Sometimes seeing a place through fresh eyes can make you fall in love with it all over again. Our real estate agents have spent years working in Victoria and its surrounding communities, and they recently realized they had been taking many of its attractions and amenities for granted.

To fix this, they decided to approach the city the same way a tourist would, visiting some of the most popular spots for out-of-towners to see what these places had to offer. It worked, and we think it just might work for you too. Here are some of the top tourist locations you can visit to recapture the magic.

• Royal B.C. Museum - 675 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC V8W 9W2
  The Royal B.C. Museum is a must-visit attraction for anyone living in or passing through Victoria. This institution is home to a massive natural history collection that includes thousands of dried plants, fossils, skeletons, preserved insects, and mock-up exhibits. They also have a wide array of Indigenous art and artifacts on display. 
  
  More interested in the recent past? Check out their modern history collection featuring ceramics, furniture, textiles, and other material objects that were part of daily life in B.C. from the Industrial Revolution onward. The museum is open every day, with extended hours on weekends to accommodate longer visits.
  
  
• B.C. Forest Discovery Centre – 2892 Drinkwater Road, Duncan, BC V9L 6C2
  Forestry is one of B.C.'s biggest industries. The B.C. Forest Discovery Centre is devoted to chronicling how this key economic sector developed over time. This open-air museum near our Cowichan Bay homes for sale boasts over 100 acres of artifacts, displays, and interactive exhibits that shed light on what an old-fashioned logging camp would have looked like while still operational. 
  
  Take a guided tour of one of the centre's forested paths to learn more about local tree species and wildlife, or hop on one of their antique trains for a leisurely ride around the grounds. The centre is open from Thursday to Monday between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. 
  
  
• British Columbia Aviation Museum - 1910 Norseman Road, North Saanich, BC V8L 5V5
  History buffs and aviation enthusiasts alike will enjoy visiting the British Columbia Aviation Museum near our Sidney homes for sale. This institution's aircraft collection includes everything from replica versions of early planes designed and built in B.C. to real warplanes once used in WWII. There are even a few modern planes and helicopters on display to showcase B.C.'s ongoing contributions to the aerospace industry. 
  
  Those who want some extra context during their visit can peruse the museum's vast collection of artifacts and documents, including handwritten letters from Canadian soldiers who fought in the World Wars. If you have kids, stop by the children's area and let them learn how to fly a plane in the interactive aircraft exhibits and virtual flight simulators. The museum is open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
  
  
• Art Gallery of Greater Victoria - 1040 Moss Street, Victoria, BC V8V 4P1
  Love art? Visit the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, one of Western Canada's most well-respected art museums. Their exhibits include a diverse range of pieces made by Indigenous and Canadian artists, including paintings, pottery, resin carvings, glasswork, and more. 
  
  The gallery's biggest claim to fame, however, is its world-class Asian art collection. With works dating back to the 16th century and beyond, it's a great place to observe how the continent's art evolved. The gallery is open every day except Monday and offers free admission on the first Saturday of each month and every Thursday evening.
  
  
• Craigdarroch Castle – 1050 Joan Crescent, Victoria, BC V8S 3L5
  Built in 1890 by coal mining tycoon Robert Dunsmir, Craigdarroch Castle is a stunning historic home located near our Victoria homes for sale.
  
  Less a true castle and more a mansion styled after one, this imposing four-storey stone estate home's interior is just as gorgeous as its outer facade. In addition to stained glass windows and woodwork elements, most rooms feature carefully preserved original furniture that offers a glimpse into how the wealthy lived in centuries past. The castle is open for self-guided tours every week from Wednesday to Sunday.

Victoria may have a long and storied history, but its future is still being written. So is yours. If you're looking for a home that will help you and your family reach your fullest potential, contact us today. We'll be happy to help you find it.