Visiting Emily Carr House

About Emily Carr House

The painter and writer Emily Carr, known for her images of BC's forests and First Nations villages, was born in this Italianate house in James Bay in 1871. The restored rooms and garden tell her story, and work by local artists is often shown.

Tip: Pair it with a walk to Ross Bay Cemetery in Fairfield, where Carr is buried.

Plan your visit

• Time needed: 45 minutes.
• Cost: Low cost.
• Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
• Where: Inner Harbour and James Bay, parliament, the Empress and seaplanes on the harbour, with heritage houses behind.

Best time to visit Emily Carr House

To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:

• April: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, quiet crowds.
• May: 17°C (63°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, moderate crowds.
• October: 14°C (57°F) highs, about 13 rainy days, moderate crowds.

When to visit Victoria has the full month-by-month picture.

Fit it into your trip

Emily Carr House is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen BC Parliament Buildings and Fairmont Empress and afternoon tea.

• No. 16 of the 18 sights in our Victoria things-to-do list.
• One of the picks in historic sites in Victoria.

Near Emily Carr House

Also in Inner Harbour and James Bay, so you can walk between them:

• Victoria Harbour Ferry — 15–45 minutes, low cost
• Dallas Road waterfront and Ogden Point Breakwater — 1–2 hours, free
• Whale watching from the Inner Harbour — 3 hours, expensive

If you like Emily Carr House

• Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse — Colwood, 2 hours

Staying near Emily Carr House

Stay in Inner Harbour and James Bay ($$$$) to walk here: parliament, the Empress and seaplanes on the harbour, with heritage houses behind. All areas to stay in Victoria.

Questions travellers ask