For personal assistance with planning your trip, call the Customer Information line at 250-382-6161, and press zero for a Customer Service Agent.

Heritage Attractions

Craigdarroch Castle, 1050 Joan Crescent.

Step back into the lives of the rich and famous of the 1890s with a visit to Craigdarroch Castle. The mansion, built by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir in the Scottish Baronial style, showcases period furnishings in 39 rooms. This site in not wheelchair accessible.

Details at www.craigdarrochcastle.com or call 250-592-5323.

Take the #11 or the #14 to Fort & Joan Crescent and a walk up a short, but fairly steep, hill to the Castle. To return, take the #22, #11, or #14 on Yates & Fernwood.

Hatley Castle at Sooke Road & Aldeane.

Hatley Park is Canada's largest and most diverse National Historic Site. At the centre is a magnificent castle built in 1908 by former British Columbia Premier and coal baron, James Dunsmuir. This 565-acre Edwardian estate is just 25 minutes from downtown Victoria. Open year round, visitors will enjoy daily tours of Hatley Castle, a visit to the museum, or strolling through the Japanese, Italian and Rose gardens.

Details at www.hatleypark.ca or call 250-391-2666.

Take the #50 to Western Exchange and transfer to the #39 , #51, #52 or #61. Take one of these buses to Sooke Rd. at Aldeane and it's a short walk west to Hatly Castle. Alternatively, the route #61 leaves from downtown a few times a day and can be taken directly there. Ask a driver for a transfer when you board the bus in either direction.

Helmcken House, 10 Elliot St. Square, located next to the Royal British Columbia Museum.

Built in 1852, Helmcken House is the oldest home in BC on its original site. View period décor and what is thought to be the largest collection of early medical instruments in North America. Special event celebrations.

Details at www.heritage.gov.bc.ca/helm/helm.htm or call 250-361-0021.

Take the #3, #50, 61, #70, #71, #72 or #73. Helmcken House is on the east side of the Royal BC Museum. (Just look for the museum sign.)

Point Ellice House, 2616 Pleasant Street.

Once the home of Gold Rush Magistrate and Commissioner Peter O'Reilly and his family, it was a gathering point for Victoria's elite in the 1880s. The house is masterful example of early Victoria culture with meticulous on-going restoration. The house and gardens are open to the public, with tea served in the garden during the summer.

Details at www.heritage.gov.bc.ca/point/point.htm or call 250-380-6506.

Take the #14, get off at Bay & Pleasant just before the bridge and walk north along Pleasant.

Craigflower Manor and Schoolhouse, 110 Island Highway. Located at the junction of Craigflower and Admirals Road.

Children and history buffs will delight in a visit to this 1852 original Hudson's Bay farm house and adjacent school, thought to be the oldest schoolhouse remaining in Western Canada. This National Historic Site showcases the original stove, interior decorations and memorabilia of the McKenzie family for whom the house was built. Because the home has only natural light, it is only open during the spring and summer. Call for times.

Details at www.heritage.gov.bc.ca/craig/craig.htm or call 250-479-8053.

Take the #14 to Admirals & Island Hwy.

Emily Carr House, 207 Government St. Located four blocks south of the Legislature Buildings.

The 1864 "English Gingerbread" house, built by Richard Carr was the family home of artist and writer, Emily Carr, born there in 1871. The home is restored to its former Victorian ambience with period furnishings and a old-fashioned garden. Some of Carr's possessions, pottery and sculptures are displayed. Also of interest are the People's Gallery, where Canadian artists are exhibited, and a gift shop of Carr's books and memorabilia.

Details at www.emilycarr.com or call 250-383-5843.

Take the #5; #27/28 or #30/31 to Douglas at Simcoe and walk west two blocks.

Empress Hotel, 721 Government Street, across from the Inner Harbour.

One of the most elegant hotels in Victoria, the Empress harkens to gentle living in a bygone era. Visitors will stroll through fully-restored halls and public areas dressed in Victoriana furnishings that are frequented by movie stars and visiting royalty. The hotel boasts many fine shops, restaurants and a spa.

Attached to the hotel is Miniature World. This "world of small" boasts the world's tiniest operating sawmill, a 50-room dollhouse (circa 1880), and one of the world's largest model railroads.

Details at: www.fairmont.com or call 250-384-8111.

Take the #3, #27/28, #30/31, #50, #61, #70, #71, #72 or #73 to Belleville and Douglas.

Other Tourist Attractions

Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas Street.

This award-winning building is attached to the Empress Hotel and offers meeting and conference space for all sizes of gatherings. The décor reflects its west coast location with stunning examples of BC First Nations artwork including a 25-ft red cedar totem pole by master carver Tony Hunt.

Details at www.victoriaconference.com or call 250-361-1000.

Take the #1, #3, #4, #7, #21, #30/31, #50, #70, #71, #72, #73, #75 or #76.

Provincial Legislative Buildings, 501 Belleville Street.

The building, completed in 1897, is a fine example of Victorian detailing with exquisite stained-glass windows and woodwork. Free guided tours leave throughout the day from the main stairs.

Details at www.legis.gov.bc.ca or call 1-800-663-7876 toll free or 250-387-3046 locally.

Take the #3, #27/28, #30/31, #50, #61, #70, #71, #72 or #73.

Pacific Undersea Gardens, 490 Belleville Street. Located in the Inner Harbour.

The Gardens boast the most extensive collection of local marine life anywhere, a live underwater theatre with dive shows and tours.

Details at www.pacificunderseagardens.com or call 250-382-5717.

Take the #3, #27/28, #30/31, #50, #61, #70, #71, #72 or #73.

Fisherman's Wharf, the foot of St. Lawrence and Erie Street.

A great place to stroll the wharfs and buy right from the boats. Or stop for fish and chips at Barb's Place, a favourite local hangout.

Take the #30/31 to Erie & Dallas.

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 1040 Moss St.

A 19th-century mansion set among the stately homes of Rockland. The AGGV exhibits Canadian, European and Oriental art.

Details at www.aggv.bc.ca or call 250-384-4171.

From town, take the #11, #14 or #22 to Fort and Moss, then a short walk on Moss. Ask the driver to point you in the right direction when you disembark.

Government House, 1401 Rockland Avenue.

As the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor, this mansion hosts visiting royalty and ambassadors. While the house is generally closed to the public, the 36-acre gardens are open with free admission. Footpaths wind through 21 gardens and featured structures including a sunken rose garden, an English country garden and a waterfall. This is a wonderful spot for a stroll, especially in the spring when the rhododendrons are in bloom.

Take the #11, #14 or #22 to Fort & Moss, and walk two blocks on Moss, turn right, and walk another two along Rockland. Or take the #1 to Richardson and Moss; walk ahead and turn left onto Robleda, then turn right on Rockland to entrance. Ask your driver to point you in the right direction when you disembark.

Mattick's Farm, 5325 Cordova Bay Road.

Once the farm home of Saanich Peninsula old-timer Bill Mattick, the "farm" is now a crafts centre with 17 boutiques featuring the work of local artists, a fresh garden market, BC wine store and garden centre set in a rustic theme.

Take the #6 or #30/31 connecting to the #32 at Royal Oak Exchange. Get off on Cordova Bay at Lochside Drive.

Butchart Gardens, 800 Benvenuto Avenue.

Choosing transit is a hassle-free way to enjoy the gardens that began in 1904 when Jennie Butchart sought to beautify a gravel pit on the family property. Today the 55-acre site blossoms with more than 700 varieties of flowers artfully arranged throughout the Sunken Garden, Rose Garden and Italian Garden. High tea, lunch and dinner are served in the Dining Room of the former Butchart family home. There are uninterrupted blooms from March to October and fireworks from late June to the end of August.

Details at www.butchartgardens.com or call 250-652-5256 for recorded information.

From downtown, take the #75 or #76 directly there. Some #75 and #76 trips leave from Royal Oak. In this case, take the #6 or 30/31 from downtown to Royal Oak and transfer to the 75 or 76 from there. From the Swartz Bay ferry terminal, take the #81 directly there. From Sidney, take the #82.

Victoria Butterfly Gardens, 1461 Benvenuto Avenue. Located on the Saanich Peninsula.

The Butterfly Gardens are a photographer's paradise of exotic birds and hundreds of free-flying butterflies. Waterfalls and streams, filled with exotic fish, are framed by tropical plants. Visitors can watch the entire lifecycle of the butterfly unfold before them. Restaurant and deli on site.

Details at http://www.butterflygardens.com or call 250-652-3822.

From downtown, take the #75 or #76 directly there. Some #75 and #76 trips leave from Royal Oak. In this case, take the #6 or 30/31 from downtown to Royal Oak and transfer to the 75 or 76 from there. From the Swartz Bay ferry terminal, take the #81 directly there. From Sidney, take the #82.

Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site, 603 Fort Rodd Hill Rd.

Bring a picnic and enjoy spectacular mountain and ocean views while exploring an 1890s artillery fort built to defend Victoria and the Esquimalt Naval Base. Visitors can step back in time while viewing three gun batteries, an underground magazine, guardhouse decked out in period furnishings. Children will delight in tidal pools. Interpretive signs and audio-visual stations throughout the site.

Details at www.fortroddhill.com or call 250-478-5849.

Take the #25 (limited service), #50 or #61 to Western Exchange, and walk along Ocean Blvd. (2.2-km scenic walk).