If you’re one to jump right into the halloween season as soon as the first day of September hits, then you will absolutely love getting into the ‘spooky’ mood on Vancouver Island! Fall on the island is just as charming as the summer in its own special way! Below, we’ve curated a list of our favourites for a hauntingly good time:
Craigdarroch Castle
The first spot on our list is the enchanting Victorian Craigdarroch Castle in the city of Victoria. Originally an estate built for an entrepreneur, his wife, and ten children in the 1890’s, it has since become a treasured monument full of history in Canada’s capital. With 39 rooms, 20,000 feet of indoor space, an expansive outdoor garden, and a regal-looking teahouse open until September 30th, it makes an excellent venue for weddings, movies, or other events, while acting as a glimpse into Canada’s history. If you’re just popping in for a day, we recommend visiting the Jinglepot Teahouse until the end of September, or, if you’re coming in October, the castle also will be showing a selection of halloween-themed films on Thursdays and Saturdays until October the 13th. But beware - roaming those grand hallways afterwards will seem a little more frightening!
Cathedral Grove
Next up is a wandering soul’s favourite - Officially named MacMillan Provincial Park in central Vancouver Island, (but more commonly referred to as Cathedral Grove), this lush green forest stroll reveals Douglas Fir trees that are up to 800 years old! Hard to believe some trees have outlasted so much history, and yet they continue to be beneficial to our ecosystems and amaze humans with their grandeur. It is said that tree root systems ‘talk’ to each other to ‘communicate’ the health of the surrounding area or any imminent danger to each other through the use of fungi which exchange nutrients and sugars with the tree roots. In the case of danger, the trees that have been ‘warned’ will set up their own version of a defence mechanism. Since the park is considered an internationally significant example of old-growth Douglas Firs, it is prohibited to smoke or stray from the walking path, as the area is sensitive to high visitor traffic. However, the path still offers exceptional viewing and photo-taking opportunities including a gorgeous lake, and is a park definitely worth seeing in the soft (sometimes eerie) glow of autumn.
Storm Watching
In Tofino, appropriately named Canada’s surfing capital, it only makes sense that come colder weather, the waves can get more intense as storm season approaches! If you are thrilled at the idea of watching mother nature turn into a drama queen, then you’ll want to walk down to any of Tofino’s main beaches to witness an incredible storm-watching opportunity. To make the most of it, dress warmly and with plenty of waterproof clothing, check the tides, and avoid standing on tidal rocks to avoid being swept away. Lean into the wind to immerse yourself in the ‘ride’ too! We promise that this is truly a whirlwind experience you won’t want to miss!
After all the fun and excitement, we hope you’ll choose to stay at one of our 11 world-class hotels to get cozy and warm up with some hot cocoa! We are pleased to offer reliable and friendly staff, convenient amenities, and beds that are always ultra-comfortable at each of our locations. We hope you enjoy your stay on Vancouver Island!
