August 17, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Gardens
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As a former tour guide, I have had the opportunity to visit Victoria's
Butchart Gardens many many times as an escort to groups. This trip however was with my 10 year old daughter who had never been. She loved it and I saw it through a young person's amazed eyes. The real treat for me was going on the boat tour that departs from the foot of the Japanese Gardens. This 45-minute tour (on an electric boat) takes passengers on a trip around the periphery of the Gardens to where the property's original cement plant was located. The scenery was stunning and our captain told us area and Butchart family history. Can't remember exactly what we paid (think it was around $30 for both of us) but it was well worth it and highly recommended. It also provides a nice break from the heat on a hot day, and the crowds on a busy one! Thank you Butchart Team for a great product offering!
July 31, 2006 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Gardens
Find more information about Victoria - Gardens
Saturday nights at the
Butchart Gardens are truly amazing; in addition to viewing some spectacular display gardens at a National Historic Site, there are pockets of live
entertainment spread throughout the property. As you wander the grounds, your ears drift from one musical venue to another. Then comes the
fireworks: spinning, whirring, whistling and popping. It is more than your typical, shoot-in-the-air and pop-open-like-an-umbrella-type of fireworks. This is a light show to overload your senses. Figurines move and bursts of light shoot up, down and sideways. My favourite is the waterfall of fireworks pouring down into a pond below where the sparks seem to dance along the water’s edge. Imagine this with seating so close to the centre of it all that you feel the fireworks are raining down all over you.
Tip: go early and spend a few hours here; there is plenty to see, hear, taste and do and you’ll beat the lineups. Did you forget your blanket? They’ve got those too.