Glenbow Museum — Attraction in Calgary

Well curated displays (temporary and permanent). One of the best places to spend a cold or rainy day in Calgary.

Displays vary from art, to rocks and minerals, to aboriginal history, to Calgary's oil history. Staff are very helpful and friendly, and typically the museum isn't overly busy. They always have interesting temporary displays, and the website is updated regularly so it's easy to keep up to date with what they currently have. The gift shop also has many interesting items, including art and jewellery made in Canada (you can still access the shop from an entrance off Stephen's Ave if you don't want to go to the museum).

There is a free self serve coat rack available - just take any valuables with you. No food or drink is allowed in the museum, but if you forget and it's not busy the staff will allow you to leave a coffee at the front desk to be picked up later.

Museum does close by 5, but it's lovely to go to the museum, then venture out to Stephen's Ave for dinner afterwards. They do occasionally schedule special events in the evening.

Membership includes a discount at other museums, events, and gift shop purchases. You also get 10% off at Rosso Coffee locations with the card. They will also send you a card for free admission for a friend, 50% off admission for a friend, and additional discount at the gift shop

Easy to get to via train, or walking indoors through Plus15s if you're staying downtown. I've never driven here, so can't comment on nearby parking, but it would be free on the...

I didn't have enough time to go through the entire museum, so this is just a review on their Alberta history and Royal Canadian railway exhibit.

The museum's layout was a little bit confusing. It was not very intuitive what was the recommended route to take for the exhibits. But once you have that figured out the museum becomes mostly enjoyable. The stories were very nicely told and there were some interactive (though a bit worn) elements as well. Some of the sound proof/control could have been better because there were times where you could hear three different audios playing at the same time.

The Canadian railway exhibit did not mention the Chinese railway workers at all - which was a shame because there were thousands of them and a lot of them died laying railyways across canada.

On the same note there could have been more about the indigenous population and how, in recent history, they have been affected by the oil industry.

Overall pretty informative. I learned a lot about Albertan history (spoiler alert: it's a lot of oil, stampede, and...

Glenbow is a true treasure in our city. The curation is excellent! Recently revisited for the Christian Dior exhibit, and was not disappointed. While that exhibition was only temporary,It is worth noting that the permanent collections are not lacking either. If you are a born and raised local, or someone who is new to this city, you will find something of interest in this place.

It's excellent to go explore the archives as well. The staff are exceptionally well versed on materials and will go out of their way to help you find what you are looking for.

The best part, when visiting with children, is taking them to the second floor interpretive classroom. They have a craft or hands on art program that complementary the current exhibits. Even if you don't have kids, you can do the craft.

The price of admission is significant for a one time visit, so if you feel you would return before a year has passed, it's better to get an annual membership or drop in on their...