A peaceful way to explore the older neighborhoods of Victoria, BC is by horse-drawn carriage. Here are three great options.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is somewhat of an anomaly in Canada. Enjoying a climate not too dissimilar to that of southern Europe means that visitors can participate in outdoor activities throughout the year. To the south of downtown, you’ll find James Bay and Beacon Hill Park along the shoreline of the Salish Sea. These pretty, historic parts of the city are best experienced in a traditional mode of transport, such as a horse-drawn carriage. A variety of carriage rides is available to hire for 30 minutes or more. Please note that all prices below are per group, up to six people.
Victoria Carriage Ride by the Sea
The Dallas Road waterfront is a pleasant and serene stretch of Salish Sea coastline not far from Victoria Downtown. Sit back and watch the world glide by from your horse-drawn carriage. Take in the views across the open water towards the Olympic Mountain range, or observe daily life in the historic streets of the James Bay neighborhood. This 30-minute ride is a great way to explore the waterfront. Rides are available daily between noon and 5:30pm. From C$115 per group.
Carriage Tour of James Bay and Beacon Hill Park
If you’d like to elongate your horse-drawn carriage tour to 45 minutes, then Beacon Hill Park is located right beside James Bay neighborhood. The vast park combines a rare Garry oak ecosystem with parkland and manicured flower beds. The park is particularly resplendent during spring and autumn, and the large size of it means that a horse-drawn cart is a fine way to cover more distance. This tour also explores James Bay and the Dallas Road waterfront. Daily afternoon departures are available. From C$165 per group.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Victoria Tour by Horse-drawn Carriage
There’s so much more to see in Victoria, and if you’d like to get the best possible overview of the British Columbian capital, then you might want to consider a 90-minute carriage ride. As with the above tours, you’ll be exploring the historic streets of James Bay, the views over the Salish Sea to the Olympic Mountains in the US, and the bucolic Beacon Hill Park. In addition, you’ll explore Fisherman’s Wharf, with its quirky floating houses and, given that these carriage rides are private, you can also ask for more of a bespoke route to suit your preferences, too. From C$295 per group.