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ROCKLAND / FAIRFIELD. With over 15,000 pieces, this is British Columbia's largest public art collection. Highlights include one of Canada's best Asian art collections complete with an authentic Shinto shrine, and paintings by Victoria-born artist and writer Emily Carr. Youngsters and the young-at-heart will enjoy the king-sized dollhouse.
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AIRPORT. This unique museum is dedicated to Canada's history in aviation. In addition to pictures and memorabilia, you can view over 20 restored vintage aircraft, including WWII fighters, a 1929 Eastman Flying Boat, and a Gibson Twin that was built in Victoria in 1911. Thursdays are "work days" so visit then to watch the restorers in action. Group tours available.
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Centre of the Universe
5071 W Saanich Rd, Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Victoria, BC V9E 2E7 · 250-363-8262
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ELK LAKE / CORDOVA BAY. Amusing name aside, this science center is actually quite interesting and educational. Part of the Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics, the centre features a number of interactive exhibits and a planetarium, and offers special theatre presentations that will engage youngsters as well as their parents. Be sure to check out the impressive 1.8-metre Plaskett Telescope. In fact, you may want to time your visit to coincide with the centre's evening hours, when the telescope is actually used for public star viewing. Hours vary widely by season, so call ahead.
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Heritage Acres
7321 Lochside Dr, (Saanich Historical Artifacts Society), Saanichton, BC V8M 1W4 · 250-652-5522
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ELK LAKE / CORDOVA BAY. A 29-acre site devoted to the display of the Saanich Historical Artifacts Society's massive collection, Heritage Acres also includes numerous trails and picnic spots. Original and replica buildings (including a school house, log cabin, blacksmith, mercantile, chapel, boat house and sawmill) depict BC life circa 1900. Artifacts range from small household items to farm machinery; some are housed in the museum building, others are scattered around the property. Sharing the land is the Vancouver Island Model Engineers Club which occasionally offers rides on their scale model trains (call ahead to get the current schedule).
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DOWNTOWN. Explore British Columbia's rich maritime history in this museum's extensive collection. There are 70 model ships, uniforms, weapons and artifacts that highlight the early fur trade, whaling industry, royal navy and ocean liner era. Other exhibits include a history of the BC ferry system, and an exhibit dedicated to the circumnavigation of the globe. Currently on display is the "Tilikum," the first dug-out canoe to make the attempt. Captained by John Voss, she set sail from Victoria in 1901 and arrived in England in 1904, having tackled three of the world's angriest oceans. Be sure to take a ride on the museum's ornate, gilded lift that dates from 1889 – it is the oldest operating birdcage elevator in North America.
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Miniature World
649 Humboldt St, The Fairmont Empress Hotel, Victoria, BC V8W 1A7 · 250-385-9731
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INNER HARBOUR. If you happen to be in Victoria during one of its rainy spells, this is the ideal attraction to visit. Spend a couple of hours examining dozens of tiny exhibits depicting scenes from all over the globe. You'll visit the Great Canadian Railway, European castles, Olde London Towne of 1670, outer space, the Canadian frontier, and the Swiss Family Robinson tree house. There's also an array of intricately decorated dollhouses, and the world's smallest operational sawmill. Imagine how much space these exhibits would require if they were life-size!
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DOWNTOWN. This is one of Victoria's premier attractions, and Canada's most visited museum, dedicated to teaching about the land and people of coastal British Columbia. The Natural History gallery presents BC's coastal and rainforest ecosystems from the ice age to the present, the Modern History gallery features a real frontier town and the excellent First People's gallery houses native art and artifacts including an authentic longhouse. The IMAX theatre shows National Geographic films.
If you're a history buff, art aficionado, archaeology fiend, or dabbler in the sciences, our museum picks are perfect for a rainy day or afternoon excursion! Our selections center around notable collections of historical and cultural items. Many have excellent rotating displays in addition to exceptional permanent collections.
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