Vancouver Island Library Staff Conference -- local information

Find out what's happening in Victoria, get all the insider information, things to do, restaurants, local events and travel information from Tourism Victoria, the official travel authority for Victoria, BC. Located at 812 Wharf St. Phone :(250) 953-2033.

Founded in 1886, the Royal British Columbia Museum consists of The Province of British Columbia's natural and human history museum as well as the British Columbia Provincial Archives. Check out the new Vikings exhibition from May 16 to November 11, 2014. Located at 675 Belleville St. Phone : 250-356-7226.

A short walk from the conference centre, visit this Provincial and National Historic site, the childhood home of Canadian painter Emily Carr. Opens May 1st. Located at 207 Government St. Phone: Phone: (250) 383-5843.

Visit this Victorian-era Scottish mansion, which showcases some lavish Victorian era furnishings & decor, exquisite stained glass & detailed woodwork carved by artisans of days gone by. From the corner of Douglas and Fort Street, you can catch the 11, 14, 15, or 22 buses to Craigdarroch. Located at 1050 Joan Crescent. Phone: (250) 592-5323.

Located in Colwood in Greater Victoria, it is Federal Heritage Building. Since 1995, the mansion and estate have been used for the public Royal Roads University. From downtown take the #50 to Western Exchange and transfer to the #39 , #51, #52 or #61. Phone: 250-391-2666.

"take[s] you back to secret stories of the crimes, the criminals, and the men who fought to keep order in those rowdy times"

"a mystery tour through the most haunted city in Canada"

"go back in history to when Canada's first Chinatown was born"

walk "through the rollicking times in the city's history when the promise of fortune turned a sleepy trading post into a boomtown"

One of the world's premier show gardens and a designated National Historic Site of Canada, Butchart Gardens has a million bedding plants with 900 varieties. Located at 800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay. Phone: (250) 652-4422.

Offers a glimpse of a tropical jungle and is located just about 5 mins from the Butchart Gardens. Bus service from downtown Victoria and select hotels provided by CVS sightseeing http://cvstours.com/victoria-butterfly-gardens-tour.html

Developed by Prince and Princess Abkhazi after moving to Victoria in 1986, the Abkhazi gardens has some magnificent conifers, Japanese maples and rhododendrons and world class Tea room. Located at 1964 Fairfield Rd, take the # 7 (UVIC) bus from Downtown from Douglas and View Street and get off at Fairfield and Foul Bay Road.

The garden located at the University of Victoria, contains over 4000 shrubs and trees and one of Canada's finest rhododendron collections. Admission is free. Take bus number 4 or 14 from downtown to UVic.

Located at the Government House, these gardens were originally designed 1911 by G.K. Maclean, a landscape architect from Vancouver. Admission is free . Take bus number 14 and 11 Fort Street at Joan Crescent, three blocks from Government House.

A demonstration garden with an amazing variety of plants. Take a stroll and then have breakfast or lunch in the Nourish Cafe. They have the best eggs benny in town!

Just steps from the Conference Centre; entry is on the north side of the Fairmont Empress Hotel.

Includes a petting zoo that is sure to entertain.

Located at 631 Courtney Street between Government Street and Douglas Street, just one block north of the Fairmont Empress Hotel.

Visit Victoria's famous Public Market in the historic Hudson Bay building from Tuesday to Sunday. Also, visit the Farmer's Market every Wednesday. Located at #6, 1701 Douglas Street.

Pick up some handmade, homemade, and homegrown coffee, baked treats, fresh flowers, locally grown fruits and vegetables at the James Bay Market. Opens May 3rd. Located at 494 Superior St.

Located in the heart of downtown, opens May 2nd on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Features an eclectic mix of arts, crafts, imports, and entertainment.

Visit their kiosk in front of the Empress Hotel. Phone: 250-385-6553

Call CVS Tour Company to find out more about their exciting city tours at 250-386-8652.