What City Is Butchart Gardens In

Travel to Butchart Gardens

Spectacular night time scene at Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia

Victoria is located in the Canadian Province of British Columbia, at the southern end of Vancouver Island.

Popular with tourists from around the world, Victoria has been named both the Most Romantic City in Canada and one of the top 15 Friendliest Cities in the World.

With a perfect growing climate, Victoria is known internationally as the City of Gardens. The Butchart Gardens, just north of Victoria in Brentwood Bay, are internationally known and appreciated, and host over a million visitors annually.

The Butchart Gardens are located on the remnants of a cement plant, and features over a million bedding plants in over 900 varieties.

With a former limestone quarry for her backyard, Jennie Butchart envisioned in 1904 landscaping a sunken garden in its place, transforming the property for her family and visitors for generations to come.

Today, the grounds are extensive, and include the famous Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Rose Carousel, boat tours, fireworks and many special features.

Selfie sticks are not permitted. Photography is welcome, but should not interfere with the enjoyment of other visitors; do not block pathways with tripods. Smoking is not permitted.

Pets must be kept on a short leash, and under control at all times; owners are required to clean up after them. Wheelchairs and children's strollers are available, for a small refundable deposit, at the Information Centre.

Tickets may be purchased in advance online, or upon arrival at the gardens. Parking is free.

We have toured Butchart Gardens as recently as May of 2018 ... it is a treasure not to be missed! We recommend a minimum of two hours to cover the grounds; one could easily spend 4+ hours exploring all that the gardens have to offer.

Shown below is the entrance area at The Butchart Gardens

Entrance area at The Butchart Gardens, just north of Victoria on Vancouver Island

Scenes Around The Butchart Gardens

Scene at The Piazza at The Butchart Gardens in Victoria

The famous Sunken Gardens at The Butchart Gardens in Victoria

A profusion of spring blossoms at The Butchart Gardens in Victoria

Huge ferns in the shade at Butchart Gardens

Beautiful yellow and white colors at Butchart Gardens

Spiked white flowers in full bloom in spring at The Butchart Gardens

Purple and white Iris blooms at The Butchart Gardens

A colorful courtyard in spring at The Butchart Gardens in Victoria

Nighttime scene in the Italian Garden

Boat landing and dock at Butchart Cove in Victoria

Seeds and Gifts ... at The Butchart Gardens in Victoria

Victoria Butterfly Gardens are located a few minutes drive from The Butchart Gardens, at 1461 Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood Bay, BC.

Victoria Butterfly Gardens, just a few minutes drive from The Butchart Gardens

How to Get to Victoria

With Victoria's location on Vancouver Island, access to the city is via boat or air.

Ferries

Ferries run to Victoria from Port Townsend and Anacortes, Washington, and from Vancouver, BC.

Ferry Route	NM & Time	Details, Times, Reservations
Port Townsend, Washington to Victoria - The M.V. Coho ferry of Black Ball Ferry Line provides service to Victoria from Port Angeles, Washington. The dock is located in the Inner Harbour Area at the Steamship Terminal building, 470 Belleville Street.	23nm 1:30	Black Ball Ferry Line
Anacortes, Washington to Sidney, BC - Car and passenger Service by the Washington State Ferry System docks in Sidney near the Victoria International Airport. Reservations are recommended and can be made online. The driving distance from the Sidney dock south to downtown Victoria is about 28 km.	2:45	Washington State Ferry System
Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Victoria (Swartz Bay) - Ferry service is provided via BC Ferries. Reservations are recommended and can be made online.	24nm 1:35	British Columbia Ferries
Vancouver (Departure Bay) to Nanaimo, BC (Horseshoe Bay) - Nanaimo is located about 111 km north of downtown Victoria. Ferry service is provided via BC Ferries from Departure Bay north of Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay in Nanaimo. Reservations are recommended and can be made online.	30nm 1:40	British Columbia Ferries
Downtown Vancouver, BC to Downtown Victoria - Luxury ferry service is provided by V2V Vacations on the V2V Empress. Docks at the Steamship Terminal building. Passengers only.	3:15	V2V Vacations
Downtown Seattle, WA to Downtown Victoria - Luxury ferry service is provided by Clipper Vacations on the Victoria Clipper. Docks at the Steamship Terminal building. Passengers only.	2:45	Clipper Vacations

Airlines

Scheduled airline flights into Victoria International Airport are provided by Air Canada, Delta, United, WestJet and other airlines. More than 50 flights from Vancouver and Seattle land daily, in addition to many direct flights from major Canadian and U.S. cities. The airport is about 28 km from downtown Victoria via Highway 17.

Various float plane operators such as Harbour Air, Kenmore Air, and others fly into the Victoria Harbour Airport with flights to/from Vancouver, Seattle and other locations.

Cruise Lines

In addition, several cruise lines dock at the Ogden Point Cruise Terminal, located in the Outer Harbour area, about one mile from the Inner Harbour and downtown. Shuttle service is provided from the Ogden Point Cruise Terminal to and from downtown. The shuttle runs a minimum of every 20 minutes. Cruise lines stopping in Victoria include Royal Caribbean, Princess, NCL, Holland America, Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, and others.

Other Things to See and Do in Victoria

Besides The Butchart Gardens, Victoria has attractions and things to do for all ages, and interests. Some of the popular attractions include the following:

One of the most popular attractions in Victoria is the Royal BC Museum, located at 675 Belleville Street
Visitor Center, 812 Wharf Street , for maps, brochures, local advice, reservations, transportation ... phone 900.663.3883
Royal BC Museum and IMAX Victoria
Empress Hotel National Historic Site
British Columbia Parliament building
Whale watching excursions
Fisherman's Wharf
Inner Harbour boat rides, kayaking
Beacon Hill Park
Seaplane and helicopter tours
Christ Church Cathedral
Ogden Point Terminal and Breakwater
Government Street
Chinatown
Craigdarroch Castle
Victoria Butterfly Gardens
Robert Bateman Centre
Emily Carr House
Bastion Square
Carriage and double-deck bus tours around the city
Oak Bay

Views Around City Center in Victoria

The Victoria waterfront, with the Empress Hotel to the right

View of the Victoria waterfront from the Royal BC Museum

Other Attractions to See on Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island, the largest populated landmass between western North America and New Zealand, offers a large variety of things to do in addition to those in Victoria:

Tofino, BC ... on the Pacific Ocean ... surfing mecca, plus the Tofino Botanical Gardens
Harbour city Nanaimo, home of chocolate-and-custard Nanaimo bars, has an Old City Quarter with shops, galleries and restaurants. And don't miss the Nanaimo Museum and the Old City Quarter.
Museum, Discovery Pier, and the Discovery Passage Aquarium at Campbell River
Ucluelet Aquarium
Pacific rim National Park Reserve
Alberni Valley Museum
Cathedral Grove, between Parksville and Port Alberni ... towering giant trees and quiet trails
Coombs Old Country Museum
The Teafarm near Duncan
Cumberland Museum in the Comox Valley
Milner Gardens and Woodland
Horne Lake Caves and Outdoor Centre
Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea in Sidney
Maritime Centre in Cowichan Bay
Victoria Distillers in Sidney
Cherry Point Vineyards in Duncan
Gabriola Island, reached via a 20-minute ferry ride from Nanaimo

Interactive Map of the Victoria, British Columbia Area

More Information about Victoria

Tourism Victoria

British Columbia Ferries

MV Coho of the Black Ball Ferry Line

Washington State Ferry System

The Butchart Gardens

Royal BC Museum

Victoria Travel Guide from TripAdvisor

Other Travel and Vacation Destinations