One of Canada’s oldest museums has free and discounted admission in B.C. this summer

The Royal BC Museum is one of Canada’s oldest continually operating museums, originally founded in 1886. Today, it offers visitors from across the globe the chance to learn about our province’s extensive cultural history and about the natural and human stories that currently make up B.C.

Situated on traditional lək̓ʷəŋən territory, its main facilities in Victoria consist of over seven million objects and artifacts, including those preserved in the BC Archives. The museum facilities also feature a Cultural Precinct and the Royal BC Museum Shop, where you can pick up a gift or keepsake after your visit.

The museum is also well-known for its IMAX experience, which uses wraparound digital surround sound and crystal-clear imagery to fully immerse you in a variety of movies and documentaries. And it’s the cherry on top that it all unfolds on the largest IMAX screen in the province!

Here’s just a snippet of the films you can check out at IMAX Victoria:

• Sea Otters
• Wild Asia 3D
• Mysteries of Egypt
• Horse Power 3D
• Oppenheimer
• Interstellar
• Dunkirk

Current feature exhibits include an immersive exhibition on ancient Egypt, an augmented reality experience with a holographic orca pod, and fixtures like the natural history gallery, Jonathon Hunt House, and Old Town, New Approach.

Free and reduced admission

The great news is that summer admission to the Royal BC Museum is slashed (or nearly slashed), thanks to the return of the Canada Strong Pass.

This means that until Sept. 7, admission to all national museums of Canada and select provincial museums is free for those aged 17 and under, and 50 per cent off for those aged 18 to 24.

Regular admission rates apply to everyone else, which includes $32 for adults, $22 for seniors and students.

So if you’re between 18 and 24, you’ll only pay $16 to access all the museum’s exhibits for the day.

Each admission ticket includes access to the Natural History of BC Gallery and all feature exhibitions on display, excluding IMAX experiences.

Note that the Royal BC Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Ready to start planning your visit? You can check out the museum’s full list of exhibitions, galleries, and events to see what’s in store. Or if you have a trip to Ontario coming up, consider adding one of these national and provincial museums to your itinerary.

Summer is a great time to museum-hop!

When: Open daily
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 675 Belleville St., Victoria 
Cost: Free and discounted admission until Sept. 7, 2026, or $22 to $32 for regular admission

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