Government Street
Government Street, Victoria, British Colombia
Victoria's main drag, Government Street is home to many of the city's most popular hotels, shops, and restaurants. It's also the location of many top Victoria attractions, including the Royal British Columbia Museum, Emily Carr House, and British Columbia Parliament Buildings. The street is popular for visitors to stroll.
The basics
If you plan on spending any time in downtown Victoria, chances are you'll end up on Government Street. It's best explored on foot, and most guided and self-guided (app-based) walking tours include a significant amount of time on the street. With its numerous restaurants ranging from low-key snack shops to snazzy fine-dining establishments, Government Street is also a great spot for culinary tours.
Things to know before you go
Wear layers and bring rain gear—the weather in Victoria can be unpredictable.
Government Street is wheelchair-friendly, as are many of the businesses and attractions that line it.
Remember to look up. A lot of the buildings along the street feature architectural details that are easy to miss if you don’t lift your gaze.
How to get there
Government Street runs through downtown Victoria and is easy to reach on foot. It's several blocks from Victoria Harbour, where the ferry from Port Angeles, Washington, drops passengers. Government Street is connected to the rest of the island by bus, with direct connections to Sidney and Duncan and connecting service to Nanaimo.
When to get there
Most shops on Government Street are open daily, and many stay open into the evening. Weekends tend to be busier with shoppers. Visit in summer for the warmest temperatures and lowest chances of rainfall, but be prepared for cool weather and showers no matter when you come.
Victoria’s Chinatown
Head north on Government Street and you'll find yourself at Victoria's Chinatown, among the oldest Chinese neighborhoods on the continent. It's a great place to sample dim sum or pick up Chinese decorative items, and it features on many urban walking tours. Don't miss Fan Tan Alley, a skinny commercial shopping and dining alley that measures a mere 35 inches (89 centimeters) at its narrowest.
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