Fort Street
Fort Street
4
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Street lined with antique shops, restored old houses and lots of cafes.
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Neighborhood: Fernwood
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785 within 3 miles
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191 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
131 reviews
Excellent
38
Very good
63
Average
26
Poor
4
Terrible
0
sgm2010
Victoria, Canada142 contributions
Jan 2012 • Couples
There's lots to see and do along Fort St. from Wharf St at the bottom all the way up to Craigdarroch Castle at the top. However, the name "Antiques Row" is a misnomer if there ever was one. Back in the 70's and 80's there were over two dozen antique shops; today there might be 5 or 6. But, there's Russell's Books which is a must visit for new and used books, lots of small intimate coffee shops, some great eateries, two auction houses, three yoga studios, an art gallery, clothing stores, florists, and much much more. If you're a tourist in Victoria and want to get away from the touristy shops of Government Street, walk up one side of Fort Street from Wharf Street to just past Cook Street and then come back down the other side. It'll take you a couple of hours if you poke into some of the shops. Two other non-touristy streets are the 500 - 600 blocks of Yates Street and Johnson Street. Enjoy!!
Written January 15, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dragonfly3
Vancouver BC221 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
Since the 1980's I have loved Fort Street. In those long ago days, it was known as Antique Row. Many antique shops flourished in this area, but alas, due to "demographics" and the changing times, no one seems to collect or care about antiques. This gives me great angst. We visited the street again in April 2017, and the yellow sign "Antique Row" is still attached to the street signs, but not one antique is to be seen. The antique mall at the far end of the street has vanished. Condo sales take up one of the empty stores. I assume condo towers will soon line Fort Street. However, there is ONE good thing about the street; the Dutch Bakery and Russel Books are still there, side by side. Each of those stores is a pure delight to see.
Written April 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David P
Vancouver, Canada70 contributions
Jan 2017 • Business
Fort Street is being redeveloped and most of the quality antique stores have closed or moved on. Having been born in British Columbia, it is hard to watch our Provinces Capital in such a negative transition. Vacancies everywhere, I would skip and head to Oak Bay and Uplands or stick to the harbour. My wife and I just returned and we're deeply saddened after talking with two longtime friends who are closing their stores. Sorry for my uninspiring review.
Written February 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott M
Victoria, Canada31 contributions
Oct 2012
Take the 11,14 or 22 bus to Cook St and get off there. There are a few little places on Cook near Fort you might want to check out but basically you can start here and walk all the way back to the Inner Harbour or if you are already at the foot of Fort St just walk up one side to Cook and then down the other until you are back where you started. Great cafes, restaurants, Aniques (Antique row is here...), clothing, shoes, gadgets, gourmet food, cigars, etc., etc. and all are locally owned and operated and far from being cookie-cutter copies of each other! Past Cook St you can continue to Craigdorroch Castle, the Art Gallery, Christine's Victorian Mansion Pub ("Back Hand of God") stout alone is worth the trip! The Oak Bay Rec. Centre and many more cool shops and restaurants once you get through a stretch of residential area. If you want a great long stroll on a beautiful day and are more ambitious (it's an easy walk) you could conceivably walk from the Inner Harbour to Willow's Beach and their wouldn't be a dull moment the whole way! A wonderful, old street that is still vibrant and intersting! Skip Government and check it out...!
Written October 17, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gypsybaker
wellington, fl427 contributions
Fort Street was fun to window shop; BUT...go straight for the best chocolate shop EVER!
Chocolat Chocolatiere de Victoria, 703 Fort St. (at Douglas St.)...OMG...40 (I'm looking at the item brochure that came with my box of incredibles) different types of candy lovliness.
Made the way chocolates should be so you can savour each wonderful bite and REALLY taste the ingredients...I loved the exotic ones (Pepe with tequila ganache, Saffron Flower, Peppercorn, and perhaps my fav: Lemongrass) as well as the more familiar.
Normally when I start choosing different chocolates for a nice assortment in a box I fall over in a faint when they are totaled up; but, not here...they were actually reasonable.
Small shop; but wonderful quality...wish they had a website so I could order more!!
Chocolat Chocolatiere de Victoria, 703 Fort St. (at Douglas St.)...OMG...40 (I'm looking at the item brochure that came with my box of incredibles) different types of candy lovliness.
Made the way chocolates should be so you can savour each wonderful bite and REALLY taste the ingredients...I loved the exotic ones (Pepe with tequila ganache, Saffron Flower, Peppercorn, and perhaps my fav: Lemongrass) as well as the more familiar.
Normally when I start choosing different chocolates for a nice assortment in a box I fall over in a faint when they are totaled up; but, not here...they were actually reasonable.
Small shop; but wonderful quality...wish they had a website so I could order more!!
Written October 24, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2Greys
Cobble Hill, Canada127 contributions
Jun 2015
Book stores, toys and games, hobby shops, bakeries to make your mouth water, coffee shops, some of the best, antique stores, baby and shoe stores, banks, everything in but a few blocks and all accessible on foot. I love this street. There is always something new to see. And the folks are friendly as well. Worth the walk.
Written July 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SeeingTHEworld2012
Victoria, Canada868 contributions
Dec 2011 • Solo
Awesome street perhaps 8 blocks filled with shops - food, art, antiques, auction houses. Lots ot do and see. You could spend a whole day! Cafe Brio is a stand out. Polychrome Gallery is great. The two auction houses are great to pop in and visit.
Written January 5, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelerwannabe32
Washington69 contributions
Dec 2011 • Couples
This little street has a great selection of independent shops that are worth the time. I only wish they were open a little later in the evening - didn't get to finish because the shops were closing up. Guess we'll have to finish next time!
Written January 1, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
edradour36
Friday Harbor42 contributions
All I ever do on Government Street is Murchie's and Monro's. Fort Street, however, offers much more interesting stores, including auction houses, antiques shopping, Choux Choux deli and Cafe Brio restaurant. Heaven.
Written December 23, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffrey W
Victoria, Canada64 contributions
Dec 2019
kind of a night mare to travel and impossible to find parking and now you have to pay on sundays if you can find it i pitty the merchants use to be a very nice little place to shop with antique shops in fact it use to be called antique row but high rents and parking issues stomped that out i think the bike lane was the final nail in the coffin
Written December 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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