Victoria’s best museums are treasure troves of knowledge and beauty, beckoning visitors to explore their diverse exhibits.
From the natural wonders showcased at the Royal BC Museum to the artistic expressions at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, there’s something for everyone.
A visit to these top Victoria museums is not just a day out; it’s an adventure into the heart of the city’s cultural and historical landscape.
Victoria’s Best Museums & Galleries
Exploring Victoria’s best museums is like stepping into a world of discovery and inspiration. Whether you’re a history buff, art lover, or curious traveller, you should be able to find a Victoria museum or art gallery to cater to every interest and age group.
Thankfully, due to the city’s small downtown core, most are reachable on foot from dowtown Victoria hotels. So even if you’re only in town for the weekend, you’ll have plenty of time to pack a couple into your Victoria weekend itinerary.
The city may be more famous more it’s beautiful gardens and stunning scenery, but let’s be honest, you’ll need a few Victoria rainy day activities to add to your list.
Victoria’s Museums You Actually Want to Visit
- Royal BC Museum: BC’s biggest and best
- Art Gallery of Greater Victoria: East-meets-West art haven
- Maritime Museum: Shipwreck stories and sailing lore
- Victoria Butterfly Gardens: Tropical bugs, birds, and butterflies
- Bateman Gallery: Nature art that hits deep
- Craigdarroch Castle: Victorian drama, real stone floors
- The Mark Loria Gallery: Contemporary Indigenous brilliance
- Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse: Cannons and ocean views
- Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea: Fish tanks and First Nations culture
- CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum: Ships, submarines, and soldiers
- Emily Carr House: Life inside a Canadian icon
Now that you’ve seen a sneak preview of my list, let’s look at each location in greater detail.
Royal BC Museum
The Royal BC Museum opened in 1886 and has been collecting oddities, artifacts, and dinosaur bones ever since. You’ll find everything from First Nations history to full-size woolly mammoths in here. It’s also one of the only museums in Canada with a full natural history exhibit alongside cultural galleries.
This place doesn’t feel like a typical museum. It’s darker, quieter, more immersive. The walk-through exhibits are full of tiny details—like creaky floorboards and forest smells—that turn a simple visit into something that sticks with you. You could spend half a day here and not see it all.
For more money, this is the best museum in British Columbia—trumping anything in Vancouver. So, don’t miss out!
⭐ Don’t leave without: The old town walkthrough. It feels like you’ve stepped straight into 1900.
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is tucked away in Rockland, part modern gallery, part historic mansion. And yes, that contrast actually works. The gallery’s collection features Canadian and Indigenous artists, plus a surprisingly large collection of Japanese art you probably weren’t expecting.
The blend of old and new adds to the charm. One moment, you’re in a minimalist white cube room with contemporary paintings; the next, you’re in a wooden-floored Victorian house with portraits from the 1800s. It’s never packed, which means you can take your time without dodging elbows.
I usually end up in the Asian Garden for way too long—it’s peaceful, and there’s a massive bronze bell that feels like it belongs in a Studio Ghibli movie.
⭐ Don’t leave without: Visiting the Japanese Shinto shrine in the garden. It’s a small but memorable detail.
Maritime Museum of BC
The Maritime Museum of BC used to live in a haunted courthouse, but now it’s found a new home near the Inner Harbour on Douglas Street. It’s smaller than it used to be but still manages to pack in ship models, deep-sea diving gear, and old sailor stories.
If you’re even slightly into boats or shipwrecks, this is your spot. What I like is how it mixes technical stuff with quirky personal artifacts—like journals from sailors and old compasses. There’s an entire wall of figureheads that somehow manages to be both beautiful and creepy.
Last time I visited, I overheard a 5-year-old asking his dad if mermaids were real, so clearly the displays are working.
⭐ Don’t leave without: Trying the knot-tying station. It’s oddly satisfying.
Victoria Butterfly Gardens
It’s humid, loud, and full of flying insects—so naturally, I love it. The Victoria Butterfly Gardens aren’t just about butterflies, though. There are flamingos, poison dart frogs, tortoises, and a couple of parrots that will try to flirt with you.
The space is set up like a tropical rainforest, complete with waterfalls and leafy pathways. If you’re visiting Victoria in the winter, it’s a warm escape from the grey. Kids love it, photographers love it, and even if you’re slightly bug-phobic, you’ll love it too. It’s a chance to face your fears in a friendly, leafy environment.
I once had a blue morpho land on my head and stay there for 30 seconds like I was its personal Uber.
The gardens are located right next to Butchart Gardens, making for a good combo. So, I sense a day trip to Brentwood Bay needs to be in your future.
⭐ Don’t leave without: Finding the giant Atlas moths—they’re bigger than your hand.
Craigdarroch Castle
Built by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir in the 1890s, Craigdarroch Castle is four stories of stained glass, carved wood, and period drama vibes. It looks like something out of a gothic novel, and honestly, it kind of is.
Each room is packed with antique furniture and Victorian flair. The narrow staircases and creaky floors make it feel alive, almost like you’re trespassing. I once did the self-guided tour with headphones and still swear I heard a piano playing from an empty room.
Great for architecture buffs, history nerds, and anyone who enjoys imagining how they’d redecorate a mansion from 1890.
⭐ Don’t leave without: Climbing the tower for one of the best views in the city.
Mark Loria Gallery
Right in the downtown core, the Mark Loria Gallery focuses on contemporary Indigenous art, particularly from Coast Salish and other Pacific Northwest artists. It’s clean, bright, and respectful of the work—no distractions, just art that speaks for itself.
You won’t find mass-produced souvenirs or tourist fluff here. Every piece tells a story, often rooted in Indigenous traditions but expressed through modern mediums. The gallery is small, but the impact is big.
I came in to browse and ended up staying nearly an hour talking with the staff about a carved raven mask and some other favourites. These are the kinds of places where art feels like conversation.
⭐ Don’t leave without: Asking about the featured artist. The exhibitions change regularly.
Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse
The Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgaard Lighthouse National Historic Site blends military history with a killer ocean view. Fort Rodd Hill was a coastal artillery fortress, and you can still walk through the original bunkers and gun batteries. The lighthouse next door has been guiding ships since 1860.
This one’s great for people who like to wander. The paths are wide, the ocean air is salty, and there are enough nooks and crannies to keep kids entertained.
It’s one of the few spots where history feels less like a lecture and more like an open-air escape. I usually bring a coffee and just wander through the old bunkers, pretending I’m in a spy movie.
⭐ Don’t leave without: Enjoying the Views. Relax in the red Adirondack chairs and take in the beautiful scenery.
Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea
Just north in Sidney, this small aquarium focuses entirely on local marine life. Every tank features creatures found in the Salish Sea—so it’s like meeting your underwater neighbors. It’s calm, clean, and super educational without being overwhelming.
What makes the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea stand out is how hands-on it feels. You can actually touch sea stars and anemones, which is always a hit if you’re visiting Victoria with kids.
The jellyfish tank is a personal favorite—something about their slow motion floating is hypnotic. It’s not huge, but it’s curated with care, and the staff are total ocean nerds (in the best way).
⭐ Don’t leave without: Visiting the moon snail. It’s weirdly cute.
CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum
This military museum is on an active naval base, so it’s a bit trickier to get into—but worth it if you’re interested in Canada’s naval history. Exhibits cover everything from the Royal Canadian Navy to women in service.
What’s cool here is the attention to personal stories. You’ll see uniforms, ship blueprints, and mess hall menus from decades past. It’s not flashy, but it’s deeply respectful.
When I visited, I got talking to a veteran volunteer who casually mentioned he’d served in Korea. That stuck with me. The CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum doesn’t try to impress—it just tells the truth.
⭐ Don’t leave without: Reading the letters from sailors. Some are funny, some heartbreaking.
Emily Carr House
This yellow heritage home was the birthplace of Emily Carr, one of Canada’s most important painters and writers. She was bold, a little eccentric, and didn’t care much for rules—which comes through in every room of this house.
The house has been restored to reflect what it would have looked like when Carr lived there in the late 1800s. It’s full of photos, original sketches, and even snippets of her writing. I found it surprisingly emotional, maybe because her work is so connected to the land around Victoria.
You get a better sense of who she really was—lonely sometimes, stubborn often, and wildly talented.
⭐ Don’t leave without: Watching the short film upstairs. It’s beautifully done and gives real insight into Carr’s life.
Victoria’s Best Museums and Galleries FAQs
What are Victoria’s best museums?
Victoria has several noteworthy museums showcasing the region’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty. However, the Royal BC Museum in the city’s Inner Harbour is far and away the most popular. Other great options include the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum, the Maritime Museum of British Columbia, Craigdarroch Castle, and the Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites.
What are the best art galleries in Victoria?
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is the most well-known, but many forget the Royal BC Museum contains the world’s largest collection of works by famed local artist Emily Carr.
You’ll also find a whole host of smaller galleries catering to various niches, including the Mark Loria Gallery (First Nations), Madrona Gallery (contemporary/historical), Victoria Emerging Art Gallery (emerging), and Open Space Arts Society (artist-run co-op).
What can I see at the Royal BC Museum?
The Royal BC Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the human and natural history of the province. When you visit the museum, you can expect to see a variety of permanent and temporary exhibits and collections exploring the history of British Columbia.
Are guided tours available at Victoria museums and galleries?
Most Victoria museums and galleries offer guided tours, either included with admission or at an additional cost. These tours can provide valuable insights into the exhibits and artworks, enhancing your overall experience.
Are there any kid-friendly museums and galleries in Victoria?
The Maritime Museum of British Columbia and the Royal BC Museum are particularly popular among families. If you’re willing to expand your museum definition, Victoria Butterfly Gardens and Miniature World are bound to put a smile on any child’s face.
How much time should I allocate to visit the best museums and galleries in Victoria?
The time you spend at each museum or gallery will depend on your interests and the size of the facility. Nevertheless, most Victoria museums and galleries tend to be smaller, so they can be viewed in 45-90 minutes. Larger facilities like the Royal BC Museum may require an allotment of as much as 3-4 hours.
Ready to tour Victoria’s best museums?
Each of the Victoria museums and galleries on our list offers a diverse and enriching cultural experience for both locals and visitors alike. From world-class art collections to interactive exhibits, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
So, don’t wait any longer! Venture out and explore the captivating world of Victoria’s best museums and galleries, and let your curiosity and creativity run free.
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