Vancouver Police Museum

The basics

The Vancouver Police Museum can be explored independently or as part of guided tours, which can be booked in advance of visiting. The museum also runs seasonal, historic crime-themed walking tours around the city, which focus on nearby neighborhoods such as Gastown, Chinatown, and Strathcona. Tours include entrance to the museum, where exhibits include old police uniforms, confiscated guns, counterfeit currency, and several important pieces of evidence.

Things to know before you go

• The Vancouver Police Museum is a draw for true-crime enthusiasts.

• The museum-led walking tours are very popular, so it’s worth booking them in advance to ensure a spot.

• The museum also hosts movie screenings in the morgue.

• Note that the building is not wheelchair accessible, and entering requires the use of steps.

How to get there

The Vancouver Police Museum is in downtown Vancouver, between Gastown and Chinatown. Ride the SeaBus, SkyTrain, or West Coast Express rail to Waterfront station. From there, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the museum.

When to get there

The museum is open Thursday–Sunday, and closed the week of the week, and for some holidays. Get there right when it opens to explore it at its quietest. The best time to visit is between April and October, when regular tours are scheduled.

The history of the coroner’s court

Though the museum was only founded in 1986, the building it occupies dates back to 1932. A designated heritage building, it originally served as the coroner’s courtroom, city morgue, autopsy facility, and forensic lab, where state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge methods were used to investigate crimes. The lab, which closed in 1996, has been left much as it was in the past, as has the old autopsy room, where original tissue samples can still be seen.

What is the history of the Vancouver Police Museum?

Located in a historical building that was once used as the city’s morgue and Coroner’s Court, the Vancouver Police Museum was founded in 1986 as part of the department’s centennial anniversary. Its mission is to showcase the history of crime and law enforcement in Vancouver through several themed exhibits.

Is the Vancouver Police Museum appropriate for kids?

Because of the delicate (and sometimes gruesome) nature of many exhibits, the museum is not appropriate for younger children or impressionable visitors of any age. Older kids and teens will enjoy digging into this dark side of Vancouver’s history and visiting the former morgue and courtroom.

Do I need reservations to visit the Vancouver Police Museum?

No, the museum does not require booking your tickets in advance, though tickets are available for purchase online via the museum’s website. Alternatively, you can buy your tickets at the door. Admission includes all of the exhibits and historic spaces in the museum.

How long does it take to tour the Vancouver Police Museum?

It takes between 60 and 90 minutes to visit the entire museum, especially if you stop to read the in-depth information posted in the six themed exhibits and visit the former morgue and courtroom. If you skim over the explanations, you can cover this small museum in about 30 minutes.

How much does it cost to visit the Vancouver Police Museum?

An adult ticket costs C$13.50 while seniors and students pay C$12 to visit. Children 5-18 years of age pay C$10; children under 5 enter for free. There is also a family pass available for two adults and two children that costs C$35.

Is there free parking at the Vancouver Police Museum?

No, there is no free parking at the museum. There is street parking in the surrounding Gastown and Chinatown neighborhoods. The museum is about a 15-minute walk from the Waterfront station and is quick to reach by SeaBus, SkyTrain, or Westcoast Express rail.