Falls Park, Sioux Falls South Dakota

November 12, 2012 By

Sioux Falls, South Dakota hosts a wide number of free and budget-friendly family attractions, with Falls Park as the crown jewel. Located adjacent to the downtown area, Falls Park features the city’s stunning namesake…the Big Sioux River’s Sioux Falls.

Sioux Falls Falls Park

Visitors to the park can walk the many paths to points of interest around the falls, and enjoy the falls themselves, which cascade over geologically-fascinating beds of the rose quartz South Dakota is well known for. If you come during the day, you’ll want to dedicate about an hour to the park, with time to climb the five-story tower overlook and walk the paths over to the remains of the Queen Bee mill and Millrace and Dam, both rich in Sioux Falls frontier history.

Better yet, during the summer months, visits the falls in the evening, arriving before dusk and remaining to see the nightly Wells Fargo Laser and Light Show. With performances starting at 9:30 pm every evening, the show gives a fun (and quite in-depth) historical overview of Sioux Falls, starting from early Native American history and carrying on through the region’s Lewis and Clark Expedition history and pioneering history, all the way to present. The show utilizes laser lights and audio narrative to tell its story, and last about 45 minutes. It’s entertaining to even young kids and will educate everyone in your group. Best of all, the Wells Fargo Laser and Light Show is free.

Sioux Falls SD

Date last visited:

August 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Easily accessible from both I-90 and I-29.

Admission:

Free

Dining Options:

There are picnic grounds on-site, and a souvenir shop with snacks.

Directions:

Falls Park is located near I-90 at North Phillips Avenue and Falls Park Drive. Alternatively, the Sioux Falls downtown trolley makes a stop at Falls Park.

Sertoma Butterfly House and Purdy Marine Cove

November 1, 2012 By

If you’re visiting Sioux Falls, South Dakota for a few days, or just passing through on I-90, the Sertoma Butterfly House and Purty Marine Cove offer a high-quality and educational stop that won’t break the bank. One of many quality free or cheap attractions for families in Sioux Falls!

Housed on Sioux Falls innovative Outdoor Campus, where local families and visitors can stop in to take other outdoor recreation classes as well as explore the walking trails and playgrounds, the butterfly house take about an hour to explore, and includes an extensive collection of sea animals and corals in addition to butterflies.

butterfly house

Families can choose to start with either exhibit, and can easily split up as interests dictate; the space is small enough to be very family-friendly. In Purty Marine Cove, I expected the shark and sting ray touch tank to draw the biggest crowds, but while popular, it was Purty’s live coral that stole the show. As I told a traveling companion, until you see the ‘real’ thing, you don’t realize just how beautiful bright, live coral can be. The coral makes for a beautiful backdrop to the 2,500 gallon saltwater and freshwater aquariums.

living coral at Sertoma

In the butterfly house, visitors can view over 800 free-flying butterflies from around the world, including Central and South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Kids can watch them form their chrysalises from behind protective glass, and watch the mature butterflies eat at any of the many fruit stations. A nice perk for locals and all-season travelers: the butterfly house always remains at a tropical temperature, making it one of the best hideouts during a South Dakota winter.

Date last visted:

August 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Minutes from I-90.

Admission prices:

Child (3-4): $3.00, Youth (5-12): $5.50, Adult (13-59): $8.50

Hours of operation:

Mon-Sat from 10am to 6 pm, Sun from 1 pm to 5 pm in summer, Mon-Sat from 10 am to 4 pm and Sun from 1 pm to 4 pm in winter.

Food services:

None, though there is a gift shop with candy. The Outdoor Campus has many picnic areas…bring a lunch!

Directions:

The Outdoor Campus is located at 4500 S. Oxbow, with the butterfly house adjacent. Sertoma Butterfly Garden adjacent at 4320 S. Oxbow.

Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History

October 29, 2012 By

A perfect half-day pit stop off I-90 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the Great Plains Zoo is manageably sized, but more importantly, carefully managed to be a high quality zoo experience in the heart of the midwest. Plus, Great Plains Zoo has a Kidscore of 66. (Learn more about Kidscore.)

Great Plains zoo

Great Plains Zoo is so open and accessible, it feels like a park that just so happens to house an impressive collection of animals, and its elevated viewing spaces and interactive exhibits allow even the youngest kids see the animal residents in an up-close and personal way. While walking from exhibit to exhibit, we interacted with geese and ducks, and found many shaded places to take a break, play on a kid-friendly sculpture, or just sit in the grass.

The zoo is in the midst of a multi-year improvement plan, during which it’s bringing in rare animal ‘families’, such as the Rare Rhinos of Africa and tiger cubs in the Asian Cat Exhibit. In the newly restored children’s zoo (now the Hy-Vee Face to Face Farm), kids can pet and feed farm animals and even ride a camel.

rhino sanctuary great plains zoo

I wished I had been at the Great Plains Zoo in time to see the opening of their Monkeys, Magic, and More, slated to open in 2013. Construction is now underway, along with construction of a new zoo entrance and seasonal flamingo interaction.

Included in zoo admission (and not to be overlooked) is the Delbridge Museum of Natural History. I suggest viewing this indoor section of the zoo first, as its 150 mounts, including 36 endangered or ‘vanishing’ species, educates kids on animal conservation. All the mounts in the display are acquired from late Sioux Falls’ resident Henry Blockhouse, who hunted the animals legally in the 1940s-60s and used to house part of his collection in his downtown hardware store. The museum does a good job of providing interactive signage and interpretive displays to keep kids engaged before they continue outside to see the live animals.

Great Plains Zoo

Date last visited:

August 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Just minutes off I-90 or I-29.

Admission prices:

The Great Plains Zoo is very affordable at $7.50 for adults and $4.50 for kids 3-12 (under 3 is free!).

Hours of operation:

April-September 9 am to 6 pm. October-March 10 am to 4 pm.

Food services:

The zoo does offer a full cafe in the heart of the property, as well as a snack station in the children’s zoo area. Outside food seems to be allowed, based on my observations, though the website does not list a ruling specifically.

Directions:

The zoo is located at 805 S. Kiwanis Avenue, Sioux Falls.

Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

September 13, 2012 By

At first glance in a guidebook or two, I didn’t think the Butchart Gardens had much to offer a family with three active kids. I was wrong: the two hours we spent there waiting for a recent ferry crossing from Sidney BC to Washington’s San Juan Islands was both relaxing for us and interesting to our school-aged boys.

butchart gardens

Located in Brentwood Bay, just minutes from the busy ferry terminal in Sidney and a short drive from Victoria, BC, the gardens were originally created to beautify area rock quarries, and the result is quite the incredible feat. The gardens are divided into several sections, including (but not limited to) a traditional rose garden, a peaceful Japanese tea garden, an Italian garden, and a sunken garden in the rock quarry, with viewing outlook. For kids in particular there is a carrousel, as well as several ice cream stands and snack shops. Boat rides are available, and if you look carefully while touring the bottom of the Japanese garden, you’ll find a viewing hole through a hedge with a great (secret) view of the harbor.

butchart gardens

I’m not sure Butchart Gardens would have entertained my kids longer than a few hours, but as a way to spend the afternoon waiting for a ferry departure, it was very pleasant. It’s not a cheap pit stop, so if you don’t need to be all the way up in Brentwood Bay, I’d opt for the more traditionally kid-friendly Pacific Undersea Gardens in Victoria.

butchart gardens

Date last visited:

July 2012

Hours of operation:

Generally 9 am to 9 pm in summer (although many summer events allow for later closings) and 9 am to 4 pm in winter. The gardens come alive at Christmas time, and have later hours during the season.

Admission:

Summer admission is $29 for adults, $14 for youth (13-17), and only $3 for children (12 and under) plus 12 percent sales tax. Winter admission is significantly less (except Christmas).

Dining options:

Many! The grounds have snack stands as well as three restaurants, from a coffee shop to elegant dining. Picnic grounds are also available in the parking area (on a grassy strip).

Directions:

The gardens are located at 800 Benvenuto Avenue in Brentwood Bay. They’re easy to get to from either Victoria or elsewhere on Vancouver Island. See full directions from each city.

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Where to find tide pools in Tofino, Vancouver Island, BC

August 31, 2012 By

Every tide pool we saw in Tofino, BC on Vancouver Island’s west coast was more amazing than the last. After a while, we stopped exclaiming about it and learned to expect to be stunned by the intertidal beauty of this area. Where to find the best tide pools in Tofino? Below are our top picks:

Tofino tide pool

1. MacKenzie Beach: Just a few miles south of Tofino, MacKenzie Beach stretches widely in low tide, allowing visitors to explore not only the rocky coastline at the south end, but several small islands that are not accessible in high tide. Start down near Ocean Village turn left for the rocky outcroppings. While we visited this beach, Calvin decided to try to count 100 sea stars: he stopped at over 300! In addition, you’ll find sea anemomes and lots of crabs and small fish. Most amazing (to us) were the abundance of ghost shrimp just under the sand in low tide. You can identify their burrows by the tiny ‘volcano’ shaped holes in the wet sand. If you dig, you’ll uncover one, but be warned: they’re squirmy, big, and a bit scary!

sea stars in Tofino BC

2. Chesterman Beach: Even more impressive than MacKenzie Beach, Chesterman Beach is larger, wilder, and features an amazing fissure in the rock where families can walk through in low tide. In the center of the Chesterman Beach is a private island; it’s permissible to walk to it and on it, but respect the private property signs on each end. We found it fun to reach this island, but the best tide pools are on the south side of the main beach, where the rocks reveal massive sea anemones and other intertidal wildlife. (At this beach, Calvin’s sea star count rose to over 600!) Go through the rock fissure and climb over the larger rocks with muscles and barnacles, and check in the large pools for crabs and hermit crabs. We even found a rare sunflower sea star, known as the biggest predator of the intertidal pool area. The colors and size of the tidal pool inhabitants on Chesterman are truly jaw-dropping. If you only visit one tidal pool area in Tofino, make it this one!

Chesterman beach

BC tide pools

3. Lismer Beach: Lismer Beach is located next to more well-known Wickaninnish Beach (famous for its surfing and sand dunes), and is accessible by South Beach Trail (1.5 km round trip). Kids will love the chorus of ‘music’ the many pebbles on the beach make in the rolling surf, but caution should be exerted: only attempt the tide pools along the bluffs at extreme low tide. The trailhead is located near Pacific Rim National Park Reserve’s visitor’s center (a must-do): at the center, turn south.

sunflower star

Note: be sure to plan your visits to tide pools during low tide. Tidal information is available in the local paper, at every visitor center in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, and from any local.

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What to do in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve with kids

August 27, 2012 By

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on Vancouver Island’s scenic west coast is a must-do for families visiting Vancouver Island. The park is divided in to three sections: Long Beach, Broken Island Group, and West Coast Trail. The Broken Island Group is off-shore, and accessible only by guided kayak tour if you’re inexperienced (and best for older children of at least 12 years old), and the West Coast Trail is a multi-day backpacking experience, but Long Beach provides less ambitious families with lots to do.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

1. Pacific Rim National Park’s K’isitis Visitor Centre: This interpretive center is exceptionally well done, and is located just a few miles into the park at Wickaninnish Beach. With displays on the area’s First Nations history, including whaling traditions, and nature information on the park’s local intertidal and ocean inhabitants, this is a great first stop before exploring the rest of the park on your own. Information about the park’s nature and hiking trails are also found here, as well as a nice First Nations gift shop and cafe (open seasonally). Wickaninnish Beach is steps away, where families can picnic and kids can watch the surfers and build forts out of driftwood.

2. Willowbrae Trail: Willowbrae is a good hike for young children that leads through old growth forest to (another) spectacular beach. Located south of the visitor center on Highway 4 toward the town of Ucluelet, you’ll find the Willowbrae trailhead up a dirt drive off the right-hand side of the road. Park adjacent to campground parking, and head down the 2.8 km round trip trail. It’s only slightly steep (both up and down) but there are steep steps at the end, when you’re descending to the beach. The beach itself has moderate surf, but the draw here is the abundance of driftwood to play on, climb, and create with.

Pacific Rim National Park reserve

3. Rainforest Trail: Families actually get two for the price of one on this interpretive trail of two loops, each with different signage teaching kids about the temperate rain forest. Loop A explains forest life cycles and Loop B emphasizes forest inhabitants such as the salmon who spawn here.

4. Meares Island: This First Nations maintained island right off the coast of Tofino sports a cedar-plank boardwalk winding its way through the tangled forest, leading families to some of the oldest cedar trees in the area (800-1600 years old). To access the island, it’s necessary to hire a boat ride to Meares with Remote Passages or other Tofino water taxi operations.

What to skip: While all of Pacific Rim is beautiful, the trail to 3rd Beach is slightly less scenic than others, and locals let me know that visitors frequently get lost on Radar Hill. (More information on Pacific Rim National Park hiking trails.)

Tip: Be sure to purchase a park pass when entering the park. It will be good for 24 hours (3 day passes are also available), but less advertised is the option of a 4-hour pass. If you think you’ll only be passing through the park with one or two stops, this might be for you!

Hiking in Tofino BC: Visiting Meares Island with Remote Passages

August 22, 2012 By

For families looking for a budget-friendly Tofino excursion or are simply low on time, Remote Passages offers a 1.5 hour round-trip Vancouver Island hiking adventure of Big Tree Trail on nearby Meares Island.

Remote Passages

Hiking in Tofino:

Located just a few fun Zodiac boat turns from the Remote Passages boat dock, Meares Island is uninhabited and protected by a local First Nations land conservation agency. Remote Passages (and several other local outfits, including Tofino Water Taxi) will drop passengers off at the start of a 400 meter (approximately 1/4 mile) boardwalk, which families follow self-guided as it winds deep into the temperate rain forest.

remote passages

The boardwalk is old in some places (originally built in the ’80s and quite weather-beaten), new in others (you can smell the fresh cedar), so kids shouldn’t run. We saw one visitor put his foot straight through a rotted plank. We met several of the First Nations Meares Island protectors while we hiked; they were working on upgrades to the boardwalk, and were very eager to tell us about their work preserving this island. The way can be slippery at times, unstable in others, and always majestically beautiful. For young kids, it truly feels like an adventure, and older kids will enjoy the constant challenge of the walk.

As you go, you’re looking for several points of interest. Near the start of the boardwalk stands a 900-year-old red cedar, and farther along, a small creek crossing leads to a set of stairs and a small lookout over a narrow bay. Look for kayakers coming in to hike the island here. A little farther on, you arrive at the end of the trail, which features the oldest cedar: 1600 years old. It’s called the Hanging Garden, and it’s easy to see why: trees are shooting out of this tree, and dropping from nearly all branches are ferns and other beautiful hanging plants. The sunlight filters through, and it’s truly a awe-inspiring sight.

hanging garden tree

Remote Passages gives visitors 1.5 hours to tour the island, which may be a bit long, since the boardwalk really only takes 45 minutes to tour, and visitors are asked not to explore off the walk (in order to preserve vegetation). Our kids enjoyed navigating part of the boardwalk a second time while we waited, or you could find a spot in the sun (or under the canopy of trees out of the rain, as they case may be) by the docking area.

meares island

Tip: Be sure to pack all trash out, and don’t allow children to climb on the trunks of the trees; they’re working hard to protect them. Bring rain gear or light jackets, but this is a great activity for when the weather is rainy; the canopy will shield you! The boat ride to and from is only 5 minutes, but will be a thrill for young kids if they haven’t experienced the small and fast Zodiac boat yet.

Date last visited:

July 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Right off Highway 4 in Tofino.

Rates:

The Meares Island transfer is a quite affordable way to have a fun boat ride and great hike you can’t access otherwise. At the time of my visit, rates were $20 per person for the drop-off/pick-up for kids and adults. If you’re more ambitious, Remote Passages offers a half-day kayaking tour that includes a guided walk through Meares Island. Kids don’t have to be strong paddlers, but should be old enough to spend the whole morning or afternoon on the water.

Directions:

Find Remote Passages at the bottom of Wharf Street at Meares Landing, right in the heart of Tofino.

As I disclose whenever applicable, my family and I experienced Meares Island at no charge, for the purpose of review. While I appreciate this opportunity to pass on information to my readers, it came with no expectation of a positive review.

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Tofino whale watching with Remote Passages

August 20, 2012 By

I’d heard the West Coast of Vancouver Island called the Galapagos of the Northwest, and never is that more apparent than while on the water, whether families are exploring tide pools, kayaking, or in this case, on the open ocean on a Remote Passages whale watch in Tofino BC.

tofino whale watch

Tofino whale watching:

Our Tofino whale watch with Remote Passages just may have been the crown jewel on the treasure that was our Vancouver Island trip. Over 2 1/2 hours long, they call it a Whale Watch Plus, and once you’ve experienced it, it’s obvious why: not only did we enjoy a gray and humpback whale watch, but also observed seals, sea lions, sea otters, puffins, sea stars, bald eagles, and jellyfish (and I’m probably forgetting something). We were there in time to ‘meet’ Tofino’s resident whales, but in migratory seasons, they’re even more abundant (and can include orcas). Note: all photos in this post are actual documentation of wildlife viewed, taken by me.

remote passages

In addition to the abundance of wildlife viewed, what set our Remote Passages whale watch apart from any we’d experienced before is their Zodiac boat transportation and their guide expertise. Zodiacs seat only 12-14 passengers, and are open-air (a closed cabin one is available as well), allowing for unobstructed 360 degree views of the bay, harbor, and open sea. Unlike larger whale watch vessels, in which one side of the boat sees a spout and the other misses out (or runs scrambling to see), on a Zodiac, you’re literally right on the water, able to see everything. (This makes it ideal for young kids.)

remote passages

Our experience started at 8:30 am for our 9 am whale watch, during which we were shown an orientation video that described the wildlife and ecosystem of the Tofino area and the Clayoquot Sound. We then donned full expedition jump suits for our journey. These are a full jacket and pant combo, so guests don’t really need to worry about what to wear on their whale watch. Just make sure you’re in sturdy shoes and have a light sweatshirt or long-sleeved shirt on under. The adult version has a built-in life jacket, and the kids’ version is a two-part ensemble: pants and jacket, with a regular life jacket on over. Remote Passages also offers fleece gloves and knit hats if desired.

remote passages

humpback whale

Our captain and guide, Tyson, guided us onto the Zodiac, where we all had a perfect view of the ocean and surrounding (breathtaking) landscape. We cruised first in-between the small islands dotted around the sound, where Tyson stopped to show us the huge kelp beds whales like to feed on. Almost immediately, we saw the spout of a gray whale. Since whales typically spout and rise above the water 3-4 times before diving deep, we stayed close to view it for about 15 minutes, cutting off the engine and floating peacefully as we watched the whale rise and fall beautifully. I can’t tell you how wonderful it was for Toby, age 7, to be able to see the whale so easily; he’s usually scrambling for a better view for things like this, since he’s the shortest person in most groups. There was no stress to see, no rush to get anywhere, and we all just oohed and awed as Tyson told us more about these amazing animals. (Fun fact: many of the same whales return to Tofino year after year, and up to 200 stay here all season while their counterparts migrate farther north. Remote Passages guides can identify individual whales by the pattern of their barnacles on their backs. The kids had fun learning their names…yes, they name them!)

seals viewed with Remote Passages

remote passages whale watch

After a time, we left our friendly gray whale to explore more of the outer islands, where we could float right up near the rocky shore to spot jellies, sea stars, and an whole colony of seals. We watched their heads pop out of the water mere feet from us, and observed a dispute between two males on the rocks. Farther on, we sat still to photograph a set of four puffins floating on the sea, and caught a rare glimpse of a sea otter.

puffins on the water in Tofino

sea lion in Tofino

We headed out to open ocean in search of humpback whales, and were rewarded with four, two of which were a mother and calf. Tyson explained that ‘humpies’ were more likely to ‘fluke’ (show their tales as they dive deep), which we saw several times. We hung out with them for a time before needing to head back to the dock.

zodiac boat whale watch

We had fine weather, but should you not, the small size of the Zodiac still allows for good viewing, though the water may be choppier. The suits keep you very warm, even in the wind while the boat is moving fast (though you’ll definitely want the gloves in cold weather). Once you return to the dock, hot peppermint tea awaits you.

Tips: You’ll want everyone in your party to be wearing sunscreen on their faces, and sunglasses are helpful. No matter the weather, the glare from the water is significant. Hats may fly off; I suggest using their knit caps that stay on better. The water was smooth they day of our visit, but if it’s choppy, captains carry seasickness remedies. We told ours that Calvin was prone, and he checked on him several times to make sure he wasn’t uncomfortable. (He was fine.)

Distance from the interstate:

Remote Passages is right off Highway 4 in Tofino.

Date last visited:

July 2012

Rates and reservations:

A whale watch is not cheap, so may need to be budgeted for. If you can only experience one Tofino-area excursion, my kids were split between a kayak tour of the intertidal zone or a whale watch. Both are offered by Remote Passages. For the most wildlife viewed, however, a whale watch can’t be beat. Rates are $69 for kids, and $89 for adults at the time of our visit.

Other excursions offered:

If a whale watch is not in your budget, or if you have very young kids who may not be up for 2 1/2 hours on the water, a great option is Remote Passages Meares Island drop-off. Only $20 per person, families enjoy at short (5 minute) Zodiac ride to take the self-guided Meares Island boardwalk rain forest trail. Alternatively, Remote Passages’ Coastal Bear Watch (also 2 1/2 hours) hugs the coastline of nearby islands to spot bears, and also other intertidal zone wildlife and eagles, seals, and shore birds. Their Hot Springs Explorer takes visitors all the way to to a natural hot springs in the ancient rain forest, but as this tour is 7 hours long, it’s best saved for older children and adults.

Directions:

Remote Passages is located at the bottom of Wharf Street, off Main. It’s easy to find!

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Kayaking the Vancouver Island west coast with Majestic Ocean Kayaking

August 17, 2012 By

Families don’t have to venture far into the Pacific or spend a whole day (and a whole lotta cash) seeing nature up close on a Vancouver Island west coast kayaking tour. When we joined Majestic Ocean Kayaking on their half-day harbor tour, we hadn’t even pushed off from the boat dock before Calvin spotted a massive sea star glowing purple and pink under the shallow water. “What, that little thing?” our guide, Jeremy, joked, and soon we saw why: intertidal nature was all around us, including dozens more sea stars of even more impressive size.

Majestic Ocean Kayaking

Once we’d set forth into Ucluelet B.C.‘s scenic harbor, Jeremy pointed out a harbor seal and a bald eagle within minutes (it may have been within seconds…my mind was too busy spinning to be sure). Throughout our next 2 1/2 hours on the water, we saw numerous other marine animals and birds, and learned much about the intertidal zone area. We paddled up close to the shore of several tiny islands, explored the muscles and clams clinging to the surface of pier pilings, and gaped at more than one shipwrecked vessel (lying abandoned in the low tide).

Majestic Ocean Kayaking

The half-day harbor tour was the perfect length for our kids, and even though the day was chilly, we stayed dry and warm in our neoprene kayaking skirts, booties, and shirts (all supplied by Majestic along with PFDs). We stopped once for a snack and water break, and Jeremy kept the kids interested throughout with conversational tidbits. We paused to check out a huge eagle’s nest, play with another harbor seal, and learn about local points of interest.

If your family is ready for something more daring, Majestic also offers full day tours of the Broken Group Islands, which is recommended for kids 12 and older (but which Jeremy assured me even Toby, age 7, could do if we so desired). I’m tempted to agree (it’s definitely on our list for next visit) but without having experienced the full-day option, I’m not sure my school-aged kids were quite ready for a full day on the open ocean. The benefit of the harbor tour is that the water is protected (no waves!) and you’re always close to shore.

majestic ocean kayaking in Ucluelet

Date last visited:

July 2012

Distance from the interstate:

About 10 minutes from BC 4 (the premiere east-west highway on Vancouver Island.

Rates:

At the time of our visit, Majestic’s harbor tour was $67 Canadian per person, which I’ve found to be right on par with similar rafting and kayaking experiences of the same length and difficulty. Their full-day options start at $145 per person, and they do offer multi-day expeditions as well.

Directions:

Majestic is located at 1167 Helen St., which is at the end of Marine Road (and at the end of the peninsula) in Ucluelet. If you’re in the ocean, you’ve gone too far. If you’re staying in Ucluelet, you’re only minutes away, no matter where you are. If you’re staying in Tofino, plan on a 30 minute drive.

As I disclose whenever applicable, my family and I experienced Majestic’s harbor tour at no expense. This compensation came with no expectation of a positive review (but does enable me to keep my readers informed of great outdoor travel opportunities such as this one).

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University of British Columbia’s Museum of Anthropology

August 11, 2012 By

Vancouver’s Museum of Anthropology is the perfect first stop for visiting families (and a great option during rainy weather, too). Much more comprehensive than we thought it would be, the Museum of Anthropology, or MOA, features not only an impressive main gallery of First Nations totem pole carvings, but also room after room of artifacts of native peoples (both of Western Canada and elsewhere). You come away with greater respect and understanding of the first people to live on this land.

museum of anthropology

MOV focuses on ancient artifacts and cultures, but throughout the exhibits, it’s evident that pains are taken to bridge the displays with the modern-day people whose stories they tell. While a tour through the totem poles is a must see, most fascinating to us was the first-hand accounts written by the ancestors of those first inhabitants, many of whom donated various artifacts to the museum.

The Great Hall is the first thing kids will see, and features totem poles, house posts, and carved figures (most from the mid-19th century) from several Northwest Coast nations. These artifacts become meaningful as kids read about the reasoning behind various carvings, and learn the different uses for totems and the stories told through the carvings.

MOA

An outside exhibit includes two Haida houses and several more totems. Visitors can walk around them on their own, but you get twice the meaning out of the experience if you tag along with one of the guided walks, which will take you inside the houses and teach about village life, the different types of totems, and the purposes of the two dwellings. The guided talks are only about 30 minutes, and squirmy kids can always exit.

Date last visited:

July 2012

Distance from the interstate:

15 minutes from BC-99.

Hours of operation:

10 am to 5 pm daily during summer months. Winter hours vary by day.

Admission:

Adults: $16.75 Kids: $14.50 Age 6 and under: free. The museum does offer a family rate of $44 for a family of two adults and up to four kids.

Dining options:

There’s a museum cafe, but no outside food or drink. It would be possible to eat around the grounds near the parking area.

Directions:

From downtown Vancouver, the museum is 20 minutes by car. Located on the University of Vancouver campus at 6393 NW Marine Drive, it’s accessible from BC-99 to 4th to Marine. There is a parking charge (only parking is in an adjacent garage), so come prepared. Our charge was $6 for 2 hours.

We experienced the Museum of Anthropology as guests of Tourism Vancouver. While we appreciate this chance to review quality attractions for our readers, it came with no expectation of a positive review.

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