Victoria snapshots. Victoria, BC, Canada. Museums and historical attractions

As the oldest city on the west coast of Canada, Victoria remains a living heritage to the grace and charm of the Victorian era. The Parliament Buildings, the Empress Hotel, the Royal British Columbia Museum and other historical attractions and modern museums will take you back in time to the past but also return to present life style of Victorian people.

The Parliament Buildings, the seat of British Columbia's Legislative Assembly, overlook the Victoria Inner Harbour and yacht basin. The buildings are surrounded by 12 acres of lawns, gardens, fountains and statues of dignitaries.

Free guided tours year-round show many features of architectural design such as mosaic-tiled floors, rotundas, stained-glass windows, woodcarvings and murals. The buildings are outlined at night by over 3,000 twinkling lights which create a spectacular image symbolized the Victoria City.

Royal British Columbia Museum is one of the best museums in the world. This museum has three floors of displays on the human and natural history of British Columbia and is known for its innovation in exhibitory and programming.

The Netherlands Centennial Carillon houses 62 bells donated by British Columbians of Dutch origin as a tribute to the 1967 Canadian Confederation Centennial.

Miniature World features more than 80 displays, including miniature railway, a circus, 24 room dollhouse, and a futuristic space diorama. Royal London Wax Museum, Carr House, Bastion Square, the Maritime Museum of British Columbia, Craigdarroch Castle are also some of tourist attractions in Victoria.