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The Best Museums in Vancouver

The Best Museums in Vancouver

Museums often have the impression of being sterile and staid, but not in Vancouver! Here, there are over 20 spots that showcase collections from classical art to contemporary pieces.

You might be surprised to know that there are galleries dedicated to motors and sports too. Now let’s go on a gallery spree throughout Vancouver!

Museum of Vancouver

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Website: https://museumofvancouver.ca/ 

Address: 1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver, BC V6J 3J9, Canada

Contact details: 604-736-4431

Operating hours: 

  • Sunday to Thursday: 10 AM – 8 PM
  • Friday to Saturday: 10 AM – 8 PM

At the Museum of Vancouver, you’ll be around exhibits that explore the city’s history, the cultural achievements of indigenous people, and the Pacific Rim states. 

The museum features exhibitions on contemporary history, providing curious visitors with a more comprehensive understanding of Vancouver’s past and present.

It’s part of a trio of museums located on the waterfront of Vanier Park, and the Museum of Vancouver allows you to explore all three with a combined admission pass. 

Pro Tip:
Looking to lower the admission tickets? Visit the museum every first Sunday of each month, and you’ll get to pay only what you can for admission.

Vancouver Aquarium

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Website: https://www.vanaqua.org/ 

Address: 845 Avison Way, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2, Canada

Contact details: 778-655-9554

Operating hours: 

  • Open daily from 10 AM – 5 PM

At the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, you’ll discover a marine aquarium unlike any other. Operating as a non-profit organization, it remains open 365 days a year, offering an ideal destination for tourists regardless of the season.

Spanning approximately nine thousand square meters, the Vancouver Aquarium houses over 70,000 aquatic animals. However, since 2019, the aquarium no longer houses cetaceans, with the exception of a single Pacific white-sided dolphin.

Pro Tip:
Feel like being part of the global ecosystem? You can stroll through an Amazon rainforest exhibit, interact with sea otters, walruses, and African penguins, and check out the stunning jellyfish displays.

Museum of Anthropology

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Website: https://moa.ubc.ca/ 

Address: 6393 NW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada

Contact details: 604-827-5932

Operating hours: 

  • To be announced upon reopening

At long last, The Museum of Anthropology (MOA) reopens in June 2024, offering you a glimpse into one of the finest displays of First Nations art worldwide, set against the breathtaking backdrop of BC’s water and mountains. 

Located on ancestral Musqueam land, the museum showcases the rich culture and traditions of these First Nations hosts.

Inside, the concrete and glass structure reveals towering totem poles and other artistic and cultural works from indigenous communities worldwide.

With over 10,000 culturally significant objects on display, including temporary exhibits providing fresh perspectives, the experience can be overwhelming. You’ll also be interested to know that this is the most visited museum in Vancouver!

Pro Tip:
Check their website frequently for updates, and you just might be able to snag some of the first few tickets once the museum reopens.

Science World

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Website: https://www.scienceworld.ca/ 

Address: 1455 Quebec St, Vancouver, BC V6A 3Z7, Canada 

Contact details: 604-443-7440

Operating hours: 

  • Open daily from 10 AM – 5 PM

Science World is a non-profit science museum found at the end of False Creek. It has several permanent and temporary exhibitions, dedicated to making science and technology accessible and exciting for everyone, especially the youth.

Don’t think this is the typical boring space for all things science! You can take a seat at their 400-seat OMNIMAX theatre for a more immersive experience, from biology to quantum physics.

Pro Tip:
At Science World After Dark, adults (ages 19+) take over the dome every third Thursday for a special monthly event.

Bloedel Conservatory

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Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/bloedel-conservatory.aspx 

Address: 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 2M4, Canada

Contact details: 604-257-8584

Operating hours: 

  • Open daily from 10 AM – 4 PM

Prefer greenery over paintings of gardens? At the Bloedel Conservatory, you’ll discover a botanical garden and bird park offering a unique opportunity to explore diverse plant and bird species in one location. 

Here, you’ll get to channel your inner explorer and maybe spot their macaws, parakeets, and their cockatoos. 

Pro Tip:
Their floral displays are quite diverse. But if you have any allergies, you can either bring some medication or stay a safe distance away.

Vancouver Art Gallery

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Website: https://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/ 

Address: 750 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2H7, Canada

Contact details: 604-662-4700

Operating hours: 

  • Sunday to Wednesday: 10 AM – 5 PM
  • Thursday to Saturday: 10 AM – 8 PM

At the Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG), you’ll find the fifth-largest art museum in Canada and the largest in the western part of the country, offering a wide range of art exhibits and collections for exploration.

Established in 1931, the VAG used to be in an Art Deco building on Georgia Street. In 1983, it relocated to its current location, a former courthouse of the province of British Columbia, after a remodeling by renowned architect Arthur Erickson.

With an expansive exhibition area of 41,400 square meters, the Vancouver Art Gallery houses a permanent collection of around 8,000 works of art. These include important pieces by Emily Carr and illustrations by Marc Chagall. 

Pro Tip:
Expect to shell out anywhere from $18 – 24, but admission is free for anyone under 18.

Contemporary Art Gallery

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Website: https://cagvancouver.org/ 

Address: 555 Nelson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6R5, Canada

Contact details: 604-681-2700

Operating hours: 

  • Closed on Monday
  • Tuesday to Sunday: 12 PM – 6 PM

If you’ve had your fill of classical art, then the Contemporary Art Gallery (CAG) awaits you in the heart of downtown Toronto. It showcases only contemporary works from local, national, and international artists, with a focus on emerging local talent.

What makes the CAG popular is its free admission policy, making it accessible to all visitors. This inclusivity allows art enthusiasts and tourists alike to explore contemporary art without financial constraints.

Pro Tip:
If you happen to catch the artist on site, you can always pick their brains about their works. You just might be surprised at their inspirations and definitions!

Vancouver Police Museum & Archives

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Website: https://www.vancouverpolicemuseum.ca/ 

Address: 240 E Cordova St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1L3, Canada

Contact details: 604-665-3346

Operating hours: 

  • Closed from Monday to Wednesday
  • Thursday to Saturday: 11 AM – 5 PM
  • Sunday: 12 PM – 5 PM

Criminals try to avoid this place, so this is a safe place for you to look into Vancouver’s rich and colorful history and law enforcement. Intriguingly, the Vancouver Police Museum & Archives is in a building constructed in 1932 for the City Coroner’s Services.

There’s no set price for admission. Just donate what you can give, and you’re ready to start the tour.

With approximately 30,000 objects, the museum’s collection includes archival documents, photographs, firearms, counterfeit currency, and other artifacts. Roughly 40% of this collection is on display.

Pro Tip:
The museum is small but packed with historical items. A visit to the autopsy exhibit can be quite informative – that is if you can stomach it.

The Vancouver Maritime Museum

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Website: https://vanmaritime.com/ 

Address: 1905 Ogden Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 1A3, Canada

Contact details: 604-257-8300

Operating hours: 

  • Closed on Monday
  • Tuesday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM

For a bit of salty sea air, a visit to the Vancouver Maritime Museum gets you some maritime history about Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and the Canadian Arctic. 

It’s the perfect spot for history enthusiasts and even those curious about maritime affairs. The main exhibit showcases the St. Roch, a historic arctic exploration vessel used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. 

Pro Tip:
You’ll find extensive galleries of model ships, a Children’s Maritime Discovery Centre, a recreation of the forecastle of Vancouver’s ship Discovery, a vast collection of maritime art, and a large library and archives.

VanDusen Botanical Garden

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Website: https://vandusengarden.org/ 

Address: 5251 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6M 4H1, Canada

Contact details: 604-257-8463

Operating hours: 

  • Open daily from 10 AM – 2 PM

You’re bound to enjoy the VanDusen Botanical Garden, named after local philanthropist Whitford Julian VanDusen. Opened to the public in 1975, it’s jointly managed by the Vancouver Park Board and the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association.

Covering 22 hectares, the Garden has a diverse array of plants from around the world, including a significant collection of native British Columbia (Northwest Coast) plants. 

The Garden’s Visitor Centre has a gift/garden shop for souvenirs, a botanical library for plant enthusiasts, and a restaurant and coffee shop for refreshments.

If you plan to go back regularly, you can get more mileage by getting their 10-visit pass. They’re $59 for children 5 – 12 years old, $82 for 13 – 18 and seniors, and $117 for adults.

Pro Tip:
Check out the carved totem poles, the small Japanese garden, the large stone sculptures, and the maze adjacent to VanDusen’s heirloom vegetable garden.

The Beaty Biodiversity Museum

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Website: https://beatymuseum.ubc.ca/ 

Address:  Vancouver Campus, 2212 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada

Contact details: 604-827-4955

Operating hours: 

  • Closed on Monday
  • Tuesday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM

At the Beaty Biodiversity Museum in Vancouver, you’ll get to explore the rich biodiversity of the region and learn about the natural world. 

With over two million specimens, including a 25-meter skeleton of a female blue whale, visitors get a unique opportunity to discover some of the largest animals on Earth.

Pro Tip:
Curious about where the blue whale skeleton came from? Catch the documentary in the auditorium explaining its journey across 6000km from Prince Edward Island to the gallery’s glass atrium.

H.R. MacMillan Space Centre

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Website: https://www.spacecentre.ca/ 

Address: 1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver, BC V6J 3J9, Canada

Contact details: 604-738-7827

Operating hours: 

  • Saturday to Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 6:30 PM – 11:30 PM
  • Thursday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Friday: 6:30 PM – 11:30 PM

At the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre in Vancouver’s scenic Vanier Park, you can explore the wonders of space and astronomy through various exhibits and demonstrations. 

Opened to the public on October 28, 1968, one of its main attractions is the Planetarium Star Theatre, offering immersive shows about the cosmos.

The center features an exhibit gallery and a demonstration theatre, hosting public lectures and events for visitors of all ages. 

The iconic building, with its roof resembling the woven basket hat of the NW Coast First Nations and a stainless steel crab fountain, greets all visitors. Once inside, you’ll be transported to a universal realm as you lie on your back in the planetarium. 

Pro Tip:
You can also enjoy star shows and various events suitable for both kids and adults. It’s more convenient if you plan ahead and book your tickets (starting at $20.75) online.

Roedde House Museum

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Website: https://www.roeddehouse.org/ 

Address: 1415 Barclay St, Vancouver, BC V6G 1J6, Canada

Contact details: 604-684-7040

Operating hours: 

  • Closed from Monday to Tuesday, Saturday
  • Wednesday to Friday, Sunday: 1 PM – 4 PM

The Roedde House Museum is a late Victorian home built in 1893. Designed in the Queen Anne Revival style, it features asymmetrical plans, verandas, and a turret, giving you a taste of the gothic romance of the bygone eras. 

Beyond guided tours, the Roedde House Museum hosts Classical and Jazz Concerts, giving you the chance to be part of the cultural activities amid the historical ambiance. 

Furnished to depict late Victorian family life, the house is adorned with period objects, from box cameras to family portraits. Also, there’s tea and biscuits on a Sunday afternoon tour.

Pro Tip:
On the ‘Sunday Tea and Tour’, try the ‘Roedde House Blend’, a special tea crafted by the Metropolitan Tea Company exclusively for the museum.

Deeley Exhibition

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Website: https://deeleyexhibition.ca/ 

Address: 1875 Boundary Rd, Vancouver, BC V5M 3Y7, Canada

Contact details: 604-293-2221

Operating hours: 

  • Closed from Sunday to Monday
  • Tuesday to Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM

Into Harley Davidson or just looking to learn more about motorcycles? The Deeley Exhibition should be at the top of your list of places to visit in Vancouver.

This vintage motorcycle museum has a huge collection of road hogs for up to 100 years, with gear and jewelry on the side.

Pro Tip:
Don’t miss their photo op where you and your friend can sit in a sidecar wearing vintage helmets and jackets. 

Equinox Gallery

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Website: https://www.equinoxgallery.com/ 

Address: 3642 Commercial St, Vancouver, BC V5N 4G2, Canada

Contact details: 604-736-2405

Operating hours: 

  • Closed from Sunday to Monday
  • Tuesday to Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM

Going by Commercial Street, you just might be in the mood to take in some artistic inspiration. This is where Equinox Gallery comes in. 

It’s an industrial-chic space showcasing contemporary artists from around the world. If you’re an artist yourself, your work just might end up here!

Pro Tip:
Equinox is free, wheelchair accessible, and provides free parking at the back of the gallery.

Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery

Media credit: belkinartgallery

Website: https://belkin.ubc.ca/ 

Address: 1825 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada

Contact details: 604-822-2759

Operating hours: 

  • Closed on Monday 
  • Tuesday to Friday: 10 AM – 5 PM
  • Saturday to Sunday: 12 PM – 5 PM

At the nationally acclaimed Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery, you’ll find a contemporary art gallery with bold exhibits that challenge your eye and mind. 

Ideal for avant-garde, the gallery prioritizes practices and projects that challenge the status quo, support emerging artists, and present artist-initiated projects. 

While the gallery is a bit small, it’s pretty dynamic as they rotate exhibits around 3 times a year.

Pro Tip:
Admission is free, and we suggest checking the exhibit dates ahead of time.

Monte Clark Gallery 

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Website: https://monteclarkgallery.com/ 

Address: 53 Dunlevy Ave, Vancouver, BC V6A 3A3, Canada

Contact details: 604-730-5000

Operating hours: 

  • Closed from Sunday to Monday
  • Tuesday to Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM

Small and charming, the Monte Clark Gallery in Strathcona is an industrial space showcasing varied media such as drawings, photography, video, paintings, sculptures, and installations. 

It’s available for private viewings upon request, and it’s free for you to explore!

Pro Tip:
You can drop by the Urban Winery or the coffee shops nearby, whether before or after your visit to the gallery!

The BC Sports Hall of Fame

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Website: https://bcsportshall.com/ 

Address: Gate A of BC Place, Vancouver, BC V6B 4Y8, Canada

Contact details: 604-687-5520

Operating hours: 

  • Closed from Monday to Tuesday
  • Wednesday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM

At the BC Sports Hall of Fame, you’ll discover a museum showcasing the rich history of British Columbia’s sports world. Annual inductees typically include athletes and people who have achieved significant success in their respective fields. 

Conveniently located near Canucks, Lions, and Whitecaps games, it’s an easy addition to your pre-game routine. With tickets at $12 – 15 apiece, you just might happen to catch your favorite athletes there!

Pro Tip:
Looking for a better deal? If you have a ticket stub from a recent Canucks, Lions, or Whitecaps game, you get 50% off on the tickets.