We recently visited the BC Aviation Museum and discovered it’s an amazing place to visit for both adults AND kids. With us being Victoria locals and Ryan actually working at the airport, we’re not sure why we hadn’t visited sooner!
For both tourists and locals alike, the air museum is a fun and informative place to visit. Bonus: it makes for a great rainy day activity in Victoria!
A Fun Visit to Sidney’s Aviation Museum!
For aviation enthusiasts like us, the BC Aviation Museum is an excellent place to visit. Established in 1985, the museum is spread over two hangars with a collection of over 10,000 artifacts, including over 30 aircraft on display!
You can visit on a self-guided tour or explore with one of the friendly and passionate volunteer tour guides.
Location
The BC Aviation Museum is conveniently located on the east side of Victoria International Airport (YYJ) in Sidney, BC. It is about 25km from Victoria.
While the museum is on airport grounds, you cannot access it right from the airport terminal as it’s not connected. You will need to head over to the museum’s entrance on Norseman Road.
BC Aviation Museum Address: 1910 Norseman Road, North Saanich, BC
How to get to the BC Aviation Museum
Depending where you are coming from, you can drive, walk, bike or bus over to the museum.
By car:
Driving from Victoria, take the Pat Bay Highway/BC-17 towards Sidney. Take exit 26 toward McTavish Road/Victoria International Airport. You will come to a series of roundabouts – just keep taking the exits towards the airport.
Shortly after the roundabouts, the road will split and you will want to continue on Canora Road on the right. After 850 metres, you will see the BC Aviation Museum sign on the left. Turn here onto Norseman Road (stay to the left) and follow the narrow road about 200 metres to the parking lot.
By bus:
You can take the local transit bus to the museum from Victoria or Sidney. There are bus stops along Canora Road right by the BC Aviation Museum turn-off. Buses 71, 82, 87 and 88 all stop here.
To plan out your route, visit the BC Transit website or use Google Maps Bus Directions.
By foot:
It is possible to walk from the main airport terminal to the museum by following the paved path along Willingdon Road towards Rotary Park and then along Canora Road. Following this route will take you about 20 minutes.
By bike:
Biking is popular here in Victoria and thus there are many good biking trails. From Victoria, you can take the Galloping Goose Trail and Lochside Regional Trail to get to the aviation museum. The journey will take you about an hour and a half.
Parking
There is ample free parking available in the museum’s parking lot.
The Highlights
Aircraft
There are over 30 aircraft on display both at floor level and overhead.
These include an Avro Anson Mark II, a Lockheed Canadair CT-33 Silver Star, a Douglas A-26 Invader Water Bomber, and some choppers such as the Alouette III.
Our highlight, however, was touring inside the restored Trans Canada Airlines Vickers Viscount.
We loved being transported back in time to an era when all seats were First Class. It was interesting hearing all about it from the friendly museum volunteer tour guide who was a pilot himself.
Library
The museum has a large collection of over 8000 books in its library. There’s even a children’s and fiction section. Members and annual pass holders are welcome to borrow any of the books on the shelves.
Touch & Learn Area/Kids’ Play Area
If you have kids with you, expect to spend most of your time here!
Our 4-year-old daughter absolutely LOVED this section of the museum.
She loved it so much that we might have to get an annual pass because she did not want to leave and already wants to go back haha.
There are all kinds of miniature planes and helicopters that kids can climb into, ride, rock, and pedal in.
If you’d like to try out some flight simulators, they have a few of those too!
Restoration Hangar
The restoration facility is adjacent to the main display hangar and is open to the public with a volunteer tour guide. Many of the museum’s aircraft were restored within this facility. The current project is the restoration of Lancaster FM104.
BC Aviation Museum Map
Gift Shop
If you’re looking for the perfect aviation-themed gift, this is the place to go! The BC Aviation Museum gift shop is full of fun toys, gifts and books.
Our daughter chose a toy helicopter to bring home, but had her eye on lots of others.
Hours
The museum is open daily from 10am to 4pm.
Closed only on Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day
How long to spend at the BC Aviation Museum?
We recommend planning for one to two hours here. You will likely stay longer than you expect, especially if you have kids with you!
Tickets
Museum tickets can be purchased at the entrance. All major credit cards are accepted.
Cost
- Adults: $15
- Seniors (65+): $12
- Youth (13-18): $12
- Children (6-12): $6
- Children 5 and under: Free
- Military (Active/Veteran/Cadet): $8
Membership/Annual Pass
Annual Pass Cost:
- Individual: $40 plus tax
- Family: $60 plus tax
Becoming a BC Aviation Museum member comes with many benefits such as:
- Access to the museum during regular hours
- 20% discount on most items at the gift shop
- Access to the museum library
- Reciprocal access to select aviation museums (Museum of Flight in Seattle, Canadian Museum of Flight in Langley, BC)
- 10% discount at Mary’s Bleue Moon Cafe and Dakota Cafe
Membership Cost:
- Individiual: $50 plus tax
- Family: $75 plus tax
Lifetime Membership Cost:
- Individual: $525
- Family: $787.50
Accessibility
The museum is all on one floor and is wheelchair and stroller-friendly. However, some aircraft do require climbing up some stairs to see inside.
Handicapped parking is available closest to the entrance.
Video Tour
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