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Home » Recent posts » Channel Your Inner Geek With This Guide to the Beaty Biodiversity Museum

Channel Your Inner Geek With This Guide to the Beaty Biodiversity Museum

Guide to Beaty Biodiversity Museum in Vancouver
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Step into the Beaty Biodiversity Museum and prepare to be amazed! One jaw-dropping exhibit that left a lasting impression on us was the massive whale skeleton at the center of the museum.

But we got warned. While marveling at this colossal wonder, a friendly museum guide kindly reminded us to give our big blue friend some space. Sheepishly, we stepped back, our enthusiasm had gotten the better of us.

Are you ready to embark on your own adventure at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum? Dive into a world where every exhibit tells a captivating story, from towering skeletons to delicate butterflies!

Best Time to Go

The best time to go to the Beaty Biodiversity Museum is anytime from 10am to 5pm on the weekdays, as it tends to be less crowded. During this time, you can fully enjoy the exhibits and take your time exploring without feeling rushed.

Things to Know

Admission

If you’re planning to visit, keep in mind that the museum welcomes guests from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday through Sunday, with Mondays and public holidays as their rest days. 

  • Adults – $14
  • Seniors (ages 65+), Students (with ID) and Youth (ages 13 to 17) – $12
  • Children (ages 5 to 12) – $10
  • UBC Students and Employees – Free
  • Families – either $30 or $45 depending on the family size

Oh, and if you have little ones under 4 years old, they’re in for free! Plus, there are annual memberships available starting from $35 for adults, $25 for seniors, students, or youth, and $45 to $70 for families.

Parking

If you’re driving in, the closest parking spot is at the Health Sciences Parkade, situated at 2250 Health Sciences Mall, just one block south of the museum, across East Mall. For details on parking rates and other options, you can check out UBC Visitor Parking.

Who is the Beaty Biodiversity Museum named after?

Who is the Beaty Biodiversity Museum named after

The Beaty Biodiversity Museum in Vancouver is a hub for exploring Earth’s natural history and biodiversity. 

Important for education and conservation, it offers locals and tourists fascinating exhibits and interactive experiences, fostering environmental awareness and appreciation for the planet’s rich ecological heritage.

The Beaty Biodiversity Museum got its name from Ross and Trisha Beaty, who generously donated $8 million to help create it. 

You see, Ross had this vision of having a natural history museum right here in British Columbia, showing off all the incredible things about nature, especially since BC is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.

Their donation really made it possible for UBC to expand the Beaty Biodiversity Centre and turn it into the Beaty Biodiversity Museum. It’s actually the first museum of its kind in Canada, which is pretty cool!

Now, whether you’re part of UBC’s research community, a student, or just a curious visitor like us, you can come and explore all the amazing exhibits and collections they have here at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum. 

How long does the Beaty Biodiversity Museum take?

How long does the Beaty Biodiversity Museum take

It would take you at least an hour to explore the Beaty Biodiversity Museum. They’re open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday through Sunday. 

Oh, and don’t forget, your ticket lets you enter the Beaty Biodiversity Museum within 30 minutes after your chosen time slot.

How to Get to Beaty Biodiversity Museum

By car: 

  • If you’re coming from 4th or 10th Ave., head south on Wesbrook Mall, then take the right lane past the UBC Hospital and turn right onto Agronomy Road. After that, take a right onto East Mall and then turn right into the driveway for Health Sciences Parkade.
  • If you’re arriving from 16th Ave., keep going through the roundabout, staying on 16th, and then turn right onto East Mall. From there, just turn right into the driveway for Health Sciences Parkade.
  • And if you’re coming from SW Marine Dr., turn right onto 16th Ave., then take a left onto East Mall. Finally, turn right into the driveway for Health Sciences Parkade.

By public transit:

hop on any bus headed for UBC. These include the 4, 14, 43, 44, 84, 99, and 480. Once you arrive at the bus loops, it’s just a short stroll to reach the campus.

Where to Stay near Beaty Biodiversity Museum

Gage Suites at UBC

Address: 5959 Student Union Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1K2, Canada

Phone: +1 604-822-1000

Pricing: $$

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Gage Suites at UBC is centrally located and offers 348 spacious rooms. And get this: some even have a comfortable dining area and kitchen set up.

Staying here gives you the authentic student vibe while also providing all of the luxury amenities of a hotel. Furthermore, being located on campus makes it quite safe and handy. Finally, the UBC bus stop is only a two-minute walk away.

West Coast Suites at UBC

Address: 5961 Student Union Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 2C9, Canada

Phone: +1 604-822-1000

Pricing: $$

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Nestled amidst the stunning UBC campus on Vancouver’s picturesque west side, our collection of 47 one-bedroom suites perfectly harmonizes with the surrounding natural beauty.

Each suite boasts a fully equipped kitchen, offering utmost convenience for our guests. Positioned within UBC, this hotel is just a 20-minute drive away from downtown Vancouver, ensuring easy access to the city’s central attractions.

HI Vancouver Jericho Beach

Address: 1515 Discovery St, Vancouver, BC V6R 4K5, Canada

Phone: +1 604-224-3208

Pricing: $

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At HI Vancouver, you’re treated to endless stretches of sandy beaches right outside your window, offering breathtaking views of Jericho Beach and its surrounding parkland. Plus, it’s just a quick 9-minute drive to the UBC Garden.

The hostel has everything covered with its own café dishing out breakfast, dinner, and drinks. 

On top of that, there’s a guest kitchen, laundry facilities, sports gear and games available. And if you’re in the mood to explore, you can easily rent a bike or securely store your own.

Pacific Spirit Hostel

Address: 1935 Lower Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1X1, Canada

Phone: +1 604-822-1000

Pricing: $$

Book Now

Nestled within UBC, the Pacific Spirit Hostel provides budget travelers with convenient access to campus amenities, affordable dining options, lively pubs, and entertainment venues, as well as Vancouver’s myriad attractions.

Offering private single and double rooms, the hostel ensures a comfortable stay with shared washrooms and convenient on-site laundry facilities.

Carey Centre on UBC Campus

Address: 5920 Iona Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 1J6, Canada

Phone: +1 604-225-5920

Pricing: $$

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The Carey Centre offers all the essentials for a comfortable stay, including TV, kitchen facilities, dining area, and a living room. You can enjoy various amenities such as a game room, TV lounge, outdoor patio, and versatile event space.

Plus, there are fantastic walking paths nearby that lead to beautiful beaches, perfect for leisurely strolls and scenic exploration.

Where to Eat near Beaty Biodiversity Museum

Mercante

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Address: 6488 University Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Z4, Canada

Phone: +1 604-827-2210

Pricing: $

Website

At Mercante, the focus is on crafting personalized pizzas, salads, and pasta dishes just for you. While it might not be the most budget-friendly option, we assure you, every penny is well-spent.

During our visit, we indulged in the banana chocolate loaf and the Italian sausage pizza – both absolute winners! The loaf had a wonderfully fresh taste, as if it had been baked that very day.

Pizza Garden

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Address: 5780 University Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1K6, Canada

Phone: +1 604-428-5220

Pricing: $$

Website

Pizza Garden is all about crafting artisan pizzas with a Neapolitan touch, baking them in an authentic stone oven. Our favorite choices are the Calabria and Primo pizzas.

The crust strikes the perfect balance with a crispy exterior and a delightfully doughy interior. And let’s not overlook the garlic ranch dipping sauce.

The Corner Kitchen UBC

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Address: 115-5743 Dalhousie Rd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1W4, Canada

Phone: +1 604-428-5045

Pricing: $$

Website

At this Korean eatery, you’ll find all the beloved classics, ranging from tteokbokki and inari to bulgogi, kimbap, and an array of rice bowls. Portions here are quite generous, ensuring satisfaction with every meal.

Our top recommendation is the Jjajang Beef Udon. The sauce is bursting with flavor, and the pickled daikon served on the side is absolutely delicious.

The Point

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Address: 2205 Lower Mall MD Building 6, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada

Phone: +1 604-822-9503

Pricing: $$

Website

If you’re craving classic comfort foods like chicken, burgers, and waffles, look no further than The Point.

Among the crowd pleasers are the Wreck Beach Burger, Chicken Katsu, chicken wings, and their beer-battered fish and chips. 

And for added entertainment, they offer board games inside for those looking to have some fun along with their meal.

Wildlight Kitchen + Bar

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Address: 5380 University Blvd #107, Vancouver, BC V6T 0C9, Canada

Phone: +1 604-915-0722

Pricing: $$

Website

Wildlight Kitchen + Bar exudes a classy-casual atmosphere, with a decor that effortlessly blends laid-back elegance. We recently sampled their Steak and frites, Chowder, and flatbread, and they all hit the mark!

What to Do in Beaty Biodiversity Museum

Explore our Relationship with Nature at the Vanishing 

Media credit: beatymuseum

Address: 2212 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada

Phone: +1 604-827-4955

Website

Vanishing delves into our connection with the natural world, touching on topics like extinction, impermanence, and loss. 

The exhibit reflects on the significance of museum specimen collections through the lens of the Anthropocene era. 

This body of work stems from Christine Fitzgerald’s artist residencies at the Canadian Museum of Nature and the Natural History Museum in England in 2023.

Browse through the Natural History Collections

Media credit: beatymuseum

Address: 2212 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada

Phone: +1 604-827-4955

Website

The Beaty Biodiversity Museum houses an extensive array of over 500 natural history exhibits, featuring a range of fossils, shells, insects, fungi, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and plants sourced from both BC and various global locations.

These specimens are meticulously organized into six distinct collections, each serving as a focal point within the museum. 

Originating from different collectors, some dating back to the 1910s, these collections form the cornerstone of the Beaty Biodiversity Museum’s offerings.

Check out the Big Whale Skeleton

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Address: 2212 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada

Phone: +1 604-827-4955

Website

It’s quite hard to miss this big whale skeleton in the atrium of the Beaty Biodiversity Museum. In fact, it’s one of one of few places in the world where you can get close to the largest creature that has ever lived on Earth!

However, getting it here wasn’t easy. It was transported all the way from the coast of Prince Edward Island to the UBC campus, spanning a distance of 6000 km!

When you visit the museum, you can catch a documentary detailing the endeavor of raising Big Blue. Be sure to check their daily schedule for the latest screening times.

Learn about Dinosaur Trackways

Media credit: beatymuseum

Address: 2212 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada

Phone: +1 604-827-4955

Website

This captivating exhibit lets you in on the nation’s fossil legacy where you can experience the thrill of hands-on exploration with three remarkable dinosaur trackway casts from BC!

Here, you’ll discover the intricacies of dinosaur trackways – how they’re formed and the invaluable insights they provide about the ancient creatures that once roamed the Earth.

Discover the Earth’s Timeline

Media credit: beatymuseum

Address: 2212 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada

Phone: +1 604-827-4955

Website

This timeline exhibit takes you on a journey back 4.54 billion years through history, with a special focus on the last 500 million years.

As you walk along the timeline, each step guides you 100 million years further into the past, offering a mesmerizing glimpse into the evolution of our planet. 

Keep an eye out for the many organisms featured in the museum, as a significant number of them emerged during this crucial period spanning the last 500 million years. 

It’s a fascinating journey through time that showcases the remarkable diversity and complexity of life on Earth.

Apps to Download for a Trip to Beaty Biodiversity Museum

Transit: Get live updates on Vancouver buses and trains, including service alerts, bus capacity predictions, and real-time vehicle locations

iOs | Android

Street Food Vancouver App: Locate nearby food trucks on a map and check their operating hours.

iOs | Android

Paybyphone: app for cashless parking in Vancouver that enables payment and registration.

iOs | Android

Vancouver Trees: a mobile app that describes commonly cultivated trees in the Metro Vancouver area. 

iOs | Android


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