{"id":13848,"date":"2022-08-19T08:44:14","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T08:44:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clippervacations.com\/magazine\/?p=13848"},"modified":"2022-08-19T22:45:42","modified_gmt":"2022-08-19T22:45:42","slug":"walking-guide-victoria-boutiques","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clippervacations.com\/magazine\/walking-guide-victoria-boutiques\/","title":{"rendered":"Shop and Stroll: A Local\u2019s Guide to Victoria\u2019s Must-Visit Boutiques"},"content":{"rendered":"

Historic 19th-century architecture. The stately Parliament Buildings. The iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel. Suffice it to say, Victoria\u2019s Inner Harbour has no shortage of Old World charm. While it is easy to spend a day soaking in the majestic beauty, there is also a trendy, burgeoning shopping scene just around the corner waiting to be explored.<\/p>\n

The best part? With more than a handful of unique boutiques within easy walking distance from each other, navigating this growing selection of independent stores requires little more than your own two feet. Get to the heart of this creative community with the help of local shopping expert and owner of That Girl in Victoria<\/a>, Michele Davis, who provides the lowdown on Victoria\u2019s shopping hot spots.<\/p>\n

According to Davis, starting your shopping adventure with a hearty breakfast is a key part of a successful trip. A mere four-minute walk from Clipper\u2019s Victoria terminal, Nourish Kitchen and Caf\u00e9<\/a> is the perfect spot to grab a bite once you have arrived in the city. \u201cThey\u2019re vegetarian and they make beautiful, nourishing meals that are not big and crazy,\u201d Davis says.<\/p>\n

\"Sleeping
Sleeping Beauty pancakes at Nourish, with melt-in-your-mouth whole oat pancakes, bee pollen sprinkles and seasonal fruit compote. Credit: Nick Bentley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you\u2019re looking for something lighter, Davis suggests making the 17-minute trek to\u00a0Discovery Coffee<\/a>\u00a0on Blanshard Street for exceptional espresso, a spacious patio, and an array of sweet or savory pastries. Prefer tea? Wander down the block to\u00a0Murchie\u2019s Tea & Coffee<\/a>\u00a0to pair a hot cuppa with an amazing selection of baked goodies.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019re sufficiently fueled, begin your shopping stroll with a three-minute walk down to Munro\u2019s Books<\/a>, which National Geographic<\/em> named as one of the world\u2019s top 10 bookstores<\/a> in 2015. With rows upon rows of bookshelves, there is no better place to find the next book on your reading list inside this peaceful shop.<\/p>\n

\"Comb
Comb through the excellent selection of books in this beautiful bookstore.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth<\/h2>\n

Stroll one block south on Government Street to Chocolats Favoris<\/a>. The first location to open in Western Canada, the local shop has the same Willy Wonka vibe, as the original Quebec store, famous for its dipped ice cream cones.<\/p>\n

Speaking of chocolate, Davis says Rogers\u2019 Chocolates<\/a> downtown heritage store is a must-visit for chocoholics. As Canada\u2019s first chocolatier, they know a thing or two about crafting irresistible sweets. Sample a piece of chocolate history and bite into the shop\u2019s most famous creation, the Victoria Cream. Featuring a thick, rich chocolate shell with a decadent, creamy center, it is a little piece of heaven.<\/p>\n

Scamper Down Victoria\u2019s Hidden Alleys<\/h2>\n

Continue north to Bastion Square to soak in some extra vitamin D as you peruse the square\u2019s open-air public market<\/a>. Brimming with an endless supply of fresh produce and handcrafted goods, the market brings vibrancy to the city every Thursday-Sunday from May to the end of September. Next, make your way to the edge of Trounce Alley and pop into Ecologyst<\/a> for Pacific Northwest-inspired finds, such as environmentally sustainable Canadian-made clothing and outdoor accessories.<\/p>\n

Travel a block-and-a-half further north, and you\u2019ll intersect with Johnson Street. Hang a left and walk along the boutique fashion haven of Lower Johnson, affectionately known as LoJo to locals. Davis recommends, \u201cIf you stumble upon any little alleyways that look like you can wander down them \u2014 go, because there are lots of tiny little shops hidden up and down the streets.\u201d<\/p>\n

Be sure to also stop by Oscar & Libby\u2019s<\/a>, which is chock-full of quirky gifts that are perfect for that hard to buy for friend. Another one of Davis\u2019 favorite LoJo haunts is John Fluevog Shoes<\/a>, which opened its Victoria location in 2017. The store was something of a homecoming for Fluevog, who briefly partnered in a Fox & Fluevog Victoria store back in the 1970s. Since then, Fluevog has soared to international footwear stardom. \u201cHe\u2019s become very popular with Lady Gaga, Alice Cooper, Madonna,\u201d Davis says. \u201cSo we\u2019re lucky to have a shop here in Victoria.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Pick
Pick up gifts that range from wacky to whimsical inside Oscar Libby’s vibrant boutique. Credit: Tourism Victoria<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Bounty of Locally-Crafted Apparel<\/h2>\n

For unique threads, head across the street to pay a visit to LoJo\u2019s the Flavour Upstairs<\/a>, where you can find vintage gems at great prices. Or venture three blocks down the street to the edge of Victoria’s Chinatown neighborhood to Smoking Lily<\/a> for nature-inspired garments sewn by hand at the shop\u2019s Wharf Street studio.<\/p>\n

All that shopping cause you to work up an appetite? Davis recommends heading around the corner for a waterfront lunch at Tug Eatery<\/a>. Enjoy a happy hour<\/a> snack like fish tacos or chips and guac while gazing out at kayakers gliding by \u2014 and resting your walking-weary feet.<\/p>\n

Head south on Government Street and cap your day with dinner and drinks at Chateau Victoria\u2019s Vista 18 Westcoast Grill & Wine Bar<\/a>. Davis says, \u201cSit on the park side of the restaurant and soak in vistas of Craigdarroch Castle<\/a> on the hill. It is absolutely stunning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Take
Take in breathtaking, wraparound views of downtown Victoria from Vista 18’s rooftop eatery. Credit: Tourism Victoria<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With a rapidly growing shopping scene, Victoria is the perfect place to experience the latest fashion trends. Bring home some chic new designs and you\u2019re sure to be the envy of all your friends.<\/p>\n

\"Book<\/a><\/p>\n

How to Get There:<\/h3>\n

Contributing Author: Keith Norbury<\/em><\/p>\n

Feature Photo: Tourism Victoria\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Historic 19th-century architecture. The stately Parliament Buildings. The iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel. Suffice to say, Victoria\u2019s Inner Harbour has no shortage of Old World charm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":13852,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[1924],"class_list":["post-13848","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-victoria","tag-history-and-culture"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nShop and Stroll: A Local\u2019s Guide to Victoria\u2019s Must-Visit Boutiques<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover Vancouver Island's growing craft shopping scene by foot with a walking tour of must-visit Victoria boutiques! 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