Sight guide · Whistler · Canada
Visiting Audain Art Museum
A dark, elongated building raised on stilts in the forest, designed by Patkau Architects and opened in 2016, holds a collection of British Columbia art from historic Northwest Coast masks to Emily Carr, E.J.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Clarisse Baudot, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Audain Art Museum is a gallery in Village North, Whistler. Allow 1.5 hours; it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Gallery
- Area
- Village North
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- art, rainy day and architecture
- Best months
- November–January
About Audain Art Museum
A dark, elongated building raised on stilts in the forest, designed by Patkau Architects and opened in 2016, holds a collection of British Columbia art from historic Northwest Coast masks to Emily Carr, E.J. Hughes and contemporary artists.
Tip: Start with the gallery of Northwest Coast masks, one of the strongest parts of the collection.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1.5 hours.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Village North, newer extension with the Marketplace supermarket, condos and the Audain museum.
Best time to visit Audain Art Museum
Audain Art Museum is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- November: 4°C (39°F) highs, about 19 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- December: 0°C (32°F) highs, about 18 rainy days, busy crowds.
- January: 0°C (32°F) highs, about 18 rainy days, very busy crowds.
When to visit Whistler has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Whistler itinerary visits Audain Art Museum on day 3, together with Lost Lake Park and Alta Lake and Rainbow Park.
- No. 6 of the 16 sights in our Whistler things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 3 of the 5-day plan.
Near Audain Art Museum
Also in Village North, so you can walk between them:
- Lost Lake Park — 1–3 hours, free
If you like Audain Art Museum
- Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre — Upper Village, 1.5–2 hours
Staying near Audain Art Museum
Stay in Village North ($$$) to walk here: newer extension with the Marketplace supermarket, condos and the Audain museum. All areas to stay in Whistler.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Audain Art Museum?
Plan 1.5 hours. With Lost Lake Park nearby, it fits a half-day in Village North.
+Is Audain Art Museum free?
No, it is mid-priced. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Audain Art Museum?
November–January, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Start with the gallery of Northwest Coast masks, one of the strongest parts of the collection.
+Do I need to book Audain Art Museum in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.