All About the Harbour City

Nanaimo Museums

A city with a conspicuous aboriginal and colonial background, Nanaimo has stories Old grain elevator at hecate and milton
to tell. Chinese, First Nations and European communities thrive here still, and each has its own history, intertwined with the pasts of the other groups. Nanaimo museums combine these backgrounds into a cultural synergy focused in a multitude of artifacts and presentations, from Vancouver Island's last coal tipple, to original petroglyphs and vintage underwear.


Nanaimo District Museum
100 Cameron Road
Nanaimo, BC
V9R 2X1

Summer Hours
May Long Weekend to Labour Day
Daily 10am - 5pm
Winter Hours
Tues - Sat 10am - 5pm


Vancouver Island Military Museum
255 - 4750 Rutherford Road (Mall)
Nanaimo BC V9T-5K6
250 756-2554

Admission: Donation box
Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm
Closed Sundays and Statutory Holidays


Gabriola Museum
South Road, Gabriola Island

Hours of Operation
Nov - Jan: CLOSED: Renovations
Feb - May: Sat & Sun: 1-4 PM
June - Aug: Wed to Sun: 10:30-4:00
Sep - Oct: Sat & Sun: 1-4 PM.


Protection Island Museum

Still somewhat in development – available for records and such but not generally open for drop-ins.