Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Downtown Vancouver

"The Vancouver Art Gallery is the fifth largest art gallery in all of Canada. The VAG has rotating exhibitions, along with its permanent collection that boasts over 9,100 items. Art junkies will be impressed by the 200 major works by the Group of Seven, Emily Carr and Mark Chagall, which are all housed in the VAG."

"Located in Vancouver’s former main courthouse, the Vancouver Art Gallery is the largest art museum in Western Canada. Francis Rattenbury designed the neoclassical building in 1905, and it features marble imported from Vermont, Tennessee, and Alaska. In 1980, it became a Canadian National Historic Site."

"Vancouver's best museum is studded with spectacular First Nations totem poles and breathtaking carvings – but it's also teeming with artifacts from cultures around the world, from Polynesian instruments to Cantonese opera costumes. Take one of the free daily tours (check ahead for times) for some context, but give yourself at least a couple of hours to explore on your own. It's easy to immerse yourself here. "

"Museum of Anthropology at UBC: An informative museum highlighting The First Nations of Canada. Kitsilano Beach: An excellent place to relax with scenic views of Vancouver. You can also swim here when the weather is warm."

"Housed in the historic Wing Sang building (51 East Pender Street), which is Chinatown’s oldest building (1889), the Rennie Museum is a private collection owned by real estate mogul Bob Rennie. Local and international artists are showcased in the gallery and free tours are available to the public. Continue to 9 of 10 below."

"A private museum that you have to book to get into, but definitely worth the minimal effort required. Make a story out of the exhibition, and take a main page post on the roof, it’s a win-win scenario. Definitely one of the coolest buildings you can check out in Vancouver."

"Make sure to stop off for a drink at Keefer Bar and Fortune Sound Club and check out Rennie Collection at Wing Sang (which offers free entry). You can also visit some of the firm-favourites such as; Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and the Millennium Gate."

"A post shared by Chimgee Anderson (@chimgeeanderson) on Oct 28, 2017 at 2:48pm PDT. LeSoleil Gallery offers fine art collections including original paintings and sculptures by French Impressionists such as Pablo Picasso, Pierre Auguste Renoir and Vincent van Gogh. The gallery also displays the artwork of established modern artists such as Johanan Herson, Elena Yampolsky and Shai Mandel."

"Posing with lovely new friends at Elan Fine Art in front of Landon Mackenzie’s “Mirror Square” painting. A post shared by ELAN FINE ART (@elanfineart) on Nov 27, 2017 at 1:14pm PST. Elan Fine Art displays historical and contemporary art of quality for art enthusiasts living across Metro Vancouver."

"2342 Granville Street Vancouver, BC V6H 3G3 604 738 1077WEBSITE | MAP. The gallery showcases and promotes established and emerging Canadian talents"

"This super cozy bar in Kits is a great place to grab a casual or have a bite to eat. The small space always has a great atmosphere making the Corduroy a top spot to head for a relaxed dining experience. Address: 1943 Cornwall Avenue, VancouverPhone: 604-733-0162"

"A post shared by seiji (@seiji2002) on Sep 11, 2016 at 8:34pm PDT. A true escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, Black + Blue’s rooftop not only offers a great selection of food and drinks but also a great atmosphere with ample opportunity for people watching. Address: 1032 Alberni Street, VancouverPhone: 604-637-0777"

"Open rain or shine, year-round, The Roof at Black+Blue deserves praise for its decor. Ample seating, LED block chairs, and fireplaces fill up the space to create a cozy and intimate vibe. Happy hour runs daily from 2:30pm – 6:00pm."

"Known for their cheesecake, this 18-year old Kitsilano bakery uses real ingredients (no artificial stabilizers, colours or flavours) that are sourced locally when possible. Sweet Obsession is essentially zero waste with an on-site composter. Customization of cakes, which range from 10” to 16”, is quite simple (extra fruit, different masking), but a personalized message can be added at no charge."

"Seriously, we cannot be expected to pick just one–not when the selections include Hedgehog (hazelnut and chocolate with Frangelico), Chocolate Obsession (chocolate truffle), Carrot cake with roasted hazelnuts, or Roasted Coconut Chiffon…just to name a few. Address: 2611 West 16th Avenue, Vancouver. Instagram: @trafalgars_sweetobsession"

"Venturing out to the west side of Vancouver, this almond croissant was the cheapest non-Starbucks variant, but it came at a price. Rise was probably the best point of this croissant with just a few gaps in layering. Look closely though, and notice the lack of almond paste either on top or within the croissant."

"Everyone talks about the double bake from Thomas Haas, but what if I told you there was a cheaper double bake option, and at least in a case-by-case comparison in my analysis, that came from a newer entrant in the Vancouver almond croissant scene?. While the almond paste was a little on the short side, it feels like the intention here was to showcase the mastery in flakiness and overall croissant mastery. The folds here were immaculate to say the least and the rise was off the charts relative to everything else on this list."

"We are an independent bakery specializing in naturally leavened sourdough bread and French inspired pastries. We believe in making everything from scratch, with fresh, high quality ingredients. All of our breads are made with whole grains and baked"

"We might be cheating a little with this one, as it’s not a full-on restaurant you might think of when you think of romantic restaurants in Vancouver. However, there’s something undeniably sexy about Keefer Bar. The dark, sultry bar acts as a pretty great spot to cosy up to bae as you both sip on Asian-inspired cocktails and fusion small plates."

"The Keefer Bar has been around for years now and after sampling a couple of their cocktails, you'll see why. What makes this place so special is the intimate environment and delicious drinks. Cocktails are made with house-made tinctures, mixes and unique ingredients."

"Make sure to stop off for a drink at Keefer Bar and Fortune Sound Club and check out Rennie Collection at Wing Sang (which offers free entry). You can also visit some of the firm-favourites such as; Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and the Millennium Gate."

"Blessed with a top spot in Granville Street's Entertainment District—it's easy to bar-hop all along Granville, before or after hitting The Roxy—this is one Vancouver institution that hasn't lost any of its celebrity cred. The Roxy is a dance club, live entertainment venue, and beer commercial come to life. Get there early or face long lines!"

"Locals know that if you've made it to The Roxy, it's been an eventful night that you'll probably laugh about the morning after. This longtime local hangout finds particular favor with university students and hockey players. It's a pretty casual spot where the drinks flow, the music's loud, and the good times roll."

"A post shared by Roxy Live (@roxyvanlive) on Jun 13, 2019 at 5:29pm PDT. Bust off your dancing shoes and party at the Roxy Cabaret in Vancouver. Since its establishment, it has become a melting pot of people from all over Canada in need of a great time."

"This super cozy bar in Kits is a great place to grab a casual or have a bite to eat. The small space always has a great atmosphere making the Corduroy a top spot to head for a relaxed dining experience. Address: 1943 Cornwall Avenue, VancouverPhone: 604-733-0162"