Calgary has a wide variety of museums and interpretive centres covering topics from sports to world history; get hands-on with rotating interactive exhibits, travelling displays, and activities for all ages! Many of our local museums also feature weekday and weekend programs ideal for homeschoolers. Inspire your kids to interact with and learn about the world around them while enjoying a great day out!
Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame - Fly through the air like a ski jumper! Break a world record wheelchair racing time! Block shots in a 3D goalie interactive! It’s a day you will never forget at Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. Enjoy dozens of hands-on interactive displays as you learn Canadian sport history. The stories of the Hall of Famer achievements inspire visitors to be the best they can be in all aspects of life. Located at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park, site of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame features 12 interactive galleries and a collection of 100,000 artefacts. Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is located at 169 Canada Olympic Road SW. For more information, visit sportshall.ca.
Glenbow Museum - At Glenbow, history buffs, art lovers, and pop-culture fanatics can all find something inspiring. Calgary’s largest museum and premier arts destination offers historical galleries and internationally- renowned travelling exhibitions. With over 60,000 kids visiting each year through school programs, children account for much of Glenbow’s audience. There’s always something new to see and do, whether it’s exploring the galleries or taking part in hands-on art activities suitable for all age levels in the Discovery Room. Perennial favorites among the under-18 set include the Warriors gallery, Minerology, Mavericks: An Incorrigible History of Alberta, and Niitsitapiisinni: Our Way of Life. New moms and dads should take note of the museum’s recurring Art Baby Tours, designed for caregivers and children under age two. Glenbow is located downtown on Stephen Avenue Mall, one block away from the C-Train line. For more information, visit glenbow.org.
Heritage Park Historical Village - From toddlers to teens, Heritage Park has your kids covered! Gasoline Alley Museum is the perfect place to take your little ones on Wednesday mornings for Story Time. Classic stories, activities, and a tricycle track will keep them busy for hours. Family-friendly daytime programming delivered at Family Quest and Spring Rally in the Alley provide an engaging way to explore the museum and enjoy family time together solving puzzles, playing games, and learning about history in an interactive way. The fun carries over into the evenings with Ghost Tours throughout the Historical Village, running Wednesday evenings. A shorter, less scary version is offered earlier in the evenings for families with kids under 16, while older kids can enjoy the full experience later on - if they dare! Teens can also get their game on with brand new Games Night evenings in the Selkirk Grille, happening at the end of each month. Heritage Park Historical Village is located at 1900 Heritage Drive SW. For more information, visit heritagepark.ca.
SpacePort - SpacePort is a unique educational and entertainment facility focused on space and aeronautics. Located in YYC Calgary International Airport, we make learning fun and accessible using the latest computer and communication technology. Hands-on exhibits and displays can make any trip to YYC interstellar! Since our opening in 2000, we have delighted countless visitors from Calgary and around the world, hosted Canadian and international astronauts, and taught thousands of school and community groups. SpacePort has quickly become one of Calgary’s premier sites for school and community groups and is proud to be listed on the CBE’s approved “A” list for field trip sites. SpacePort is a not- for-profit facility owned and operated by The Calgary Airport Authority and managed by Southern Music Limited. SpacePort is located at 2016d Airport Road NE. For more information, visit yyc.com.
Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre - Enjoy hands-on musical fun at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre (NMC)! NMC’s Spring program has sprung with amped-up weekend experiences for you and your family. But first, tell us what you’ve always wanted to know about music: why are beats “groovy”? If you could see music, what would it look like? Resident sound scientist Evan Rothery is asking the big questions about music’s greatest mysteries. Join Evan on March 17 at the Science of Sound Series, where you’ll pair musical instruments with the newest technology to gain a deeper understanding of what makes music tick. On March 23, don’t miss an all-Canadian musical faceoff at a dueling piano performance. Drake in E-minor, anyone? On April 20 and 21, NMC celebrates World Creativity and Innovation Day with hands-on activities and DIY-instrument-building workshops. The best part? It’s included with admission or your NMC Membership! Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre is located at 850, 4 Street SE. Find out about these fun events and more at studiobell.ca/whats-on.
The Grain Academy & Museum - Explore early pioneer life and the evolution of farming. The Grain Academy & Museum shares the history of grain and the everyday life of early pioneers through stories, videos, and electronic displays. Experience the fundamentals of farming through interactive games, hand threshing, flour milling, and seed planting. Knowledgeable curators explain all aspects of grain production from past to present, including the handling and marketing of grain. Their stories of heroism, hardship, and success bring the settlement of Alberta to life. There is no charge for admittance, but donations in support of operations are appreciated. Visit soon! This landmark will soon be disappearing. After 38 years of operation, the museum is closing on December 31, 2019 to accommodate renovations and additions to the BMO Centre. The Grain Academy & Museum is located at Stampede Park, 20 Roundup Way SE on the Plus 15 between the LRT and the BMO Centre. For more information, visit grainacademymuseum.com.
The Hangar Flight Museum - The Hangar Flight Museum is a hidden gem of a museum where flight comes to life in a historical Second World War drill hall. With its proximity to the runways and helicopter hangars, the building is filled with the roar of engines as well as the ability to get up close and personal with the real thing. The excitement of little kids and aviation lovers of all ages is tangible, and the folks at the museum love hearing people connect with history, even if they thought airplanes would be boring! 2019 is an exciting year as the Tiger Moth and Hawker Hurricane will be returning to the museum! You won’t want to miss the ‘Queen of the Skies’ Avro Lancaster bomber either! This is the year to fly on in and explore the history of flight. The Hangar Flight Museum is located at 4629 McCall Way NE. For more information, visit thehangarmuseum.ca.
The Military Museums - The Military Museums is the second largest military museum in Canada; its size and scope has made it one of Calgary’s top attractions. Families will enjoy walking through history at this multi- faceted attraction, dedicated to educating visitors about Canada’s Navy, Army, and Air Force. See first-hand, authentic armoured vehicles, fighter planes, weapons, and one-of-a-kind artefacts. The Military Museums also hosts a series of family-friendly events to create community, educate, and entertain. One event families should not miss is The Summer Skirmish on June 8 to 9 as 2,000 years of warfare come to life in a weekend of scripted battle re-enactments and demonstrations. Watch Viking raids, medieval duels, gladiatorial combat, musketry, and cannonades! Interact with heroes of battle dressed in spectacular period costumes and uniforms. Whether you have an interest in history, the military, or are simply looking for an interactive experience, The Military Museums has something for families and guests of all ages. The Military Museums is located at 4520 Crowchild Trail SW. For more information, visit themilitarymuseums.ca.
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