Victoria Heritage Attractions: Museums

Victoria Heritage Attractions: MUSEUMS

This listing updated 11 July 2022
Please contact organization for current 2022 information

BC AVIATION MUSEUM
1910 Norseman Road, Victoria International Airport
250-655-3300
www.bcam.net

The BC Aviation Museum is now open 6 days per week Thursday to Tuesday. Our hours of operation are 10:00 am to 4 pm.

Admission:
Adults: $15.00
Seniors $12.00
Youth 13-18 yrs: $12.00
Children 7-12 yrs: $6.00
Children 6 yrs and under Free.

Groups of 10 or more receive special rates with prior arrangements. Annual memberships available.

Two large hangars contain more than 30 vintage aircraft from Da Vinci to the jet age. Large collections of artefacts, models, pictures and art. Guided access to Restoration Hangar. Kids zone with flight simulators, hands on displays and cockpit access. Gift shop & library (members have borrowing privileges).

This listing is for Summer 2020
Please contact organization for current 2021 information

THE CANADIAN SCOTTISH REGIMENTAL MUSEUM
Bay Street Armoury
715 Bay Street (Parking and Entrance off Field Street)
250-363-8753

www.canadianscottishregiment.ca
email: cscotrmuseum@shaw.ca

June 1 - August 31: Tuesday to Friday: 10 am - 3 pm
Other months: Tuesdays only, 10 am - 2 pm.
Call to confirm hours of operation. Group tours available by prior arrangement.

Admission by donation.

Exhibits include uniforms and accoutrements, weapons, badges, medals, photographs and other artifacts related to the Regiment's service in peace and in war.

This listing updated 21 August 2024
Please contact organization for current 2024 information

CFB ESQUIMALT NAVAL & MILITARY MUSEUM
(Naden Way - entrance off Admirals Road Esquimalt)
250-363-4312
www.navalandmilitarymuseum.org

Monday - Sunday: 10 am - 3:30 pm.
Open weekends year-round except statutory holidays - please call ahead to confirm.

Admission by donation. For those above age 18 please bring government issued picture ID such as a driver's license for entry onto the Base.

CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum charts the rich maritime and military history of the Naval Base at CFB Esquimalt. Displays include recreations of a WWII Corvette in the Battle of the Atlantic, a Bangor-class minesweeper's mess deck, and a Cold War era home fallout shelter.

The museum is a National Historic District and located in a complex of distinguished brick buildings designed by the prominent Victoria architect John Teague. The museum buildings were built in the late 19th century as a hospital. They now showcase the history and heritage of the naval presence on Canada's West Coast and the military on Southern Vancouver Island.

Guided tours of the museum are by arrangement.

This listing updated 11 July 2022
Please contact organization for current 2022 information

CRAIGDARROCH CASTLE HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUM
1050 Joan Crescent
250-592-5323
thecastle.ca
email: info@thecastle.ca

Open for self-guided tours. Please check our website for days and times.

Adult: $20.60; Senior: $19.60; Students (13+ with Valid ID): $14.80;
Children (6-12): $10.00; 5 and under: no charge.

Tickets can be purchased in our Visitor Centre upon arrival at the Castle. Please check our website for tour details.

Built by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir during the reign of Queen Victoria and now a National Historic Site, Craigdarroch Castle has been meticulously restored, giving visitors a glimpse of privileged life in the 1890s. The Castle weaves a fascinating tale of an intriguing family - their achievements, their relationships and even their quirks. Self-guided tours - 87 stairs (no elevators).

This listing is for Summer 2020
Please contact organization for current 2021 information

HERITAGE ACRES (Saanich Historical Artifacts Society)
7321 Lochside Drive, Saanichton (north off Island View Road)
250-652-5522
heritageacresbc.com
email: info@heritageacresbc.com

Daily: June 1 - mid-Sept: 9:00 am - 4 pm; Rest of year: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.

Admission by donation. Membership: Single $30; Family $45.

The Society collects, restores, houses, displays and demonstrates artifacts telling the story of farming, country life and industry on early Vancouver Island. Artifacts are displayed in various locations around the property and within museum buildings. Relocated, restored and replica buildings are grouped into a village setting that depicts early 1900 BC life. 29-Acre Site featuring nature trails, picnic areas and park land.

This listing updated 19 August 2024
Please contact organization for current 2024 information

MARITIME MUSEUM OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
744 Douglas Street
Victoria BC
250-385-4222
www.mmbc.bc.ca
email: info@mmbc.bc.ca

Hours: Seven Days a Week - 9:30am - 4:30pm
Admission: Adults - $10, Senior/Student - $8, Youth - $5,
Children - Free
Memberships: Adults - $30, Senior - $25, Family - $50

The Maritime Museum of BC offers a wide variety of opportunities for the public to explore our nautical history and ocean sciences. From rotating exhibits to programs and events, there's always something happening! The Museum cares for more than 35,000 unique artifacts, as well as a large library and archives research collection, which is available for public access.

This listing is for Summer 2020
Please contact organization for current 2021 information

ROYAL BC MUSEUM & ARCHIVES
675 Belleville Street
250-356-7226 or toll free 1-888-447-7977
www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

Hours:
Open daily from 10am to 5pm. Open until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays from mid-May until early October. Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day. BC Archives open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm (Serviced), 4pm to 8pm (unserviced).

Admission:
May 18-December 31, 2018
$26.95 Adult, $18.95 Senior/Student, $16.95 Youth;
Child (3-5) - Free.

Jan 1-May 16, 2019 per person and tax included:
$26.95 Adult, $18.95 Senior/Student, $16.95 Youth;
Child (3-5) - Free.

May 17-December 31, 2019 per person and tax included:
$23.95 Adult, $16.95 Senior/Student, $15.95 Youth;
Child (3-5) - Free.

Admission and hours subject to change during special events www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/tickets/

See all of British Columbia at the Royal BC Museum, a world-class museum of natural and human history. Explore our core galleries and immerse yourself in tales of where we've been and where we are going. Discover things and people you never knew before at what TripAdvisor users have five times voted the number one museum in Canada. Marvel at the totems, masks and cultural treasurers featured in the world-class First Peoples Gallery. Experience authentic artifacts and highly realistic settings - from the Woolly Mammoth in his rocky, icy world to a tar-scented trip on the HMS Discovery.

Your experience doesn't end with our galleries. You can see sites like Helmcken House, St. Ann's Schoolhouse, the Netherlands Centennial Carillon and Thunderbird Park. Our precinct also includes a year-round food truck festival and Dequoia coffee bar. Come explore the Royal BC Museum. Located on Victoria's Inner Harbour, we are within walking distance of downtown hotels and restaurants.

This listing updated 18 July 2023
Please contact organization for current 2023 information

LOG CABIN MUSEUM (Saanich Pioneer Society)
7910 Polo Park Crescent, Saanichton
250-652-1116

www.saanichpioneersociety.com
saanichpioneersociety@outlook.com

Log Cabin Museum open Saturdays 1:00-4:00 pm
Closed Holiday weekends
Admission by donation

Archives open Mondays 9:00 am-2:00 pm
Closed Holidays
Appointments welcomed

The Log Cabin Museum is the oldest purpose-built museum in BC, still in operation. It contains a large collection of artifacts and exhibits of local interest, showing how early pioneers from a variety of ethnic backgrounds lived in the area. Our displays showcase the history of the Saanich Peninsula from the 1850s onward.

We have a Talk & Tea series, twice in the Fall, and twice in the Spring. Please check our website for details.

Guided group tours of the museum are welcome and available by arrangement. Visitors to the archives are welcome by appointment.

A quarterly newsletter comes with Society membership. We welcome enquiries.

This listing updated 4 July 2023
Please contact organization for current 2023 information

SIDNEY MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES
2423 Beacon Avenue, L3 Sidney
250-655-6355
www.sidneymuseum.ca
email: info@sidneymuseum.ca

Hours: 10 am to 4 pm daily.
Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

Admission by donation.

Take a walk through time and discover the history of Sidney, North Saanich, and the greater Saanich Peninsula in our permanent displays of WSÁNEĆ and settler communities. The Sidney Museum showcases changing exhibits throughout the year including our annual LEGO® brick exhibit that runs January-March. We also host exhibits from other institutions and community groups. Visit our website for upcoming exhibits and events.

This listing updated 4 July 2023
Please contact organization for current 2023 information

SOOKE REGION MUSEUM & VISITOR CENTRE
2070 Phillips Road, Sooke, via Hwy 14
250-642-6351
www.sookeregionmuseum.com
email: info@sookeregionmuseum.com

Hours: Open Daily, 9:30 am to 5 pm, Mid May - Mid October
Closed Sundays & Mondays off season and closed between Christmas and New Years.

Admission by donation.

Regional museum presents the history of the southwest coast of Vancouver Island, featuring exhibits of First Nations, Forestry, Fishing, Maritime, Pioneers, also a Gift Shop and Art Gallery. Personalized interpretive tours of historic Moss Cottage, and the relocated heritage Triangle Island Lighthouse, are available onsite. Check website above to view the centre's attractions. Travel Counsellors will assist with regional information.