Best of Vancouver Island

Fairmont Empress [1]: You don’t need to be a guest at this famous hotel to admire its grandeur. Plan on eating a meal here for the full effect.

Royal British Columbia Museum [2]: If you only visit one museum on Vancouver Island, make it this one, which tells the story of the province’s natural and human history.

Goldstream Provincial Park [3]: Escape the city in this slice of wilderness, which is laced with hiking trails. If you’re visiting in late fall, make a trip to the park to view the spectacle of spawning salmon.

Butchart Gardens [4]: Even if you have only one day in Victoria, make time to visit Butchart Gardens, one of the world’s most delightful gardens.

Galiano Island [5]: Each of the Southern Gulf Islands has its own charms, but a personal favorite for kayaking is Galiano Island.

Pacific Rim National Park [6]: Canada isn’t renowned for its beaches, but this national park protects some magnificent stretches of sand.

Telegraph Cove [7]: It’s worth the drive to Telegraph Cove just to wander around the postcard-perfect boardwalk village, but you’ll also want to take a tour boat in search of orca whales.

Alert Bay [8]: This tiny village on Cormorant Island is a hotbed of native history. A cultural center and some of the world’s tallest totem poles are highlights.