Museums

Aerospace Museum : Located near the Calgary International Airport, the Calgary Aerospace Museum focuses on the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and the history of civilian aviation, from the AEA Silver Dart to the Twin Otter. A rare WWII Lancaster bomber is the centrepiece of the collection.

Fort Calgary : In 1875, the North-West Mounted Police (now the RCMP) built Fort Calgary near the confluence of the Bow River and Elbow River. As part of the city's 1975 centennial, the original site was excavated by archeologists. It now hosts an interpretive centre on the history of Calgary, a reproduction of the 1875 Fort Calgary, a reproduction of the two-storey 1888 men's barracks, the 1906 Deane House (home of Fort Calgary's Superintendent, Captain Richard Deane) restaurant and a 40-acre riverside park. 

Gasoline Alley Museum: Just inside the gate at Heritage Park Historical Village is Gasoline Alley, an interactive museum carefully designed to inspire both the young and the young at heart. Guests solve a traffic jam, kids learn the rules of the road on pedal cars, enjoy the magic of a drive-in movie and explore over 67 one-of-kind vintage automobiles and memorabilia.

Glenbow Museum : Established in 1954 by Calgary philanthropist Eric Harvie, the Glenbow Museum's main focus is on the history of Western Canada. However, permanent and touring exhibits covering an amazing range. The permanent exhibitions include West Africa, mineral treasures, warriors of the world, the Blackfoot First Nation, other First Nations of Canada, and Asian religious sculptures.A new permanent exhibition ( Mavericks: An Incorrigible History of Alberta) will open on March 24, 2007. While it is under construction, the entire third floor (including the exhibit on Blackfoot culture and history) is closed to the public. The Glenbow also has a large art gallery, with exhibits changing regularly. The Glenbow Museum Shop is an excellent source of books on art and history for all ages, and has a wide variety of unique gifts, including some which are specially created for the museum shop.

Military Museums (formerly Museum of the Regiments) : This is the second-largest military museum of Canada, after the Canadian War Museum. The newly-expanded museum has several galleries dedicated to various aspects of Canada's armed forces. The four founding galleries are each oriented toward a specific army regiment: the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), the Calgary Highlanders, the King's Own Calgary Regiment (aka 103rd Regiment (Calgary Rifles), 14th Canadian Armoured Regiment/Calgary Tanks) and the Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians). These galleries, dioramas of various scenes, from the battle of the Walcheren Causeway to life in a WWI trench, are sure to engage anyone with an interest in Canadian military history. Outside on the musem grounds are a number of tanks on permanent static display, while a Sherman Firefly tank is the centrepiece of a life-size diorama in the main entryway. The new galleries cover Canada's war artists, prisoners of war, the Royal Canadian Air Force (with two very realistic movie presenations), and the Canadian Navy. The naval gallery is very large, and is based on the old Naval Museum of Alberta, with  exhibits on the WWII Battle of the Atlantic, the British naval heritage, the Korean War, RCN ships, RCN aircraft, and HMCS Calgary. Docents are on hand to answer questions.

TELUS World of Science Calgary (formerly Calgary Science Centre): This science centre features a "discovery dome", a demonstration theatre, and nearly a hundred fun interactive "exhibits" on all kinds of aspects of science, from engineering to electricity to geology to an outdoor "amazement park". Always a huge hit with kids.

Creative Kids Museum : Located next to the TELUS World of Science, the purpose of this museum is “to provide a space for children and their families to have fun in an exciting environment where hands-on discovery enhances creativity and learning.” There are five permanent exhibit areas focussing on art, drama, music, and visual arts with a wide variety of interactive exhibits. Kids can crawl through caves, place themselves inside a Van Gogh painting, or dance out a tune in the Sound Pool.

Attractions

Calaway Park : Western Canada's largest amusement park. Attractions include a roller coaster, train ride, log ride, Ferris wheel, and many other amusement park classics. From the top of the Ferris wheel on a clear day, you can get a lovely view of the mountains. Entrance is with a "one price, all rides" ticket. There are rides suitable for all ages, as well as the classic prize games (for an additional charge per game). During summer, there are daily live shows offered indoors and outdoors. There are also many food concessions, featuring amusement park pricing on food. However, you may pack a picnic lunch and eat it at the park's picnic area. On Hwy 1 (Trans-Canada Hwy, aka 16 Ave N. in Calgary) about 10 minutes west of Calgary; use exit 169.

Calgary Tower : A Calgary landmark since its construction in 1968, the Calgary Tower also served as an Olympic torch in 1988 when a giant flame at the top of the tower burned throughout the Winter Olympics. The tower has an observation deck which goes completely around the building. Not only does it offer an excellent view of the city in all directions, but the new glass-floored area offers a view in a new direction: straight down! Telescopes and signage help you to see the view better and understand what you're seeing. There are two restaurants in the tower: the revolving Panorama Dining Room, and the stationary Tops Grill on the upper level. Reservations recommended.

Canada Olympic Park (C.O.P.): The 90-metre ski jump tower at Canada Olympic Park is one of the most visible reminders in Calgary of the 1988 Winter Olympics, and it continues to play a key role in training world-class  athletes as a Canadian Centre of Sport Excellence. There are three ski jump towers here, as well as a bobsleigh and luge track. In the winter, you can ski at C.O.P.; in the summer, it is a haven for mountain bikers, who use the ski lifts to get to the top of the hill. A new summer attraction, the Skyline, lets you experience flying off the 90-metre tower like the ski jumpers, or you can try a luge run on the push-start track or enjoy some mini-golf. The Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum has two floors of displays on Winter Olympic sports.

Calgary Zoo:  One of North America's largest zoos, the Calgary Zoo is very popular with kids year-round. Aside from animals from all continents, and a large conservatory and garden area, there is also the Prehistoric Park, featuring life-sized sculptures of dinosaurs, and many animal- and nature-themed playgrounds dotted around the zoo.

Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre : The interior of the Chinese cultural centre is a reproduction of the Hall of Prayers of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, and it is truly amazing to see. The cultural centre also houses some businesses, and a small museum on Chinese history and the history of Chinese Albertans.

Devonian Gardens : Closed for renovations until 2010. The Devonian Gardens are one of the world's largest indoor gardens. Located on three levels of TD Square in downtown Calgary, the gardens include a waterfall, ponds, meandering creek, sculptures and a playground. In 2007, a CBC radio panel judged listener nominations, and declared the Devonian Gardens to be one of the Seven Wonders of Calgary.

Heritage Park   : This is a historical village comprised of real buildings that date back to the early twentieth century.  It is located in a southwestern residential area of Calgary.  You can reach Heritage Park by driving to the intersection of Heritage Drive and 14th Street SW.  Alternatively you can reach it by public transportation.  Catch the C-Train to Heritage Station and then transfer to the Heritage Park Shuttle, which is Bus No. 502.  Once you're in Heritage Park, you can ride a steam train or a sternwheeler onGlenmore Reservoir.  Children like the antique midway rides.  The tipis, fur fort, blacksmith shop, railway roundhouse, and antique cars are enjoyed by all ages.  Heritage Park is open 7 days a week from the Victoria Day long weekend (the weekend preceding May 25th) until Labour Day (the first Monday in September).  Thereafter it is open only on weekends through Canadian Thanksgiving (the second Monday of October).  It then closes for the winter, except for its Twelve Days of Christmas celebration.