7/27/2009
Beth "never bethany" C. says:
Hey Aly,
Butchart Gardens is out of town, and I imagine any food near there would definitely be expensive/touristy. Personally I'd drive back into town after the show and eat then. For casual, tasty dining for dinner, I'd recommend Ferris' Oyster Bar on Yates (amazing pasta, burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads, lots of seafood, etc.), ReBar on...Langley, I think? Pagliacci's on Broad is very good, but I find it too crammed/crowded in there sometimes, but if you like a close atmosphere and to get to know your neighbors, the food is excellent. Konpira noodle bar and sushi on Broughton just down from Douglas is excellent and they make handmade udon noodles.
As for other stuff to do, you can't miss Beacon Hill Park - absolutely beautiful flowers, ponds, grounds, with a petting zoo and fountains and bridges and birds and things. It's really lovely. Walking the breakwater to the lighthouse at Ogden Point is nice. If you like to hike, Mount Finlayson is gorgeous and very challenging (I've never done it), Mount Work is more moderate, and parts of East Sooke Park are very scenic and easy-moderate with wildlife.
Definitely skip the Undersea Gardens, probably skip the Wax museum, but the Royal BC museum is worth spending half a day - we have a really, really great museum here.
