MUSEUMS
H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
“Like no place on earth.” The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre is where people can become educated on astronomy through live demonstrations, exhibitions, and shows. Inside, there’s the Planetarium Star Theatre, Groundstation Canada Theatre, Cosmic Courtyard Gallery and Exhibit Space, and GMS Observatory, which is home to a half-meter Cassegrain telescope, with which visitors can observe Vancouver’s skies.
Vancouver Police Museum
The Vancouver Police Museum is North America’s oldest police museum. The Vancouver Historical Society operates the museum, which sits in a heritage building that was previously the Coroner’s Court and the city’s morgue, crime laboratory, and autopsy facilities. There are over 20,000 documents, photos, and artifacts inside the Vancouver Police Museum, which visitors can learn more about through a self-guided tour. Check out their Movies in the Morgue events too, if you dare!
BC Sports Hall of Fame
“Since 1966, the community has entrusted the BC Sports Hall of Fame with the responsibility to collect, preserve, study and interpret materials that relate to British Columbia’s rich sport history.” BC Sports Hall of Fame sits within BC Place in Vancouver and educates the public on British Columbia residents and their outstanding achievement in sports. Each year, a few select individuals are inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame too.
Vancouver Maritime Museum
Established in 1959, the Vancouver Maritime Museum has preserved and shared maritime history stories from the Pacific Northwest and Canadian Arctic region. Its main exhibit is St. Roch, which is a former Royal Canadian Mounted Police Arctic exploration vessel. There’s also a model ships gallery, Children’s Maritime Discovery Centre, and a maritime art collection. Outside the museum, visitors will find Ben Franklin, a NASA undersea research vessel.
Museum of Anthropology
The Museum of Anthropology, recognized for both its exterior design and collections inside, sits on the University of British Columbia’s picturesque campus. Canadian architect Arthur Erickson designed the museum’s award-winning building, which houses one of the world’s finest collections of Northwest Coast First Nations Art plus 535,000 archaeological objects. Its current exhibition, Amazonia: The Rights of Nature, features Amazonian artwork.
Science World
Science World “features hundreds of interactive exhibits in five galleries.” It’s run by a non-profit organization, which aims to inspire future science and technology leadership in British Columbia. Science World is one of Vancouver’s most impressive buildings, but it’s just as unique inside. It’s home to the OMNIMAX® Theatre, local science-inspired art displays, the BodyWorks gallery, Eureka! and its hands-on exhibits, and the Ken Spencer Science Park.
Roedde House Museum
In West End, visitors and residents alike will find the restored heritage house that is the Roedde House Museum. Built in 1893 for the city’s first bookbinder, Gustav Roedde and his family, the late Victorian home has 11 rooms that reflect their day-to-day life, with period pieces (including some from the Roedde family) and artifacts, some of which guests may handle with care. The museum also offers guided Tea and Tour Sundays.
Burnaby Village Museum
Located in the Greater Vancouver Area, Burnaby Village Museum is a historic open-air museum spread out over 10 acres. It represents a typical 1920s community, with a blacksmith, general store, ice cream parlor, and print shop. People are dressed in period costumes and give demonstrations throughout the village. There’s also a CW Parker Carousel from 1912 and the restored Interurban Tram #1223. Children will love the Adventure Guide, which is available at the gates.
Beaty Biodiversity Museum
Beaty Biodiversity Museum is also located at the University of British Columbia and is Vancouver’s only natural history museum. There are over 500 interactive exhibits and displays, which include more than two million specimens. Its crowning jewel is its 26-meter-long (85 feet) blue whale skeleton, which is the largest display of its kind in Canada. There’s also a permanent Timeline Exhibit, where you can “walk along 4.54 billion years of history.”
Museum of Vancouver
The Museum of Vancouver in Vanier Park focuses on the city’s history from the First Nations until today. It includes a large collection of First Nations artwork and artifacts, and permanent exhibitions include 1930s–1940s: Boom, Bust and War; 1960s–1970s: You Say You Want a Revolution; and Neon Vancouver | Ugly Vancouver. The museum’s mission is to inspire a deeper understanding of Vancouver through stories, objects, and shared experiences.
PARKS
Stanley Park
Bordered by the English Bay and the Vancouver Harbor, Stanley Park is completely surrounded by water and has some of the city’s most beautiful views. This lush green forest is full of plants found only in the area and can be viewed from the many paths and trails that run through the park, including the Seawall, a stone wall that surrounds the park and runs along the water’s edge. The park is also home to Vancouver’s Aquarium and several restaurants and snack bars to make spending the day in the woods easy.
Queen Elizabeth Park
The Queen Elizabeth Park is a small park known for its extravagant flora that can be viewed year-round. Its 130 acres holds mountains along the north shore and a glimpse at the city’s skyline. The park also hold the Bloedel Conservatory, which houses plants from all over the world, and an arboretum, where visitors can watch breath-taking cherry blossoms bloom in the spring.
Lynn Canyon
Opened in 1912, Lynn Canyon Park is over a century old and features many hiking trails that vary in difficulty for a casual stroll or a challenging workout. Within the park is a long suspension bridge for pedestrians to cross over the canyon and through the lofty branches of the evergreens, which is free of charge and which features some of the most awe-inspiring views from the center.
John Hendry Park
Lovingly referred to as Trout Park by locals due to the beautiful lake in the center of the park, John Hendry Park was originally the location of one of Vancouver’s first lumbering operations that ran during the 19th century. Now, the park is a vast green oasis with a wonderful community center and an expansive ice rink left over from the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Pacific Spirit Regional Park
Located in the western part of Vancouver, the Pacific Spirit Regional Park separates the city from the University of British Columbia. The park is full of various trails, perfect for spending the mornings running or cycling through the forest or having afternoon picnics on the beaches.
MARKETS
Granville Island
The colorful stalls of the Granville Island Market are full of a large variety of homemade products and local food. All of the ingredients are sourced fresh from either the ocean and the field, and the baked goods leave their delightful aromas wafting along the breeze to entice curious visitors to have a taste. Open daily 9am-7pm, 7 days a week.
Main Street Market
Located near a bustling commuter intersection, it isn’t hard to find the Main Street Market. The stalls offer a variety of meats, cheeses and baked goods for visitors to take home or sample. Many of the sellers cook food onsite, inviting visitors to spend dinner at the market while watching some of the many chefs demonstrate their skills. Open Wednesdays 2-6pm from June to October.
Yaletown Market
The European set-up of the Yaletown Market encourages visitors to imagine walking the streets of distant countries, smell the delicious scents, and take in all the sight and sounds. Located in the historic Yaletown district, visitors not only get a glimpse of Vancouver’s history, but the chance to try some of the local country produce. Open Thursday 2pm-6pm from May to October.
West End Market
A simple, relaxed market, the West End is located near Nelson Park and several beautiful gardens. The market features a large variety of local produce, prepared foods and handmade crafts, and is a fun (dog-friendly) place to visit on Saturday mornings for fresh fruits and bread to make a delicious breakfast. Open Saturdays 9am-2pm from May to October.
Vancouver Flea Market
Affectionately called the “Big Red Barn” by locals, the Vancouver Flea Market is a large barn that holds an assortment of collectibles, household items, and even things that you never knew existed or that you needed. The building is over 40,000 square feet and can hold up to 4,000 people at one time, making it an ideal location for weekend thrift shopping or the regular antique shows. Open Saturday and Sunday from 9am-5pm.
