Vancouver Island....Victoria

How long will you be on the island, and what sorts of things do they enjoy? Can they take some short hikes?

Here are a few interesting things to see in Victoria.

Butterfly Gardens
Fort Roddhill
Craigdarroch Castle

Same age as our Gkids and they were here last year so we can certainly pass on a few ideas when we know what the interests are. Here's a few.
Beacon Hill Park- Petting zoo, water park, playgrouunds, small zip lines, otters (maybe) beachcombing, tidal pools, Cricket match !
Fisherman's Wharf- houseboats, seals, otters, fish & chips. Ice cream.
Inner Harbour- buskers, magicians, jugglers, acrobats. Native arts.
Government Street- Souvenirs, Ice Cream (Chocolat Favoris!!! ) Shopping Mall.
Chinatown- Restaurants, secret alleyways!
Around Inner Harbour- Royal BC Museum- (a must see) Mammoth, beach, forest dioramas . Victorian town reproduction Galleon. etc IMAX.
Miniature World- battle scenes over the ages, doll houses etc.
Bug Zoo- never been in!
Around town- Two castles, one where they filmed the X Men series and Deadpool?
Butchart Gardens- Carousel. Flowers, live music, fireworks Saturdays July & Aug)
Beyond Victoria Lotsa stuff!!

Yup, lots of stuff, you can stay on the inland side or go out to Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park on the west coast. I would suggest that if you are going north of Nanaimo, take 19A along the coast. 19 is faster but boring.

Make sure everyone has passports and the necessary travel documents since you will be traveling with your grandkids and, presumably, do not have permanent custody. Child abduction is a bug issue and authorities on both sides will make sure you have the legal authority to travel with the kids.

Even though not part of the original question, as ‘DowntheAvenue’ said. Ensure that you have all the appropriate travel documents, Passports for ALL. For entry into Canada and possibly more important, for reentering the U.S.,just to prove to customs that you are U.S. citizens. Because you are traveling with minor children, you will most likely, need proof of permission to take them out of the country. Some have suggested a motorized letter from BOTH parents.
We made up a ‘package’, consisting of a clear picture of all 6 of us, MH as a background and a letter containing information of both parents, phone numbers,address etc. We also added both parents passport #s. And then each one, DD and SIL signed and dated it. That trip, the customs agent looked at it, said that is a great idea and then waved us through.
On the last trip when the grandsons were 14 and 16, we hadn’t upgraded the package, valid passports, the U.S. customs agent asked both boys, more questions than he asked us, before allowing us to enter.

Ken

The Princess Hotel, Buchart Gardens, Northwest Indian Art. Take a rickshaw if you or the kids get tired.

I like the Island even better than town. Great little towns especially on the East Coast. Great salmon fishing. Lots of art and great places to camp everywhere.

An Enhanced drivers lic or Enhanced ID are fine rather than a passport.

ScottG wrote:
An Enhanced drivers lic or Enhanced ID are fine rather than a passport.

Not all states issue Enhanced Driver's Licenses. I believe they are mostly in the bordering states. I don't believe Florida does (and I have lived in Florida for over 50 years) and that is where the OP lives.

ScottG wrote:
An Enhanced drivers lic or Enhanced ID are fine rather than a passport.

No need to invest in an enhanced DL if you already have a valid passport.