Roundhouse Community Arts & Engine 374, Vancouver - a green building with a crane on top of it
1 / 10

Roundhouse Community Arts & Engine 374 Vancouver

4.6
·154 reviews·Vancouver, Canada

Explore Canada's most historic steam locomotive, Engine 374, and a vibrant community arts centre in Vancouver.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed & Fri mornings

Music classes for babies

CrowdLow
Loading map...
Roundhouse Community Arts & Engine 374, Vancouver - a green building with a crane on top of it

Roundhouse Community Arts & Engine 374 Vancouver

Best Time

Wed & Fri mornings

Music classes for babies

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Explore Canada's most historic steam locomotive, Engine 374, and a vibrant community arts centre in Vancouver.

4.6
(154 reviews)

"A majestic relic of rail travel and a hub for local art and community."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚂 Train Enthusiast's Dream

Climb aboard Engine 374's cab for a unique historical experience! Volunteers share fascinating stories. :train2:

🎨 Discover Local Art

Check the schedule for art exhibitions, markets like Celebrate Summer Marché, and workshops. :art:

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Canadian Pacific Steam Locomotive #374

Canadian Pacific Steam Locomotive #374

Engine 374 Pavilion

Marvel at Canada's most historic steam locomotive, a majestic relic of the Golden Age of rail travel.

Community Arts & Recreation Programs

Community Arts & Recreation Programs

Various studios and spaces

Engage with local art, music, and cultural events hosted year-round. A hub for creative expression.

Vancouver Art Book Fair

Vancouver Art Book Fair

Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre

Explore a diverse collection of independent art books and zines from local and international artists.

Planning Your Visit

Engine 374: A Historic Steam Locomotive

Discover Canadian Pacific #374, Canada's most historic steam locomotive, built in 1886. It led the first Transcontinental Train into Vancouver. Explore its impressive history and grandeur.

Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre

This vibrant community hub hosts art exhibitions, markets, and music classes. It's a versatile space offering diverse activities for all ages, often featuring local artists and cultural events.

Best Times

When
Wed & Fri mornings
Why
Music classes for babies
Crowd
Low
When
Event days
Why
Vibrant markets & fairs
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekends
Why
Exhibitions and open spaces
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Was honoured to be invited by @Roundhouse to experience their creative studio space! My neighbors will be happy to not hear me rehearse in my room anymore! #roundhouse #creativestudios #londonopportunities
@dariasirene
511 likes • 27.6K views

🚂 Train Enthusiast's Dream

Climb aboard Engine 374's cab for a unique historical experience! Volunteers share fascinating stories. :train2:

🎨 Discover Local Art

Check the schedule for art exhibitions, markets like Celebrate Summer Marché, and workshops. :art:

Você conhece o Roundhouse Community Centre? Perto do David Lam Park, o Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre fica na Pacific Boulevard com a Davie Street, 2 minutinhos andando📍 Neste feriado, esse fantástico ponto comunitário de Vancouver vai ficar um pouco mais brasileiro e servir de casa para o nosso tão esperado, Brasil 200! 🎉🇧🇷 🇨🇦 O Roundhouse Centre é super acessível, e você e sua f...
braziliancommunitybc
110 likes • 6.5K views
今年的 @vancouverartbookfair 又來了! 這次居然有香港人參加! Phemie經營 @oddoneouthk 10年,今年第一次嚟溫哥華擺Art Book Fair。 等我地睇下到底發生咩事啦~ 📆 日期與時間 7月4日(星期五) |下午5時~晚上9時 7月5日(星期六) |上午11時~晚上6時 7月6日(星期日) |上午11時~晚上5時 📍Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre 🎫 免費入場 Free admission #加家好事 #cpluschannel #溫哥華 #Vancouver #VancouverArtBookFair2025 #版畫藝術
cpluschannel
20 likes • 657 views

🎶 Music Together Classes

Babies and toddlers can enjoy music classes on Wednesday and Friday mornings. :musical_note:

📚 Art Book Fair Access

Admission to the Vancouver Art Book Fair is free! A great opportunity to explore unique publications. :book_open:

Join us in September on Wed/Fri/Sat mornings at Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre. Babies Only for newborns 0-8 months also available Wednesdays 11:30 at Roundhouse! We are looking forward to singing all new songs from the Flute songbook this September. 😀 🎶 #westsidemusictogether #musictogether #falsecreek #cambie #downtownvancouverbc #downtownvancouverliving #granvilleisland #vancit...
westsidemusictogether
1 likes • 119 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚂 Train Enthusiast's Dream

Climb aboard Engine 374's cab for a unique historical experience! Volunteers share fascinating stories. :train2:

🎨 Discover Local Art

Check the schedule for art exhibitions, markets like Celebrate Summer Marché, and workshops. :art:

🎶 Music Together Classes

Babies and toddlers can enjoy music classes on Wednesday and Friday mornings. :musical_note:

📚 Art Book Fair Access

Admission to the Vancouver Art Book Fair is free! A great opportunity to explore unique publications. :book_open:

📍 Convenient Location

Easily accessible near David Lam Park, perfect for a combined visit. :round_pushpin:

What Travellers Say

4.6
(154 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors praise the historic Engine 374 locomotive as a captivating and majestic piece of Canadian heritage, with many enjoying the opportunity to board the cab and interact with knowledgeable volunteers. The Roundhouse Community Arts Centre is also appreciated for its vibrant events and creative atmosphere, though some note that specific exhibit hours can vary.

"Cool museum to check out if you’re a fan of trains or history. The pavilion has one big train in the middle with lots of reading materials on the side. The building interior is all bricks with high ceiling and it’s a very beautiful heritage building located nearby the waters. Volunteers can help answer any questions you may have."

May Zhagro

"The resting place of a gorgeous, powerful locomotive from the Golden Age of rail travel in the 19th century. It seems like a slumbering titan, imposing and majestic and yet somehow also elegant and refined. There are places for kids to play with model trains, and I saw a lot of families here, and there is also a small but quite fascinating collection of memorabilia, including magazines and books written about trains in bygone days. Still, the centerpoint is indisputably the train itself, the kind of dazzlingly immense and intricate piece of machinery that does not seem to have been made by the hands of humanity but instead emerged from the depths of the earth like a creature of myth. I feel the same sense of wistful awe that I feel when I look at the skeleton of a great prehistoric creature of the seas or the ruins of an old Roman temple. Climbing atop the train and examining it is highly encouraged, but be respectful: this is a radiant leviathan and an emblem of the almost animistic energy of industrialization that built Canada and the American West."

Joshua Fagan

"Visiting Engine 374 was absolutely amazing, but not only did I get to see the locomotive, I also got to board the cab and see it for myself, plus I also got to pull the very heavy lever and pull the bell whistle.
Also the staff were really friendly and sociable in telling about the train and its history on the Canadian railway / railroads.
Overall, I had a great time visiting this place."

Hello Ness

What People Like

Majestic historic locomotive
Interactive cab experience
Knowledgeable volunteers

What People Dislike

Variable exhibit hours

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre is located at 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2W3. It's easily accessible by public transit, with several bus routes stopping nearby. It's also a short walk from the Yaletown-Roundhouse Canada Line SkyTrain station. :train2: Instagram

While there isn't dedicated parking directly at the Engine 374 pavilion, there are several paid parking lots and street parking options in the Yaletown area. Consider public transit or ride-sharing for convenience. :car:

Yes, the Roundhouse is conveniently located near David Lam Park and the Yaletown waterfront, making it a pleasant walk from these areas. :walking:

The Yaletown-Roundhouse Canada Line SkyTrain station is the closest transit hub. Numerous bus routes also serve the Pacific Boulevard and Davie Street area. :bus:

The Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre is generally accessible. Engine 374 is housed in a pavilion, and volunteers are often available to assist visitors. :wheelchair:

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Visiting Engine 374 is generally free! The pavilion housing the locomotive is open to the public, and volunteers are often on-site to share its history. :ticket:

The hours for the Engine 374 exhibit can vary, as it's often staffed by volunteers. It's best to check the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre's official website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information. :clock3:

While many events and exhibitions at the Roundhouse are free to attend, some special programs or workshops may have associated fees. The Vancouver Art Book Fair, for instance, is free to enter. :moneywithwings:

For ticketed events, workshops, or classes, booking in advance is usually recommended. Check the Roundhouse's event calendar on their website for details and booking links. :computer:

The Roundhouse offers affordable studio memberships for young creators (ages 13-25) starting at £25 a year, granting access to studio spaces from £2 per session. :key:

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

You can explore the historic Engine 374 steam locomotive, climb into its cab, and learn about its significance. The Roundhouse also hosts art exhibitions, community events, markets, and music classes. :star2:

Yes, Engine 374 is very family-friendly! There are areas for kids to play with model trains, and the volunteers are great at engaging younger visitors with the locomotive's history. :boy:

While formal guided tours might not be scheduled, knowledgeable volunteers are usually present and eager to share the history of Engine 374. Don't hesitate to ask them questions! :question:

The Roundhouse hosts a variety of art exhibitions, often featuring local artists and community groups. Past events include ikebana displays and the Vancouver Art Book Fair. :frame_photo:

Photography is generally encouraged at both the Engine 374 exhibit and within the Roundhouse Community Arts Centre. Capture the historical grandeur and vibrant community atmosphere! :camera:

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

The Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre itself doesn't typically have a full-service restaurant. However, during markets and events like Celebrate Summer Marché, you can find food vendors offering treats and snacks. :ice_cream:

The Roundhouse is located in Yaletown, a vibrant neighborhood with numerous cafes, restaurants, and pubs. You'll find a wide range of culinary choices within walking distance. :forkandknife:

Generally, bringing your own food and drinks is acceptable in common areas, but it's always good practice to check specific venue policies, especially if attending a ticketed event or class. :apple:

Yaletown offers many family-friendly dining options. Look for casual eateries and bistros that cater to a diverse clientele, many of whom are families visiting the area. :family_restaurant:

Numerous coffee shops are located in the Yaletown area, just a short walk from the Roundhouse. You'll find popular chains and local independent cafes to grab your caffeine fix. :coffee:

📸 📸 Photography

The entire Engine 374 locomotive is a fantastic subject. Try capturing its imposing front, the intricate details of its machinery, and the historical pavilion it resides in. Climbing onto the platform offers unique angles. :camerawithflash:

Absolutely! The Roundhouse's architecture, especially its brick interior and high ceilings, makes for striking photos. Look for vibrant art installations, event setups, and the general community buzz. :art:

Daytime hours are best for natural light, especially for Engine 374. For events, evening photography can capture a lively atmosphere, but check lighting conditions. :sunny:

Drone usage is typically restricted in urban areas and around public facilities due to privacy and safety regulations. It's best to assume drones are not permitted unless explicitly stated otherwise. :noentrysign:

Visitors often capture historical shots of Engine 374, event photography during markets and fairs, and lifestyle shots showcasing the community atmosphere. :iphone:

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Families will find the Roundhouse Community Arts & Engine 374 a delightful outing. The star attraction, Engine 374, is incredibly engaging for children. They can explore the locomotive, and there are dedicated areas with model trains for them to play with. Reddit Volunteers are often on hand to share stories in a way that captivates young minds. Reddit

Beyond the train, the Roundhouse hosts various family-friendly events and workshops. Keep an eye out for community markets and art activities that are often free and open to all ages. The 'Music Together' classes on Wednesday and Friday mornings are perfect for babies and toddlers, offering a fun, interactive musical experience. Instagram

🎨 Art & Culture Enthusiasts

For art lovers, the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre is a must-visit. It consistently features diverse art exhibitions, showcasing local and international artists. The Vancouver Art Book Fair is a highlight, offering a unique opportunity to discover independent publications and connect with creators. Instagram

Beyond exhibitions, the centre is a hub for creative workshops and performances. Check their schedule for events like ikebana displays or other cultural celebrations. The vibrant atmosphere and the chance to engage with local art scenes make it a rewarding experience. Instagram

🚂 History Buffs & Train Lovers

Train enthusiasts will be in their element at the Engine 374 pavilion. This locomotive is a significant piece of Canadian railway history, and its preservation is remarkable. You can get up close, explore the cab, and learn about its journey from construction to its role in connecting Vancouver to the nation. Reddit+1

The volunteers are a key part of the experience, offering deep insights into the locomotive's past and the broader history of Canadian railroads. The surrounding information banners also provide valuable context, making it an educational visit for anyone interested in industrial heritage and transportation history. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Legacy of Engine 374

Canadian Pacific #374 is more than just a steam locomotive; it's a monumental piece of Canadian history. Built in Montreal in May 1886, this 4-4-0 'American' type locomotive was instrumental in connecting the nation. Its most significant moment was leading the first Transcontinental Train into Vancouver on May 23, 1887, a pivotal event that marked the city's official connection to the rest of Canada. Reddit After a long service life, it was retired in July 1945, and has since been preserved as a testament to the railway's role in shaping the country. Reddit

Visitors can experience the grandeur of Engine 374 firsthand. The locomotive is housed in a dedicated pavilion, allowing for close inspection. Many reviewers highlight the opportunity to climb aboard the cab and even pull the heavy lever or ring the bell whistle, offering an immersive glimpse into the past. Reddit The volunteers on-site are a treasure trove of information, sharing their passion and knowledge about the train's history and its impact on Canadian railways. Reddit

The Engine 374 exhibit is particularly engaging for families. There are designated areas where children can interact with model trains, making it an educational and fun experience for all ages. The sheer scale and intricate machinery of the locomotive evoke a sense of awe, often described as a 'slumbering titan' or a 'creature of myth,' embodying the powerful energy of industrialization that built Canada. Reddit

Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre: A Hub of Creativity

The Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre is a dynamic venue that breathes life into Yaletown. Beyond its historical anchor, Engine 374, the centre is a thriving space for artistic expression and community engagement. It regularly hosts a diverse array of events, from vibrant outdoor markets like the 'Celebrate Summer Marché' to specialized exhibitions such as the 'Vancouver Art Book Fair' and ikebana displays. Instagram+2

For aspiring artists and creators, the Roundhouse offers valuable resources. It provides affordable studio spaces for young people aged 13-25, with a membership costing just £25 annually and studio sessions starting from as low as £2. TikTok This initiative fosters a supportive environment for emerging talent, allowing them to rehearse, create, and connect with other artists. The centre also hosts regular music classes, including 'Music Together' sessions for babies and toddlers on Wednesday and Friday mornings. Instagram

The Roundhouse's accessibility and central location make it a popular spot for community gatherings and cultural events. Its brick interior and high ceilings create a unique atmosphere for exhibitions and performances. Whether you're interested in art, music, history, or simply experiencing the local community vibe, the Roundhouse offers a rich and varied program throughout the year. Instagram

You may also like

1 of 2