When I was researching our trip to Canada, I came across a few mentions of the Royal BC Museum in Victoria, usually accompanied by a comment along the lines of “worth seeing”.
Nobody seemed particularly enthusiastic about it, so I put it on my list of possible things to do if we had time.
Well, we had time, and I’m so glad we visited!
The Royal BC Museum turned out to be one of the best museums we visited in Canada. From incredibly realistic wildlife displays to recreated historical streets, it was far more interesting than I expected.
We visited in August 2019, and some of the galleries have changed since then. Here’s what we enjoyed, what’s different now, and whether I think the museum is still worth visiting.
This article may contain affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on a link, I may receive a small commission. Read the full disclaimer here.
Royal BC Museum at a Glance
- Location: 675 Belleville Street, Victoria, British Columbia
- Opening hours: Generally 10 am–5 pm or 6 pm, depending on the date
- Entry: Adults CAD $32; seniors (65+) CAD $22; youth (6–18) CAD $19; children five and under free
- Time needed: Allow around 2–3 hours
- Best for: History lovers, families and anyone interested in Canadian wildlife and culture
- Website: Royal BC Museum
Where Is the Royal BC Museum?
The Royal BC Museum couldn’t be in a more convenient location.
It’s right in the centre of Victoria, just a short walk from the famous Fairmont Empress Hotel, the British Columbia Parliament Buildings and the beautiful Inner Harbour.
If you’re exploring Victoria on foot, as we were, it’s easy to include the museum in your sightseeing.
You don’t need a car, and there are plenty of other attractions, shops and places to eat nearby.
Natural History at the Royal BC Museum
I’ve visited plenty of museums with natural history sections. Often they’re filled with a few stuffed animals, some fossils and displays explaining how the landscape developed over millions of years.
The Royal BC Museum has all of that, but the presentation is on another level.
The displays are colourful, detailed and easy to understand, without requiring a science degree to make sense of everything.
There are forests, coastal environments and wildlife displays showing the natural diversity of British Columbia.
My favourite parts were the animal dioramas.
They were so realistic that I joked we could take all our Canadian wildlife photos inside the museum and tell everyone we’d managed to get incredibly close to bears, deer and seals!
Some of the scenes genuinely look like you’re standing in the middle of the wilderness.
And then there’s the woolly mammoth.
This life-sized replica has been one of the museum’s most popular attractions since the 1970s, and it’s easy to see why. It’s enormous!
If you have children travelling with you, I suspect this section would be a particular favourite.
The Natural History Gallery remains one of the museum’s main permanent attractions.
Learning About First Nations History
Another section I particularly enjoyed during our visit was the First Peoples Gallery.
We had already visited the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, which focuses heavily on Indigenous cultures, but there was still plenty here that was new to us.
One of the most interesting displays allowed visitors to hear phrases spoken in different First Nations languages.
I loved hearing the languages and seeing how they were written. Some included letters and symbols completely unfamiliar to me, which made the audio recordings particularly useful.
There were also impressive carved poles, a reconstructed house, ceremonial clothing and artefacts showing aspects of the cultures and traditions of British Columbia’s First Nations.
It was a really interesting part of our visit.
What Has Changed?
The main First Peoples Gallery closed in 2022 while the museum began reviewing how Indigenous histories and cultures are represented, working with First Nations communities.
However, some important displays remain accessible.
These include Our Living Languages, which explores Indigenous languages and efforts to revitalise them, and the Jonathan Hunt House, featuring traditional Northwest Coast carving.
The museum is continuing to work with Indigenous communities on its exhibitions, so it’s worth checking which areas are accessible before visiting.
Exploring Old Town and British Columbia’s History
Another highlight for me was the museum’s historical streetscape.
Rather than simply displaying objects behind glass, the museum recreated an old town, complete with buildings you could explore.
There was a hotel, a cinema, shops, a railway station and even a small Chinatown.
I loved wandering around and peering into the rooms, which had been furnished to show what life might have looked like for people living in British Columbia in earlier times.
There were also excellent displays about industries such as logging and gold mining, with detailed models that helped bring the history to life.
One of the most memorable exhibits was a partial recreation of HMS Discovery, the ship associated with explorer George Vancouver.
It felt much more like walking through a historical town than visiting a traditional museum.
Can You Still Visit Old Town?
Yes! Old Town reopened in 2023 with updated information and a broader approach to telling British Columbia’s history.
The museum has added more context about the people and communities who shaped the province, including stories that were previously overlooked.
Some areas of the wider historical galleries have been closed or changed, so you won’t necessarily see everything that was available when we visited.
However, Old Town remains a worthwhile part of the museum experience.
Temporary Exhibitions at the Royal BC Museum
One of the reasons the Royal BC Museum is worth considering even if you’ve visited before is its changing exhibitions.
During our 2019 visit, we saw Maya: The Great Jaguar Rises, an extensive exhibition about the ancient Maya civilisation.
There were artefacts, jewellery, examples of writing and fascinating displays about everyday life.
It was beautifully presented and could easily have been a museum in its own right.
Of course, that exhibition is long gone.
For 2026, the museum’s temporary exhibitions include Ancient Egypt: Obsessed with Life, exploring Egyptian beliefs about life and the afterlife, along with exhibitions about Pacific herring and the archaeology of Lasqueti Island.
These change regularly, so I recommend checking the current exhibitions before your visit. A particularly interesting temporary exhibition could make the admission price even better value.
IMAX Victoria
There’s also an IMAX cinema at the Royal BC Museum.
It shows a range of films, often including documentaries about wildlife, science, history and the natural world.
It’s a good option if you want to extend your museum visit, particularly on a rainy day in Victoria.
IMAX tickets are separate from general museum admission, although combination tickets may be available.
Check the IMAX Victoria website for current films, session times and ticket options.
Royal BC Museum Tickets and Opening Hours
The museum is generally open daily from 10 am, with closing times varying depending on the date.
It closes on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
As of October 2026, admission prices are:
| Ticket | Price (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Adult (19–64) | $32 |
| Senior (65+) | $22 |
| Youth (6–18) | $19 |
| Children (5 and under) | Free |
Tickets include the permanent galleries that are open and the temporary exhibitions showing on your visit date.
Prices and opening hours can change, so it’s worth checking before your visit.
Click here to book your Royal BC Museum tickets or to check current prices and availability for your preferred date.
I’d suggest allowing at least two hours, although three would be better if you enjoy reading the displays and taking your time.
Is the Royal BC Museum Worth Visiting?
When I visited in 2019, I came away thinking the Royal BC Museum was an absolute must-see in Victoria.
It was so much better than I expected, particularly the wildlife dioramas and the historical streetscapes.
Today, I would still recommend considering it, but with one qualification.
Some of the galleries I enjoyed are no longer fully accessible, and admission is considerably more expensive than when we visited.
At CAD $32 per adult, I’d check the current exhibitions before deciding whether to go.
If you’re interested in natural history, Canadian history or Indigenous cultures, there’s still plenty to enjoy.
And if the weather isn’t cooperating, it’s a particularly good indoor option in Victoria.
For me, it’s a reminder that sometimes the attractions you almost leave off your itinerary turn out to be the most memorable.
I certainly didn’t expect to leave a museum with some of my best Canadian wildlife photos!
Want more information on a visit to British Columbia? Try these posts
Best Hostels in Vancouver
Travel Diaries – Vancouver Island
Travel Diaries – Vancouver to Calgary Road Trip
Please share this post with your friends and pin for later.
It seems that the Royal BC Museum is a paradise for wildlife & history enthusiasts. Noted down for future reference
Thanks Jogi, yes it is 🙂
Hi Josie,
I linked your Royal BC Museum page to my Victoria BC page. Your guide to the museum is the best I’ve seen.
Thanks for the wonderfully detailed guide!
Buzz
Thank you Buzz, I’m glad you liked it.