November is a magical time to come to Victoria - not because the weather is guaranteed to be beautiful, but because you basically get the island to yourself by evading tourist season! What could be better than zipping around those little winding streets with no traffic, sightseeing, going for a hike, and cozying up with a hot chocolate on a crisp November day? We’ve formulated the perfect day, now all you have to do is get there and live it!
Jam Cafe
The first thing you’ll want to do once you arrive in Victoria is get brunch, obviously! For the best brunch in town, try Jam Cafe, situated in Old-Town Victoria: Although not a short wait to get in (they don’t take reservations), this meal will be so delicious and filling that it is sure to carry you through to the evening. This way, there’s so much more time for exploring! On top of everything, their atmosphere is wonderful - rustic wood paneling, all sorts of vintage collectibles line their four cozy walls, upbeat morning tunes, and friendly wait staff! The experience inside is so unusual that it will feel more like an event than a meal. We recommend the Grapefruit mimosa to kick off the morning, red velvet pancakes if you’ve got a sweet tooth, and their huevos rancheros if you’re more on the savoury side. If you’re more traditionalist with your breakfast food, they also do every morning classic you can think of; such as eggs benedict, french toast, or waffles, plus fun variations to spice it up if you so desire!
Royal BC Museum Victoria:
The next place worth exploring is the Victoria’s very own Royal BC Museum. Highly renowned in Canada for its depth, as well as the conjoining of Canada’s official archives, it is essentially a mecca for everything there is to know about British Columbia. At the moment, they have a special exhibition on ancient Egypt, a look into the history of First Nations languages, a natural history gallery, and even a native plant garden! If you’re coming with the kids, don’t miss their workshop with activities to explore how the ancient Egyptians lived every Sunday in November between 1 and 3 pm!
Fan Tan Alley:
If you’re in the mood for something unusual, you’ll want to explore Canada’s narrowest corridor, Fan Tan Alley in historic Chinatown! The alley used to be home to many brothels, opium dens, and gamblers as the ‘play spot’ for Chinese migrant workers after the gold rush of 1958. It is even speculated that it is haunted by a murderous ghost named Chan! History aside, today it is a true hidden gem of Victoria, which is now lined with quaint little independent shops. Be sure not to miss the Kid Sister ice cream shop for a five star dessert experience!
Let us know what adventures you get up to on your next trip! To get you started, we offer two conveniently-located hotels - the Best Western at the Carlton Plaza, and another at Victoria’s Inner Harbour, for your convenience. We are pleased to offer you amazing views, great staff, and an overall wonderful experience. We hope to see you soon!
