Vancouver Museum

Located in Vanier Park on the south side of False Creek (cross via Burrard Bridge) the Vancouver Museum is huge and definitely worth visiting. It has sections devoted to the history of Vancouver and the Pacific coast as well as collections on natural history and ethnography (the culture of the North-west Coast Indians in particular). Also housed in the modern domed building, completed in 1968, is the H.R. MacMillan Planetarium (several programs, laser show) while adjacent to it stands the Gordon Southam Observatory (with a 15 cm (6 in.) Zeiss telescope). Instructive audio-visual presentations accompany the displays. From the Vancouver Museum splendid views can be enjoyed over English Bay and Sunset Beach to the city and the North Shore mountains beyond.