8 Best Museums in Vancouver Worth Visiting! A Local's Guide

Vancouver is a wonderful city with extensive outdoors, food, and film scenes that can entertain and delight any visitor. Best known for outdoor activities, beach activities, and a laid-back vibe, you'll be surprised to know that the city has a deep historical side. During your travels in Vancouver, take some time to explore these interesting historical places. It's also a great excuse to take cover from the rain!

Vancouver has many museums, art galleries, and science centers, but how do you know which ones are worth visiting? Get the latest scoop on the hottest museums in Vancouver and find out which ones to add to your travel plan! 

Why Visit Museums in Vancouver? 

Vancouver is a city that was settled much later than the rest of Canada due to the difficulties the railway had getting through the Rockies. Blasting through mountains is no joke. But finally, in 1886, Vancouver became a city. 

It was built on years of Indigenous culture that had a chance to develop way before Europeans arrived. Its long Indigenous history and culture are prominent in museums, art galleries, and science centers. 

After the arrival of Europeans, immigrants from Asia soon joined, bringing their traditions and history with them. This unique diversity helped shape Vancouver into the vibrant city it is today. As a result, it's home to extensive museums that showcase this exciting history and culture. 

Best Vancouver Museums to Visit

Vancouver Maritime Museum

Love to be out at sea? You'll love the Vancouver Maritime Museum! Located right next to one of Vancouver's most beautiful beaches, it's easy to pop in and check out this intriguing museum. With over 15,000 artifacts reflecting the sea-faring history of Vancouver and the Pacific North West, there is much to learn here. 

Climb inside the full-size boat inside the museum for an authentic at-sea experience. Their full-time and rotating exhibits keep the museum fresh and exciting, with something new to see each time. 

Location: 1905 Ogden Ave, Vancouver

Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 am—5:00 pm. Closed Mondays.

Tickets: Adult $15, individuals self-identifying as Indigenous: Free

Notes: Cashless payments only

Roedde House Museum

Tucked away in the busy downtown Vancouver core is the Roedde House Museum. This restored 1893 home is a hidden gem museum in Vancouver. Learn all about the Roedde family and late Victorian life in Vancouver. Each artifact and piece of furniture in the home has been painstakingly refurbished and restored to its original glory.

Take a guided or self-guided tour through this stunning home to learn about life in early Canada. Virtual tours are also available. Check their events page for upcoming events hosted at the museum, like historic movie nights or jazz concerts! There's always something going on at this interesting Vancouver museum.

Location: 1415 Barclay Street, Vancouver

Hours: Wednesday–Friday & Sunday: 1 pm—4 pm 

Summer Hours: Wednesday–Friday & Sunday: 11 am—4 pm

Tickets: Adult $10, Wheelchair Accessible Admission $5

Beaty Biodiversity Museum

The Beaty Biodiversity Museum is one of the best museums in Vancouver regarding plant and animal life. Explore the natural world of plants and animal life in this vibrant museum on the UBC campus. 

It features over 2000 plant and animal species and Canada's largest blue whale skeleton. This museum goes back in time to explore the fossils found in the Vancouver area from over 145.5 million years ago.

Location: 2212 Main Mall, Vancouver 

Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 10:00 am—5:00 pm

Tickets: Adult $14

Notes: Every third Thursday of the month, admission by a donation from 5:00 pm—8:30 pm

Vancouver Art Gallery

Explore over 12,000 works of art in the Vancouver Art Gallery. This gallery is the perfect backdrop to display stunning local artworks, mostly done by Indigenous artists. The gallery perfectly shows each piece and has both traditional and immersive exhibits.

Their rotating exhibits help keep each visit feeling like the first. Located in downtown Vancouver, stop by this museum before heading to Whistler for the weekend or to escape from the rain. 

Location: Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street Vancouver

Hours: Monday–Sunday, 10 am—5 pm. Tuesday & Friday 12 pm—8 pm

Tickets: Adult $29

Notes: Admission by donation Tuesdays from 5 pm- 8 pm

Old Hastings Mill Store Museum

Another hidden gem museum in Vancouver is the Old Hastings Mill Store Museum. This little museum is tucked away from the downtown core in the Point Grey neighborhood. It's a great stop before hiking or catching the ferry to Victoria.

This historic store was saved from demolition by being relocated from Gastown to Point Grey by boat in 1930. You can see photos of the store coming across the bay by ship while visiting. Learn about the devastating fire that tore through Vancouver and see well-preserved artifacts from the late 1800s. Visiting Vancouver's oldest building is a must for any history fanatic!

Location: 1575 Alma Street, Vancouver

Hours: Saturday–Sunday: 1:00–4:00 pm

Tickets: Pay what you can with Cash or a $10 minimum card payment

Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel

The Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel is the best free museum in Vancouver. Step back in time and learn about the area's history and life in early Vancouver. It's an immersive, ten-acre village where you can explore each historical exhibit and building all day.

Location: 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby

Hours: Open seasonally March 13-24, 11 am—4:30 pm. Open periodically for Halloween and Christmas. 

Summer hours: May 6–September 4, 11 am—4:30 pm, except for Mondays

Tickets: Free!

Museum of Vancouver

The Museum of Vancouver is easily one of the best Museums in Vancouver. It's the oldest and largest museum in Vancouver, with hundreds of exhibits and artifacts. This museum beautifully works its way through Vancouver's historical and cultural past. 

It fully acknowledges the Indigenous peoples who lived here before European settlement and pays homage to the culture and history brought over through the migrations of immigrants from Asia. If you want to learn everything there is to know about Vancouver, this is the place! 

 Location: 1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver

Hours: Monday–Sunday, 10 am—5 pm. Thursday–Saturday, 10 am—8 pm

Tickets: Adult $20, individuals self-identifying as Indigenous: Free

Science World

You can't have a list of museums in Vancouver without mentioning the gigantic sphere that stands out in Vancouver's skyline. Science World has been the gem of Vancouver attractions since its opening in 1989. There are many fun, informative, and interactive exhibits to explore that are great for all ages. 

Science World will renew your interest in the natural and scientific world and spark your curiosity to learn more. See Science World after dark, an adults-only event where you can drink, eat, listen to music, and enjoy the museum at your leisure. 

Location: 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver

Hours: Monday–Sunday, 10 am—5 pm

Tickets: Adult $32.20

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Now that you know all about Vancouver museums, use Pilot to help plan the rest of your West coast vacation!