Victoria: Horse Carriage Beacon Hill Park & Dallas Rd Tour

Summary

Beacon Hill Park carriage ride past Mile 0 & Olympic views

You’ll settle into a horse-drawn carriage and wind through Victoria’s Beacon Hill Park, past duck ponds and wild gardens before rolling along Dallas Road for mountain and ocean views at Mile 0. With local stories from your uniformed guide and glimpses of historic homes, it’s an hour that feels both relaxed and quietly special.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel so oddly calm sitting behind a pair of horses in downtown Victoria — you’d think the clop-clop would be noisy, but it’s actually kind of soothing. Our driver, Anne, had this gentle way of pointing out things I’d never have noticed on my own. She waved at a couple walking their dog near the Empress Hotel and told us about the old ships in the Inner Harbor. I caught a whiff of salt air mixed with something floral — probably those wild roses growing by the fence.

Rolling into Beacon Hill Park, it got quieter except for birds and the occasional laughter from kids chasing ducks. Anne slowed down so we could look at the ponds (one duck was just floating there, totally unbothered). The gardens here are almost too much — colors everywhere, but not in that perfect postcard way. It felt more like someone’s backyard if they really loved flowers and didn’t mind a bit of chaos. We passed under these huge trees, and for a second I forgot we were still in the city.

We headed out toward Dallas Road next, which is where you hit Mile 0 of the Trans Canada Highway — honestly, I thought it’d be bigger? But then you turn your head and there’s this wide-open view over the Strait of Juan de Fuca with the Olympic Mountains beyond. The wind picked up here; I had to hold onto my hat. Anne said sometimes you can see whales if you’re lucky (we weren’t). After that we wound through some old neighborhoods — big porches, gardens that looked lived-in. Someone was painting their fence and gave us a little wave as we went by. That stuck with me for some reason.

The tour ends back where it started near the Parliament buildings. There’s something about seeing Victoria from this slow, slightly bumpy seat that makes everything feel less rushed. I still think about how quiet it got under those trees in Beacon Hill Park — might try walking there next time just to see if it feels different on foot.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Horse-drawn carriage tour of Victoria

• View Empress Hotel and Inner Harbor
• Pass landmark buildings and historic homes
• Enter Beacon Hill Park
• See fragrant flowers and duck ponds
• Travel to Dallas Road waterfront
• Visit Mile 0 of Trans Canada Highway
• View Olympic Mountains and Strait of Juan de Fuca
• Tour oldest Victoria neighborhood
• Return to Inner Harbor by Parliament buildings

Top questions

How long is the Beacon Hill Park carriage tour?

The tour lasts approximately 60 minutes.

Does this Victoria carriage ride include Beacon Hill Park?

Yes, you travel through Beacon Hill Park during the tour.

Is pickup included for this horse-drawn carriage tour?

No hotel pickup is included; tours depart from central Victoria.

Are service animals allowed on the carriage ride?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

Is this horse carriage tour wheelchair accessible?

The tour is accessible if you can get out of your wheelchair; staff will look after it during your ride.

Do infants need their own seat on the carriage?

No, infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap during the tour.

Will we see Mile 0 of the Trans Canada Highway?

Yes, you pass by Mile 0 during your route along Dallas Road waterfront.

What sights are included besides Beacon Hill Park?

You’ll also see Dallas Road waterfront, historic neighborhoods, Inner Harbor views, and Parliament buildings.

What’s included

Your day includes a classic horse-drawn carriage ride led by professional uniformed staff through Victoria’s most scenic spots—Beacon Hill Park, Dallas Road waterfront by Mile 0, and charming old neighborhoods—with all local taxes covered before returning to your starting point near Inner Harbor.