An Art Lover’s Guide to Vancouver in 24 Hours

Museum of Vancouver
One of Vancouver’s top museums, the Museum of Vancouver was founded to “inspire a deeper understanding of Vancouver through stories, objects, and shared experiences.” One of the most popular past exhibitions was Vancouver in the Seventies, which included 400 photographs from this era. Permanent exhibitions include Neon Vancouver | Ugly Vancouver, which features neon signs from the 1950s through the 1970s. The “visually stunning” photographic-based exhibition, City on Edge: A Century of Vancouver Activism, explains how protests have shaped the city’s identity.
Insider Tip: If you have extra time, the Museum of Vancouver sits in Vanier Park, which is also home to the Vancouver Maritime Museum and H.R. MacMillan Space Centre.
Museum of Vancouver, 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, +1 604 736 4431

Museum of Anthropology
Designed by renowned Canadian architect Arthur Erickson, the Museum of Anthropology is home to one of the world’s best collections of Northwest Coast First Nations Art. It also has the world’s biggest collection of Bill Reid work, who was a well-known Haida First Nations artist. Some of the current exhibitions in late 2017 include Trace of Words: Art and Calligraphy from Asia, In a Different Light: Reflecting on Northwest Coast Art, and Amazonia: The Rights of Nature.
Insider Tip: Try and plan your visit for the end of the day and sunset. The museum’s stunning cliffside location at Point Grey is a fantastic viewpoint.
Museum of Anthropology, 6393 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC, Canada, +1 604 822 5087

The Gallery Café
The Gallery Café is a bit of a hidden secret in Vancouver, located in the Vancouver Art Gallery (one of the next stops). The café serves fresh, local food that’s never premade. Their menu includes soups, sandwiches, and quiches. In the summer months, they also open their patio, adorned with flowers and plants that transform it into an inner-city oasis. Not many locals realize The Gallery Café exists.
The Gallery Café, Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, +1 604 688 2233

Kafka’s Coffee & Tea
Located at the intersection of Main Street and Broadway in Mount Pleasant, Kafka’s Coffee & Tea is more than just a coffee shop. They are serious about their coffee, with four different brewing methods: espresso, nitro cold brew, pour over, and siphon. Kafka’s also supports local artists by allowing them to use their space to exhibit their work, which includes paintings, photography, and graphic design work. You never know what will be gracing the walls at Kafka’s.
Kafka’s Coffee & Tea, 2525 Main Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, +1 604 569 2967

Vancouver Art Gallery
“Founded in 1931, the Vancouver Art Gallery is recognized as one of North America’s most respected and innovative visual arts institutions.” The art gallery, housed in the city’s former courthouse, is a must-visit for art lovers in Vancouver. It established an Institute of Asian Art, and it features many exhibitions from contemporary, prominent, and up-and-coming Asian artists. It also exhibits work from local artists, including Douglas Coupland and Emily Carr, one of Canada’s most famous modern artists.
Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, +1 604 662 4700

Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art
If you miss the Museum of Anthropology, this is an excellent alternative. Established in 2008, the Bill Reid Gallery, named after Bill Reid who was not only an artist but also a sculptor, master goldsmith, writer, and spokesman, is Canada’s only public gallery dedicated to contemporary Northwest Coast indigenous art. The gallery is home to three main highlights: Reid’s bronze and stone sculptures, his gold and silver jewelry, and a large totem pole carved by Haida Gwaii’s James Hart. Although Reid’s displays are permanent, there is always a new exhibition to broaden your knowledge of all types of First Nations art.
Insider Tip: The Bill Reid Gallery lies close to Vancouver Art Gallery, so try and see these in the morning before lunch at The Gallery Café.
Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art, 639 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, +1 604 682 3455

The Polygon Gallery
Opening in November 2017, The Polygon Gallery in North Vancouver is a short ferry ride from downtown Vancouver. It offers something different for art lovers visiting the city, as it will be a public art gallery focusing on photography and media-based art. The first exhibition at The Polygon Gallery is entitled N. Vancouver, which will feature work from many local artists.
The Polygon Gallery, 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver, BC, Canada, +1 604 986 1351

Vancouver Mural Festival has a detailed map online of Vancouver’s best street art displays, which makes it easy to follow along and see some of the impressive local works for yourself. However, the team also does weekly tours in the spring and summer, as well as private tours year-round (for a minimum of six people).

Havana Restaurant
Havana’s specialty is “Pacific Northwest cuisine with a Caribbean influence.” The restaurant’s menu includes tapas, tacos, paella, and jambalaya. Located on Commercial Drive, one of Vancouver’s coolest neighborhoods, Havana is also home to a theater and art gallery. Performances include comedy shows, plays, and cabaret shows. The art gallery is great to browse following a meal. Visit their website for more information on current exhibitions.
Havana Restaurant, 1212 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC, Canada, +1 604 253 9119

The Whip Restaurant and Gallery
A self-proclaimed “neighborhood favorite,” The Whip Restaurant and Gallery features deliciously fresh meals and rotating exhibitions from local artists. The restaurant also supports the local community by serving beers from many of Vancouver’s breweries. The team at Whip encourages customers to linger over lunch and dinner and enjoy both the gallery and cozy atmosphere.
The Whip Restaurant & Gallery, 209 6th Avenue East, Vancouver, BC, Canada, +1 604 874 4687