This guide lists activities around the UBC campus and University Endowment Lands. Here you’ll find a variety of activities for all interests, schedules, and abilities.
University Archives and Rare Books and Special Collections
Location: Irving K. Barber (1961 East Mall), 1st floor
Website: https://rbsc.library.ubc.ca/
Appointments are required at least one day in advance and can be booked online.
Cost: Free
Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-2pm
Accessibility: There is an elevator in the building, the space is fragrance-free
Chung Lind Gallery
Location: Irving K. Barber (1961 East Mall), 2nd floor
Website: https://gallery.library.ubc.ca
No appointments or sign-up needed!
Cost: Free
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 10am-5pm
Accessibility: There is an elevator in the building
There will be two tours of the gallery for AERI on Wednesday afternoon at 3:30pm and 4:30pm.
Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery
Location: 1825 Main Mall
Website: https://belkin.ubc.ca/
The Gallery Archives are open by appointment Monday-Wednesday from 10am-4pm. The Gallery itself does not require an appointment!
Cost: Free
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday, 12pm-5pm
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, short walk from the bus loop. Portable gallery stools are available for use. Large print formats and ASL interpretation are also available.
There will be a campus walking tour run by staff from the Gallery for AERI on Wednesday afternoon at 3:30pm.
Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre
Location: 1985 Learner’s Walk
Website: https://irshdc.ubc.ca/
The Centre is currently closed to visitors, but some of their collections can be viewed online and there will be a tour as part of AERI.
Accessibility: An elevator and ramp access is available
Please note: Visiting the Centre can be upsetting and traumatic. Healing and Wellness Resources are available online and in person. A 24 hour crisis line is available at 1-866-925-4419.
Museum of Anthropology
Location: 6393 North West Marine Drive
Website: https://moa.ubc.ca/
Cost:
$26 Adults (19-64)
$23 Senior (65+)
$23 non-UBC Student (19+ with ID)
$13 Youth (6-18)
Half Price Thursdays after 5pm
FREE: Children 5 & under, Indigenous people, UBC students/staff/faculty, MOA members, UBC Inspired & UNA members
Hours: Friday-Wednesday 10am-5pm, Thursdays 10am-9pm
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible with step-free entry to most areas. Accessible routes are marked throughout the museum. Wheelchairs are also available to borrow free of charge, and seating is available throughout the galleries. Accessible parking spots are available, and the museum is a short walk from multiple bus routes.
On Thursday evenings admission is half-price. Some UBC iSchool volunteers will be attending; for anyone who would like to join in, please meet outside the building at 5:30. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
Reconciliation Pole
Location: 2425 Main Mall
Website: https://indigenous.ubc.ca/indigenous-engagement/featured-initiatives/reconciliation-pole/
Outdoors, walkable from Agronomy bus stops, nearby parking lots.
Accessibility: Outdoors, ramps available
Beaty Biodiversity Museum
Location: 2212 Main Mall
Website: https://beatymuseum.ubc.ca/
Cost:
$18 Adult (19+)
$15 Senior (65+)
$15 non-UBC Student (19+ with ID)
$10 Youth (6-18)
FREE Children under 6, Indigenous people, UTown Card, UNA Card, UBC Staff/Student/Faculty
2 for 1 UBC Alumni with Alumni Card
$55 Large Family (Up to 2 adults & 4 children/youth)
$35 Small Family (Up to 1 adult & 2 children/youth)
Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm.
Accessibility: No stairs required for entry or navigation. Access to lower level through ramp with handrails. Automatic doors open with buttons. Seating available throughout galleries, and folding chairs are available upon request.
Nitobe Memorial Gardens
Location: 1895 Lower Mall
Website: https://botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/
Cost:
$10 Adult
$8 Concession (children (6-17 years old), non-UBC students, and seniors 65 years old or over)
$25 Family (2 adults and up to 4 children under 18 years old)
Hours: Friday-Wednesday 10:00am-4:30 pm, Thursday 10:00am-8:00 pm
Accessibility: Most main pathways are level and surfaced with hard-packed gravel or pavement, though some areas feature natural terrain and may be uneven. Accessible parking is available. Benches are available within the garden for seating.
Botanical Gardens
Location: 6804 Southwest Marine Drive
Website: https://botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/
Cost:
$14.50 Adult
$10 Concession (children (6-17 years old), non-UBC students, and seniors 65 years old or over)
$35 Family (2 adults and up to 4 children under 18 years old)
Hours: Friday-Wednesday 10:00am-4:30 pm, Thursday 10:00am-8:00 pm
Accessibility: Most main pathways are level and surfaced with hard-packed gravel or pavement, though some areas feature natural terrain and may be uneven. Accessible parking is available. Benches are available within the garden for seating.
Pacific Spirit Park
Location: 4915 W 16th Ave
Website: https://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-parks/park/pacific-spirit-regional-park
This park is completely open to the public for walking, biking, or bringing pets.
Trail Accessibility:
- Heron Trail is 1.2 km long, 1.5 m wide at minimum with minimal slopes. The trail surface is semi-firm (packed gravel).
- Imperial Trail is 1.8 km long, minimum 3 m wide, with up to a 20% grade change. The trail surface is semi-firm (packed gravel).
- Cleveland Trail is 1.2 km long, minimum 1 m wide, semi-firm gravel surface with minimal slopes north of W. 16th Street. There is up to a 25% slope south of 16th Street.
- Other trails are accessible to users using specialized wheelchairs/equipment.
Beaches
Location: Multiple (Wreck Beach, Tower Beach, Acadia Beach)
Accessibility: All beaches on the UBC campus and University Endowment Lands are only accessible via staircases (about 30 flights or 490 steps). There are no ramps or accessible ways to get to these beaches.
Good to know:
- Most of the beaches are clothing-optional (except for Acadia Beach)
- Opens at 7:00 am and closes at sunset
- Please carry all garbage and recycling to bins at the top of the beach stairs
- Swim at your own risk. No lifeguards are on duty
- The following regulations apply:
- No alcohol
- No fires
- No camping
- No loud, amplified music
Note: Beaches east of UBC are more easily accessible. Jericho Beach is closest to public transit (4 bus) and has flat paved paths near the beach, but not to the water. The Spanish Banks and Locarno Beach are accessible by car, but are down a steep hill from buses. Kits Beach and English Bay both have accessible mats on the beach and are accessible by bus, although further from campus.