Vancouver Art Gallery

Step into Western Canada's largest public art museum, where blockbuster international shows are combined with selections from its striking contemporary collection. The Vancouver Art Gallery (vanartgallery.bc.ca; adult/child $35/free), or VAG to locals, is a magnet for art fans. There are often three or four different exhibitions on its public levels; save time for the top-floor Emily Carr paintings, showcasing signature swirling nature-themed works from BC's most iconic artist, recognized as a pioneer of modern art in Canada through her expressionist paintings of BC's forests and Indigenous villages. If you're on a budget, consider the by-donation entry after 5pm on Tuesdays, but arrive early and expect a queue.