H.R. MacMillan Space Centre

The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre and planetarium in Vancouver features a Star Theatre, GroundStation Canada Theatre, exhibits, an observatory and more

HR McMillan Space Centre Entrance with Crab Sculpture at night
HR McMillan Space Centre Entrance with Crab Sculpture at night

Located a short bus ride from downtown Vancouver in Vanier Park, the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Planetarium has two theatres: The Planetarium Star Theatre and the GroundStation Canada Theatre which run a schedule of shows throughout the day. There are a number of exhibits to explore while you wait for your showtime.

The Planetarium Theatre is a domed circular theatre which uses a giant Zeiss projector to produce a 360-degree view of the night sky as seen from Vancouver along with multimedia shows. The Groundstation Canada is a 90 seat theatre featuring interactive and audio-visual space themed presentations. On Friday and Saturday evenings there are Laser and Light Shows for a separate admission charge. There is also an observatory next to the Space Centre which offers public viewings on clear Saturday evenings.

The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Planetarium also adjoins the Vancouver Museum and is just a short walk from Vancouver Maritime Museum.

For complete details and show times at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Planetarium click on the link to their official website above.

Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Yes

Regular Hours:
May differ on holidays

  • Monday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 6:30 – 11:30 PM
  • Thursday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Friday: 6:30 – 11:30 PM
  • Saturday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Sunday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Address: 1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver, BC V6J 3J9, Canada

Phone: (604) 738-7827

Official Website: H.R. MacMillan Space Centre

Reviews

Rated 3.7 out of 5 Star Rating

4 Star Rating It has all you need in a rainy day. Space to wall and now about history of Vancouver. Also, the planetarium is an excellent place that offers different shows during the year. Book online it is better, it has an auditorium, washrooms, snacks areas and if you want to coordinate an event with your students, wedding or something else you can directly contact them. From downtown there are many ways to reach there and by car too. Good for kids and family moments. Be happy and enjoy a while here.
Juan Carlos “Juan Carlos Cornejo” Cornejo Alfaro - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating Space, the final frontier! An enchanting evening awaits you. It has been years since my last visit, and the magic remains undiminished. Immerse yourself in one of the captivating planetarium shows, and if the night sky is clear, don't miss the opportunity to explore the observatory. While parking can be pricey, consider searching for street parking or opt for a delightful walk or bike ride. With two shows per evening, it's wise to purchase tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line. Suitable for all ages, it's a perfect choice for a family outing or a romantic date night.
Bradley Jones - 5 months ago

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5 Star Rating We had a great time at the Space Centre. We were lucky to be there on a clear night and we were able to see several objects in the sky. Our group was big so we had to take turns and it took some time but we saw 4 objects including the moon and a dying red star that was stunning! The information provided by the staff during the talks were interesting but the highlight for us was definitely the observatory.
Ghazal - 2 months ago

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3 Star Rating The space center shares the space with the Museum of Vancouver. When we arrived we were confused because we didn’t expect that. The cosmic courtyard is small but does provide artifacts and learning materials. At the back is a room where you can be a constellation which was cool. We enjoyed the science demo about how planets are made but had trouble staying interested in the universe beyond the earth showing. In fact many people in the audience were so uninterested that they fell asleep. Buying tickets online is convenient and ensures you are able to get in though you can’t apply discounts such as the Canadian AAA discount. Also, the tickets you buy limit you to which show and demo you can watch but not how long you can hang out in the cosmic courtyard. Though, as I said, it’s pretty small so in all, I’d estimate the visit to take about 2.5 hours or so. There are also many places nearby you can visit. We went to the waterfront park with the small beach behind the space center. The kids enjoyed it. They have paid parking which wasn’t full when we arrived but was crowded with people waiting for a spot when we left.
Jodie Le - 6 months ago

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Directions

SkyTrain Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Expo LineBurrard Station9 Minutes

How to get to H.R. MacMillan Space Centre by SkyTrain

From Burrard SkyTrain Station take the Burrard Street exit and catch either the #2 or #22 Macdonald going south on Burrard Street at the stop directly in front of the station. Take either bus to the Cypress Street Stop on Cornwall Avenue (less that 10 minutes). Walk back along Cornwall Ave. to Chestnut Street and go left. The park and Space Center are straight ahead.

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