Looking to spend some time learning during your next trip to Vancouver? You’ve come to the right spot as Vancouver has many museums for you to choose from! We’ve gathered a list of the top five museums to explore in Vancouver. Enjoy!
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Museum of Vancouver
Let’s start first with the Museum of Vancouver. Also known as the MOV, the Museum of Vancouver’s purpose is to connect Vancouverites to each other and connect the city to the world. It’s a civic organization located in Vanier Park in Kitsilano and features a number of exhibitions, including a community gallery, a living exhibition, feature exhibitions that rotate, and virtual exhibitions. You’ll be sure to learn all about the history of Vancouver. Between the First Nationas, Old Vancouver, and Chinese history in Vancouver, it’s a very informative and fun way to spend 1-2 hours.
Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for youth. It’s open most days from 10 am to 5 pm, but Thursdays through Saturdays it’s open from 10 am to 8 pm.
For more information, check out their website.
H.R. Macmillan Space Centre
The H.R. MacMillan Space Center is a museum of astronomy located in the beautiful Vanier Park in Vancouver (same site as the MOV). It is a non-profit community attraction that features several interactive exhibits, including a flight simulator. The museum also has a few theatres, including a Planetarium Star Theatre where you’ll experience planets, meteor showers, black holes, and more. There’s also the GroundStar Theatre, where you can enjoy live science in front of your eyes. There’s also an observatory that holds a telescope where you can observe the Vancouver skies with a staff nearby to answer your questions.
It is recommended that you book a time slot in advance. Tickets are $18 a person and their hours vary depending on the day.
For more information, check out their website!
Museum of Anthropology
Next up, Vancouver’s Museum of Anthropology, also referred to as the MOA. Established in 1949, it sits on the campus of the University of British Columbia and is one of Canada’s largest teaching museums – with faculty and staff teaching courses in museum studies, museum education, conservation, and Indigenous and world art.
The Museum of Anthropology is definitely worth a visit while you’re in Vancouver. The main focus of the Museum is one the indigenous nations of Canada and their costumes and traditions. The MOA houses nearly 50,000 works of art from almost every part of the world – so make sure to plan enough time to explore.
The museum has some other temporary exhibitions, all of which are rooted in Anthropology and studies in people and cultures.
Admission to the MOA is $18 for adults, but offers family rate packages as well. It’s current “summer” hours are 10 am to 5 pm each day except for Thursdays when it’s open from 10 am to 9 pm.
For more information, visit their website.
Vancouver Art Gallery
Time for some art! Vancouver’s Art Gallery is one of North America’s most exciting and innovative art institutions. It features Canadian and international art that ranges from historical pieces to contemporary works.
Located within the Vancouver City Centre,the Vancouver Art Gallery offers many engaging special events, so make sure to check out their website to see if you can plan your visit around one of those!
Tourists on TripAadvisor praise the AI exhibit, the Yoko Ono exhibit, and the Kids Take Over informative display.
General admission is $29 but anyone under the age of 18 can get in free, so it’s a great family activity! Additionally, on Tuesdays you can get in by donation only from noon to 8 pm. The hours vary daily, so make sure to check out their website for more information!
Science World
Last but certainly not least on the list of museums to explore in Vancouver is Science World. Located in Yaletown, Science World features hands-on interactive exhibits, live science shows, and a giant theatre.
It’s a centre that focuses on engaging learners in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics). Some of the permanent exhibitions include the art display, a bodyworks exhibit, a high energy Eureka gallery, a living science park, a living lab (put on via a partnership with the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia!) and many others.
Adult admissions is $30.40 and students are $6 cheaper. Hours are typically Wednesday through Monday from 10 am to 5 pm; Tuesdays it stays open til 8 pm. Be sure to check out their website to help with planning your visit!
