I looked up the high tea @ Empress. My husband is gluten intolerant and the website says they can accommodate that. I'm thinking we'll do high tea + carriage ride. Since we dock for a full day, I'm hoping we can visit Butchart gardens again, too.
Is is normally chilly outside in September? We were there in the evening in June and it was very cold and windy. It was so windy that our bus driver said he was very impressed that our captain was able to dock. He said most ships wouldn't dock in that much wind.
Ugh, last June was SO cold here, we were calling it Juneuary! Normal September temperatures average around 18C during the day, dipping down to around 10C at night. (65F during the day to 50F at night) It is usually windy here, especially by the water, you can see always some great kite flying at Clover Point. I would say that in Victoria in September you would want to wear something like jeans, a t-shirt and a light jacket or sweater. Like most Canadians, I believe in layers!
I don't see the draw for the high tea, but that is me...can't see myself spending that kind of money for tea LOL. The hotel is nice though...we have stayed there before (
travel agent rate).
The miniature museum is right around the corner...it is great. I personally love the observatory, but that isn't walking distance. There is a cool castle (sort of) that is in Victoria, but again, not walking distance. I say, rent a car for a day and drive around and enjoy the the city. Some great parks and even some great places for views. Mt. Douglas is great to get a view of EVERYTHING around.
September is our nice month...I would say it is usually the nicest of the year. Not too hot and usually not to rainy.
Stefani
High tea at the Empress is more about the experience than the tea. I've done it a few times, my favourite was the time I went there for a "bubble" tea, where they served various champagnes and sparkling wines instead of tea.
There are alternatives for afternoon tea other than the Empress Hotel. I personally love the
James Bay Tea Room, it is not far from downtown and it even has a kids tea menu so the little ones can enjoy the experience as well.
There is also
Point Ellice House where you can have afternoon tea in the garden and also tour the house and gardens.
If you are going out to
Butchart Gardens you can enjoy afternoon tea there.
Be aware that just about everywhere that serves afternoon tea does require reservations.
If you go to Beacon Hill Park, be sure to stop by the Beacon Drive-in and get soft serve ice cream.
Even though it's another boat, I love taking the
Harbour Ferry. If I remember correctly, there is one that takes you right to Point Ellice House.
Hiking Mount Doug is lovely, there is the
Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary as well.
I am spretty sure the castle you are thinking of is
Craigdarroch Castle.
We also have one of the oldest Chinatown's in Canada, there is always a bit of a debate about whether Victoria, Vancouver or Nanaimo was around first. We can claim the narrowest street in Canada, Fan Tan Alley. It's less than 1 metre wide, that's a hair under 3 feet for you guys!
Oh, and if you are a geocacher, there are a ton around our fair city!
A really great site for ideas is:
101 ideas of things to do in Victoria, BC.
Hope that gives you some ideas of things to do!
Robin & Angel "D" here. 
Out of Virginia/ We are booked on this cruise. We are doing the EBPC cruise right after....since we were flying out to th West Coast, we thought why not?!?....We just did the the WBPC in May & LOVED IT!!! 
