sunbum1944 yeah, I kept hearing rave reviews about Tea at The Fairmont Empress. But my husband and I were thinking it was $89 for two. It's actually $89 per person! Eeek! I'm sure it's a lovely experience, though. Thanks for the info!!!

$89 each for tea is quite extravagant for sure. I checked and there is a tearoom at the Lt Govenors house. It was closed last year but supposed to open in the spring of 2022. It is called Rudi’s. There is Also a tearoom at Butchart Gardens - haven’t been to that one either.
I have family in Victoria so we usually go to places frequented by the locals.
The food at White Heather has been great but the downside is it’s quite small so can get a bit noisy. I believe you need reservations.

I have taken a float plane between Victoria and Seattle. That was fun. If you take the ferry, the ride between Tsawwassaen and Victoria is the most scenic. It goes through the islands instead of across the strait.
The first thing I do after boarding the ferry is get a cup of coffee and. Nanaimo Bar- the most famous of Canadian confections- and head to the outside deck where I enjoy the scenery while I enjoy coffee and sweets. I am home- from the prairies though, not BC.
Another fun thing to do is kayak in Tofino.
if you are into biking, there is a trail that starts in Victoria called the Galloping Goose. It’s a Rails to Trails and is about 34 miles long.

Tea at Empress Hotel has been a famous tradition at that hotel for over a hundred years, well before it was purchased by the Fairmont hotel chain a few decades ago. It's definitely the most expensive tea in Victoria and not because it offers better quality or quantity, but essentially you're just paying for the novelty factor of its famous name and location. Ultimately by having tea there, you become a part of that historic legacy. That's what you're paying for. I see it more as a once in a lifetime experience. Even though, only do it if it truly interests you. There are so many incredible restaurants, lounges, breweries, cafes, etc. in Victoria that are less famous than tea at the Empress Hotel, but are so worthy of your time and money (I'd argue even moreso!), and those are the experiences I'd personally prioritize for somebody with limited time. Like, cocktails at Clive's is worth the splurge! But if you're intrigued by a traditional afternoon tea in a famous hotel lobby, by all means don't hold back. I've only had tea at the Empress once back in 2005 for a milestone birthday. It was lovely and memorable and it satisfied my curiosity.