List of museums in Alberta facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This list of museums in Alberta, Canada helps you discover amazing places where you can explore history, art, science, and nature! Museums are special places that collect and take care of interesting objects. These objects can be about culture, art, science, or history. Museums then show these collections or related exhibits to the public. This list also includes art galleries that are open to everyone.

Awesome Museums to Explore in Alberta
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Awesome Museums to Explore in Alberta

Alberta is full of exciting museums! They cover everything from giant dinosaurs to cool airplanes and old-timey trains. Here's a look at some of the different types of museums you can visit.

Discovering Dinosaurs and Nature

Alberta is famous for its dinosaurs! You can learn all about these ancient creatures and the natural world.

Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology (in Drumheller): This is one of the world's best museums for dinosaurs and fossils. You can see real dinosaur skeletons and learn how scientists discover them.
Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum (in Wembley): Another fantastic place to learn about Alberta's dinosaurs and fossils.
Dinosaur Provincial Park (near Brooks): This park has a visitor center with displays about dinosaurs and fossils found right there. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
Devil's Coulee Dinosaur Heritage Museum (in Warner): Learn about dinosaur heritage, especially the discovery of dinosaur eggs and babies in the area.
Alberta Birds of Prey Centre (in Coaldale): This center focuses on birds of prey like eagles and owls. It's a wildlife rehabilitation facility where you can see these amazing birds up close.
Banff Park Museum National Historic Site (in Banff): Located in Banff National Park, this museum shows you the animals and plants that live in the park.
Gopher Hole Museum (in Torrington): A unique and quirky museum featuring stuffed ground squirrels in funny town settings.
Three Rivers Rock and Fossil Museum (in Pincher Creek): Explore a collection of rocks, fossils, and minerals from the area.

Flying High: Aerospace Museums

If you love planes and space, Alberta has museums where you can learn about aviation history.

The Hangar Flight Museum (in Calgary): See military and civilian aircraft.
Alberta Aviation Museum (in Edmonton): Another great spot to explore military and civilian aircraft.
Bomber Command Museum of Canada (in Nanton): This museum is dedicated to the history of bomber aircraft.
Cold Lake Air Force Museum (in Cold Lake): Learn about the history of the air force in the Cold Lake area.
Reynolds-Alberta Museum (in Wetaskiwin): While it has many types of machines, it also features planes and is home to Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame.

Riding the Rails: Railway Museums

All aboard! These museums celebrate the history of trains and railways in Alberta.

Alberta Central Railway Museum (in Wetaskiwin): See historic railroad cars and equipment, plus a grain elevator.
Alberta Railway Museum (in Edmonton): Explore railway equipment and buildings.
Calgary & Edmonton Railway Museum (in Edmonton): Learn about the historic railway connection between Calgary and Edmonton.
Camrose Railway Station & Park (in Camrose): A park featuring a historic railway station.
Galloway Station Museum (in Edson): Focuses on railway history, along with coal mining and lumber industries.
Galt Historic Railway Park (in County of Warner No. 5): Features an 1890 International Train Depot and railway exhibits.
Edmonton Radial Railway Society (in Edmonton): Ride and learn about historic electric street cars.
St. Albert Grain Elevator Park (in St. Albert): See two historic grain elevators and a reconstructed railway station.
Spruce Grove Grain Elevator Museum (in Spruce Grove): A historic grain elevator with exhibits about agriculture.
Wainwright Rail Park (in Wainwright): A park dedicated to railway history.

Stepping Back in Time: History and Pioneer Life

Many museums in Alberta show what life was like for pioneers and early settlers.

Alberta Legislature Building (in Edmonton): An interpretive center with exhibits about the region's history, the legislature, and the building itself.
Alberta Provincial Police Barracks (in Coleman): A restored barracks building with exhibits on Alberta's history, including the time of prohibition.
Alix Wagon Wheel Regional Museum (in Alix): Learn about local history.
Anthony Henday Museum (in Delburne): Local history, mining, and agriculture, housed in an old railway station.
Barrhead Centennial Museum (in Barrhead): Focuses on local history.
Battle River Pioneer Museum (in Manning): Explore local history.
Beiseker Station Museum (in Beiseker): Learn about local history.
Bentley Museum (in Bentley): Discover local history.
Big Valley Museum (in Big Valley): Local history, railway items, and antique vehicles.
Bonnyville & District Museum (in Bonnyville): Local history, with replica buildings like a schoolhouse, store, and pioneer home.
Bowden Pioneer Museum (in Bowden): Local history, with displays of period rooms and businesses.
Breton and District Historical Museum (in Breton): Learn about local history.
Brooks & District Museum (in Brooks): An open-air museum with 17 historic buildings.
Camrose and District Centennial Museum (in Camrose): An open-air museum with a local history museum, fire hall, school, and pioneer home.
Carstairs Heritage Centre (in Carstairs): Focuses on local history.
Castor and District Museum (in Castor): Learn about local history.
Chauvin and District Museum (in Chauvin): Local history and archives.
Claresholm and District Museum (in Claresholm): Discover local history.
Climb Thru Time Museum (in Paradise Valley): Local history, housed in a grain elevator.
Cold Lake Museums (in Cold Lake): Covers oil and gas industry, local history, and aboriginal history.
Courthouse Museum (in Cardston): Learn about local history.
Crowsnest Museum (in Coleman): Explores pioneer and coal-mining life, with period store displays.
DeBolt and District Pioneer Museum (in Debolt): An open-air museum with local history.
Dewberry Valley Museum (in Dewberry): Focuses on local history.
Dickson Store Museum (in Dickson): A 1930s general store, post office, and home.
Didsbury Museum (in Didsbury): Local history with period room displays.
Donalda and District Museum (in Donalda): Local history, pioneer items, and historic buildings.
Double Tree Village Museum (in Spruce View): An open-air museum.
Dr. Woods House Museum (in Leduc): A 1930s period house and doctor's office.
East Coulee School Museum (in East Coulee): Shows what life was like in a coal mining town in the 1930s.
Echo Dale Farm (in Medicine Hat): An open-air museum with a historic farm, antiques, and a replica blacksmith shop.
Edmonton Public Schools Archives and Museum (in Edmonton): Learn about the history of education in Edmonton, with an 1881 schoolhouse.
End of Steel Museum (in Hines Creek): Focuses on local history.
Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre (in Medicine Hat): Includes a local history museum, art gallery, and theater.
Fairview Pioneer Museum (in Fairview): An open-air museum.
Father Lacombe Chapel (in St. Albert): An 1861 log chapel, the oldest building in Western Canada.
Firefighters Museum of Calgary (in Calgary): Learn about the history of firefighting in Calgary.
Forestburg and District Museum (in Forestburg): Focuses on local history.
Fort Assiniboine Museum (in Fort Assiniboine): Learn about 19th-century fur trading history.
Fort Calgary (in Calgary): An open-air museum showing the history of Calgary.
Fort Chipewyan Bicentennial Museum (in Fort Chipewyan): Focuses on local history.
Fort Edmonton Park (in Edmonton): A living history museum with four different time periods: a fur trade fort, a settlement, and city life from 1905 and 1920.
Fort George & Buckingham House Provincial Historic Site (in Elk Point): Learn about two competing fur trade posts.
Fort McMurray Heritage Park (in Fort McMurray): An open-air museum with historic buildings and railway cars.
Fort Museum of the North-West Mounted Police (in Fort Macleod): Learn about the history of the North-West Mounted Police.
Fort Normandeau (in Red Deer): A recreated late 19th-century pioneer fort with living history actors.
Fort Ostell Museum (in Ponoka): Focuses on local history.
Fort Saskatchewan Museum and Historic Site (in Fort Saskatchewan): An open-air museum.
Fort Vermilion Heritage Centre (in Fort Vermilion): Focuses on local history.
Fort Whoop-Up National Historic Site (in Lethbridge): A recreated late 19th-century fort that was part of the whiskey trade.
Frank Slide Interpretive Centre (in Frank): Learn about the history of the Frank Slide, early coal mining, and community life.
Galt Museum & Archives (in Lethbridge): Explores the history of Southern Alberta.
Gem of the West Museum (in Coaldale): Focuses on local history.
Gibbons Museum (in Gibbons): Learn about local history.
Grande Prairie Museum (in Grande Prairie): Covers local history and includes an open-air Heritage Village.
Grouard Historical Village (in Grouard): An open-air museum.
Hanna Museum and Pioneer Village (in Hanna): An open-air museum.
Heritage Acres Farm Museum (in Pincher Creek): An open-air museum with vintage farm machinery and historic buildings.
Heritage Discovery Centre (in Grande Prairie): Explores natural and local history.
Heritage Park Historical Village (in Calgary): A turn-of-the-century village with transportation exhibits and the Gasoline Alley Museum (automobiles, oil, and gas).
High Prairie & District Museum (in High Prairie): Focuses on local history.
Historic Dunvegan (in Dunvegan): A 19th-century fur trade post and missionary center.
Holden Historical Society Museum (in Holden): Focuses on local history.
Homestead Pioneer Museum (in Drumheller): Features over 10,000 antiques and artifacts from the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
Innisfail Historical Village (in Innisfail): An open-air museum with 17 historic buildings.
Innisfree Prairie Bank of Commerce Museum (in Innisfree): Focuses on local history.
Irma Museum (in Irma): Learn about local history.
Iron Creek Museum (in Lougheed): Focuses on local history.
Jasper-Yellowhead Museum (in Jasper): Focuses on local history.
John Walter Museum (in Edmonton): A 19th-century pioneer home.
Kingman Regional School Museum and Tea House (in Kingman): Focuses on local history.
Kinosayo Museum (in Kinuso): Focuses on local history.
Kneehill Historical Museum (in Three Hills): Focuses on local history.
Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village (in Pincher Creek): An open-air museum with 22 heritage buildings.
La Crete Mennonite Heritage Village (in La Crete): An open-air museum showing Mennonite heritage.
Lac Cardinal Pioneer Village Museum (in Grimshaw): Represents life in the 1920s and 1940s.
Lac La Biche Mission (in Lac La Biche): An 1853 mission with a church and visitor center.
Lac Ste. Anne Pioneer Museum (in Lac Ste. Anne): Focuses on local history.
Lougheed House (in Calgary): A late 19th-century Victorian mansion.
Mackenzie Crossroads Museum (in High Level): Regional history, including a trading post display.
Mallaig & District Museum (in Mallaig): Includes a 1920 replica log schoolhouse and agricultural equipment.
Mannville Historical Telephone Exchange (in Mannville): Focuses on local history.
Masonic Hall Museum (in Edmonton): Located in Fort Edmonton Park.
Michelsen Farmstead (in Stirling): A 1930s period Victorian farmhouse.
Michener House Museum (in Lacombe): A historic house.
Millet & District Museum (in Millet): Local history with period room displays.
Mirror and District Museum (in Mirror): Focuses on local history.
Morrison Museum of the Country School (in Islay): Focuses on education history.
Mountain View Museum (in Olds): Focuses on local history.
Musée Girouxville Museum (in Girouxville): Focuses on local history.
Musée Héritage Museum (in St. Albert): Focuses on local history.
Musée Morinville Museum (in Morinville): Focuses on local history.
Musée St. Paul Museum (in St. Paul): Focuses on local history.
Museum of the Highwood (in High River): Focuses on local history.
Namao Museum (in Namao): Focuses on local history.
Nampa Museum (in Nampa): Focuses on local history.
North-West Mounted Police Barracks (in Canmore): Learn about early law enforcement.
Nose Creek Valley Museum (in Airdrie): Covers local cultural and natural history, including First Nations artifacts and antique vehicles.
Olds College Alumni Museum (in Olds College): Displays memorabilia and photos related to Olds College history.
Okotoks Museum & Archives (in Okotoks): Focuses on local history.
Onoway Museum (in Onoway): Focuses on local history.
Oyen Crossroads Museum (in Oyen): Focuses on local history.
Pas-Ka-Poo Historical Park (in Rimbey): An open-air museum with historic buildings.
Peace River Museum, Archives and Mackenzie Centre (in Peace River): Local history, fur trade, and aboriginal artifacts.
Pioneer Acres (in Irricana): An open-air museum with historic buildings, agriculture equipment, and antiques.
Plamondon & District Museum (in Plamondon): Located in a historic church, with pioneer heritage artifacts.
Raymond Pioneer Museum (in Raymond): Focuses on local history.
Redcliff Museum (in Redcliff): Focuses on local history.
Redwater & District Museum (in Redwater): Focuses on local history.
Rocky Mountain House Museum (in Rocky Mountain House): Focuses on local history.
Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site (in Rocky Mountain House): See the remains of fur trading posts and artifacts.
Rosebud Centennial Museum (in Rosebud): Focuses on local history.
Rutherford House (in Edmonton): A 1915 period house, home of Alberta's first Premier.
Ryley Museum (in Ryley): Focuses on local history.
Saint Ann Ranch Country Inn Museum (in Trochu): An open-air museum.
Seba Beach Heritage Museum (in Seba Beach): Focuses on local history.
Sedgewick Archives Gallery & Museum (in Sedgewick): Focuses on local history.
Sexsmith Blacksmith Shop Museum (in Sexsmith): A historic working blacksmith shop.
Smoky Lake Museum (in Smoky Lake): Focuses on local history.
Sodbusters Archives & Museum (in Strome): Focuses on local history.
South Peace Centennial Museum (in Beaverlodge): A large agricultural pioneer village with antique tractors and vehicles.
Spirit River and District Museum (in Spirit River): An open-air museum.
Stavely Museum (in Stavely): Displays from the late 1880s to the mid-1900s.
Stephansson House (in Markerville): The 1927 period home of a famous Icelandic poet.
Stony Plain Pioneer Museum (in Stony Plain): Focuses on local history.
Strathcona County Museum (in Sherwood Park): Local history with period room displays.
Sunnybrook Farm Museum (in Red Deer): A 1905 farm showing the evolution of rural life.
Telephone Historical Centre (in Edmonton): Featured antique telephones and telecommunications technology. (Note: This museum permanently closed in 2019.)
Thorhild Museum (in Thorhild): Focuses on local history.
Tofield Historical Museum (in Tofield): Focuses on local history.
Town & Country Museum (in Stettler): An open-air museum.
Trochu and District Museum (in Trochu): Focuses on local history.
Two Hills Historical Museum (in Two Hills): Focuses on local history.
Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village (in Lamont County): Shows the lives of Ukrainian Canadian settlers from 1899 to 1938.
Valley Doll Museum (in Drumheller): Features over 700 dolls in historic scenes.
Vegreville Regional Museum (in Vegreville): Focuses on local history.
Victoria School Museum (in Edmonton): Learn about the history of the Victoria School.
Victoria Settlement (in Smoky Lake): A historic settlement.
Viking Museum (in Viking): Focuses on local history.
Wainwright Museum (in Wainwright): Focuses on local history.
Wanham Grizzly Bear Prairie Museum (in Wanham): An open-air museum.
Waterton Heritage Centre (in Waterton Park): Covers local natural and cultural history.
Westlock Pioneer Museum (in Westlock): Focuses on local history.
Wetaskiwin and District Heritage Museum (in Wetaskiwin): Local history, heritage, and culture in a historic building.
Wheels of Time Museum (in Caroline): Focuses on local history.
Whitecourt and District Forest Interpretive Centre and Heritage Park (in Whitecourt): Focuses on forestry.
Yesteryear Artefacts Museum (in Rowley): Features historical artifacts.
Youthlink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre (in Calgary): Learn about the history and culture of the Calgary Police Service.
Lac La Biche Museum and Visitor Information Centre (in Lac La Biche): Covers local, cultural, and natural history.

Art and Culture Hubs

For those who love art, Alberta has many galleries showcasing different styles and artists.

Art Gallery of Alberta (in Edmonton): A major art gallery in the province.
Leighton Art Centre (in Millarville): The 1950s home of artists A.C. and Barbara Leighton, now a gallery of Alberta art.
Lloydminster Cultural & Science Centre (in Lloydminster): Includes a public art gallery.
Medicine Hat Clay Industries National Historic District (in Medicine Hat): Features the former Medalta Potteries, with a pottery gallery and workshops.
Nickle Galleries (in Calgary): Part of the University of Calgary, featuring contemporary art, coins, rugs, and textiles.
Norwegian Laft Hus Museum (in Red Deer): Explores the history and culture of Norwegian Canadians.
Prairie Art Gallery (in Grande Prairie): An art gallery.
Profiles Public Art Gallery (in St. Albert): An art gallery.
Red Brick Arts Centre (in Edson): Includes an art gallery and a school room museum.
Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery (in Red Deer): Covers history and art of Central Alberta.
Southern Alberta Art Gallery (in Lethbridge): An art gallery.
Ukrainian Canadian Archives & Museum Of Alberta (in Edmonton): Focuses on Ukrainian Canadian heritage.
University of Alberta Museums (in Edmonton): Various public displays including clothing, textiles, minerals, paleontology, and ancient artifacts.
University of Lethbridge Art Gallery (in Lethbridge): An art gallery.
Walter Phillips Gallery (in Banff): Features contemporary art.
Whyte Museum (in Banff): Explores the culture, art, and history of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Sports, Science, and Unique Collections

From sports heroes to scientific wonders, these museums offer something different.

Alberta Sports Hall of Fame (in Red Deer): Learn about the history of professional and amateur sports in Alberta.
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame (in Calgary): The national sports hall of fame and museum of sports in Canada.
Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum (in Calgary): Features Olympic memorabilia.
Bud Barn (in Didsbury): A unique museum with over 20,000 collectibles and memorabilia related to Anheuser-Busch products.
Creative Kids Museum (in Calgary): Part of Telus Spark, offering hands-on explorations of music, theater, and visual arts.
Leduc #1 Energy Discovery Centre (in Devon): Learn about the petroleum industry and the historic Leduc No. 1 oil discovery.
Lethbridge Military Museum (in Lethbridge): Covers the military history of Lethbridge and the surrounding area.
Loyal Edmonton Regiment Military Museum (in Edmonton): Features weapons, uniforms, medals, and artifacts from the regiment's history.
Museum of Miniatures (in Nanton): Displays miniatures, model cars, antiques, and dioramas.
National Music Centre (in Calgary): Explores Canadian music heritage, including Canadian Halls of Fame.
Oil Sands Discovery Centre (in Fort McMurray): Learn about the oil sands and petroleum industry.
Remington Carriage Museum (in Cardston): Features 19th- and early 20th-century horse-drawn transportation.
Rothney Astrophysical Museum (in Hwy 22 south, Alberta): An astronomy museum.
Royal Alberta Museum (in Edmonton): A large museum covering natural history.
Telus Spark (in Calgary): A science museum with interactive exhibits.
Telus World of Science (in Edmonton): Explore science and space.

First Nations and Cultural Heritage

These museums highlight the rich history and culture of Indigenous peoples and other cultural groups in Alberta.

Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park (in Siksika): Learn about Blackfoot culture and history.
Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum (in Banff): Focuses on Indigenous cultures.
Chinese Cultural Centre (in Calgary): Explores Chinese Canadian history and Chinese culture.
Danish Canadian National Museum & Gardens (in Dickson): Learn about the culture and history of Danes in Canada.
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (in Fort Macleod): A UNESCO World Heritage Site focusing on Blackfoot culture and history.
Métis Crossing (in Smoky Lake): A cultural center for the Métis people (Canada).
Native Cultural Arts Museum (in Grouard): Focuses on First Nations culture and arts.
Norwegian Laft Hus Museum (in Red Deer): Explores the history and culture of Norwegian Canadians.
Saddle Lake Cultural Museum (in Saddle Lake): Focuses on First Nations culture.
Ukrainian Canadian Archives & Museum Of Alberta (in Edmonton): Focuses on Ukrainian Canadian heritage.
Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village (in Lamont County): Shows the lives of Ukrainian Canadian settlers from 1899 to 1938.