May in Canada is already a treat for the outdoor enthusiast. British Columbia is one of the best places to visit in Canada. What better place to head to for Victoria Day? With some of North America’s best national parks, mountains, and epic coastlines, all bases are covered for even the most intrepid explorer. With Victoria on May 24th, 2023, it is one of the best opportunities for long weekend getaways. As spring becomes summer explore the natural beauty of British Columbia with the family. Keep reading to find the perfect weekend getaway for you and your loved ones for Victoria Day, 2023!
What is Victoria Day?
So, what is Victoria Day exactly? Victoria Day is a holiday that’s been observed since at least 1845. And as the name suggests, it was originally to celebrate the birthday of Queen Victoria, who was born on May 24th, 1819. The holiday is now observed on the penultimate Monday of May each year, so Victoria Day 2023 falls on May 22nd. Now is the time to book a stay in a unique yurt rental or one of our cozy camping cabin rentals. British Columbia awaits!
Spend Victoria Day weekend in Whistler
The mountain town of Whistler is a Mecca for winter sports enthusiasts the world over. However, once the snow has melted and green has returned to the mountainsides for the summer, there are plenty of fun things to do in Whistler. Cabin rentals are a great way to celebrate the weekend surrounded by nature. Enjoy mountain biking, rafting, and bungee jumping all during the long weekend BC.
Watch the Victoria Day Parade in Victoria, BC
Set on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria, BC, is perfectly located for you to further explore the great outdoors. However, before you do, you can enjoy exploring the capital of British Columbia. The downtown area, stunning gardens, and castles are all worth a visit. On the holiday itself, you can watch the Victoria Day parade, before heading out of the city to further explore Vancouver Island.
Things to do on Vancouver Island
When you’ve finished the city, you can focus on all the outdoor activities and other things to do on Vancouver Island. At this time of year, you can head up to Tofino, BC, and book a whale-watching tour so you can watch these incredible creatures in their natural habitats. Vancouver Island doesn’t just boast whales and an epic coastline. With expansive forests and national parks such as Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, you can look forward to a fun long weekend here. Make your stay even more memorable by booking this beachfront tent near Ucluelet, and really get back to nature.
Discover the Enchanted Gardens in Malakwa, BC, for your Victoria Day weekend getaway, 2023
Set among 800-year-old cedar trees, the Enchanted Gardens near Malakwa, BC, comes from the imagination of artist Doris Needham. Stay in this unique tree house rental near Shuswap Lake, and add to the experience of an enchanted woodland getaway. Just a short drive from Malakwa, Mount Griffin Ecological Reserve, Mount Revelstoke National Park, and Glacier National Park.
Visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge
For a unique view of British Columbia’s stunning forests, and for one of the more unusual things to do on Victoria Day, the Capilano Suspension Bridge is just a 15-minute drive from downtown Vancouver. Hovering 70 meters over the Capilano River, the bridge is about 140 meters long. A visit to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park typically takes two or three hours and is well worth the trip. As well as the suspension bridge, you can also enjoy a treetop adventure, navigating your way from bird’s nest to bird’s nest via bridges, and additionally, there is a walkway suspended from a cliff. To really make the most of your bridge adventures, book a stay at this gorgeous log cabin overlooking Horseshoe Bay for a real escape into the British Colombian outdoors.
