Exploring Victoria, the 'Garden City'

Throughout the year, the Student Life department, with the help of the Alexander College Student Association (ACSA), hosts events that provide students the opportunity to experience what Canada has to offer.

Whether it be through experiencing the country’s diverse culture or taking a day trip to explore the beautiful sights of Canada, we want to make sure students make the most out of their time here. That’s why we took advantage of the wonderful summer weather and invited students to take a trip out to Victoria!

Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia that is located on Vancouver Island. Known Canada’s ‘Garden City’ and one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest, the city features historic Parliament Buildings and the second oldest Chinatown in North America.

This blend of scenic views and history made it the perfect destination for this field trip!

A Short Ferry Away

How does one get to Victoria, located on Vancouver Island? By ferry, of course!

One of easiest and scenic ways to get to Victoria is by simply taking a ferry across the water. A one-way trip between Vancouver and Victoria is only around 90 minutes, which is not too long but leaves plenty of time to take beautiful pictures of the water and surrounding islands.

For those who like to drive, the option to bring your car along is also available, but keep in mind there is an additional fee and space may be limited.

The Garden City

The first stop on our trip was Butchart Gardens. Established in the 1990s by Jennie Butchart, the Butchart Gardens is now home to over 900 varieties of plants and designated as a National Historic Site of Canada. Each season brings its own colours and sights to behold.

Downtown Victoria was our next stop where many of the historic landmarks and buildings are located. Some notable places include the Inner Harbour where the historical Parliament Buildings are located.

Inner Harbour, located in the heart of Victoria, serves as a hub for whale watching, water taxi services, and more. A few steps away from the water are the Parliament Buildings, which opened their doors in 1898.

The Parliament Buildings are still in use today by the Legislative Assembly of BC, but there are public tours available during certain times of the year.

The Empress is another major landmark to note, being one of the oldest hotels in Victoria and also designated a National Historic Site of Canada due to its historical architecture.

An Unforgettable Field Trip

After a full day of exploring, we headed back to Vancouver. On the way back, we shared stories and looked back on the day and all of the beautiful photos that were taken.

We hope everyone had an amazing time in Victoria and made some unforgettable memories! We would also like to give special thanks to Geran from the AC Library team for providing the amazing photos you see in this blog post.

For those who missed out, the Student Life department hosts events year-round so keep checking our Event Calendar for upcoming events.

If you would like to study at Alexander College, fill out the form below and an Enrollment Advisor will get in touch with you!