Museum of Anthropology

Located at the University of British Columbia, the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) is renowned for its collections of world art and cultures.

Exterior of the Museum of Anthropology designed by Arthur Erickson
Exterior of the Museum of Anthropology designed by Arthur Erickson photo by Arnold C

Housed in a spectacular building designed by famed Canadian architect Arthur Erickson, Vancouver's Museum of Anthropology (MOA) is a must-see destination. Situated on the cliffs of Point Grey with stunning ocean views, the museum is celebrated for its vast collections, particularly its display of large-scale First Nations poles, carvings, and weavings in the magnificent Great Hall.

Why Visit the Museum of Anthropology?

  • World-Class First Nations Art: MOA is home to one of the world's finest collections of Northwest Coast First Nations art, including massive totem poles, intricate carvings, and ceremonial objects.
  • Stunning Architecture: The iconic Arthur Erickson-designed building, inspired by post-and-beam First Nations structures, is a masterpiece in itself, with soaring glass walls that connect the exhibits to the landscape.
  • Global Collections: Explore more than 50,000 works from around the world, including ceramics from Europe and textiles from Asia, many of which are accessible in the unique Multiversity Galleries.
  • Beautiful Location: The museum's location at UBC offers dramatic views of the sea and mountains, with outdoor exhibits that complement the indoor collections.

What to See & Do

  • The Great Hall: Stand in awe of the massive totem poles and house posts displayed in this light-filled space with 15-metre high glass walls.
  • Bill Reid's "The Raven and the First Men": Admire this iconic yellow cedar sculpture, a masterpiece of contemporary First Nations art that is depicted on the Canadian $20 bill.
  • - The Multiversity Galleries: Wander through the visible storage galleries, where thousands of objects from around the globe are on display.
  • Outdoor Exhibits: Explore the two Haida Houses and totem poles situated outside, overlooking the water.

Pro Tips & Local Insights

  • Allow Plenty of Time: To fully appreciate the vast collections, plan to spend at least two to three hours.
  • Take a Guided Tour: Check the museum's schedule for free guided tours, which offer deeper insights into the collections and the stories behind them.
  • Explore the UBC Campus: Combine your visit with a walk around the beautiful UBC campus, visit the nearby Nitobe Memorial Garden, or head down to Wreck Beach.

Nearby Attractions (Transit-Friendly)

  • Nitobe Memorial Garden: An authentic Japanese tea and stroll garden, considered one of the best outside of Japan, located a short walk from MOA.
  • UBC Botanical Garden: Explore a huge variety of plants from around the world, including the Greenheart TreeWalk canopy walkway.
  • Wreck Beach: Vancouver's famous clothing-optional beach is located down a long flight of stairs near the museum.


Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Yes

Museum of Anthropology Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Address: 6393 NW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada

Phone: (604) 827-5932

Official Website: Museum of Anthropology

Museum of Anthropology Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating A beautiful building with an extraordinary collection. The first place we visited when we arrived in Canada for our trip. I learnt a great deal, peered so closely at a beautiful hand painted canoe that one of the museum staff nearly had to intervene. So glad we came here .
Alun Hughes - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating Very open and welcoming. Great reviews already written about the MOA. I often show visitors the walk around the back and sides to see the WW2 history : The location was equipped with three 6-inch guns. They kept 2 so the public can see them. The south one is between the gift shop and path to the long house. The north one has signs and placards however, construction crews have made them much harder to find. Hopefully they will be done by the summer of 2026. Half price Thursday after 5pm if you want to go inside.
Paul Goodwin - a month ago

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5 Star Rating The Museum of Anthropology at UBC is extraordinary – a place that demands your time and attention, and rewards you richly for it. We spent 4.5 hours there and still felt like we had barely scratched the surface. The museum houses an extensive collection that tells the story of First Nations history, culture, and ongoing struggles with compelling depth and respect. This isn’t a quick walkthrough – it’s an immersive experience that invites you to truly engage and learn. What sets this museum apart is the thoughtful, respectful storytelling. The exhibits don’t just display artifacts; they convey the lived experiences, resilience, and continuing presence of Indigenous peoples. The curation is done with care and dignity, creating space for both celebration of culture and honest acknowledgment of historical and contemporary injustices. There is so much to learn here – about art, tradition, colonialism, resistance, and the vibrant ongoing cultures of First Nations peoples. The collection is vast and beautifully presented, with pieces ranging from monumental works to intimate objects, each with stories that deserve your attention. If you’re visiting Vancouver, make time for the Museum of Anthropology. Plan for at least half a day, come with an open mind, and be ready to leave with a deeper understanding of the land you’re standing on and the people whose home it has always been. This is essential viewing.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Ben A - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating We loved this museum and learned a lot about the indigenous culture and their history and renaissance of the culture in modern day. Museum is large and you can spend hours. Even if you’re not usually a “museum person” I would recommend visiting. Areas include displays from Asia and the Pacific. It’s close to main campus so we also walked the university which was nice. Fun fact, when we returned home and watched a series, recognized that it was filmed on the campus.
CW - 3 months ago

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5 Star Rating I wasn't expecting to enjoy a museum visit, but the Museum of Anthropology at UBC truly exceeded my expectations. The MOA's collection of Indigenous arts and culture is outstanding, showcasing incredible craftsmanship and storytelling. I particularly appreciated the opportunity to learn about the rich history and traditions of Indigenous communities. The museum's unique blend of cultural and artistic exhibits makes it a must-visit destination in Vancouver. Highly recommended!
Blessing Obi - 4 months ago

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Directions

Skytrain and Bus Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Expo Line -> #99Commercial-Broadway3 Minutes or 15 Minutes if walking from UBC Bus Exchange
Canada Line -> #99Broadway-City Hall3 Minutes or 15 Minutes if walking from UBC Bus Exchange
Millennium Line -> #84VCC-Clark3 Minutes or 15 Minutes if walking from UBC Bus Exchange

How to get to Museum of Anthropology by Skytrain and Bus

From VCC-Clark SkyTrain Station on the Millennium Line catch the #84 UBC to its terminus at the UBC bus loop. From Commercial-Broadway Station on the Expo Line or Broadway-City Hall Station on the Canada Line catch the #99 UBC westbound on Broadway to its terminus at the UBC Exchange

Alternatively, from Monday to Friday before 6:30 pm, you can take the #44 UBC from Waterfront or Burrard Station to the UBC Exchange.

After you reach the UBC Transit Exchange you can walk through the campus from the UBC Exchange to the museum (about a 15-minute walk) or wait for bus #68 at Bay 1 and take it to NW Marine Drive at West Mall. From there walk back and cross over NW Marine Drive and to the museum entrance.

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