Nanaimo Museum
Nanaimo Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Nanaimo Museum: Discover Nanaimo’s fascinating history in our museum located in the VI Conference Centre. The main gallery offers a sense of what life was like for Nanaimo's earliest settlers and the Snuneymuxw First Nation. Our award winning replica coal mine is a popular stop. The museum also manages the Bastion, an original Hudson's Bay Company post built in 1853. Don’t miss the gift shop! Museum Hours (Fall/Winter/Spring): 10am - 4pm Tuesday to Saturday Summer Hours: Open Tuesday - Sunday 10am-4pm See our website for up-to-date COVID-19 modifications to hours and admission!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
195 reviews
Excellent
110
Very good
68
Average
12
Poor
3
Terrible
2
drinkmilkCa
ca118 contributions
Apr 2022
When I travel I like to learn about the local area I am in. This small but inviting museum is so well done, featuring history of industry, lifestyles, the good, the bad, and the ugly. All done in an appropriate and engaging manner. I really enjoyed it - and left with a good basic knowledge of the area. The staff was very friendly!
Written May 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joanna C
9 contributions
Aug 2023
This small museum showcases the history of Nanaimo and includes a walk through a recreated coal mine. It is full of interesting artifacts that are beautifully displayed and described. I was especially taken by the Coast Salish peoples exhibits. Cedar was used to make not only canoes, but woven water-tight baskets, blankets and waterproof clothing. Everyday items were made artisitcally and the geometric patterns are beautiful. The staff member was very knowledgeable about the exhibits and we enjoyed our conversation with her. I would highly recommend this museum.
Written August 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nabeel M
12 contributions
Apr 2022
I'm glad I checked the reviews on this place because the visit was well worth it. It's a small museum, true, but they do manage to have a lot of things to see and in a well organised way too. Also, what they do have is incredibly interesting and varied... and if you're lucky enough to get Chris, she will share the history of some of the artifacts with you - and believe me, this is fascinating stuff. Ask about the arrow heads and the games played by indigenous groups from the area. Also the small coal mine exhibit that is good fun - and the section on internment camps in WW1 might give a perspective on refugees and racism that is not normally seen - Europe vs Europe.
All in all totally worth.
All in all totally worth.
Written April 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EKRICHES
Nanaimo, Canada142 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
Interesting display about immigration to the area and the experiences that people had - both good and bad. I like their approach to this issue; gives people a real perspective on what it's like to be an immigrant.
Written August 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review! Our summer feature exhibit was called Canada: Day 1 and it was travelling from the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 all the way from Halifax. We're glad you enjoyed it - we partnered with the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society to bring it here and it was great to see all the participation and discussion that arose from the exhibit.
We change our feature gallery every three to four months, so hopefully we will see you again soon for our next exhibit Ring of Fire: Canadians in the Pacific in WW2!
Written November 5, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paulshappy
Courtenay, Canada4,147 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
On a recent visit to Nanaimo, we visited the Nanaimo Museum and it's still a great buy for a low admission.
Certainly a "not to miss" tourist experience.
As it's only one floor, there are no barriers for accessibility, and since it's multi-faceted, there's something for everyone inside.
Entry is through the gift shop, which is amazingly stocked, and there's volunteer tour guides available along with modern washrooms.
Enjoy, Paul
Certainly a "not to miss" tourist experience.
As it's only one floor, there are no barriers for accessibility, and since it's multi-faceted, there's something for everyone inside.
Entry is through the gift shop, which is amazingly stocked, and there's volunteer tour guides available along with modern washrooms.
Enjoy, Paul
Written July 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Renato A
Vancouver Island, Canada399 contributions
Feb 2016 • Family
The museum is nice, but it could be incredible, unfortunately there are not many interactive peaces. We liked, good to know more about the city history.
Written March 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt B
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada22 contributions
Sept 2014 • Family
The Family Loads Of Fun! Lots of Hands On Activity's for the kids to! So much to see and do! Very Friendly and helpful Locals! Awesome Rooms, Awesome Staff!
Written September 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Matt,
Thanks so much for the great review - 5 stars, yes! We appreciate your support!
We do all sorts of tours, programs and talks as well as having new exhibits in the feature gallery every 3-4 months, so feel free to stop by again and see what's new.
See you soon!
Written November 5, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sim1122
Vancouver, Canada65 contributions
Mar 2014 • Family
Small fee, informative, suited more for younger kids or historical buffs lol the replica of mine was kool
Written May 31, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Sim1122,
Thanks for taking the time to review us. The coal mine is definitely a favourite around here! Let us know how we could improve your experience - what would make it appeal more to people of your age-group & interest level?
We'd love for your to come back to check out the three or four different feature exhibits we have each year - lots of variety!
Cheers,
Becka MacDonald
Communications Coordinator
info@nanaimomuseum.ca
Written June 17, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
munchy1
Delta, Canada124 contributions
Apr 2014 • Couples
For the small fee of $2.00, we enjoyed our visit to this beautiful, informative little museum. It provides a visually appealing history of Nanaimo & is well worth a visit. Children will love it! And don't miss the gift shop filled with lovely local items.
Written April 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Munchy1,
Thank you for taking the time to write a review for us. We are glad you enjoyed your visit, and hope you will come back often as we have three or four new feature exhibits each year. We would love the opportunity to make this a 5 star experience for you!
Cheers,
The Nanaimo Museum Team
Written June 17, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
abunni
Vancouver Island102 contributions
Lots of history of Nanaimo's past and current exhibitions too, well worth the time to go and see.
Written July 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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