“Look at us! We’re on the Three Sisters!” my youngest shrieks. To clarify, my daughters’ Lego characters are on a photo of the Three Sisters while doing Canmore Museum’s photo scavenger hunt. They have been tasked with photographing their Lego characters with various items in the museum’s collection. Some are easy to find; others are tricky. It takes us over an hour to complete the hunt, but we have fun and learn a lot in the process. Back at the front desk, Christian gives the girls their reward for finding everything: a polished rock! Younger kids can do a simplified scavenger hunt where they look at pictures and try to find them in the gallery.
Established in 1984, the Canmore Museum is definitely worth a visit. Although it is a small museum, it boasts over 10,000 artifacts, several hands-on exhibits and videos, and a fun miner selfie station where you can dress up like a miner, headlamp and all. We learn about Canmore’s mining history and who some of Canmore’s notable people are from explorers to athletes, look at fossils, make mountains, and examine rocks under a lightscope. Did you know there was mining activity in Canmore until 1979?
Check out the Canmore Museum Events page for upcoming events including guest speakers, Spring Rock Hunt, and Miner’s Parade. The museum also runs community programs: Roving Scientists offer free interpretation on local trails; and Gerry Stephenson’s History of Coal Mining Tours provide an in-depth look at Canmore’s mining history (10 & up, $, registration required).
Canmore Museum At a Glance
Address: 902b 7th Avenue, Canmore, Alberta (inside the Canmore Civic Centre)
Hours: Canmore Museum is open 7 days a week. Check their website for hours.
Admission: Adult – $7, Child (Under 12) – Free, Student /Senior /Local -$5, Family – $15, Museum Member – Free
Parking: Free street parking and in the parking lot across the street.
To learn more about Canmore’s history, ask for the downtown historic site walking tour brochure and enjoy a self-guided walking tour. Don’t miss one of Canmore’s oldest buildings, the North West Mounted Police Barracks at 609 Main Street. The NWMP Barracks are free to visit.
Have fun at Canmore Museum and let me know what you liked best!
Disclosure: My family received complimentary admission to Canmore Museum for review purposes, but all words and opinions are my own.
More Fun Things to Do in Canmore
- 14 Things to Do in Canmore this Winter
- The Best Short Hikes Near Calgary – includes Grassi Lakes
- The Best Short Hikes in Kananaskis
- Grotto Canyon Ice Walk
- Canmore Nordic Centre