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: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • 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 The Museum of Anthropology was closed for several years due to renovations. We were all very excited to make this trip to Vancouver to finally experience it. What a wonderfully curated museum. There were so many well-preserved pieces on display from the Northwest Coast First Nations. The soaring totem poles, potlatch, ceramics, and weaves are a must-see firsthand. We interacted with several docents during our visit, and we enjoyed their enthusiasm for sharing the history of the pieces we admired. The Multiverse Gallery was overwhelming, with many archaeological pieces. This building is stunning, and the grounds are not to be missed. The museum took us several hours to walk around We visited during the week in the morning, and there was a good crowd and ample parking. I would highly recommend visiting this museum. I’m glad to check this off my bucket list, but I’m looking forward to purchasing a membership to return.
momo - a week ago

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5 Star Rating This place is absolutely stunning! I could easily spend an entire day here and still not be able to see everything. The layout is incredible. Whoever curated it did an amazing job, as the lighting and exhibitions complement each other perfectly. I was in awe of some of the objects and pieces on display. It’s truly unmissable if you’re in the UBC area. The museum is open late on Thursday nights, so I took advantage of that and the student discount! Enjoy my photos spam
Jean Paul Ramírez - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating Awesome museum. So many interesting things to see from Northwest First Nations. I appreciated that so many of the panels had direct quotes and insights from people who belong to those communities. It was clear that the museum has put a lot of thought and effort into broadening the stories it portrays, and I found their approach very enjoyable and thought-provoking. Make sure to check out the Bill Reid Rotunda, the drawers in the huge "Multiversity Galleries," and the current "In a Different Light" exhibit in the Gallery of Northwest Coast Masterworks. Go on Thursday night after 5pm for half-price admission! The gallery was not very crowded at all. We stayed for 2-3 hours and there was still more to see.
Gail Gallaher - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating The museum I traveled to Vancouver to visit did not disappoint!! I spent 3 hours here, enjoying the vast amount of First Nations and global artifacts here. I have not visited any museum that comes close to this stunning collection. I loved everything about the worldwide cultures rooms, from the shelves upon shelves upon shelves of items, to the pull-out drawers to find even MORE items. I needed so much time to appreciate everything!
Michelle Timian - 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 - 8 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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