Island Parent Pre-Summer 2023

See airplanes,
seaplanes, helicopters
and more at the
BC Aviation Museum
Learn about BC’s aviation
history from early bush planes
to bombers and beyond!
Fly by Butterfly Gardens
Victoria Butterfly Gardens. See thousands of
exotic butterflies (up to 70 species) flying free in
their own tropical rainforest environment. Wander
through the orchid exhibit or carnivorous plant
section. You’ll also see colourful fish and tropical
birds. Open daily from 10am–4pm with the last
admission into the facility at 3pm. Group bookings
are only allowed between 8–10am.
butterflygardens.com
Scream for Ice Cream
Beacon Hill Drive Inn. Cones, cups, sundaes and
avalanches! So many choices—and you can’t go
wrong! beacondrivein.ca. Cold Comfort’s Can
Canteen window is open in summer and offers
cool treats ranging from scoops of Plain Jane
ice cream to Choc ’o Clock Sandwiches and
dairy-free options. coldcomfort.ca. Parachute
Ice Cream is offering “walk-thru” scoop service
daily from noon–7pm. Try the strawberry rhubarb
sorbet or brown butter brownie.
parachuteicecream.com.
Take a Swing at Golf
Mattick’s Farm Mini Golf is open weekends only
from 11am–5:30 (last tee off time at 4:45). Covid
protocols are in place. After golfing, visit Mattick’s
Farm Market for an ice cream cone from
groom ponies, go for a pony ride and then feed
the ponies treats. poniesandpipsqueaks.com
Bowl, Ice Skate & Golf
City Centre Park in Langford has opened some
facilities. There’s Mini-Golf, now open from 9am–
9pm daily, drop-in ice skating at Westhills Arena,
snacks at City Centre Grille, bowling at Langford
Lanes and indoor themed play structures at Play-
Zone. citycentrepark.ca
Seek Sun & Surf
Gonzales Beach: sure the water is freezing, but
this is a beautiful sandy beach with the southfacing
views and sunshing. It’s a great beach for
skim boarding and splashing about in the shallow
waters. Willows Beach has all the amenities at
hand: bathrooms, a tea room for concessions, a
playground and a sweeping sandy beach. There’s
a grassy park for picnics and lots of trees for
shade. Gyro Beach at Cadboro Bay Beach and
home of the Cadborosaurus! The ocean is no
warmer at this beach than any of the other Victoria
beaches, but the stretch of sand and nearby
Cadboro-Gyro Park make it a hit with families.
Cool Down at Sooke Potholes
Sooke Potholes are a series of deep fresh-water
pools created by water falling over boulders in
Summer Hours, May 1 to Sept 30:
10am to 4pm, Thurs through Tues
Winter Hours, Oct 1 to Apr 30:
11am to 3pm, Thurs through Tues
For special days and events
go to bcam.net.
1910 Norseman Road, Sidney
250-655-3300 | bcam.net
Adrienne’s Ice Cream. Or grab picnic ingredients
from Red Barn Market and cycle the nearby Lochside
Trail to a shady spot for a picturesque lunch
break. matticksfarm.com
Pet a Pony
Ponies & Pipsqueaks’ Meet the Ponies program
runs year round and is a great way to introduce
kids to the responsibilities of ponies and experience
their first ride. Go on a barn tour, learn to
the Sooke River. Enjoy the views, explore the
trails, camp under the stars or take a refreshing
dip on a hot summer day. You can access the
potholes at different points. crd.bc.ca
Take a Dip at Shawnigan Lake
Shawnigan Lake’s Mansons Beach Park and Old
Mill Park are the perfect swimming spots. The
beaches are shallow and they’re on the east side
of the lake so they catch the afternoon sun. West
14 Island Parent Magazine IslandParent.ca