherapy with traditional Chinese medicine, this spa offers unique treatments such as herbal steam baths, massages, and tea rituals, promoting relaxation and rejuvenation.
3:30pm Arrive at Black Ball's Victoria terminal for the 4:00pm sailing.
If you are traveling in a vehicle, you must be at the terminal 90 minutes prior to your departure, or 30 minutes prior if you are traveling as a walk-on passenger.
5:30pm Arrive back in Port Angeles and go through US Customs.
