Have a Sensory Experience at the Royal BC Museum
If the winter Seattle weather is getting you down, you can always plan a weekend away to Victoria, British Columbia. Victoria is located on the southeastern tip of Vancouver Island, and while the weather isn’t much different from here, it is close (easily accessible by ferry or plane) and lots of fun.
One of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon in Victoria is to visit the Royal British Columbia Museum. Located right downtown, the museum is near both the Parliament Buildings and the Empress Hotel.
The Royal BC Museum is one of my favorites because its display appeal to many of our of the senses – smell, touch, sound and sight. Since most museum exhibits are just visual, this contrast makes me realize that with a little imagination, history can be very exciting and compelling.
Here are two of my favorite exhibits:
In the Ice Age exhibit, the temperature drops, and you get colder and colder as you view the Wooly Mammoth.
And in the Modern History Gallery, the display of Captain George Vancouver’s ship (HMS Discovery) has smells of creosote and salt water, and you can hear the sea gulls cawing. You’ll swear you’re ready to head out to sea!
The British Columbia Archives, the records of the provincial government, are also housed in the Museum, and are accessible for public research. There is also an IMAX Theater and gift shop.
Location: 675 Belleville Street, Victoria, British Columbia (map it)
Hours: Daily 9 am – 5 pm, with longer summer hours (open till 10 pm on Friday and Saturday). The IMAX Theater is open 10 am – 8 pm daily.
Admission: $14, adults; $9.50, seniors (65+), youth (6-18) and students; $48 family; FREE for children 5 and under. Additional admission for IMAX Theater. Rates go up during the spring and summer high tourist season. NOTE: If you plan to visit more than twice a year, an annual pass is a good savings.
Photo credit: Royal BC Museum
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3 Comments
Wow, how funny is this. Just last night my friend told me that she was planning a trip to Vancouver Island because she heard it was really wonderful and asked me to join her! I’ll send this article her way because it sounds like a place we’d both love to see.
Thanks for the comment, Cynthia.
You really should take a visit to Vancouver Island. There’s lots to see and do, and I’ve always enjoyed my time there.
This museum really is one of my favorites! While the focus is narrow, the sensory appeal is absolutely delightful!
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