Family
Beacon Hill Children's Farm
Petting farm with goats, alpacas and other friendly animals inside Beacon Hill Park.
Rainy Day in Victoria
Rain does not have to ruin a Victoria day. Museums, a castle, an art gallery, a great bookshop and afternoon tea all keep you dry, and most are close together downtown.
Royal BC Museum
Victoria's big provincial museum sits right beside the Inner Harbour. Check the website for which galleries and exhibits are open before you go.
Craigdarroch Castle
A Victorian-era mansion with stained glass, carved wood and a tower with city views. Plan to spend an hour or two inside. It sits on a hill east of downtown, so take a taxi or bus if it is pouring.
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
A smaller, calmer option in the Rockland neighbourhood, good for an hour or two of browsing on a wet afternoon. Check what is currently on.
Munro's Books
A well-known independent bookstore on Government Street, set in a high-ceilinged heritage building. It is easy to lose an hour here.
Afternoon tea
A classic Victoria rainy-day plan. The Fairmont Empress is the best-known spot, and several other hotels and tea rooms offer tea too. Book ahead, especially in summer.
Cafes and pubs in the Inner Harbour area
Ducking into a warm cafe or pub in Bastion Square or along Government Street is a good way to wait out a shower. Walking between indoor stops is short downtown.
Bring a light rain jacket and skip the umbrella. Victoria rain is often light, and the waterfront can be windy.
More places to stay dry
Museum
Helmcken House Pioneer Doctor's Residence
Home of Victoria's pioneer doctor, one of the oldest houses in BC.
Family
Victoria Bug Zoo
Hands-on zoo of insects and creepy crawlies.
631 Courtney Street
Family
Victoria Butterfly Gardens
Indoor tropical gardens with free-flying butterflies.
1461 Benvenuto Avenue, V8M 1J5
Curiosities
CAVITY Curiosity Shop
Quirky curiosity shop full of oddities and gifts.
2514 Douglas Street
Museum
Carr House National Historic Site
Childhood home of artist Emily Carr, now a heritage museum.
Good to know
- Most downtown indoor stops are within a few blocks of each other, so you can hop between them with little time in the rain.
- Check opening hours before you go, because small shops and attractions can close early on quiet days.
- A rain jacket and a short walk between stops beats cancelling your plans: Victoria showers are often brief.
Rainy-day tours worth booking
- Chinatown, Old Town and Inner Harbor Guided Food and History Tour (A Taste of Victoria Food Tours): A guided walking food tour with local history through Chinatown, Old Town and the Inner Harbour.
- Downtown Food & City Tour (Off The Eaten Track): A guided tasting walk through downtown Victoria with a look at the city's sights.
- The Victoria Chocolate & Bakery Tour (Off The Eaten Track): A guided tour of Victoria's chocolate shops and bakeries.
See all bookable tours · Open the interactive map · Browse all places · Self guided tours
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Questions people ask
What is there to do in Victoria when it rains?
Visit the Royal BC Museum, Craigdarroch Castle, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Munro's Books, or book afternoon tea.
Is Victoria still worth visiting in the rain?
Yes. Rain is often light, and the compact downtown makes it easy to move between indoor stops.
Should I book anything ahead for a rainy day?
Afternoon tea is the main one; popular sittings fill up. Museums and the castle can get busier on wet days, so check hours and ticketing first.
Open the interactive map to see these places and plan your own route.
Hours, prices and closures change. Check each place's website before you go.