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H R MacMillan Space Centre
Category: Arts & Entertainment Museums Museums [Edit]
1100 Chestnut StVancouver, BC V6J 3J9
Neighbourhood: Kitsilano
(604) 738-7827
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
8 reviews for H R MacMillan Space Centre
8 reviews in English
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Review from Sarah D.
8/14/2011
First of all, I need to confess that I am obsessed with learning about the cosmos. I am the type of person who will spend hours and hours watching documentaries about planets, black holes, galactic cannibalism, dark matter, dark energy, and (my current favourite) quasars, among other things. I tell all my friends that in an alternate reality, were I more proficient in math and physics, I would have been an astrophysicist. Carl Sagan is/was amazing -a poetic mastermind of popular astrophysics. There's just something that's so captivating about the universe, and personally I find it comforting to know that we are all a part of something unfathomably greater than ourselves. We truly are all made of stars.
Whew... I geeked out there for a minute. ANYway, all that being said, it was only natural that I visit the HR MacMillan Space Centre. I remember coming here as a kid, and I thought it was SO cool. Now as an adult, I still find it to be interesting, but the space centre is very family-oriented (read: tailored to a younger crowd). Even so, the HR MacMillan Space Centre has evening events happening throughout the year that are worth checking out. Also, though not space related, the laser shows are a lot of fun. Pink Floyd lends itself perfectly to the laser show experience, and other bands are laserfied on a rotating basis. Even if you're not SUPER into the band that's playing, you're sure to at least get a giggle from watching all the stoner kids trip out around you.
Overall, the HR MacMillan Space Centre is A-OK -I'd say closer to a 3.5 out of 5. As an adult, it's worth a visit if there's a special presentation going on, and if you've got kids, take them here to stimulate their imaginations. I've been to observatories in other cities that were better, but then again, perpetually cloudy Vancouver may not be the best place for an observatory. Ah well, you can't win them all, right? -
Review from Michael C.
Vancouver, BC
8/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's kind of funny going back to these places when we get older. We always get the sense of "I thought this place was bigger!" Maybe it was, or perhaps our perceptions of size is different now that we are all grown up.
I remember this place used to be amazing!!! I was a kid who always gazed up into the stars and wondering about the mysteries of the vast cosmos..... are we alone?
Don't come here looking for those answers, you won't find them... however you will get to touch some moon rocks and an old rocket. They have some flight simulators which were alright, but they look dated! I've seen better games from SNES.
I'm sure you'll learn something new when you come here, but my socks weren't blown away by this place.... not anymore atleast.Listed in: Typically Tourist
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Review from Kristine H.
6/30/2011 3 photos
I went here recently for the Vancouver Browncoats charity event for Can't Stop the Serenity. The facility was clean and the theatre was comfortable. The staff that I encountered were pleasant and helpful upon our arrival. I can't review their offerings because we were just there for an event but from what I saw, it looked interesting.
The bathrooms were clean and so was the facility in general. My only dislike was the parking. It was plentiful but it was rather pricey. According to the staff there, they advised us to be mindful of the time change and ensure there was the proper amount paid. Around six o'clock, I saw several people dashing outside to be sure they had enough on their tickets so they wouldn't GET a ticket.
By the way, there were two families of ducks in the fountain in the front. In the centre of the fountain, there was a massive metal sculpture which I loved. A stylised crab with its massive claws reaching upward toward the sky. It looked like some sort of beast one would best in order to gain the treasure in its grasp... what? I'm a gaming geek. Don't judge! -
Review from Rich E.
Vancouver, BC
5/31/2011
Another chidlhood memory! I just remembered it being bigger! Or was it because I was smaller?!!? ;) They should give patrons a discount if they go to the Vancouver museum next door.
They have people on a hallucinogenics on the weekends due to the laser light shows. Bring your kids here to watch all the messed up people and it might deter them from doing the yayo, shrooms and weed. -
Review from Nandan F.
Ottawa, ON
11/17/2010
I thought I'd do the touristy stuff and visit the planeterium. If you are not a kid, DONT BOTHER. When I got my tickets, I was advised about 2 shows I must check out that day. One was in the planeterium regarding the events and stars to look for that night...very cool. Especially if you are not into that stuff! The other show all the exhibits are for kids. I am still skeptical if you should take your kids there since they've probably seen similar stuff in school etc. If you are looking for a family thing to do, then sure. Overall, I am surprised no one told me that its not for adults...and I am a nerd! I was so disappointed that I did not bother with the museum next door.
I have heard good things about the laser shows and would like to see that at some pont. -
Review from Shannon M.
North Vancouver, BC
8/15/2010
Came here with some friends to check out the Quest for Origins show in the Star Theatre because dude! The universe is cool!
The theatre itself is pretty neat, though not as all encompassing as I would have liked. Maybe it was where I was sitting, but I found myself a little distracted by the projector in the centre of the room. The seats are fairly comfortable (too much so, found myself dozing off a couple times only cause it was so dark and I was laid back all cozy-like).
The show itself was good, about 45 minutes long. Definitely geared more towards kids than adults, but this is to be expected since I have to assume this is a standard field trip place for the young'ns.
We came back later to check out the observatory, and while it was neat to see the giant telescope (and also to listen to some astronomer types argue about distances and mapping and such - I think it might have been a class?), after waiting in line to look through the telescope the view was pretty anti-climactic. Perhaps had we gone a bit later when it was even darker it might have been better? As it was, I looked through the eyepiece for all of 15 seconds at a single, blurry star.
I'm glad I came here using a coupon, so I feel like I got my money's worth. We might come back another time to check out the laser show if only cause it could prove to be hilarious and/or totally awesome.Listed in: Do Stuff!
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Review from Alex D.
Vancouver, BC
5/13/2010
This place seems like it would have been fantastic when it opened in 1968. However today it feels like not much has been done since. There was upgrades in 1997 but the place feels run down and tired. Numerous hands on exhibits were out of order and the ones that worked had issues. A space centre should wow you with technology and inspire you to what is out in the great beyond.
Taking a kid to this museum is like showing the a Sony Walkman and expecting them to be impressed. Perhaps they should move the entire space centre inside the museum next door because that is where it belongs. -
Review from Tim L.
8/14/2008
Everyone who has grown up going to elementary school in Vancouver has probably visited this place and those that haven't should definitely come and check it out.
Their laser shows during the warm months make it a fun place to go for people of all ages.
It's one of those places you go and learn without realizing you're learning.
