Burnaby Village Museum
Take a trip back in time at the Burnaby Village Museum
Step into the past at Burnaby Village Museum, a living history attraction that brings the 1920s to life. Located at the edge of Deer Lake Park, this 10-acre open-air museum features a recreated tram-stop community with costumed staff, historic buildings, and a beautifully restored vintage carousel, making you feel as though you’ve traveled back nearly 100 years.
Why Visit Burnaby Village Museum?
- Free Admission: It's one of the best free attractions in Metro Vancouver, offering a fun and educational experience for all ages.
- Immersive History: Wander through a 1920s village with over 30 exhibits, including a blacksmith shop, a general store, and a one-room schoolhouse.
- Ride the Carousel: A highlight for many is the beautifully restored 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel. For a small fee, you can take a spin on this historic ride.
- Live Demonstrations: Chat with costumed townsfolk and watch demonstrations of traditional trades like blacksmithing and printing.
What to See & Do
- Explore the Village: Walk the cobblestone streets and enter the historic and replica buildings to see over 50,000 artifacts.
- Visit the 1912 Tram: Step aboard the fully restored Interurban #1223 Tram to admire its rich hardwood interior and imagine regional travel in a bygone era.
- See the Love Farmhouse: Don't miss the 1893 Love Farmhouse, the oldest surviving home in Burnaby.
- Attend Seasonal Events: The museum hosts popular events like the Haunted Village at Halloween and Heritage Christmas during the holiday season, filling the village with festive lights and activities.
Food & Drink Options
- Ice Cream Parlour: Enjoy a vintage treat at the old-fashioned ice cream parlour, which serves light snacks, baked goods, and, of course, ice cream.
Pro Tips & Local Insights
- Check the Hours: The museum operates seasonally (typically May to September) but opens for special events like Halloween and Christmas. Always check the official website for current hours.
- Combine Your Visit: The museum is located within Deer Lake Park, making it easy to combine your trip with a walk around the lake or a visit to the Burnaby Art Gallery.
- Bring Change for the Carousel: While admission is free, the carousel ride is not. It's a must-do, so have a few dollars ready.
Nearby Attractions (Transit-Friendly)
- Deer Lake Park: The museum is part of this larger cultural and recreational park, which has walking trails and other arts venues.
- Metropolis at Metrotown: One of BC's largest shopping malls is just a short bus ride away.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Free gate admission. There is a nominal fee to ride the carousel.Burnaby Village Museum Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Friday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Address: 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby, BC V5G 3T6, Canada
Phone: (604) 297-4565
Official Website: Burnaby Village Museum
Burnaby Village Museum Reviews
Rated out of 5
The village is a kind of a scansen of life around this area in the early settler days. Great place to hang out for adults and families with children. The carousel is definitely a great attraction, even if you just watch, but it's very tempting to take a ride.
The place struggles with parking during busy days so come early for special events like Christmas or Canada Day.
Don't miss the old tram exhibit.
I wish they kept adding more things, although it seems they are building somet6now.
Highly recommend.
Sleepy Panda - 2 weeks ago
Late review
Went to watch the free Christmas display in December and we were not disappointed. Though there was not that much of Christmas light, it was still fun visiting the village museum for free and we had the opportunity to click a picture with santa (again for free). There was definitely some lineup but we only had to wait for about 5-10 mins. For carousel, you had to pay extra $2-$3 which is honestly not bad at all. Its a fun and knowledgeable place for all age groups
Jasleen Kaur - 5 months ago
Burnaby Village Museum was such a lovely place to visit! Everything was free, even the parking, which made the experience even better. The garden was clean and beautiful, and I really enjoyed walking around the old houses and rebuilt businesses from Burnaby’s 19th century neighborhood.
There was also a tiny cute movie theater playing Charlie Chaplin films, a carousel, and a small café and restaurant. It’s a perfect place to spend 2–3 relaxing hours during holidays, especially when they have special performances and events. Very cozy and charming atmosphere!
Zita Maleki - 2 months ago
This museum is truly excellent and offers a wonderful experience. It's a must-visit location when exploring the city. The preserved artifacts are presented in their original condition, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past. It's a remarkable place that preserves history beautifully. I highly recommend dedicating some time to visit.
Gaurav Maurya - 4 months ago
Such a charming little town that instantly helps you relax your mind. You can explore how the old pharmacy and workshops operated, see what fascinating items were sold in the general stores, and get a feel for life back then. The Burnaby Lake General Store was a personal favorite. The town is definitely worth exploring with family. It really has a little bit of everything!
Elaine Li - 4 months ago
Directions
| Skytrain Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Expo Line | Metrotown Station | 1 Minute |
| Millennium Line | Sperling Station | 1 Minute |
How to get to Burnaby Village Museum by Skytrain
From Metrotown Station, take the #144 SFU bus from the bus loop and get off at the stop on Deer Lake Avenue for the museum.
From Sperling–Burnaby Lake Station, take the #144 Metrotown bus to the same stop. Note: if boarding at Sperling Station be sure to take the 144 Metrotown, not the 144 SFU - they both pick up in the same bay
Map & Instant Route Finder
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Photo Gallery
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Old fashion Candyshop at Burnaby Village Museum cc licensed photo by Pentaboxes -
A banjo player entertains guests at the Burnaby Village Museum cc licensed photo by wlcutler -
Close up of beautifully restored horse on the 1912 Carousel cc licensed photo by hutoro -
Photo Credit: Ruth and Dave - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Ruth and Dave - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Ruth and Dave - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Ruth and Dave - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: waferboard - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: waferboard - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: bchow - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Ruth and Dave - cc license via Flickr
