What to do and see in Canadian Rockies, Canadian Rockies: The Best Specialty Museums

December 14, 2021 Jana Sager

From Alberta’s southwestern border north into British Columbia, the Canadian Rockies are a network of provincial and national parks that collectively make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Banff and Jasper national parks are connected by the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in the world. The towns of Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper are hubs for adventures including hiking, horseback riding, rafting and wildlife viewing. Accommodation ranges from hotels to mountain lodges.
Restaurants in Canadian Rockies

1. Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies

111 Bear St, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta T1L 1A3 Canada +1 403-762-2291 [email protected] http://www.whyte.org
Excellent
48%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 575 reviews

Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies

The Whyte Museum inspires discovery and wonder where people and the Rocky Mountains meet. The Museum's founders, Peter and Catharine Whyte, were local artists and philanthropists who wished to offer a place where people could gather and appreciate the culture and beauty of the area. Explore the culture shaped by this mountain landscape through our exhibitions, events, heritage homes, archives, library and museum shop. Our programming is made possible through generous support from you - the Museum's Members, donors and sponsors.

Reviewed By JeffB64CPR - Derby, United Kingdom

The combination of art - mix of pictorial and impressionist, I suppose - and especially the museum, with the history of the railroads, and the arrival of settlers, inter-action with First Nations, and arrival of Chinese and East European workers, is told very well and with examples of original clothes, documents etc throughout. Do go!

2. Crowsnest Museum and Archives

7701 18th Avenue, Coleman, Crowsnest Pass, Alberta T0K 0M0 Canada +1 403-563-5434 [email protected] http://www.crowsnestmuseum.ca/
Excellent
55%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 31 reviews

Crowsnest Museum and Archives

Through its collection, the Crowsnest Historical Society and Crowsnest Museum & Archives protects, preserves, and portrays the cultural heritage of Crowsnest Pass and its people to ensure the knowledge of the past enriches the lives of present and future generations.

Reviewed By gmdalberta - Edmonton, Canada

My wife and I very much enjoyed this as part of our trip. The museum contains a number of artifacts from up to 130 years ago. The exhibits include day to day life, wedding dresses of different periods, mining equipment and work life, dental equipment, medical equipment, a blacksmith shop exhibit and a household artifacts exhibit. There is a lot to see and experience here. The two staff were very helpful and came to look at a discrepancy I spotted in one of the exhibits. Given the cost was only $16 for the two of us, excellent value for money.

3. The Historic Luxton Home Museum

206 Beaver Street, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta T1L 1B4 Canada +1 403-762-2105 [email protected] http://www.luxtonfoundation.org
Excellent
61%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 18 reviews

The Historic Luxton Home Museum

OPEN May 16 - October 7, 2019 What do these 3 things have in common: a west coast Nootkan canoe, Winnipeg, and the Banff Hot Springs? Answer–Norman Luxton of Banff. Norman, born in Winnipeg in 1876, landed in Victoria, BC in 1901 and decided to sail around the world with Captain John Voss in a retrofitted 38-foot dug-out Nootkan canoe named Tilikum. Both have varying tales of the trip, but they agree that Norman almost died from coral poisoning. Back in Victoria, concerned friends mentioned Norman looked "rather terrible" and should take a trip to Banff for the medicinal hotsprings. Norman did, and the Luxton Legacy begins. With an energetic personality and a savvy business mind, Norman became “Mr. Banff”. His business ventures were many, he had ties to the Stoney First Nations, he assisted with the Calgary Stampede. Norman's home remains in Banff as a museum, and is full of curiosities. Come visit to hear more adventurous tales about Norman, his wife Georgina, and daughter Eleanor.

4. Alberta Provincial Police Barracks

7809 18th Ave., Coleman, Crowsnest Pass, Alberta T0K 0M0 Canada +1 403-563-5434 [email protected] http://www.appbarracks.com
Excellent
86%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
14%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Alberta Provincial Police Barracks

The APP Barracks is the location of the murder of Constable Steven Lawson by Emilio Picariello and Florence 'Filumena' Losandro. ​ Explore the 'Scene of the Crime' where Lawson lived, worked and was killed. Journey through Alberta's prohibition history, and decide for yourself "who done it" at the scene of Canada's most infamous rum running murder. Entrance to the Barracks includes entry to the Crowsnest Museum

Reviewed By gmdalberta - Edmonton, Canada

We visited this exhibit as part of our Crowsnest Museum tour. It is in a separate building a short walk from the main museum. It goes into great detail about the history of the APP and the loss of one of its officers in 1922. Very well organized and detailed. Very clean building. Paul was the volunteer that assisted us and was most helpful. If you are interested in the police history of the APP, this is a must see!!

5. Curbside Museum

Railway Avenue at Pinewood Cres, Canmore, Alberta T1W 1P8 Canada [email protected] http://www.curbsidemuseum.ca
Excellent
60%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5 reviews

Curbside Museum

Curbside Museum is an intimate exhibition space tucked in a fence along a public sidewalk in Canmore, Alberta. Exhibitions explore ideas both large and small, on subjects factual or fictional, and range from the whimsical to the serious, with no limits except what fits within the museum itself. Curbside Museum hosts new exhibits every 7-8 weeks.

6. Banff Park Museum

93 Banff Avenue, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta T0L 0C0 Canada +1 403-762-1558 http://pc.gc.ca/banffparkmuseum
Excellent
40%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 429 reviews

Banff Park Museum

Western Canada's oldest natural history museum, Banff Park Museum offers visitors a chance to browse some 5,000 vintage specimens - from stuffed bears to minerals and plants. A visit to this 'Museum of a Museum' is a great way to get an up-close look at Banff wildlife and see how natural history was interpreted a century ago. Plenty of interactive and kids' activities - including the Xplorers Club.

Reviewed By erfield5 - Tampa, United States

This museum provides priceless examples of the animals that enjoy the Canadian Rockies environment. Some you were aware of and many you are not. What an eye opening and fun experience. The ranger hosting your visit willingly shares his knowledge and engages your interest. Enjoy.

7. The Den - Jasper's Wildlife Museum

Whistlers Inn, Jasper, Jasper National Park, Alberta T0E 1E0 Canada +1 780-852-3361 http://www.whistlersinn.com/museum.html
Excellent
26%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
10%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 70 reviews

The Den - Jasper's Wildlife Museum

This museum offers a look at the many animals of Western Canada in their natural habitat.

Reviewed By Linseed3329 - Edmonton, Canada

I've visited the museum about four times now, it's become a bit of a Jasper tradition for me. It's a great little stop to kill half and hour, probably the most affordable thing to do in Jasper at 3 bucks a person. There's definitely a variety of skill level happening for the taxidermy of the animals but the less skilled ones add some fun comedic value. Also a great way to get an up close view of many animals found in the park without the danger of approaching wild animals (please don't do that... Seriously.)

8. Canadian Ski Museum West

317 Banff Ave, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta T0L 0C0 Canada +1 403-762-8484 http://cascadeshops.com/events.html
Excellent
17%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
0%
Terrible
16%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 12 reviews

Canadian Ski Museum West

A museum honoring the sport of skiing.

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