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.
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: YesMuseum 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 out of 5
We visited the UBC Museum of Anthropology on a weekend using our Canoo app, and admission was completely free, which made the visit even more enjoyable. There was no wait to enter, and the museum was peaceful, well organized, and easy to explore at our own pace.
The museum has an incredible collection of artwork, sculptures, carved figures, statues, masks, and ancient artifacts from many different cultures and countries around the world. Every gallery tells a unique story, offering a fascinating look into the history, traditions, and creativity of civilizations from the past. The impressive Indigenous collections were especially memorable and beautifully displayed.
We spent several hours exploring the exhibits and learning about the cultural significance behind many of the pieces. The architecture of the building itself is also stunning and adds to the overall experience.
Overall, this is a must-visit museum in Vancouver for anyone interested in history, art, culture, and archaeology. If you have a Canoo membership, don't miss the opportunity to visit this amazing museum for free. It's an educational and inspiring experience that we would happily visit again!
Farhad Rahgozar - 3 months ago
The Museum of Anthropology is a remarkable place to visit. The exhibits are thoughtfully designed, the architecture is stunning, and the setting creates a peaceful atmosphere for exploring. I learned so much during my visit, and it gave me a greater appreciation for the history and cultures represented throughout the museum. I would happily return in the future.
michael lantz - 2 months ago
There are tons of artefacts in here, well laid out on an airy building. It gives you a good sense of who the First Nation people are, and is robustly honest about the role the state played in their demise.
The details include quotes and testimonies from the descendants and artwork from the remaining First Nation people.
Some rooms are dedicated to cultural exhibits from other countries. Basically, there's far too much to take in in one visit.
lesley stones - a month ago
The Museum of Anthropology was an amazing experience. The museum houses thousands upon thousands of artifacts from cultures all over the world, making it a fascinating place to explore. One of the highlights for us was seeing a Sumerian brick, which was incredible to witness in person.
A tip for future visitors: make sure to open the drawers throughout the exhibits! Many artifacts are stored inside them, and you can easily miss a large part of the collection if you don't take the time to look. There is so much to discover, and every section offers something unique. Highly recommended for anyone interested in history, culture, and archaeology.
Amy - 3 months ago
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 - 5 months ago
Directions
| Skytrain and Bus Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Expo Line -> #99 | Commercial-Broadway | 3 Minutes or 15 Minutes if walking from UBC Bus Exchange |
| Canada Line -> #99 | Broadway-City Hall | 3 Minutes or 15 Minutes if walking from UBC Bus Exchange |
| Millennium Line -> #84 | VCC-Clark | 3 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.
Map & Instant Route Finder
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Photo Gallery
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Native artifacts inside the Museum of Anthropology cc licensed photo by Leoboudv -
Totem poles outside the Museum of Anthropology photo by Arnold C -
Photo Credit: Scarlet Sappho - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Scarlet Sappho - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Olivier Bruchez - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: colink. - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: roland - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Scarlet Sappho - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Scarlet Sappho - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Olivier Bruchez - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Scarlet Sappho - cc license via Flickr
