- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Museum of Vancouver
Category: Arts & Entertainment Museums Museums [Edit]
1100 Chestnut StVancouver, BC V6J 3J9
Neighbourhood: Kitsilano
(604) 736-4431
- Hours:
Wed, Fri-Sun 10 am - 5 pm
Thu 10 am - 8 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
14 reviews for Museum of Vancouver
14 reviews in English
-
Review from Larry L.
2/4/2012 7 photos
I was here just a few weeks ago. I loved the museum layout a few years ago and this year, it's been revamped. I don't think it's quite finished yet, but it certainly is looking good. All of that history and drama. I love to hear about anything historical, especially if it's about a city that I so love, so much.
Really hoping it will be finished soon and looking forward to seeing more of it again!! -
Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
Updated - 1/6/2012
Despite missing out on the Fluevog exhibit and Ravishing Beasts (taxidermy), I finally made it back to the Museum of Vancouver for the Neon Vancouver, Ugly Vancouver show.
This show displayed some of the museum's collection of neon signs from around Vancouver in the 50s, 60s and 70s. They are very coolly displayed, lighting up a darkened room with their colours and form. Historical photos in the exhibit, however, illustrate why there was such a campaign (or crusade) to rid many of the neon signs from the streets - it was just too much. Now of course, we decry the bad preservation of favourite pieces of the neon era still out there ... the Bow-Mac sign, the Hotel Niagara sign, and the Aristocrat diner sign come to my mind. The Neon Vancouver show didn't really address this issue, and perhaps it could have if it was bigger than just one room.
As for the permanent exhibit, it has been completely revamped since I was last here. It covers the time period from about the turn of the last century to the 1970s, and issues such as multiculturalism and race (Chinatown riots, Japanese expulsion in WW2), growth, war, and prosperity, hippies and social movements, culminating in a "what might have been" view if Vancouver had built those freeways.
The permanent exhibit space has a lot to look at, but the space is rather cramped. It also seemed like history has been left hanging by ending the display at the '70s. What about Expo? Hong Kong immigration? The redevelopment of False Creek? Woodwards? Total world domination in yogawear? It also seemed to focus almost exclusively on the central neighbourhoods of the city, especially Kits and the West End. That may be the view from the windows, but this curatorial view seems a bit narrow. I hope they can continue to develop the story of our city further.
It probably seems like I'm hating on the MOV a bit. We really did have a nice afternoon there, poking around, taking pictures, and playing with the interactive exhibits - like 60s music and kids toys. It's one of the very few museums that I was faster than my husband in walking through. He's all anti-museum-as-fun most of the time, so that's saying a lot. Shine on, MOV.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
7/6/2009
Frankly, I haven't seen the permanent exhibit here in quite some time, which allows you to walk… Read more »
-
-
Review from Michael C.
Vancouver, BC
10/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I need to learn about my Chinese heritage, to the Museum of Vancouver!!!
Ok, you won't find the history of China, however you'll see some pretty cool stuff from the history of Chinese immigration to Vancouver. Actual artifacts and letters that were never delivered. "Uncle, is these your letter??" You know, the Chinese people built the railways... we should be riding it for free! CPR=Chinese People's Railway.
Pretty cool to see the development of the city I was born and raise in. Seeing the growth of the areas I lived in and the direction it's going now.
This exhibit is small, but they do have special ones here and there. I really do enjoy coming here when I can! -
Review from Scott P.
7/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Interesting retrospective. I bet it would have a larger attendance if it were located down near the convention center or in Stanley Park.
-
Review from Vincci L.
A recent revamp of the museum brings to us the shoe exhibiton, "Fox, Fluevog and Friends" as well as the local food production and sustainable farming exhibition "Home Grown."
The Fluevog exhibtion featured many pairs of shoes from over the years, complemented by photos and catalogues, and some hand written letters. Wonderful exhibit design.
As for the 'Home Grown' exhibit, photographs are displayed to show how locals grow sustainable food.
This museum is a lot smaller than the other museums in other cities, but the current exhibits are interesting enough to make me pay the $12 adult admission.
Along with the exhibitions, there are also talks and tours related to the topics.
Then there's the permanent exhibits that are all about the history of Vancouver, walking you through the history starting from the late 1920s. I even learned some facts along the way.
The building is actually in the same one as the space center. Vanier Park surrounds the museum, so bring some lunch and have a picnic at the park as there is no dining establishment nearby.
A good place to go on a rainy day. -
Review from Revorc P.
8/15/2009 5 photos
Whooo! This place is fab! The #1 thing I love about this place is that they allow photography inside! But just remember to turn off the flash though.
Came here the other day when were in the Vancouver area on a whim after searching through my GPS for some places to go. Found this museum and loved it! It wasn't expensive at all too! They had two main exhibits, the featured one being Velo-City, an exhibit of different bicycles collected from different people, places and events. Really enjoyed this one, and really really liked the hanging bicycles from the ceiling! Whoo. The other exhibit was the history of Vancouver one. Loved this too! They had different set-ups with different artifacts/objects/clothing/things from different time periods. I really liked the salon display with the "Chez Paris" pink and blue neon sign! Fab.
Spent a little over an hour here, I believe. Just enough to see without getting too tired while viewing. Loved it.Listed in: Yelp in Canada??
-
Review from Rich E.
Vancouver, BC
5/31/2011
Not huge but it always bring back memories of elementary school field trips! Parking is no longer free because the Bard on the Beachers ruined for the rest of us! Damn artsy-fartsies! Take your kids here because they will enjoy watching the ducklings swimming in the pond outside!
-
Review from Sachi M.
3/8/2010 1 photo
I am reviewing this as an event venue. I haven't seen the exhibitions.
The "Joyce Walley Learning Centre" room is available to rent. My friend was able to book it just a few weeks before his Saturday wedding (in October). Carpeted floor, podium with mic, no stage. I think our DJ-friend brought his own speakers.
We had tables only for serving, none to sit at. I think it may be because of the number of guests, not because they did not have enough tables. Some nice-looking (black matte plastic on stainless steel) chairs, and cushy seating (low couch-like, but no back, also black) accommodated guests while eating.
The huge glass windows presented a very nice view of the water. However, it was very dirty (bird poop and rain runoff lines). Since the museum had no cleaning scheduled between the booking and the event, our professional window cleaner friends came the night before (not officially sanctioned by the museum) and did it without charge. If we didn't have these friends, I don't know if the window would have remained dirty, or the museum would consider doing their next (I assume scheduled) cleaning earlier for a fee.
The room was very warm.
Downstairs are very large washrooms.
Also downstairs, the few people in charge of food/drink serving are allowed to use the sink in the snack room.
The staff was very nice, and allowed us to stay a bit longer than the allotted time (which was supposed to be pretty early for a wedding reception, 10 or 10:30 or something). The window issue is what brought my rating down. Otherwise, I have no complaints.Listed in: Venues
-
Review from Mike O.
Port Moody, BC
9/3/2008
The outside of the Vancouver Museum is a spectacle itself. The dome top building resembles the top of some spaceship from another planet. The giant steel crab with its pincers raised in a battle pose seems to protect the entrance from unruly intruders to its domain.
Inside, they have a number of cool exhibits to view. You can tour Vancouver through the earliest stages of the 20th century. They have remnants from war time era all the war up to the disco era (what's the difference really?)
What I really like about this place is that it's the only real place to see the history of Vancouver. They lay out the entire history of this city with actual photos and replica models of how the city was at a specific time. There's a sense of nostalgia and sadness when you walk through the exhibits and see how people struggled to make this city one of the best in the world.
There's a ton of stuff for kids. At $11 for an adult pass, you won't learn any more about Vancouver than you will here. -
Review from Emma L.
8/25/2010 1 photo
The permanent exhibit sucks, but their revolving exhibits are consistently interesting and visually engaging. Velo-City, Art of Craft, Ravishing Beasts and even the Fluevog exhibit were all definitely worth the price of admission. Plus the MOV does tie-in events such as the craft nights at the museum during Art of Craft and bike-in movies and bike tours during Velo-City. Keep an eye on the exhibits and check it out when one strikes your fancy! You won't be disappointed.
-
Review from David L.
2/21/2010
The first museum I've ever visited in my life. I remember going here when I was in preschool. First field trip in my life, or was it the pumpkin patch? Sadly, there hasn't been any change since my preschool days. There is one area which is dedicated to space exploration and another area dedicated to B.C.'s history. I love the steel crab water fountain, especially on a warm summer day.
-
Review from Catherine B.
Vancouver, BC
1/19/2010
Just checked out the 'Ravishing Beasts' exhibit on the history of taxidermy. It was really well done! Put together in a respectful, informative and, most importantly, intriguing way. Definitely have an interesting array of beasts on display (none killed for the exhibit - all are historical pieces). Totally fascinating! Everyone in our group of eleven enjoyed it - even the skeptical vegetarian!! I'll be back for the museum's next exhibit!
-
Review from Alex D.
Vancouver, BC
5/13/2010
Unlike a large amount of the previous reviewers I came here to see the permanent exhibit. It felt at times like they had just raided grandmas house for heirlooms. You can even try on some of grandmas clothes, no really just like a thrift shop. You can learn some interesting history about Vancouver here but it is fairly light on and like its neighbour the Space Centre, it is outdated and tired. It seems to me that they no longer care about the permanent exhibit and just focus on one off shows and events.
-
Review from susan o.
1/24/2010
Where geek meets street. Came here for the DIY arts and crafts night at the invitation of an artist friend who runs Blim. Never had so much fun making buttons and watching people glue, color and mingle. So reminiscent of good childhood. Such a lovely venue, too, with a pond and glass dome. Will come back to kill a restful afternoon.
