Top Things to do in British Columbia
10 Natural History Museums in British Columbia That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in British Columbia, British Columbia including Granisle Travel Information Centre, Dino Lab, Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, Okanagan Heritage Museum, Museum of Northern British Columbia, Courtenay & District Museum & Paleontology Centre, Quatse Salmon Stewardship Centre, Heritage Acres, Chemainus Valley Museum, Hand of Man - Museum of Natural History, Cultural Arts & Conservation.
Restaurants in British Columbia
1. Granisle Travel Information Centre
2. Dino Lab
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 39 reviews
The complete dinosaur lovers experience! Book a private tour of our fossil gallery, dinosaur prep lab & gift shop. Not only will you get to see specimens that are millions of years old, but you'll get to touch and help prepare them. We also do birthday parties, School Assemblies, Public Speaking Events. We even can arrange a private dig for you in one of the private fossil quarries in America
Reviewed By GorgeousElois
We had an amazing tour and hands on experience at Dino Lab. The tour guide was fantastic. Our grandson could not believe that he was allowed to touch so many dinosaur bones, hold a meteorite, see glow in the dark rocks, and sit at a lab bench and work with a real dinosaur bone!!!
3. Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
Located in Lynn Canyon Park, this center has exhibits on local flora and fauna.
Reviewed By NorthVanClaire
Visited with my 11 y.o. son on a spur of the moment outing; rode our bikes there so easily found "parking" on a busy day right next to the entrance. They had a special visit from a reptile sanctuary which was the purpose of visiting however my son really enjoyed the ongoing exhibits as much as the guests. Thoroughly enjoyed our time spent there.
4. Okanagan Heritage Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Discover the natural and human history of Kelowna. Museums are living places, and that’s true of Kelowna’s flagship museum, the Okanagan Heritage Museum too. In fact, the entire permanent gallery has been reimagined! In spring 2019, we wrapped up a multi-year process that saw us overhaul our entire permanent gallery. Pay us a visit and enjoy our ‘new’ museum. Experience fascinating displays and learn how the Okanagan valley was formed, and why it supports tremendous biodiversity. Step into the world of the syilx/Okanagan people, and gain insights into their close connection to the land. Learn about the arrival of traders and settlers, and peer into the windows of an original “Chinatown” shop. Meet some individuals from Kelowna’s past and present, and be inspired by the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame. This museum is also home to two important facilities: the Kelowna Public Archives and the Ursula Surtees Regional Conservation Laboratory.
5. Museum of Northern British Columbia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 289 reviews
Learn about the history and culture of Northwest Canada from thousands of years ago as well during the 1800's.
Reviewed By tallt2016
A much needed escape from a rainy day - perfect spot to see some neat stuff and spend some time out of the rain
6. Courtenay & District Museum & Paleontology Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By edn636 - Delta, Canada
My wife and I have gone through many different local museums, but this one has the most varied collection. It goes from Paleontology to First Nations to pioneer days in the Cowichan Valley. I loved the variety of exhibits and it is clear a great deal of work and effort has gone into this museum. I particularly found the early history of Courtenay and the the Cowichan Valley interesting. If you enjoy local community museums, this one deserves a look.
7. Quatse Salmon Stewardship Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
Leap in to Salmon's World at the Quatse Salmon Stewardship Centre! Explore, play and learn in our unique interpretive gallery featuring interactive exhibits and live aquaria. Take a guided tour of a working salmon hatchery and talk to knowledgeable staff about this amazing, iconic creature. Learn what makes wild salmon the lifeblood of the BC Coast. A visit to the Salmon Centre is a fun and educational experience for all ages!The Quatse Salmon Stewardship Centre, Quatse River Hatchery, and Quatse River Campground are operated by the Northern Vancouver Island Salmonid Enhancement Association. All proceeds fund salmon conservation efforts on Northern Vancouver Island.
8. Heritage Acres
9. Chemainus Valley Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By BlowinBubblesB - Canada, null
This is a lovely small local museum run by folks passionate about their community. Admission is by donation and they sell a booklet that describes all the mural artwork located throughout the village. If you look carefully you could spend at least a few hours looking over the collection of local and historical artifacts. There are a few things for the kids to look at, but they might not have the patience to look at the treasures here.
10. Hand of Man - Museum of Natural History, Cultural Arts & Conservation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By james123griffin
As others have said, this is an absolutely incredible collection. It's perhaps more of a personal collection than a museum in the regularly recognised sense, and you would think that the days when someone could put together a collection like this are long, long gone Bear in mind that Jim Schockey's interest in big game hunting is paramount, and this shows, of course. But if you have doubts about big game hunting it's well worth putting them on one side for the moment to experience this place: there can't be many places in the world like it. I live in the area, and I'll be back: on the next occasion I'll leave a great deal more time.
