When most people think of Squamish, BC, they picture climbers scaling the Chief, mountain bikers carving trails, or kiteboarders dancing across Howe Sound. And while those outdoor adventures are incredible, there’s another side to this mountain town that often flies under the radar: a rich collection of museums, cultural venues, and hands-on learning experiences that reveal the stories, heritage, and creativity woven into downtown Squamish.
Your ideal Sea to Sky hotel, located in the heart of downtown Squamish, we know that not every day calls for adrenaline. Sometimes you want to slow down, dive into history, or learn something new. If the weather along the Sea to Sky Highway turns rainy, you need a rest day between adventures, or if you are simply curious about what shaped this remarkable place, Squamish’s educational venues offer the perfect indoor escape. Our hotel is within walking distance of great restaurants and attractions, making it a fantastic place to spend your trip exploring both adventure and culture.
All Aboard: The Railway Museum of British Columbia
Located right in Squamish, BC on 12 acres of land, the Railway Museum of British Columbia houses Western Canada’s largest collection of railway rolling stock. If Britannia Mine shows you how resources were extracted from the mountains, the Railway Museum reveals how they were transported along the railway and Sea to Sky corridor, and how railways built BC and connected communities from Vancouver to Whistler.
The Star Attraction: Royal Hudson Steam Locomotive
The museum’s crown jewel is the magnificent Royal Hudson Steam Locomotive, built in Montreal in 1940. This isn’t a “look but don’t touch” exhibit. Visitors can climb into the cab, ring the bell, and imagine what it was like to command this iron beast through BC’s mountain passes along the scenic route from Vancouver.
Ride the Rails
The museum offers three different ride experiences, each showcasing different aspects of railway history and offering scenic views of the surrounding mountains.
The Mini Rail is perfect for families with young children experiencing their first train ride. This 3km journey gives everyone a taste of rail travel scaled for all ages.
The Henry Pickering Open Observation Car has been riding the rails for over a century. This vintage ride takes you to the museum’s south end restoration centre, offering spectacular mountain views through its large windows. It’s like stepping into a time machine with a panoramic windshield.
The Speeder Car Experience is uniquely interactive. These motorized maintenance vehicles once transported railway crews to worksites along the tracks. Now you can hop in and take a 1km ride to the property’s north end, where Mount Garibaldi dominates the skyline.
Beyond the Trains
The museum also features exhibits that show how technology has transformed over time. Check out the restored Canadian Pacific Railway mail car to see how postmail was sorted and delivered across BC in the mid-1900s. The vintage printing press and historic blacksmith operation demonstrations offer glimpses into trades that once kept the railway running.
From The Crash Hotel, your downtown Squamish hotel, the Railway Museum is a 10-minute drive from our location. It’s an excellent choice for a 2-3 hour visit, and the expansive outdoor space means kids can burn energy while adults soak in the history. After your visit, return to our comfortable rooms with free wifi to plan your next adventure.
Journey Through Time at Britannia Mine Museum
Just ten minutes south of downtown Squamish along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway, the Britannia Mine Museum stands as one of BC’s most captivating historical attractions. This isn’t your typical dusty museum with artifacts behind glass. This is a National Historic Site where you can literally walk through history, surrounded by the stunning Tantalus Mountains.
What Makes It Special
During its 100-year operation, Britannia became Canada’s largest copper mine, with a staggering 210 kilometres of tunnels carved into the mountain. Today, this award-winning museum brings that mining legacy to life through immersive experiences that engage all ages.
The Underground Mine Tour is the crown jewel. You’ll board an authentic mining train and venture into the belly of the mountain, travelling through an old haulage tunnel where working drills and mucking machines show exactly what miners faced in 1914. The darkness, the echoing sounds, the narrow passages, it’s an experience that stays with you.
Above ground, the BOOM! Experience takes over the 20-storey Mill No. 3 building with a spectacular show of lights, sounds, and special effects that bring mining history roaring back to life. The architectural marvel of the mill itself is worth the visit.
Family-Friendly Features
The museum understands that keeping kids engaged is key. The dedicated Kids Place offers hands-on exhibits designed specifically for young visitors and families. But the real crowd-pleaser? The gold panning area. Yes, it’s finders-keepers, and there’s genuine gold mixed in those troughs. Watching your child’s face light up when they spot their first flake is priceless.
There’s also a giant sand pit, playground, boat, and a snack area for when energy levels need refuelling. Plan to spend at least half a day here; there’s truly that much to see and do.
Pro tip from The Crash Hotel: Britannia Mine Museum makes an excellent morning activity. Spend 3-4 hours exploring, then head back to downtown Squamish for a great meal at one of our local restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Líl̓wat7úl Cultural Centre (A Short Drive to Whistler)
While technically in Whistler (about 45 minutes from downtown Squamish along the Sea to Sky Highway), this cultural centre deserves mention because it offers the most comprehensive Indigenous cultural experience in the Sea to Sky corridor. It’s an easy day trip from your hotel in Squamish.
An Authentic Indigenous Experience
The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Líl̓wat7úl Cultural Centre (SLCC) sits on the shared traditional territory of the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation. This three-storey, 30,400-square-foot building beautifully blends traditional Squamish Longhouse architecture with the Lil’wat Istken design, offering guests a unique cultural experience.
What to Experience
Guided Tours: Cultural Ambassadors, members of the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation, lead hourly tours through the Great Hall and galleries. These aren’t scripted presentations. They’re storytelling sessions where ambassadors share their knowledge, songs, and personal connections to the culture.
The Collection: Carved house posts, story poles, canoes, intricate weavings, regalia, spindle whorls, and contemporary art fill the galleries. Each piece tells a story about Coast Salish life, traditions, and values along the scenic sea and mountain landscapes of BC.
Interactive Elements: Participate in drum-making workshops, traditional craft demonstrations, and cultural performances. These hands-on experiences help visitors understand and appreciate the living cultures of these Nations.
Thunderbird Café: Enjoy traditional foods like bannock in the on-site café, offering a literal taste of Indigenous cuisine.
Why It Matters
The SLCC provides context for understanding the land you’re adventuring on. Squamish, both the town and the Nation, has deep roots here. Learning about the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh people’s relationship with this territory adds profound meaning to your time in the Sea to Sky corridor.
Timing from The Crash Hotel: Plan for a half-day visit. Drive up in the morning along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway, spend 2-3 hours at the centre, then explore Whistler Village for a great meal before returning to your comfortable room in downtown Squamish.
Local Art and Creativity: Brackendale Art Gallery
While we’re focusing on educational venues, we’d be remiss not to mention the Brackendale Art Gallery, part museum, part community hub, part café, and fully Squamish. Located just outside the main town, it’s a great place to experience local mountain-influenced art.
A Community Gathering Place
The Brackendale Art Gallery serves as a vibrant cultural centre where art, music, and community intersect. The building’s exterior is an artwork itself, featuring an eclectic collection of striking sculptures that make it impossible to miss.
Inside, rotating exhibitions showcase work from Sea to Sky artists alongside performances, workshops, and cultural events. The attached Zephyr Café provides fuel for your creative explorations and offers a great meal in a welcoming atmosphere.
Events and Workshops
The gallery hosts everything from live music nights to art workshops to community discussions. It’s the kind of place where you might wander in for a coffee and end up staying for an impromptu concert or artist talk.
From The Crash Hotel, your downtown Squamish hotel: Brackendale is about 10 minutes north of town. Combine a gallery visit with a stop at nearby Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park (especially during eagle season from November to February) for scenic views of wildlife along the river.
Sea to Sky Gondola: Education Meets Adventure
No discussion of Squamish attractions would be complete without mentioning the Sea to Sky Gondola. While primarily known as an adventure destination, the gondola also offers educational interpretive exhibits about the region’s ecology, geology, and Indigenous history.
The scenic ride up the mountain provides breathtaking views of Howe Sound, the town of Squamish below, and the surrounding mountains. At the summit, interpretive signs explain the natural and cultural history of the area. The Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge offers a thrilling way to learn about the forest canopy ecosystem.
Located just minutes from downtown Squamish and within easy reach of The Crash Hotel, the Sea to Sky Gondola makes an excellent addition to any educational itinerary. Guests staying at our hotel can easily spend a morning at the gondola before returning to explore other attractions within walking distance in town.
Making the Most of Educational Squamish
Rainy Day Strategy
When clouds roll in and trails turn to mud, these venues become your best friends. Our suggested rainy day itinerary for guests staying our of the rain:
Morning: Britannia Mine Museum (leave The Crash Hotel by 9 AM, drive south on the Sea to Sky Highway) Lunch: Return to downtown Squamish for a great meal at one of our local restaurants, many within walking distance. Afternoon: Railway Museum Relax in your comfortable room with free wifi, or head downstairs to our bar for a quiet evening
Multi-Day Approach
If you’re staying with us for several days at our downtown Squamish hotel, mix adventure with education:
Day 1: Outdoor adventures (climbing, hiking, mountain biking around the mountains)
Day 2: Cultural immersion (SLCC in Whistler, accessible via the Sea to Sky Highway)
Day 3: Historical exploration (Britannia Mine and Railway Museum)
Throughout your trip, you’ll appreciate returning to our hotel’s comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, free wifi, and all the world-class amenities you need to recharge for the next day’s adventure.
With Kids
All these venues offer family-friendly experiences, but here’s the kid-tested ranking from our guests and families who spend time in Squamish:
- Britannia Mine Museum: Gold panning seals the deal for kids
- Railway Museum: Climbing on trains beats screens every time
- SLCC: Best for older kids who appreciate storytelling
When travelling with family, The Crash Hotel offers comfortable condo-style accommodations that work perfectly as your home base, located in the heart of downtown Squamish with easy access to all these great places.
Why These Experiences Matter
Squamish’s educational venues do more than fill time on rainy days. They answer the questions that arise when you’re surrounded by such dramatic landscape along the Sea to Sky corridor: How did people live here? What shaped this place? What stories does this land hold?
Understanding Squamish’s mining heritage helps you appreciate why certain communities exist where they do along the highway from Vancouver to Whistler. Learning about railway history reveals how BC’s natural resources reached the world. Engaging with Indigenous culture provides essential context for respectfully enjoying this territory. And hands-on making connects you to the creative spirit that thrives in mountain communities across Canada.
Book Your Educational Adventure at The Crash Hotel
At The Crash Hotel, we’re your ideal basecamp for all things Squamish, from adrenaline-pumping mountain biking and hiking adventures to thoughtful cultural exploration. Our location in downtown Squamish puts you within easy reach of all these venues, and our team loves sharing local knowledge about what to see, when to visit, and how to make the most of your time in this fantastic place.
Our hotel offers comfortable guest rooms and family suites with private bathrooms, free wifi, and scenic views of the surrounding mountains. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to rest after a day of adventure or a welcoming lobby to plan tomorrow’s activities, we’ve got you covered. Located on the Sea to Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler, we’re the perfect spot as your BC mountain retreat hotel.
Ready to discover the museums and cultural treasures that make Squamish more than just an outdoor playground? Book your stay at The Crash Hotel, your downtown Squamish hotel, and prepare to be surprised by how much this mountain town has to teach you. Our guests consistently tell us we’re a great place to stay, offering the amenities and location that make every trip to Squamish memorable.
After all, the best adventures aren’t just about what you do. They’re about what you learn and who you become along the way.
Located in the heart of downtown Squamish on the Sea to Sky Highway, The Crash Hotel offers comfortable, affordable rooms with scenic mountain views, free wifi, rooftop amenities, gear storage, and easy access to everything the Sea to Sky corridor has to offer. Whether you’re here for hiking, mountain biking, cultural exploration, or a perfect blend of both adventure and education, we’re ready to welcome you to this fantastic place. Our hotel provides all the amenities guests need, from private bathrooms to a welcoming atmosphere, making us one of the best places to stay in Squamish, BC, Canada.