5 Museums in Vancouver to get to know the City better

What museums are open in Vancouver and why you should visit them!

A city that’s been sought after by immigrants, entrepreneurs, and tourists alike, Vancouver is one of the most densely populated areas on the West Coast. The metropolis has played an important role in history and also acts as a hub for commerce and culture, in the present day.

So, what makes this city attractive? Is it the penchant for enterprise? Is it the cosmopolitan culture?

If you truly want to find out, then you must visit one of the many museums in Vancouver. These institutions have safeguarded the cultural synthesis and evolution of this magical city, where business, entertainment, and culture synergize in harmony.

But where do you start? Do you ask your friends and relatives? Do you hire a tour guide? Or do you ask the all-knowing Google search bar?

All of these sound like good ideas, but we have a better one. We have created this list of museums to visit in Vancouver, to show you how museums shape meaning to the culture of the city and help in understanding the achievements of Vancouver.

And if you are wondering what museums are open in Vancouver, don’t fret. We have handpicked the ones that have started functioning again. So, before you start your explorations in the city, do give this blog a quick read. We are sure that it’ll make your travel planning process much easier.

So, here we go…

1. Museum of Vancouver

This civic history museum is the largest one of its kind, in Canada. It’s also the oldest museum in Vancouver. The Museum of Vancouver was founded in 1894 and presents the many stories of this city through its large collection of exhibits and objects. Their collection is of national significance and continues to inspire visitors through their carefully curated exhibits.

Here, you will find a large variety of culturally significant objects representing the First Nations, like Argillite carvings, magnificent wooden sculptures like totem poles, masks, bowls, and canoes.

Making their collection even more varied and interesting are the Asian antiquities like Chinese art objects from the Shang dynasty, Japanese artifacts, Indian, Nepalese, and Tibetan sculptures, paintings and textiles, Vietnamese and Cambodian ceramics, and Egyptian mummies and objects.

The museum also has a separate section for the history of Vancouver, which includes Edwardian household furnishings, street furniture, women’s clothing and shoes, paintings, etc.

We are sure your day will be brighter after you visit this lovely museum. You will also realize why museums are important to a city and its residents.

2. Vancouver Art Gallery

Recognized as one of North America’s most well-respected institutions for the visual arts, the Vancouver Art Gallery will amaze you with its massive collection of art from the world over. The museum’s permanent collection contains around 12,000 works by artists from Canada, and the world over.

Almost half of the artworks in their collection were produced by artists from Western Canada. The museum also has a vast collection of First Nations and Asian art.

The museum also houses a photography and a conceptual art section, whose collection includes photographs from the 1950s to the present day. Some featured artists include Dan Graham, Thomas Ruff, Andreas Gursky, Cindy Sherman, and Robert Smithson.

The art galleries and exhibitions here put the focus on the contributions of not only Canadian artists, who have shaped the culture of Western Canada, but also renowned artists from other countries as well, who have had an equal amount of impact on the city’s cosmopolitan culture.

3. Vancouver Maritime Museum

Here is a museum that pays homage to the maritime history of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and the Canadian Arctic.

The Vancouver Maritime Museum will open your eyes to the skills and spirit of all those who braved the waters of the mighty oceans and brought with them stories of courage and perseverance. The museum’s main exhibit is the St. Roch, an arctic exploration vessel that was used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. You will also get to see an extensive gallery of model ships, and a large collection of maritime art, along with a library and archives.

Their outdoor displays constitute the NASA undersea research vessel Ben Franklin and the boiler of the Beaver, which was the first steamship in the Pacific Northwest. You can also be a part of workshops where you’ll watch craftsmen build models. One of the most important exhibits is the Chung collection of material related to Canadian Pacific steamships and original hand-drawn charts from Captain Cook’s journals.

After your visit here, you will surely look at maritime operations with renewed interest and attention.

4. Museum of Anthropology

A part of the University of British Columbia, the Museum of Anthropology depicts artworks from around the world, including works by the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest. Apart from being a tourist destination, the museum also focuses on education and research.

With almost 50,000 ethnographic objects and 535,000 archaeological exhibits, the museum is sure to provide you with an unforgettable experience. Expect to see astoundingly beautiful sculptures, cultural artifacts, and totem poles. During your visit here, do not forget to see the yellow cedar sculpture named The Raven and the Fir

st Men by Bill Reid.

You will also get to see many Musqueam artifacts from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, as well as contemporary works commissioned by Musqueam artists. Some other exhibits of note would be the collection of 6000 textiles from Asia, Oceania, South America, and Africa.

Apart from this, you can also browse through the collection of 90,000 photographs that depict a wide range of cultures and events. Other important sections include the exhibits from Africa and Asia which constitutes masks, carvings, weaponry, figurines, ceramics, calligraphy, prints, coins, sculptures, and clothing.

A visit here is sure to make you hungry. But it will definitely quench your thirst for knowledge though.

5. Science World

Nerds, geeks, and science enthusiasts unite. We present to you – Science World. This institution houses many permanent interactive exhibits and displays that will get your brain muscles going.

Here you will discover the many wonders of science and technology through their natural, physical, and built environments. The exhibits and collections at Science World will rekindle your love for science. And if you hated the subject in school, we are pretty sure this place will change your perception.

Get ready to experience everything from dinosaurs, fossils, birds, physics, biology, puzzles, space, and a lot more.

With the pandemic now becoming a distant memory, the world is ready to start exploring again. We at SpotEv want to make this discovery process easier and user-friendly. As you keep discovering the city of Vancouver through its museums, don’t forget to check out other places of interest nearby.

All you have to do is use SpotEv’s discovery service that’ll give you the best recommendations for food, nightlife, and art. Be sure to check out our blog for more such travel ideas.

Until Next Time!
Have a great day.