Regional history from Precambrian times to the present comes to life at the Museum of Vancouver (1100 Chestnut St., 604/736-4431, daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Thursday until 9 p.m., closed Mon. Sept.–June, adult $11, senior $9, child $7) in Vanier Park. The West Coast Archaeology and Culture galleries hold ravishing masks, highly-patterned woven blankets, and fine baskets.

The Discovery and Settlement gallery details European exploration of British Columbia—both by land and by sea. The Vancouver Stories gallery depicts various decades, including the 1950s where a shiny 1955 Ford Fairlane is displayed and black and white TVs screen popular shows of the time.

The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre (604/738-7827, daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m. in summer, closed Mon. the rest of the year, adult $15, senior and child $10.75), in the same building as the museum, features displays related to planet earth, the surrounding universe, and space exploration.

Adjacent to the museum is the Gordon MacMillan Southam Observatory (604/738-7827, by donation), which is open for public stargazing Monday–Friday sunset–midnight when the skies are clear.