Southern Alberta is full of incredible world-class museums and heritage sites for your family to explore year-round! Many of these museums have special hands-on sections for little ones to enjoy, or special kid-friendly exhibits. All of these museums are either in Calgary or within a two-hour drive.
The Hangar Flight Museum - Formerly the Aero Space Museum of Calgary, The Hangar Flight Museum is a busy and growing museum that fosters the understanding and appreciation of the evolution of flight through stories told about the airplanes and helicopters in the Museum’s collection and the men and women who designed and flew them. The collection holds rare and historically significant military and civilian aircraft, sure to delight visitors young and old! Location: 4629 McCall Way NE.
Studio Bell and the National Music Centre - What if a visit to the museum was as exciting as going to a music festival? That sense of excitement, discovering new artists, hearing new sounds, and celebrating with friends - this is the approach the National Music Centre is taking to develop new exhibitions. Curiosity will drive visitors to explore the sounds, light, and interactive activities pouring out of the 22 individual exhibition stages, encouraging an ever-evolving discussion around music in Canada. Location: 850, 4 Street SE.
Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre Museum - Learn the history of the Chinese community in Calgary! The exhibition is divided into two main parts. “The History of Chinese Canadians in Canada” concentrates primarily on the background and general conditions of Chinese immigrants to Canada, while “The Evolution of the Chinese Community in Calgary” concentrates primarily on the development of Calgary’s Chinatown. Location: 197, 1 Street SW.
YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre - YouthLink is a 26,000 square foot innovative, hands-on learning centre filled with powerful, immersive exhibits and Alberta’s largest collection of policing artifacts ever placed on public display. Fly over the city in the HAWC helicopter, try on a riot gear suit, or touch a maggot mass in the forensics lab! Location: 5151, 47 Street NE.
Fort Calgary - Fort Calgary is located on 40 acres of parkland on the eastern edge of downtown Calgary. This is the place where the modern city of Calgary began! Explore colorful stories of Calgary’s past in the Interpretive Centre. Experience both sides of the law as you try on an authentic RCMP uniform or spend some time in jail. Location: 750, 9 Avenue SE.
Glenbow Museum - ‘Where the World Meets the West.’ Intriguing stories from Western Canada and around the world connect with extraordinary art and artifacts. Location: 130, 9 Avenue SE.
Grain Academy & Museum - Guests can watch a video depicting how the Prairies were settled, watch a working grain elevator demonstration, and view a model train display showing the movement of grain from the Prairies to the terminals at Vancouver. Location: Plus 15, BMO Centre 20 Roundup Way SE.
The Military Museums - The Military Museums is a Canadian Forces tri-service history, heritage, art, research, and educational institution. The Military Museums is dedicated to preserving the memories and traditions of the countless Canadians who proudly served their country through numerous wars and conflicts by their selfless dedication, commitment, and courage. Location: 4520 Crowchild Trail SW.
Royal Tyrrell Museum - The Royal Tyrrell Museum is Canada’s only museum dedicated exclusively to the science of palaeontology. In addition to housing one of the world’s largest displays of dinosaurs, the Museum offers a wide variety of creative, fun, and educational programs that bring the prehistoric past to life. Location: Six kilometres northwest of Drumheller.
Sundre Pioneer Village Museum - Four acres comprising of Blacksmith shop, school, cabin, ranger station, reception centre with 5,600 square-foot display area. Location: Sundre.
Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame - Explore fun, interactive exhibits that promote the importance of sport within our nation’s culture. The 40,000 square foot space has tons of activities and is located fittingly on the grounds of Canada Olympic Park. Location: 169 Canada Olympic Road SW.
TELUS Spark - A place for the curious! TELUS Spark is Calgary’s Science Centre. Get your hands on exhibits and experiments or lay your eyes on Calgary’s only Dome Theatre, featuring live planetarium shows. For even more fun for the brain, check out their traveling exhibitions and The Brainasium - an outdoor adventure space for play and risk-taking. “Star Trek: The Starfleet Academy Experience” is at TELUS Spark until June 4. Visit sparkscience.ca to book your tickets today. Location: 220 St. George’s Drive NE.
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