Glenbow Museum 🇨🇦

Located in downtown Calgary, Alberta, across from the Calgary Tower, the Glenbow Museum offers an engaging journey into Western Canadian history, culture, and art, alongside deep Indigenous perspectives. Founded in 1955 by philanthropist Eric Lafferty Harvie, this eight-story regional cultural powerhouse preserves millions of stories, documents, and unique treasures. While the downtown facility closed for an extensive renovation in 2021 with a scheduled reopening in 2027, planning your future visit promises remarkable experiences.

When it reopens, you will enjoy completely free admission thanks to a major donation from the Shaw Family Foundation. Inside, you can explore an impressive art collection of 33,000 works, featuring Northwest North American landscapes, First Nations and Inuit art, Canadian prints, and thousands of pieces by wildlife artist Carl Rungius. History enthusiasts can delve into community heritage exhibits like Mavericks: An Incorrigible History of Alberta, showcasing 48 notable individuals, Doukhobor and Hutterite artifacts, and Calgary Stampede memorabilia.

You will also discover Canada’s largest collection of Japanese arms and armour, alongside European weaponry, mineral specimens, and vast historical archives containing over one million photographs. Keep this premier destination on your radar for an unforgettable Calgary itinerary.

What to see at Glenbow Museum

• Over 33,000 artworks featuring First Nations and Inuit art, Canadian prints, and Carl Rungius wildlife pieces
• Canada's largest collection of Japanese arms and armour alongside European weaponry
• The Mavericks exhibition exploring Alberta's regional history through 48 individual stories
• Vast archival holdings containing over one million historical photographs
• Community heritage artifacts including Calgary Stampede memorabilia, Doukhobor items, and Hutterite objects

Visiting tips

Note that the museum is currently closed for renovations until its scheduled reopening in 2027, after which permanent admission will be free.

How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Glenbow Museum is easy to reach on Calgary’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Calgary Zoo. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Calgary travel guide.