Shopping

Victoria has dozens of specialty shops that likely carry anything your heart desires, and because the city is built on a pedestrian scale, you can easily wander from place to place seeking out whatever treasure you're after. Nearly all of the areas listed below are within a short walk of the Fairmont Empress; for those shops located more than 6 blocks from the hotel, bus information is provided. Stores in Victoria are generally open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm; some, but not many, are open on Sundays during the summer.

The Shopping Scene

Explorers beware: The brick-paved Government Street promenade, from the Inner Harbour 5 blocks north to Yates Street, is a jungle of cheap souvenir shops. There are gems in here -- Irish linen, fine bone china, quality native art, and thick Cowichan sweaters -- but to find these riches, you'll have to hack your way through tangled creepers of knickknacks and forbidding groves of maple-syrup bottles.

Farther north, the Old Town district and Market Square feature a fascinating blend of heritage buildings and up-to-date shops. Victoria's Chinatown is tiny, and since most of the city's Chinese population has moved elsewhere, it lacks some of the authenticity and vitality of Chinatowns in Vancouver or San Francisco. The area has been charmingly preserved, however, and there are a number of gallery-quality art and ceramic shops, quirky back alleys (including Canada's thinnest commercial street, Fan Tan Alley), and at least one tourist trap that knows not to take itself too seriously.

On the eastern edge of downtown, Antique Row is known for its high-quality British collectibles. And if you're at all interested in the native art of the Pacific Northwest, Victoria is a good place to look for pieces to add to your collection.

Antiques

Victoria has long had a deserved reputation for antiques -- particularly those of British origin. Many of the best stores are on Antique Row, mentioned above. In addition to those listed below, check out Jeffries and Co. Silversmiths, 1026 Fort St. (tel. 250/383-8315); Romanoff & Company Antiques, 837 Fort St. (tel. 250/480-1543); and for furniture fans, Charles Baird Antiques, 1044A Fort St. (tel. 250/384-8809).

First Nations Arts and Crafts

Natives from the nearby Cowichan band are famous for their warm, durable sweaters knit with bold motifs from hand-spun raw wool. In addition to these beautiful knits, craftspeople create soft leather moccasins, moose-hide boots, ceremonial masks, sculptures carved from argillite or soapstone, baskets, bearskin rugs, and jewelry. The Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre also has a large gift shop where you can watch artisans at work.