Emily Carr Chronicles Guided Walking Tour | January 2, 2027
January 2, 2027 I 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Step Into the World of Emily Carr: A Guided Walking Tour Through Her Life in James Bay
Discover the vibrant life and legacy of one of Canada’s most iconic artists on this unforgettable 2-hour walking tour in and around historic James Bay, Victoria — the neighborhood where Emily Carr was born, lived, worked, painted, wrote about and was laid to rest. If you love art, local history, or storytelling, this is a journey designed just for you.
Few artists are as closely connected to a place as Emily Carr is to Victoria. As we walk the streets she once knew, we’ll explore 12 historic locations and uncover the stories behind the homes, buildings and landscapes that shaped her remarkable life.
Walk Through Emily Carr’s World
Join the publisher of Emily Carr Chronicles for a guided walking tour in and around historic James Bay, the neighbourhood where one of Canada’s most celebrated artists was born, lived, painted, wrote about and was laid to rest. Over approximately 2.5 km (with a rest stop at the halfway point), we’ll visit places connected with her family, her sisters, her friends and her teaching career. We’ll also discover the stories behind buildings associated with her life and the literary achievements that made her a bestselling author.
In Beacon Hill Park, we’ll pause beneath the trees at the stone footbridge built in her honour and hear the story of its creation. From the elegant Helmcken House to the grand Crystal Garden, where Carr gave her famous 1930 “Fresh Seeing” speech (monkey sidekick Woo included!), you’ll hear tales of Emily’s triumph, struggle, and artistic rebellion.
We’ll take a rest stop at the Royal BC Museum cafe at the halfway point of the tour.
After our rest stop / washroom visit at Royal BC Museum Plaza, we’ll visit the church she attended, then discover the fascinating history behind her statue in front of the Empress Hotel. Crossing the causeway to Victoria’s Inner Harbour, we’ll visit her father’s former store on Wharf Street, which later became the location of the first Emily Carr Gallery in the 1970s.
Our final stop before returning to our starting point is where Carr spent her final days—a place that continues to intrigue visitors, with some people even suggesting it has a ghostly presence.
More Than a Walking Tour
This is an opportunity to see Emily Carr in a new light. Through historical research, personal discoveries and stories you won’t find in any guidebook, your guide brings the artist’s world to life in the very places where her story unfolded.
Whether you’re a lifelong admirer of Carr or just beginning to discover her, come explore the Victoria she knew and see how the places around us illuminate the artist behind the paintings and the books.
Come walk in Emily Carr’s footsteps!
Walk Notes:
The walk meetup location is at For Good Measure at 579 Niagara Street, one block away from our first stop. It follows sidewalks and paved paths at a leisurely pace, with minimal elevation, and can accommodate walking aids and strollers. $25 pp, children under 16 are free. A café and washrooms are available at the rest stop at Royal BC Museum near the halfway point. Parking is limited; buses 2, 3, 5 and 10 stop right across the street from For Good Measure in both directions.
