Sight guide · Vancouver · Canada
Visiting Museum of Anthropology at UBC
Arthur Erickson's concrete-and-glass building at the University of British Columbia holds one of the world's finest collections of Northwest Coast First Nations art, with towering totem poles in the Great Hall and Bill Reid's yellow-cedar sculpture The Raven and the First Men.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Xicotencatl, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Museum of Anthropology at UBC is a museum in University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Allow 2–3 hours; it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- University of British Columbia
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- art, history, architecture and rainy day
- Best months
- November–January
About Museum of Anthropology at UBC
Arthur Erickson's concrete-and-glass building at the University of British Columbia holds one of the world's finest collections of Northwest Coast First Nations art, with towering totem poles in the Great Hall and Bill Reid's yellow-cedar sculpture The Raven and the First Men. Outside, Haida houses and poles overlook the sea.
Tip: Leave time for the visible-storage galleries, where thousands of objects from around the world fill glass cases and drawers.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2–3 hours.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: University of British Columbia.
Best time to visit Museum of Anthropology at UBC
Museum of Anthropology at UBC is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- November: 9°C (48°F) highs, about 18 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- December: 7°C (45°F) highs, about 17 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- January: 7°C (45°F) highs, about 16 rainy days, quiet crowds.
When to visit Vancouver has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Vancouver itinerary visits Museum of Anthropology at UBC on day 3, together with Canada Place and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.
- No. 4 of the 20 sights in our Vancouver things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 3 of the 4-day plan.
- Day 3 of the 5-day plan.
- Day 5 of the 7-day plan.
If you like Museum of Anthropology at UBC
- Gastown and the steam clock — Gastown, 1–2 hours
- Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden — Chinatown, 1 hour
- Science World — False Creek, 2–3 hours
- Vancouver Art Gallery — Downtown, 1.5–2 hours
Staying near Museum of Anthropology at UBC
Where to stay in Vancouver compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Museum of Anthropology at UBC?
Plan 2–3 hours.
+Is Museum of Anthropology at UBC free?
No, it is mid-priced. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Museum of Anthropology at UBC?
November–January, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Leave time for the visible-storage galleries, where thousands of objects from around the world fill glass cases and drawers.
+Do I need to book Museum of Anthropology at UBC in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.