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Museum of Anthropology
Museum of Anthropology
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until further notice
About
Explore traditional and contemporary art from Northwest Coast First Nations and other cultures across the world. See magnificent Indigenous carvings, weavings and contemporary artworks in a spectacular building overlooking mountains and sea. Admire the world’s largest collection of works by acclaimed Haida artist Bill Reid, including his famous cedar sculpture The Raven and the First Men. Explore the Museum’s Multiversity Galleries where more than 10,000 objects from around the world are displayed. Stroll the Museum Grounds, where monumental Haida houses, poles and Musqueam house posts capture the dramatic beauty of traditional Northwest Coast architecture and design. Enjoy a wide range of special exhibitions and public programs, including free guided gallery walks, and visit the MOA Shop. MOA is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: University Land Endowments
An area as rich in history as it is in natural beauty, the expansive parkland of the University Land Endowments is protected by the city in cooperation with the University of British Columbia. A large green space studded by rose gardens, Japanese rock gardens, botanic gardens, canopy walks, regional parkland, and hiking trails, the University Land Endowments are a breath of fresh air. Combining a commitment to preserving nature with a similar promise to preserve culture, its valleys are also home to the First Nations heritage museum, the biodiversity museum, and anthropological and memorial exhibitions. From its highest canopies to the sandy shorelines of Wreck Beach, its serenity is preserved by the University buildings that dot it, combining Mother Nature and scholarship.
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93 within 3 miles
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142 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,823 reviews
Excellent
2,726
Very good
824
Average
213
Poor
49
Terrible
11
Steve M
Huyton, UK57 contributions
Jul 2019
Within and without this is a must visit. A beautiful venue paying homage to the First Nation. Once you have toured inside come outside and tour the grounds with its First Nation buildings, totem poles and the lake of peace. The peace felt in these grounds is unforgettable.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James H
Vancouver, Canada71 contributions
Dec 2019
Overwhelming amount of exhibits with an incredible Bill Reid sculpture as a centrepiece and all housed in an Arthur Erickson building. Located at UBC with some great views down over the water. Parking isn't cheap.
Depressing to view all of these exhibits in their cases, torn from their cultural milieu, shorn of their individual significance, taken from their owners... How? There is now a display that handles some of these questions with sensitivity, but it's nonetheless a bleak outlook.
Museums like these feel increasingly anachronistic.
Depressing to view all of these exhibits in their cases, torn from their cultural milieu, shorn of their individual significance, taken from their owners... How? There is now a display that handles some of these questions with sensitivity, but it's nonetheless a bleak outlook.
Museums like these feel increasingly anachronistic.
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristen L
Oakland, CA198 contributions
Jan 2020
One visit isn't enough. The building itself is beautiful and there are so many interesting works in this museum. The UBC students are so lucky to come whenever they want for free! I especially enjoyed the first nations exhibits, but the artifacts from other cultures around the world were also beautiful. The juxtaposition of contemporary works with more historical pieces helped to mix things up and avoid information overload from any one time period or place.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rashi D
4 contributions
Sep 2021 • Family
My first time visiting an anthropology museum was amazing. There were multiple exhibits, ranging from different types of ceramics to totem poles and other carvings, to artifacts from cultures around the world. Each object was accompanied by a thorough explanation of what it was and what value it held. Overall the museum was very informative and I enjoyed learning through the sculptures, clothing, weapons, and other objects showcased in each exhibit!
Written September 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
prepaule
Bergen, Norway50 contributions
Dec 2019
We had a wonderful visit at the museum with a free guided tour which was extremely interesting. A must when you visit Vancouver. The site is beautiful and you can stroll outside in a rich nature area. Smells of the ocean. We have found memories of this visit.
Written January 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neville W
295 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
It has to be seen. Worth every penny. Great walls of glass make it seem bright even on a rainy day. The trail to the left of the entrance takes you around the building to a spectacular traditional village complete with totem poles and beach.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
julie c
Burnaby, Canada962 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
Our first time visiting MOA today. Prebooked our entry and Covid guidelines were all clear.
Displays were amazing, the incredible artifacts and artistry was endless. Nations were beautifully displayed. The special exhibit "Shame and Prejudice " was very important display depicting the horror of lives of indigenous peoples since colonization.
Displays were amazing, the incredible artifacts and artistry was endless. Nations were beautifully displayed. The special exhibit "Shame and Prejudice " was very important display depicting the horror of lives of indigenous peoples since colonization.
Written November 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Evrett Penner
Blumenort, Canada2 contributions
Oct 2020
Well, At the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia,
I was gonna go there when I am gonna be 30 years old to do some courses about Native American history, and I will have college campus at the Steinbach Bible College to learn about Christian history, and I will go to the Red River College to learn about Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, Moai statues, Stonehenge, and ancient history.
When I'm in Grade 10 at the Steinbach Regional Secondary School, I would learn about the orchestra to listen to Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart all in one composer.
I've gotta learn about music, art and history, and more things, There's gotta be a way to learn more about education. I will help the people with disabilities that need help to eat, and I would help people in Mexico survive instead of hunger, And I would give them food to eat. I would help the people with disabilities that are from different parts of the world. I would go on a missions trip to South Africa to help the people who were living in hunger and fear. I really don't like the announcements at the Steinbach Regional Secondary School because it is even worse than Blumenort School's. I would wanna see Raven and the First Men at the Museum of Anthropology carved by Bill Reid. Thanks for the contact:)
I was gonna go there when I am gonna be 30 years old to do some courses about Native American history, and I will have college campus at the Steinbach Bible College to learn about Christian history, and I will go to the Red River College to learn about Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, Moai statues, Stonehenge, and ancient history.
When I'm in Grade 10 at the Steinbach Regional Secondary School, I would learn about the orchestra to listen to Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart all in one composer.
I've gotta learn about music, art and history, and more things, There's gotta be a way to learn more about education. I will help the people with disabilities that need help to eat, and I would help people in Mexico survive instead of hunger, And I would give them food to eat. I would help the people with disabilities that are from different parts of the world. I would go on a missions trip to South Africa to help the people who were living in hunger and fear. I really don't like the announcements at the Steinbach Regional Secondary School because it is even worse than Blumenort School's. I would wanna see Raven and the First Men at the Museum of Anthropology carved by Bill Reid. Thanks for the contact:)
Written October 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jerry W
Vancouver Island, Canada34 contributions
Feb 2020
This facility located on the edge of the University of British Columbia has an absolutely incredible collection of material from First Nation People of the Northwest Coast of British Columbia. If you have interest in history and culture this facility is a must when visiting Vancouver. I would allow an afternoon to visit an absorb the amzing collection at this museum.
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emily M
Annapolis, MD49 contributions
May 2022
This museum is on the campus of the University of British Columbia. It was larger and more comprhensive than I expected. It is so very well worth a visit, with lots of things to see and learn about. While there is renovation work, it doesn't interfere very much at all. There's so much to see While I was mostly interested in native American artifacts, it has a lot of it to keep me interested and satisfied, but also has African, Asian sectons. I am physically handicapped and can last about 3 hours at the most, but I pushed myself and hung on for a bit longer. If I had more time in Vancouver I would have tried to return to see the exhibits I missed. I really recommend visiting it if you can.
Written June 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
antoniobB3504GR
Ocala, FL80 contributions
How to get there, are there buses, metro nearby?
Jacqueline C
Kyoto, Japan5 contributions
There are express buses to UBC, use the Translink app to plan your journey. You simply type in your location and destination and desired time, and it gives you all the information. Avoid rush hour on the buses, though, if you want a seat. Alternatively, if you are s group, take a taxi or limo service and ask the driver to take the scenic route. on the way back, stop at Kits beach. There is a nice restaurant with stunning views. Enjoy!
antoniobB3504GR
Ocala, FL80 contributions
What modes of transportation to the museum
jamescT9787VF
Chicago, IL191 contributions
We took the 44 bus from waterfront station, took about 30 minutes and a 10 minute walk.
BizTraveller10
Tipperary, Ireland5 contributions
Do we need to make an advance booking for the free tour (for a group of five adults) ?
Nathan and Kare... M
Nantucket231 contributions
We did not. We just had to wait 30 minutes for the tour to begin. No problem as that gave us a little time to explore.
MB G
Chicago, IL49 contributions
How does this museum compare to the Royal British Museum in Victoria? We may not have time to do both on our trip. Travelers in our family range in age from 10-80!
Thank you for your help!
travelnotebook
Canada97 contributions
Both museums are wonderful, but if I had to choose, based on your 10-80 age group, I would select the Museum of Vancouver - It has an outdoor area that children would enjoy as much as the adults.
How much time should I spend here to make a worthwhile trip?
Hi Matthew,
We encourage you to explore MOA at your own pace! To familiarize yourself with the different spaces and collections at MOA, we recommend checking out one of our daily free guided tours. These tours range from 30 minutes to one hour depending on the theme.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Ladyslipper1
Halifax, Canada11 contributions
Does the hop on hop off come near the Museum?
retep42
Christchurch, New Zealand348 contributions
Best way is to catch the No 2 bus from Thurlow Street in the city !! Then a 10 minute walk to the MOA.
MarySoderstrom
Montreal, Canada13 contributions
Would you recommend this museum for children 5-7? Are there any special activities for them?
Anna R
Vancouver, Canada108 contributions
There are some child friendly activities, such as trying out hammocks and being able to go out the back of the Museum where there is a little trail, a pond and two long houses..an area where there is ample room for kids to let off steam safely if they get restless. Many of the exhibits are really interesting for kids, such as bird specimens and First Nations carvings. I'm not sure I'd say the museum is a destination for young children, but if you are bringing them along, you should be fine.
Proceso of the tickets
Hi Silvia! Admission is as follows:
$18 — Adults
$16 — Students & Seniors (65+)
$47 — Family (2 adults + 1-4 children 18 & under)
$10 — Thursday Evenings (5–9 pm)
Free — MOA Members
Free — Children 6 & Under
Free — UBC Students, Staff & Faculty
We hope to see you at the museum sometime soon!
vizslafan
Northbrook, IL33 contributions
Once you are at the Museum of Anthropology, how do you get back downtown?
Hi there! If you walk to Chancellor Boulevard you can catch the #44 bus which will take you downtown across the Burrard Street Bridge. Otherwise, on University Boulevard you can catch the #4 bus and the #14 bus which both go down downtown via the Granville Street Bridge. Hope this helps!
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Frequently Asked Questions about Museum of Anthropology
- Hotels near Museum of Anthropology:
- (0.46 mi) Gage Suites at UBC
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- (0.17 mi) Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery
- (0.19 mi) Chan Centre for the Performing Arts