Speciality Museums in Vancouver

THE 10 BEST Vancouver Speciality Museums

Speciality Museums in Vancouver

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Museums
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22 places sorted by traveller favourites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.

What travellers are saying

  • CJE
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Without a doubt this was the highlight of an incredible week in Vancouver,

    The quality of the exhibitions and the variety of media used to demonstrate the First Nation history of BC WERE OUTSTANDING.

    I could have spent a full day there.
    Written September 12, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • 11Inspire
    Durham78 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    It was an interesting museum. It could do with some more investment but it was a good day for a brief visit. I was really interested and pleased to see the reconcilliation work going on with the indiginous population.
    Written September 15, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • breggie
    Asheville, NC953 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The St Roch ship there (from 1928-54) and it’s history pre WW2 and during, is quite well done and is the icon of the museum. It came here from Halifax to rest when the city bought it, they dry docked it here, then built the A frame museum over and around it. The museum is quite nice, smallish, and worth a visit. In the long run, it’s curating is a bit dated now compared to high end museums with big budgets. We walked from Granville Island, along the water and past the large Vancouver Museum building.
    Written September 21, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kathrin S
    Portland, OR710 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I wasn't sure that I'd like this museum after reading the mixed reviews, but we enjoyed our visit. We all learned a lot.

    I agree it may not be in Vancouver's Top Ten but it'll be close up there! It was difficult to find. (Google maps struggled) but it was a good visit.
    Written August 14, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Erinfullerton
    Escondido, CA29 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was a cool little discovery as we were looking for something to do on a rainy day. Great little museum with an oddball collection of artifacts, case files, correspondence, photos, etc. We spent about an hour here, but probabaly could have spent a bit longer - 2 hrs would be a good amt of time to allot if you want to see everything and read the stories posted, etc.

    The museum may not hold the interest of young children, as many of the exhibits require some reading and/or would just not interest young children, and there are confiscated weapons on display, some that may prompt conversations you are not ready to answer about the ugly horrors that humans are capable of inflicting on one another (such as the baseball bat embedded with hundreds of nails, or the axe with hair still visible on the blade that was used by a teenager to murder his family). For the queasy, they do a nice job at the front of explaining how to avoid the body part specimens, etc.
    Written March 25, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kenzo Residence
    Kusadasi, Türkiye3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great place to visit for any two wheel addicts while in Vancouver.
    I was really impressed with the variety and condition of the bikes, some of them incredibly rare.
    Thanks
    Written September 11, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • EE15
    Bolton498 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    The museum is okay for kids but it’s on the small side and is a little bit basic. Needs a bit of a refresh and some more going on for adults.
    Written October 2, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • RebeccaJanczewski
    Cardiff, UK92 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What a fantastic find this was, slightly off the beaten track on the hidden lake next to Stanley Park and close to the rose gardens. Fantastic volunteers told us so much about the local wildlife and were extremely passionate, knowledgeable and welcoming. We saw bald eagles flying above and baby swallows about to fledge. We were also told that if you visit at dawn or dusk you will almost always see beavers - wow! It is astonishing to think of beavers living in the city centre! Amazing! Well worth checking out! Top tip: if you enjoy your visit, consider making a small donation to keep this fab charity going!
    Written July 15, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Lizzy
    Ontario, Canada69 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a gem of a find if you love sports, or history, or learning about the local community.
    It was very hard to find, but once we found parking and did a little stroll up all the steps you could see a few small signs. Looks for the Terry Fox Memorial if you're on foot.
    Loads of displays detailing amazing Vancouver athletes from the first nations all the way to present day. I didn't know so many of our Canadian stars hailed from BC.
    There is a great interactive room where you can try your hand at all sorts of different sporting activities. Be prepared to bribe your kids away from this area and bring your competitive spirit!
    You get a peak into the stadium where the BC lions play too!
    Written February 17, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • sarahnaid
    Listowel, Canada449 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I was fortunate enough to visit with a group, so we had a tour guide. The guide was someone who cared deeply about the stories in the museum and brought them to life for us. I learned a lot, yet there was not so much to see and hear about that I left feeling overwhelmed. I would definitely recommend a visit to folks who are coming to the area, especially if you can get a guided tour. My only concern is what a tour would feel like to international adoptees from China whose stories of immigration and life in Canada do not seem to be included yet in the museum.
    Written April 14, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • John M
    New Port Richey, FL697 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Ukama Gallery was a treat. It held the works of Candian contemporary artists' work as well as a focus on Zimbabwe sculptors. The sculptures were intriguing. Our reception at the gallery was professional, and everyone working there was very pleasant. This is a don't miss place.
    Written January 26, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Bluecedarangel
    Burnaby, Canada132 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I live in Vancouver for many years.
    The Center is new, however Musqueam has had tours for many years.

    If you want to know more about the Aboriginal Culture and Tradition of the Coast Salish people, this is one of the places to go.

    You will learn fabulous Vancouver is only one of the city's located on Musqueam Territory.

    They offer guided tours or you can go about on your own exploration.

    I have been on the tour and have loved learning about the native people and land.
    A very educational and inspiring and a must see.
    Written January 21, 2016
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • S F
    Ucluelet, Canada915 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre (VHEC) — which is a teaching museum providing much needed & mindful education on human rights abuse & the horror of genocide — is an essential learning resource & should be visited by all. The VHEC delivers this education on the Holocaust through changing exhibits, school programs, & public talks. It mainly draws on
    Holocaust survivors to do this, as well as through a collection of artifacts survivors & others have donated. It also brings in outside speakers to give larger public talks. I was fortunate to hear the then only living survivor of Schindler’s List.
    The other important role it fulfills is taking down survivor witness statements, increasingly so with time, given most now are into their 80s & beyond. I was a VHEC docent for a significant number of years in the 2000 decade, have been to many exhibitions & public talks, sent tribute greetings on its forum, as well donating to this profoundly excellent organisation.
    I know it well & respect it greatly.
    Along with contributing to the
    collection of artifacts, Holocaust survivors give witness to the horrors of the Nazi era they experienced in a school programme aimed at pupils at the high school level to create awareness on the Holocaust, as well as how things such as bullying, discrimination & hate speech can feed into & foster atrocities. Pupils get that connection, taking away how important it is they step in when they see any of this happening at school or other places they frequent — & that standing up against discriminatory behavior applies to any person or group, be it racial, religious, ethnic or gender.
    All I came across at the VHEC were inspiring from founder, Robert Krell, who as a child in the Netherlands, survived, across the board. Currently an exhibition is on on the Nazi propaganda aimed at youth. The VHEC is open 9 to 5 Mon to Thurs, closing at 3 pm on Friday. The B.C. gov announced that from 2025 the Holocaust will be incorporated in the school curriculum, a important inclusion, along with that of First Nations history which has been included
    Posted by S Fuller
    Written March 28, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • pinkduckYVR
    Vancouver, Canada93 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Opening day Spring 2016. We have known of this building all our lives but never visited. Today was the day! Lots of eclectic pieces, historic pictures and maps,detailed information on the Great Fire, very helpful docent. Really loved reading the 1940's Women's magazines. Would definitely recommend a visit during one of their special days with music and/or presentations. Entrance by donation.

    The surrounding area is quiet and worth a little walk. The park has many view seats to watch the inlet and mountains.
    Written March 5, 2016
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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