BC’s museums and heritage sites provide a window into the foundation of a dynamic cultural landscape built into the natural surroundings of communities in every region. British Columbia’s vibrant history can be experienced in a variety of places, from the UNESCO heritage site in the Haida Gwaii, to the the gold rush town of Barkerville and refurbished fort communities hosting reenactment experiences, to local community museums housing cherished stories and artifacts, to large scale museums with elaborate displays of ancient origins.
Whistler
Favorite
Established in 2016, the Audain Art Museum is a leading arts organization founded upon the major philanthropic gift of Michael Audain and Yoshiko Karasawa. Located in Whistler, British Columbia and designed by the internationally-renowned firm Patkau Architects, the AAM boasts a comprehensive Permanent Collection of the province’s most celebrated artists. Exemplifying the richness of cultural difference in Canada, the collection Read more...
Barkerville
Favorite
It’s 1862. You are hand-digging through layers of soggy, worthless, frustrating gravel, hoping and praying the next shovel-stroke will expose a fortune in gold. Everyone says it’s crazy, but there’s too much at stake. Then, just when the outcome seems impossibly bleak, at a depth of 52 feet the ground begins to pay. The lead is struck, and the greatest Read more...
Fort Langley
Favorite
Located in historic Fort Langley the BC Farm Museum has the province’s largest collection of pioneer and agricultural artifacts. Something of interest for every age. Kids love our Scavenger Hunt (with a prize) and after Covid19, rope making, tomato and egg sorting demonstrations. Visitors learn how people lived without electricity and can see first-hand several wooden ice boxes (early refrigerators), see early windmills Read more...
Vancouver
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Fall in love with the diversity of life as you explore over 500 exhibits, and stare through the jaws of the largest creature ever to live on Earth—the blue whale. As Vancouver’s natural history museum, we invite you on a journey to discover the interconnectedness of all life on Earth, and our role in preserving these delicate systems. Explore the Read more...
Richmond
Favorite
Branscombe House is located at 4900 Steveston Highway and is one of the earliest homes built in the area; as such it is significant for its historical association to Steveston and for reflecting the pattern of commercial and related residential development that occurred in Steveston’s early history. The Branscombe House Artist-in-Residence is selected annually via an Open Call. Read more...
Britannia Beach
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Rumble aboard The Underground train as it rolls through an historic mining tunnel. Push up your sleeves at our Gold Panning Pavilion and keep what you find! Immerse yourself in the live-action, multi-sensory experience of BOOM! on the breathtaking ground level of the historic Mill No.3 building. Learn about minerals, the copper extraction process and what life was like back Read more...
Richmond
Favorite
Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site is an authentic representation of a once-thriving community of canneries, boat yards, and residences. City of Richmond staff and dedicated volunteers work together to preserve and restore the shipyard and surrounding buildings as an active wooden boat centre and waterfront park. Tour the oldest shipyard buildings in British Columbia, you experience the history of fishing Read more...
Smithers
Favorite
Explore the natural and human history of Smithers and the surrounding area at the Bulkley Valley Museum! Located in the historic Central Park Building, the Museum features engaging and informative temporary and permanent displays on local history and culture, including Witsuwit’en history, Driftwood Canyon fossils, the mysterious story of the first “Broken Arrow”, and the Bulkley Valley’s “gift to civilization” Read more...
Vernon
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TOURS: Explore the secrets and rumours of this 126-year-old heritage house with a fascinating and disturbing history. A distinguished aristocrat and scholar from an ancient royal Italian family dating back over a thousand years… The beautiful young mother… Their creative and talented daughter held a prisoner in her own home for over 25 years. Is it haunted? You be the judge! Join Read more...
New Westminster
Favorite
In 1965, after considerable lobbying efforts from a group of passionate lacrosse enthusiasts, the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame was created to serve as a permanent way to recognize and honour box players, field players, builders, teams who have contributed to the rich history of lacrosse in Canada. Located in New Westminster (which has its own unique lacrosse history), the Read more...
Vernon
Favorite
Summer hours: 10:00 am. to 4:30 pm. from May 21st. to September 4th. 2024. ]The Canadian Wildlife Museum is located in the Okanagan valley, just minutes north of the city of Vernon , just off Highway 97 in the heart of spectacular south central British Columbia, Canada. We are an outstanding kid friendly Tourist Attraction and likely the best Taxidermy Read more...
Hope
Favorite
This community of Hope BC has a rich longstanding history. The story and brand all date back to the First Nations Presence – which today has made a strong impact on the area. The places you go, the things you see, all have connections to the rich soiled history through its Indigenous culture, Gold Rush, the mighty Railway and the Read more...
Vancouver
Favorite
The Chinese Canadian Museum is located in the historic Vancouver Chinatown. Housed inside the oldest brick building in Chinatown, this museum is the first of its kind and honours the history, contributions, and heritages of Chinese Canadians while elevating and engaging with voices and communities across the country. The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 A.M. to Read more...
Hope
Favorite
Christ Church is home to a small but vital Anglican congregation. The parish of Christ Church offers weekly worship services, bible study groups, social events, weddings, baptisms, and funerals. Historic Christ Church is located at the corner of Fraser Avenue and Park Street, one block west of the Trans Canada Highway in Hope, BC. Read more...
Richmond
Favorite
Built in 1894 as a salmon cannery in the fishing village of Steveston, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery was once the largest of its kind, earning it the nickname “The Monster Cannery”. Today, interactive displays and exhibits present the history of Canada’s west coast fishing industry, where visitors of all ages will enjoy exploring a restored salmon canning line from Read more...
Campbell River
Favorite
Enjoy the peaceful setting of this historic farmhouse where author conservationist Roderick Haig-Brown wrote his world-renowned books. By the River… The murmur of the river can be heard from the rooms overlooking the peaceful grounds. In this unique bed and breakfast establishment, the Haig-Brown House interior and furnishings reflect the character and modest lifestyle of Roderick Haig-Brown and his family. Read more...
Vernon
Favorite
Experience O’Keefe Ranch You’ll love travelling back in time with us! Over 150 years ago, O’Keefe Ranch was its own small community with a post office, blacksmith shop, general store, and church. Today, visitors can meet our friendly farm animals, view our annual museum exhibitions, take a tour of the O’Keefe Mansion, and buy candy in the General Store. Come Read more...
Kamloops
Favorite
WELCOME TO THE KAMLOOPS MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES The Kamloops Museum and Archives permanent exhibitions consistently evolve to inclusively showcase Kamloops’ culture through the voices of its many communities. Current issues, events, and ideas are explored bringing rigorous and relevant exhibitions to Kamloops. The Kamloops Museum and Archives seeks to foster pride of place and offers a unique experience for creativity and learning for all Read more...
Kelowna
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Come and discover the storied past of the Okanagan at the KELOWNA MUSEUMS. Visit Kelownas vibrant Cultural District and spark an adventure at our five museums. Bring the kids for a weekend craft, sip a new wine or join a guided walking tour. Come Alive with Our History! Experience fascinating displays and learn how the Okanagan Valley was formed, and Read more...
Abbotsford
Favorite
NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE AND SIKH HERITAGE MUSEUM (ESTABLISHED 1911) Welcome to the site for the Gur Sikh Temple, National Historic Site, and Sikh Heritage Museum. This historic site is located in Abbotsford, BC., Canada. The site, originally built by Sikh settlers from 1908-1911, was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 2002. In 2011, the Sikh Heritage Museum Read more...
Kitimat
Favorite
Explore town history with the coming of Alcan’s aluminum smelter in the 1950s, early valley settlement, and Haisla traditional arts and technology. Additional displays feature regional geology, flora, and fauna. Historical Collection of videos, courtesy of Rio Tinto BC Works, showcasing the early years of the original Kitimat Project. Nechako Survey – (Historical Collection circa 1950) Prelude to Kitimat – Read more...
Hazelton
Favorite
Found within Gitxsan Territory, Ksan Historical Village stands where the village of Gitanmaax has existed for centuries. It is the desire of Ksan to preserve and truthfully portray the lifestyle of the people who have always lived here. ‘Ksan Historical Village and Museum are located near the ancient village of Gitanmaax, at the confluence of the Bulkley and Skeena Rivers Read more...
Richmond
Favorite
London Heritage Farm is a 4 acre heritage site that overlooks the south arm of the Fraser River. The site offers a fully restored 1880s farmhouse, heritage and herb gardens, the restored Spragg family barn, vintage farm equipment and extensive lawns. Farmhouse hours: January 1 to April 19: Closed April 20 to Sept. 2: Thurs to Sun 10am-5pm and open Read more...
Vernon
Favorite
Explore the historical elegance of the exquisitely crafted 1910 Historic Mackie Lake House nestled on the shores of Kalamalka Lake. Learn about the architecture, history, and characteristics of this unique home and the families who lived here. Tours are offered each spring/summer, and we host events throughout the year. The Mackie Lake House Foundation also rents the house and grounds Read more...
Abbotsford
Favorite
The Mennonite Heritage Museum is owned by the Mennonite Museum Society. Established in 2011, the goals of the Society are: to engage present and future generations with the Mennonite story through a variety of mediums, including both permanent and temporary exhibits, films, and interactive digital displays; to preserve and document the history of Mennonites who came to British Columbia from Read more...
Vancouver
Favorite
Just 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver and the Vancouver International Airport, the Museum of Anthropology, located at the University of British Columbia, houses one of the world’s finest displays of Northwest Coast First Nations arts in a spectacular Arthur Erickson-designed building overlooking mountains and sea. Inside the soaring glass and concrete structure of MOA’s Great Hall, see magnificent carvings, weavings Read more...
Campbell River
Favorite
Come and visit the award-winning Museum at Campbell River where you can see, hear, and touch the coastal history of Northern Vancouver Island. Explore the vibrant and contemporary exhibits of First Nations cultures and historic coastal lifestyles and gain a deeper understanding of the region’s history. View a five-minute dramatic presentation of The Treasures of Siwidi, featuring spectacular masks and Read more...
North Vancouver
Favorite
Igniting curious minds through powerful stories of North Vancouver. MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver, operated by the North Vancouver Museum and Archives, is a shared partner agency of the City and District of North Vancouver. MONOVA operates both the Museum of North Vancouver in The Shipyards and the Archives of North Vancouver located in Lynn Valley. In addition to the Read more...
Prince Rupert
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Enter the Museum of Northern BC in Prince Rupert and experience the beauty of Northwest Coast architecture and the rich traditions of the Tsimshian First Nation. Located overlooking Prince Rupert Harbour, the Museum is renowned for its spectacular collection of timeless art, that brings to life the history and culture of the Northwest Coast. The Museum also features the dramatic Read more...
Surrey
Favorite
Museum of Surrey, located at 17710 56A Avenue in Cloverdale, is owned and operated by the City of Surrey. Located on the Heritage Campus in Cloverdale, the museum includes a main building with feature gallery, TD Explore Zone, Indigenous Hall, Textile Centre and Surrey Stories Gallery. Three heritage buildings are located on the east side of the museum – 1881 Read more...
Vancouver
Favorite
Gain a deeper understanding of our city through stories, objects, and shared experiences at Museum of Vancouver (MOV). Learn about Vancouver’s past from 1900 to 1970 by visiting MOV’s History Galleries. MOV is located in scenic Vanier Park. Only a 5 minute drive from downtown and a 20 minute stroll along the ocean boardwalk to either; Granville Island or Kitsilano Beach. Read more...
Nanaimo
Favorite
The Nanaimo Museum is located in downtown Nanaimo on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. It is a dynamic community facility offering diverse interpretive programming encouraging visitors to “Make a Discovery” while exploring the history and heritage of our area. The museum entered a new era in 2008. Nanaimo’s history was given new life with the construction of Read more...
New Aiyansh
Favorite
Welcome to Hli Goothl Wilp-Adokshl Nisga’a, a name representing the four tribes that make up the Nisga’a Nation. The museum displays artifacts of all four peoples within its permanent exhibition, an assemblage of 300+ art objects that left the Nass Valley in the latter part of the 19th Century and early part of the 20th Century. During the struggle for Read more...
Port Edward
Favorite
North Pacific Cannery | National Historic Site is unique among the few surviving salmon canneries. It was established in 1889 and is the oldest remaining intact cannery on the West Coast of North America and ran continuously for almost 100 years. Original architecture and the pristine BC wilderness set the backdrop for a unique and engaging experience. As a visitor Read more...
North Vancouver
Favorite
Delve into a little history at our museums and find out all about us, who we are, where we’ve come from, and where we’re going. BC Mills House MONOVA West Vancouver Art Museum Read more...
Osoyoos
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The Osoyoos Museum Society (OMS) was established in 1963 for the express purpose of collecting, protecting, preserving and providing access to artifacts and information regarding the history of the Osoyoos area, the OMS operates the Osoyoos & District Museum and Archives to achieve this goal. In 2011, the community approved a referendum to acquire an existing property on Main Street Read more...
Pemberton
Favorite
Welcome to the Pemberton Museum located in the heart of the Pemberton Valley, the traditional and unceded territory of Lil’wat Nation, who have been here since time immemorial. Nestled in downtown Pemberton, our beautiful 1-acre site is home to 9 historic buildings, the earliest built in 1897, as well as a collection of over 2,500 artifacts, 2,000 photographs and over 20 meters Read more...
Penticton
Favorite
Explore the unique world of the South Okanagan beyond its famous ‘beaches and peaches’ with tons of hands-on displays and activities for the whole family. Browse through our links to the left to learn about the museum, view our current and upcoming exhibits, and get involved! Read more...
Port McNeill
Favorite
The Port McNeill & District Museum was built with community support to display logging memorabilia from the North Island. Opened in 2000, we welcome all visitors as an essential part of your North Island experience. Video exhibits feature: “The Last Logging Railway in North America” “Women in Log Scaling” “Finding the Pioneer” Exciting News!!! We’re excited to be part of Read more...
Port Moody
Favorite
Located at the west end of Rocky Point Park, the Port Moody Station Museum is housed in a heritage CPR station. This live-in station was built in 1908 and features a recreated station office, parlour and kitchen. The Museum contains displays on the early history of Port Moody including its involvement in the building of the CPR, local logging and Read more...
Princeton
Favorite
The PDMA has a wide range of historic collections reflecting Princeton’s history: Official Repository of local First Nations archaeological artifacts. A First Peoples basket display exhibiting various weaving styles and periods. an extensive range of local pioneer items providing a visual record of life in Princeton. a fossil and mineral collection of over 40,000 specimens many from local sites. a Read more...
Salmon Arm
Favorite
R.J. Haney Heritage Village and the Museum and Archives, located at 751- Highway 97B, is a lovely place that offers a unique and authentic experience for visitors to come and explore our rich Heritage. The 40-acre site is comprised of 24 buildings that are either replicas or originals, including the original 1910 Haney House. There are over 30 exhibits, which Read more...
Squamish
Favorite
The West Coast Railway Association is an historical group dedicated to the preservation of the railway history of British Columbia. We operate the Railway Museum of British Columbia. Membership is open to all people with an interest in railways past and present. The West Coast Railway Association presents the story of how the railways were a catalyst in the creation of Western Canadian communities and their Read more...
Richmond
Favorite
Built for the Games. Designed for Legacy. The Richmond Olympic Oval is now one of the most heavily used Olympic Legacy facilities in the world, featuring facilities, programs and services for sport, health, wellness, culture and entertainment activities. Among the most recent additions to the Oval is the Olympic Experience: Canada’s only Olympic Museum. A highly interactive and dynamic museum, Read more...
Victoria
Favorite
Discover British Columbia at the Royal BC Museum. From coastal forests to the depths of the north Pacific, explore our gallery and immerse yourself in tales of where we’ve been and where we are going. Experience authentic artifacts and highly realistic settings as you journey to the Ice Age and spot a Woolly Mammoth. Dive under the ocean and check Read more...
Kamloops
Favorite
Nestled in the heart of Secwépemc territory, our museum and heritage park offer a captivating journey through the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the Secwépemc people. Immerse yourself in the stories, traditions, and artistry of this vibrant community as you explore our thoughtfully curated exhibits and beautifully landscaped heritage park. Our museum showcases a remarkable collection of artifacts, photographs, Read more...
Richmond
Favorite
Hours: Open Mondays-Saturdays 9:30am to 5pm, Sundays 12-4pm. Closed on statutory holidays Steveston Museum is a beloved heritage gem in the heart of Steveston Village. The 1905 building was originally Steveston’s first bank. The museum has housed the Steveston Post Office for over 40 years. The museum offers exhibits about the tragedies and triumphs of the local community, including Japanese Read more...
Richmond
Favorite
The Steveston Tram museum features Tram Car 1220, one of the original trams that ran on Richmond’s Interurban rail system. Today, the immaculately restored tram car and the building that houses it, allow visitors to experience authentic Interurban rail travel and learn about early 20th century transportation. Designed to house Tram Car 1220, the museum was built around the original tracks Read more...
Sechelt
Favorite
We are located uniquely at the centre of the Sunshine Coast. We are a very proud museum as it is managed by our Shishalh people. We give a in depth tour, telling our history and culture to all that enter. The museum artifacts are found in our land, thus giving it the name Tems Swiya which translates to Our World Read more...
Vernon
Favorite
With a convenient location just blocks from 30th Avenue, the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives is an ideal place to begin your discovery of Vernon’s past and present. Explore local flora and fauna in the Natural History section, before taking a swim or hike in the Okanagan’s beautiful outdoors. Tour Vernon’s 28 full-sized murals, after learning the stories behind the Read more...
Nelson
Favorite
The Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery celebrates the creativity, the history, the vibe that is Nelson, Canada’s Best Small Art Town. Located in a stunning 1902 heritage building in the heart of the historic downtown district, Nelsons only public museum and archives offers a friendly atmosphere in an exciting state-of-the-art facility. Visitors will learn about the region’s expansive history from Read more...
Abbotsford
Favorite
Located on unceded Stó:lō territory, The Reach Gallery Museum is the leading resource for cultural and creative innovation in the Fraser Valley, committed to preserving and sharing the stories of our rich and diverse cultural heritage and showcasing the best in visual arts from both inside and outside the community. The Reach is a community gathering place that forges connections Read more...
Trail
Favorite
Always free admission with great hours of operation, drop by the museum at 1505 Bay Avenue in the Trail Riverfront Centre for a look into our collective past. Opened in 2018 alongside its facility partners, the new museum and archives is the latest in municipal infrastructure projects dedicated to the city’s culture and education. Boasting three galleries, an extensive archival holding, and well-stocked Read more...
Abbotsford
Favorite
Trethewey House was built near the shores of Mill Lake in 1919 by provincial lumber baron Joseph Ogle “J.O” Trethewey. As President of the Abbotsford Lumber Company between 1919 and 1927, he led the company during their boom years in the 1920s. The House has undergone extensive restoration work and has been restored to c. 1925 with the help of Read more...
Whistler
Favorite
Come experience Whistlers unique history! Explore interactive exhibits, listen to local stories, and discover Whistlers journey from a popular fishing destination in the early 1900s to the world-class resort and community it is today- including the six separate bids that culminated in the 2010 Winter Games. Highlights include a gift shop featuring local authors, a kids area, film screenings, ongoing Read more...