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1100 Chestnut Street
Vancouver, BC V6J 3J9
Phone: 604-738-7827
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From its start as a planetarium in the 1960s, the McMillan Space Centre has evolved into a multi-media celebration of humankind’s quest for knowledge of the final frontier. From the Virtual Voyages Flight Simulator to the numerous hands-on exhibits at the Cosmic Courtyard gallery, to the to the Planetarium and Observatory next door, the Space Center has been opens the heavens to over a quarter million visitors a year with its fascinating mix of science and fun.
Maritime Museum (Vancouver)
1905 Ogden Ave
Vancouver, BC V6J 1A3
Phone: 604-257-8300
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This tribute to Vancouver's seafaring past prides itself on its mix of fun and knowledge. Vistiors can discover the rich maritime history and traditions of the Pacific Coast and step back in time to 1944 on board Canada’s famous RCMP St Roch and explore the many permanent and changing exhibits, Children’s Maritime Discovery Centre, family activities, and the boats in Heritage Harbour.
Maritime Museum of British Columbia
28 Bastion Square
Victoria, BC V8W 1H9
Phone: 250-385-4222
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Located in Victoria’s historic Bastion Square, this museum started life as Victoria’s first courthouse, and its third-floor courtroom is still in remarkable condition. Throughout this fascinating museum are relics of Victoria’s maritime past, including the Tilikum, a dug-out sailboat that actually made it all the way from Victoria to England in the early years of the twentieth century. Uniforms and sailors journals are also on display, as well as models of the many different kinds of ships that have dropped anchor in Victoria Harbor over the years.
603 Fort Rodd Hill Road,
Colwood, BC V9C
Phone: 250-478-5849
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This fort was built in 1895, and is said by many to be the world’s best-preserved coastal artillery fort. Its guns point out over Esquimalt Harbor down below, and they must have done the trick. British Columbia has never been invaded! Unless you count the Olympics, but that’s an entirely different story. Also at this site is the historic Fisgard Lighthouse, which is the oldest lighthouse on the West Coat of Canada. This old gal hasn’t had a keeper since it went automated in the 1920s, but visitors are welcome to drop by and go inside for a look around. Plus, the views are simply spectacular.
Gastown & Steam Clock
Around Water & Cambie Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 1C7
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Gastown is the historical birthplace of Vancouver. In the center of Maple Tree Square in Gastown is a statue of “Gassy Jack” Deighton, for whom this area of town is named. Jack came ashore here in Vancouver in 1867 with a barrel of whiskey under his arm, promising free drinks to any laborers who would help build him a bar. The ramshackle saloon was put up in short order right, and somehow over time this whole neighborhood came to be known simply as “Gastown.” These days, Gastown is a mix of historic brick buildings, quirky restaurants, and obligatory T-shirt shops. But by far, the highlight of any trip to Gastown is a look at the famous Steam Clock on Water Street, a local landmark for more than 30 years. Based on an ingenious 19th century design, this unique clock is actually powered by an underground steam system that still heats some of the buildings here. And, every quarter hour, it steams and blows and does pretty much everything else you’d expect a steam-powered clock to do.
Hatley Castle
2005 Sooke Road
Colwood, BC
Phone: 866-241-0674
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Not to be outdone by the old man who had built Craigdarrach Castle on the other side of Victoria, Robert Dunsmuir’s son James built a mansion of his own on the other side of the island. Located in the Victoria suburb of Colwood, Hatley Castle is perhaps even more opulent than the elder Dunsmuir’s place. And, with plenty of land on the surrounding estate, it’s a great place for a hike as well.