Victoria: Royal British Columbia Museum
If you’ll be spending any time in Victoria, British Columbia, I highly recommend that you take an afternoon to visit the Royal British Columbia Museum.
Located in downtown Victoria, at the corner of Belleville and Douglas Streets, the museum is near both the Parliament Buildings and the Empress Hotel.
The Royal BC Museum is one of my favorite museums because of its unique presentation of exhibits. The permanent galleries showcase the history of BC in highly realistic and inviting displays. They are not only visually appealing, but are presented in such a way as to appeal to all of your senses.
From the Natural History Gallery: As you enter the Ice Age exhibit, the temperature dramatically drops, and you’ll feel a chill as you look at the Wooly Mammoth and the ice wall. I swear! You’ll feel like there is a storm brewing.
From the Modern History Gallery: You’ll hear cries of gulls, and smell the creosote, while looking at a replica of the stern section of Captain George Vancouver’s ship, the HMS Discovery.
From the First People’s Gallery: Beating drums and music are heard while viewing the Kwakwaka’wakw ceremonial masks along with other First People’s exhibits.
The Royal BC Museum just opened a temporary exhibit titled Fatal Attraction (ends January 7, 2007) that was created by natural history museums in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. Making only its second-ever stop in North America, this interactive exhibit reveals the sometimes sensual, often flashy ““ occasionally dangerous ““ courtship rituals of the animal kingdom.
The British Columbia Archives, the records of the provincial government, are also housed in the Museum, and are accessible for public research. The Museum also has an IMAX Theater and the requisite gift shop.
The Royal BC Museum is open daily, 9 am-5 pm, and during the summer season is open until 10pm on most Friday and Saturdays. The IMAX Theater is open 10 am-8 pm daily.
Admission, through March 2007, is: $14, adults; $9.50, seniors (65+), youth (6-18) and students; $48 family; FREE for children 5 and under. There are additional charges for the IMAX Theater. Rates increase during the spring and summer seasons, the high tourist seasons. If you plan to visit more than twice a year, an annual pass presents good savings.
Photo credit: flickr
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POSTED IN: Museums, Things to See & Do
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