VANCOUVER - APRIL 12, 2014: Founded in 1931, Vancouver Art Gallery is the fifth-largest art gallery in Canada. Neoclassical building was designed by F. Rattenbury and is located at 750 Hornby Street. 187310384 art, british, british columbia, building, canada, city, columbia, f.rattenbury, gallery, historic, hornby, hornby street, hotel, neoclassical, old, robson, square, stairs, street, vancouver, vancouver art gallery, vancouver b.c., vancouver bc, vancouver british columbia

©Josef Hanus/Shutterstock

Vancouver Art Gallery

Top choice in Vancouver

LoginSave

Combining blockbuster international shows with selections from its striking contemporary collection, the VAG is a magnet for art fans. There are often three or four different exhibitions on its public levels but save time for the top-floor Emily Carr paintings, showcasing swirling nature-themed works from BC's favorite historic artist. Check ahead for FUSE, a late-opening party with bars and live music. And if you're on a budget, consider the by-donation entry after 5pm on Tuesdays ($10 suggested); expect a queue.

Fundraising is underway for a planned new gallery building a few blocks away, with designs indicating a dramatic wooden building. Check ahead for progress reports.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Colors of the autumn. Gorgeous sea walk in the park. Stanley Park in Vancouver. Canada.; Shutterstock ID 115945702; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; Project no. or GL code: 56530; Network activity no. or Cost Centre: Online-Design; Product or Project: 65050/7529/Josh Vogel/LP.com Destination Galleries

    Stanley Park

    1.33 MILES

    One of North America’s largest urban green spaces, Stanley Park is revered for its dramatic forest-and-mountain oceanfront views. But there’s more to this…

  • Sea to Sky Gondola

    Sea to Sky Gondola

    27.15 MILES

    On a warm summer’s evening, with a 7.5km ascent under your belt and a pint of craft beer on the table in front of you, there are few better places in…

  • June 29, 2011: Visitors explore the Capilano Cliff Walk through rainforest vegetation. The cantilevered and suspended walkways jut out from the granite cliff face 230 metres above the Capilano River. 510655579 Deep, Hanging, Crossing Bridge, Walking, Tourist, Plant, Granite - Rock, Cliff Walk, Crossing, Anticipation, Travel, Vancouver - Canada, Valley, Bridge, Outdoors, Vancouver, Capilano, Park, Rainforest, Vacations, Forest, Rock, Canada, Adventure, North Vancouver, Woodland, Capilano Park, Suspension Bridge, Horizontal, Scenics - Nature, Bridge - Built Structure, Hill, Cliff, Tree, Suspended Bridge, District Of North Vancouver, Rock - Object, British Columbia, Bridge Crossing, Summer, Photography, Mountain, North America, Public Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge

    Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

    4.13 MILES

    As you inch gingerly across one of the world's longest (140m) and highest (70m) pedestrian suspension bridges, swaying gently over roiling Capilano Canyon…

  • Vancouver at night architecture, british columbia, british columbia canada, buildings night, canada, city, city night, city reflection, modern, modern architecture, modern buildings, reflection, science museum, science world, vancouver, vancouver british columbia, vancouver canada, vancouver night

    Science World

    1 MILES

    Under Vancouver's favorite geodesic dome (OK, it's only one), this ever-popular science showcase has tonnes of hands-on galleries and a cool outdoor park…

  • Roedde House Museum

    Roedde House Museum

    0.6 MILES

    For a glimpse of what the West End looked like before the apartment blocks, visit this handsome 1893 Queen Anne–style mansion, now a lovingly preserved…

  • Beautiful Laburnum (Golden Chain) blossoms in the mid of May at VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver, BC Canada.

    VanDusen Botanical Garden

    3.06 MILES

    This highly popular green-thumbed oasis is a 22-hectare, 255,000-plant idyll that offers a strollable web of pathways weaving through specialized garden…

  • Police Museum exterior

    Vancouver Police Museum & Archives

    0.96 MILES

    Illuminating Vancouver's crime-and-vice-addled history, this quirky museum has had a recent makeover, uncovering the former coroner's courtroom (spot the…

  • The Arbutus Greenway is transformed from historic rail corridor to a nature walkway for people to do cycling, rolling and strolling, in Vancouver BC Canada.

    Arbutus Greenway

    1.56 MILES

    A former disused urban rail line that's being transformed by the city into a cool linear park, this 8.5km-long flora-fringed walking and cycling route is…

View more attractions

Nearby Vancouver attractions

1. Pendulum Gallery

0.06 MILES

A creative use for a cavernous bank building atrium, this gallery offers a varied roster of temporary exhibitions. It's mostly contemporary art and can…

3. Christ Church Cathedral

0.11 MILES

Completed in 1895 and designated as a cathedral in 1929, the city's most attractive Gothic-style church is nestled incongruously alongside looming glass…

4. RBC Royal Bank

0.11 MILES

This main Vancouver branch of one of Canada's biggest bank chains has a huge hidden artwork on its 2nd floor. Head up the escalator just inside the…

5. Robson Street

0.19 MILES

Locals, tourists and recent immigrants – count the number of accents you catch as you stroll here – throng the shops and restaurants of Robson St,…

6. Offsite

0.25 MILES

The Vancouver Art Gallery's outdoor installation space next to the Shangri-La Hotel, the sometimes esoteric but always thought-provoking exhibits here are…

7. Vancouver Public Library

0.3 MILES

This dramatic Colosseum-like building must be a temple to the great god of libraries. If not, it's certainly one of the world's most magnificent book…

8. Marine Building

0.33 MILES

Vancouver's most romantic old-school tower block, and also its best art-deco building, the elegant 22-story Marine Building is a tribute to the city's…