The Regional Museum of Ancash on the Plaza de Armas in Huaraz holds one of Peru's most important collections of pre-Columbian artefacts. The highlights are the Recuay and Wari stone sculptures — monoliths and carved figures from cultures that predate the Inca by centuries — displayed both indoors and in the museum's outdoor lapidary garden.
The collection includes ceramics, textiles, and metal objects from across the region, and the exhibits provide useful context for visiting Chavín de Huántar and other archaeological sites in the area. The museum is small enough to visit in an hour and makes a good first stop on arrival in Huaraz, before heading into the mountains. Entrance is inexpensive. The Plaza de Armas location means it is easy to combine with a walk around the city centre.