2008 Vancouver Official Visitors Guide - (Page 21) See & Do Extraordinary Museums Photography (Clockwise from top left): Science World; Museum of Anthropology; Vancouver Art Gallery. ©TVan/ Science World, ©Denise Chambers/ Weaver, ©Charlie Manz/Artistic Visuals There’s nothing stuffy about Vancouver’s museum scene. With hands-on, interactive exhibits, unique installations and unmatched collections, the city’s museums offer an exciting and informative experience for visitors of all ages. Known for its recognizable geodesic dome (what some say looks like a giant golf ball), Science World’s exhibits engage visitors in the world of science and technology. Originally constructed for Expo ’86, it has since become a Vancouver institution and a popular destination for visitors. For majestic views of space, head to H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. With a planetarium, space flight simulator and observatory, it makes the heavens come alive. If you’re a fan of visual art, the Vancouver Art Gallery is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. With an extensive collection of works by local artists and blockbuster travelling exhibits, the museum has it all. Be sure to see the extensive collection of works by Emily Carr, a world-renowned B.C. artist who explored First Nations themes in her paintings. The Museum of Anthropology at UBC is currently undergoing an extensive renovation, adding a revitalized lobby, a major exhibit gallery and a new community research centre. The museum remains a treasure trove of First Nations art with carvings, artifacts and totem poles from B.C.’s indigenous peoples. Check out the Vancouver Maritime Museum’s collections and exhibits for an introduction to Vancouver’s aquatic past. Their sea-related exhibits are extraordinary, particularly the legendary Royal Canadian Mounted Police schooner, St. Roch, the first vessel to ever complete the famed Northwest passage in a west–east fashion. At the Vancouver Police Museum, visitors can inspect confiscated weapons and counterfeit currency, as well as historic vehicles and firearms used by the city’s police force. Sports fans should head to The BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. It’s the largest sports museum in Canada, and it honors the legends of B.C. athletes and teams with 20 galleries covering sports from the early 1800s to the present. 21
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