Victoria Victorious

Escape the fray with a family-friendly winter holiday in Victoria, B.C. Ferris wheels and free carriage rides await!

stay: The new outdoor skating rink on the front lawn of the Fairmont Empress Hotel makes it holiday-central for your trip. The twinkling chandeliers, bags of popcorn and cheerful Christmas tunes are a tradition in the making. 721 Government St., Victoria, B.C., 1-800-257-7544, www.fairmont.com

lunch: The music’s pumping so loud at the new Meat & Bread that they’ll never hear your children wailin’. All the sandwiches you know and love, plus a special Jerk chicken with jicima for Victoria only. 721 Yates St., Victoria, B.C., http://meatandbread.ca

ride: Free horse-drawn carriages are circumnavigating downtown over the holidays, so catch one at Bastion Square and ride it to Centennial Square where there are $2 Ferris Wheel rides and live jazz. www.downtownvictoria.ca

tour: The Royal BC Museum has a brand-new wildlife photography exhibit that is a sight to behold (it’s just arrived from London’s Natural History Museum). And that life-sized wooly mammoth is always worth paying a visit to. 675 Belleville St., Victoria, B.C. 250-356-7226, http://royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

snack: When blood sugar is running low, and nothing but $3 cheese gringas will do for the kids, pop into the new Tacofino. Tortilla soup ($5.50) also hits the spot on a chilly day. 787 Fort St., Victoria B.C., 778-406-1781, http://tacofino.com

shop: Checking out the Victoria Public Market at The Hudson should be on your Christmas to-do list for foodie-friendly artisanal gifts. Then sidle up the communal tables and colourful stools at Sutra (opened by a former Vij’s alumnus) for the excellent lamb-beef kebabs ($8.50), mango lassis ($5) or a cold Hoyne Brewing Co. beer. 1701 Douglas St., Victoria, B.C., 778-433-2787, http://victoriapublicmarket.com

sip: What would an afternoon at the Empress be without the Prince and Princess Tea service in the famous tea lobby? Finger sandwiches and petit fours geared to the miniature set are super fun, while mom can take the edge off with a glass of Stellar’s Jay bubbly. Now that’s better. 721 Government St., Victoria, B.C., 1-800-257-7544, www.fairmont.com

Hint: making ferry reservations at www.bcferries.com ahead of time will virtually guarantee smooth sailing. —Sarah Bancroft