The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre is open daily. On Saturday evenings there are viewing of differenct Planetarium production, micro-lecture plus you can always visit to the observatory.

History of the Space Centre

The H.R. MacMillan Planetarium opened for business on October 28, 1968, it was a gift from lumber tycoon H.R. MacMillan to the residents of Vancouver. Space exploration during the 1960s was starting and intrigued H.R. MacMillan who wanted to provide a centre for the people of his day and future generations to learn about space.

At opening the H.R MacMillan centre just had the Planetarium Theatre and they added the exhibit gallery and new theatre in 1997. The Space Centre transformed over the year into the resource for the community as it is known today to provide learning about space for everyone.

The unique look of the H.R MacMillan Space Centre was designed by architect Gerald Hamilton, and it is today one of most original and recognized buildings in Vancouver. The roof of the building may look like a space craft, but is was really made to look at the hats that the native people of that region wore (Haida people). When it opened in 1968, the H.R MacMillan Space Centre has shared the building with the Museum of Vancouver.

Name Changes Over The Years
1968 H.R. MacMillan Planetarium
1997 Pacific Space Centre
2000 H.R. MacMillan Space Centre

Address: 1100 Chestnut Street
Vancouver, BC
V6J 3J9

The Vancouver Aquarium promotes conservation of aquatic life through education, research, display ,interpretation,and direct action. The Aquarium is home to over 70,000 amazing animals.

Each year 80,000 kids from school are educated about aquatic life through the Vancouver Aquarium school programs. Since 1956 there have been more than 35,000,000 people have visited the Aquarium both tourist and locals and the Aquarium’s 20,000 member-households represent a total of 55,000 people who support the Aquarium.

The Vancouver Aquarium is open to visitors from around the world 365 days a year and can be easily found because it is located in Stanley Park, Vancouver’s most popular park.

Admissions, programs, groups, membership, retail operations, and food services is where most of the operating revenue comes from but the Aquarium’s also accepts charitable contributions, donations and restricted grants to fund its operation. The Aquarium formed the Vancouver Aquarium Conservation Foundation in 1997 to manage endowment funds to support the Aquarium’s education, marine science, animal care and conservation programs for years to come.

Make sure to visit Vancouver Aquarium during your stay in Vancouver if you love ocean wildlife and also consider making a donation while you are there.