HR MacMillan Space Centre exterior

©John Lee/Lonely Planet

HR MacMillan Space Centre

Vancouver

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Focusing on the wonderful world of space, admission to this kid-favorite museum includes a gallery of hands-on exhibits (don't miss the Mars section where you can drive across the surface in a simulator) as well as a menu of live science demonstrations in the small theater and a cool 45-minute planetarium show upstairs. Check the daily schedule of shows and presentations online before you arrive. The Saturday-night planetarium performances are popular with locals and typically draw a more adult crowd.

Peruse the website for a lively roster of additional special events, often including visits to the facility's observatory, a short walk from the main building.

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