Museums in Vancouver offer very different visits, from interactive science at Science World to exhibitions at the Vancouver Art Gallery and a collection about the city’s policing history. Compare the focus, admission and opening patterns below to decide which museum suits your plans.
- Science World: allow about two hours; regular public hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily.
- Vancouver Art Gallery: open on most days, with later hours on Friday and a Tuesday closure.
- Vancouver Police Museum: its collection covers crime, justice and policing in Vancouver.
How to choose a Vancouver museum
Choose by subject first: Science World focuses on interactive science, the Vancouver Art Gallery presents art exhibitions, and the Vancouver Police Museum documents local crime, justice and policing.
For a visit with a suggested time allowance, Science World recommends planning for approximately two hours. Its location is 1455 Quebec Street. The Vancouver Art Gallery is at 750 Hornby Street, making it a downtown option for an art-focused visit.
The Vancouver Police Museum’s collection includes more than 16,000 artifacts, photographs and archival documents. Its subject matter offers a distinct perspective on the city’s history through policing and justice.
Science World for interactive exhibits
Science World is a hands-on science destination at 1455 Quebec Street, and the recommended visit time is approximately two hours.
Regular public hours are Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; members may enter at 9:30 a.m. Seasonal hours can differ, so check the official site before you go.
Admission is $37.50 for adults age 19 and older, $30.50 for seniors age 65 and older and youth ages 13–18, and $25.50 for children ages 3–12. Children age 2 and under, members and Indigenous people receive complimentary admission.
You can reach Science World by bus, SkyTrain, bicycle or ferry. The building has ramps to its first- and second-floor galleries and two elevators between those floors; all washrooms are wheelchair-accessible. Wheelchairs and strollers are available free on a first-come, first-served basis, with ID held as collateral until return.
For more on planning a visit, the Science World Vancouver visit guide covers tickets, hours and getting there.
Vancouver Art Gallery and art collections
The Vancouver Art Gallery is a downtown art museum at 750 Hornby Street, with regular hours that include a later Friday opening and a weekly Tuesday closure.
It is open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Friday. It is closed Tuesdays.
General admission is $35 for non-BC residents and $29 for BC residents. Children and youth age 18 and under, Indigenous Peoples, and caregivers accompanying visitors with disabilities receive free admission. The gallery also offers free admission on the first Friday of every month from 4–8 p.m.; you can reserve ahead to guarantee entry or try for a walk-in ticket.
An annual Access Pass costs $58 and provides 12 months of unlimited admission to exhibitions. The gallery is wheelchair accessible through its street-level Hornby and Robson Street entrances. Wheelchairs are available first-come, first-served, or can be reserved by calling 604-662-4700.
Vancouver Police Museum and local history
The Vancouver Police Museum focuses on crime, justice and policing in Vancouver, with a collection of more than 16,000 artifacts, photographs and archival documents.
Its hours are Thursday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday, 12–5 p.m. It is closed Monday–Wednesday and on statutory holidays. Admission is $14 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and older and students with ID, and $11 for youth ages 5–18. A family ticket for two adults and two youth costs $40.
Tickets are valid at any time during opening hours, and timed reservations are not required. The museum is a 10–15-minute walk from Waterfront Station.
Admission, opening days and accessibility
Admission and access arrangements vary across Vancouver’s museums, so compare the details for the specific place you plan to visit.
Science World has daily regular hours, while the Vancouver Art Gallery closes on Tuesdays and the Vancouver Police Museum closes from Monday through Wednesday and on statutory holidays. The gallery’s monthly free-admission window is Friday from 4–8 p.m.; the other museums charge age-based admission prices.
For accessible facilities, Science World has gallery ramps, elevators and wheelchair-accessible washrooms. The Art Gallery has step-free access through its street-level entrances and makes wheelchairs available. Science World also offers complimentary wheelchairs and strollers, subject to availability and an ID deposit.
Hours, prices and access arrangements can change. Check the official site before you go.
Getting to museums from Oakridge
Oakridge–41st Avenue Station provides a transit starting point for a museum trip.
Science World is about 14 minutes by car from Cozy Bedrooms Guest House and is also accessible by SkyTrain, bus, bicycle or ferry. For transit planning around the neighbourhood, the Oakridge transit and neighbourhood guide can help you orient your trip.
FAQs
How long should you spend at Science World?
Science World recommends allowing approximately two hours for a visit.
Which Vancouver museum has free admission?
The Vancouver Art Gallery offers free admission on the first Friday of every month from 4–8 p.m. It also offers free admission for children and youth age 18 and under, Indigenous Peoples, and caregivers accompanying visitors with disabilities.
Is the Vancouver Police Museum open every day?
No. Its opening pattern is Thursday through Sunday; it is closed Monday through Wednesday and on statutory holidays.
Can you visit Science World by public transit?
Yes. Science World is accessible by bus and SkyTrain, as well as bicycle and ferry.