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Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
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Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre

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See all things to do
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
4.5
1,051 reviews
#7 of 71 things to do in Whistler
Civic Centres
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Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
*Please note we are closed September 24 - 29, 2023 for urgent building repairs. We will OPEN on Saturday, September 30 for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. For up-to-date hours slcc.ca/visit* The Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre is a three-story, 30,400-square foot award-winning cultural centre designed to blend the traditional Squamish Longhouse with the Lil'wat Istken. Cultural Ambassadors share their knowledge and stories with guests, on a guided tour, augmenting the information shared throughout the centre's curated collection of artifacts and contemporary pieces. Traditional drum songs are shared at the top of each hour. The facility is designed to evoke a traditional Squamish longhouse and a Lil'wat Istken (pit house) and is surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery. This thriving cultural centre shares meaningful experiences, educating all, and lifts their two distinct cultures.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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See what other travellers are saying
  • Annaline
    Park Ridge, Illinois7,031 contributions
    Huge size looking from outside
    I wish that place was open after 5pm. Usually tourists want to spend time during that day outside in the mountains and than at late afternoon or evening hours is best to visit museums or shop or go to restaurant. Some other facilities are open till 8-9pm (whistler musuem or public library) but not this place. It looks big to me so it seams like you need at least half a day to visit this place and learn about local culture and First Nation tribes. Well, maybe one day I will return to see it inside.
    Visited January 2020
    Written January 23, 2020
  • Miller K
    Madison, Georgia94 contributions
    Great place to learn about local cultures
    With the advent of COVID-19 I was unable to rent clothing for skiing so I decided to spend my time walking around Whistler. I am so glad I did, otherwise my time in the area would not have permitted my visit to the cultural center. The center was exquisite. The staff were very kind and informational. The local cultural drum presentation and video were enjoyable and very informative. If you can spare 30min I would highly recommend going to the center. There is a gift shop and very clean restrooms as well.
    Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
    Huy Chexw / Kukw`stumc`kalap for your rave five-star review Miller! We're so happy that you had such a positive experience and that we were a part of your visit to Whistler.
    Written July 25, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2020
    Travelled on business
    Written March 17, 2020
  • JHarb1
    Tiburon, California36 contributions
    And the food was great - really!
    We came across a notice of a dinner and native dance at the Centre in the restroom at Whistler! What a great opportunity to learn about the First Nations' history and culture. We had a guide who is a member of the Squamish, so he had lots of stories and information to tell. We then sat down to a wonderful, authentic dinner consisting of foods that would have been typically eaten by the First Nations people (mostly prepared in a more modern fashion), accompanied by several dancers in typical dress performing a variety of native dances. Fascinating and fun!
    Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
    Huy Chexw /Kukw`stumc`kacw for your review! We're so happy that you were able to join us for our Winter Feast and that you enjoyed the hearty meal. We hope you can return soon so to explore more of the SLCC.
    Written July 25, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited December 2019
    Written January 30, 2020
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.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,051 reviews
Excellent
704
Very good
283
Average
47
Poor
9
Terrible
8
Veronica P
Oeiras, Portugal1 contribution
Immersive experience on a different culture
Aug. 2023 • Family
Really enjoyed understanding the first nations way of living . The museum is very nice in terms of space , very niece wooden crafts , good organized and simultaneously very attractive
Written September 11, 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.
Sunshine576554
York, UK227 contributions
Squamish and Lil’Wat cultural centre
Aug. 2023 • Couples
Good way to learn about the Squamish and Lil’wat nations culture and lovely to hear how they are successfully and enthusiastically bringing it back to life. Great 15 minute film to bring the exhibits to life.
Written September 3, 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.
kinx81
Vancouver Island, Canada810 contributions
Take the guided tour!
Aug. 2023 • Friends
Excellent guided tour on the hour during opening times. You are welcomed by a song and then a 15 min movie in an air conditioned small theatre. Then a tour of the museum
Exhibits which was more exciting than just reading the printed info. All the different canoe types are explained by their use and how they are made.

Jay was our guide and he was well spoken and knowledgeable.

Everyone should spend an hour here while visiting Whistler, to learn about the local culture.
Written August 12, 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.
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
Huy Chexw / Kukw`stumc`kalap / Thank you for sharing your experience and leaving such a thoughtful review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your visit, especially the tour with Jay.
Written August 14, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
NamasteHello
Harrogate, UK1,906 contributions
Gave a good understanding of First Nation
Jun. 2023
Loved this museum. Limited objects,but good interpretation and good guides. Short film adds to understanding of history and its 8mpact on current members of First Nation heritage. Good gift shop and cafe. Wish there had been somewhere like this for similar First Nation history on Vancouver Island. Could have been signposted from the many Trails around aehistler, but wasn't
Written June 8, 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.
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
Huy Chexw / Kukw`stumc`kalap / Thank you for such a lovely review. We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your visit.
Written July 11, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Pumpkin20
Bathurst, Australia320 contributions
Interesting
Jun. 2023 • Couples
Interesting guided tour, enjoyed the displays & accounts of indigenous culture. Enjoyed being able to wander & absorb the information in our own time, even the gift shop provided the ability to purchase goods from a local rather than the usual mass produced items.
Written June 8, 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.
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
Huy Chexw / Kukw`stumc`kalap / Thank you for sharing your experience. We are so glad you enjoyed your visit with us.
Written July 11, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
travelhopes
oregon109 contributions
Very interesting tour of Indiginous culture
May 2023
Start with the tour guide then take as much time on your own to learn more about the people who lived here, how they traveled here and why. The museum is very well done!
Written June 3, 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.
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
Huy Chexw / Kukw`stumc`kalap / Thank you for connecting with us and for such a great review, we appreciate it!
Written June 5, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paul H
12 contributions
More than a museum could ever be
Apr. 2023 • Family
Although there are a number of older objects here, this is a living center of cultural exchange rather than just rooms full of old things – it’s alive, and you get to experience a little of the rich cultural lives of these nations rather than just reading plaques about dusty artefacts. I’m glad this exists, and we learned a lot!

Pro tip: The guided tour is a real highlight here, and you should plan your visit with this in mind.

PS: The cafe is excellent – get the bannock taco!
Written April 11, 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.
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
Huy Chexw / Kukw`stumc`kalap / Thank you so much for your thoughtful review. We love that you appreciate the living culture that we are able to share, it's our greatest pride that guests can connect with our Ambassadors and bring our stories to life.
Written April 25, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Deborah H
34 contributions
Well worth a visit.
Mar. 2023 • Solo
I loved this place. The staff were so friendly and helpful. The tour was great, I loved the singing and having the exhibits explained. They fully answered any additional questions.
It was a classy gift shop, again the staff were very helpful.
The food was fabulous and competitively priced. I loved the salmon chowder and raspberry scone.
Written March 30, 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.
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
Huy Chexw / Kukw`stumc`kalap / Thank you Deborah for your thoughtful review, we love hearing about your experience and are glad you enjoyed your time with us.
Written April 7, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ilovescones
New York230 contributions
Thought provoking museum of First Nations culture.
Feb. 2023 • Friends
The cultural center is not that big, but has a rich variety of artifacts as well as exceptional explanations of them, integrating the objects and the oral traditions of the two nations that historically shared a village near present day Whistler. Some of the exhibits - a photography exhibit called “Unceded” comes to mind - are angry and challenging. Frankly that makes the cultural centre a more important place to visit.

The cafe downstairs made a great venison chili with bannock the day we were there
Written February 28, 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.
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
Huy Chexw / Kukw`stumc`kalap / Thank you for sharing your experience with us, we appreciate your thoughtful review.
Written April 7, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gordon S
Guelph, Canada688 contributions
Worth a visit
Sep. 2022
Great experience and the guide was excellent. She explained about the different canoes, totem pole and weaving techniques. All in all an short great synopsis about aspects of the history of the Squamish people
Written November 6, 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.
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
Huy Chexw / Kukw`stumc`kalap / Thank you for sharing your experience with us, we are glad you enjoyed your time with us Gordon.
Written April 7, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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SQUAMISH LIL'WAT CULTURAL CENTRE - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre is open:
  • Tue - Sun 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 9 Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre tours on Tripadvisor