April

Orcas,
Yes, I was thinking they could walk the bikes up to Beacon Hill Park, which is not very far, and ride from there. It shouldn't be too bad riding along Dallas Road and the waterfront. There are a number of ways to get to Oak Bay. I might be inclined to follow the waterfront to the Victoria Golf Course, then turn left onto Newport, then Island Road (which at last look was surprisingly country-like) past Anderson Hill Park up to Windsor Park and zigzag my way over Oak Bay Avenue. But if Gonzales Hill was too much of a challenge, they could cut in just before it. The Rockland area is nice too. They could ride along St. Charles and Rockland Avenue, swing into the Government House grounds and over to Craigdarroch Castle for a peek.

jojo7,
If I had two days, I would do something like you are doing - spend one day in town visiting the museum, IMAX, etc, and one day away from town. I would like a drive/ride further along the waterfront through the Uplands but that might be too far for a six year old... although they probably have much more energy than I do!

I have only walked or run parts of these areas so I really don't know what any of it is like to cycle. Over to Orcas for a better sense of biking distances.

Fodorite018

We spent almost a week in Victoria last March with our kids and loved it. The underwater museum thing...don't waste your time or money. Miniature world was fun...doesn't take very long, but we enjoyed it. The big museum was really, really good!!! I can't rmember the name of the exhibit, but it was the one where they showed items from different eras. The kids really enjoyed that one.

We stayed at Abigails, so spent a lot of time at Beacon Hill Park since it was so close. The park is great! The little petting zoo was fun for a bit. Our kids are older, but we still had fun. Check out the tallest totem pole, and then you can go down on the beach there too.

One of the days, we were in the inner harbor, then walked to Barb's for lunch, then on to Beacon Hill Park, then back to our hotel. It was nice to see several different areas of downtown.

We did a floatplane tour one day too, and that was really good! We went to Butchart Gardens in the morning, then did the floatplane that afternoon, and the plane went over the gardens. There are several operators, all right there in the inner harbor. That was a splurge, but very much worth it.

BTW, we took the Coho (had a reservation) and it was easy.

jojo7

Thanks for the suggested routes to Oak Bay. Hopefully it will work out for us to ride the bikes over. If not, we can maybe find a place to ride bikes locally around the inner harbour. It's one of our favorite things to do as a family on vacation. Everyone enjoys it. Even my teenager. I don't think we can do the float plane this time, but I definitely want to one day. Thanks for the tip on the underwater gardens. I didn't include it in our itinerary for the very reason you mentioned. I have read reviews and most are not good and people have indicated it as a "tourist trap". I will add Beacon Hill Park to my itinerary. Again, great info. Thanks!

shansar

JoJo,
Sounds like you have a pretty full agenda already but I have to tell you the bug zoo (not sure of the official name) is very cool. I suppose that is if you don't mind insects. They have some cool stuff and it was well worth our time! I hope you guys have fun!

sunbum1944

There is a bike trail called the Galloping Goose- its a "rails to trails" project. It starts in Victoria and goes all the way to Sooke I believe.
I am not sure if you can get on the trail in the inner harbor area but I have seen signs for it close to the ferry landing in Sydney.
Something I have always wanted to do but havent done yet

April

sunbum1944,
The Goose also extends from Victoria to Sidney and that ought to be a pleasant ride I would think.