Located in Downtown Edmonton north of City Hall, the Royal Alberta Museum (RAM) is the largest museum in western Canada. Originally opened in 1967 as the Provincial Museum of Alberta, it gained royal patronage from Queen Elizabeth II in 2005 before relocating to its current downtown facility in October 2018. Covering over 7,600 square metres of exhibition space, the museum offers expansive halls chronicling the natural and human history of the region.
When you visit, you can explore the Natural History hall, which features Alberta wildlife dioramas, fossils, rocks, and meteorites, alongside sections like Ice Age Alberta and Gems and Minerals. The Human history hall shares the stories of Alberta's past and its diverse people, diving into Indigenous history, ancestral lands, and the cultural shifts shaping post-1945 Alberta. You can also wander through the Bug Gallery to observe live invertebrates and a visible nursery, or head over to the dedicated 650-square-metre Children's Gallery, where younger visitors can play in a dig pit and makerspace.
With dedicated spaces for changing and travelling exhibitions from Canada and around the world, RAM provides a comprehensive look at Alberta's rich natural and cultural heritage.
What to see at Royal Alberta Museum
- Natural History hall featuring Ice Age Alberta fossils, minerals, and wildlife dioramas
- Human history hall showcasing Indigenous heritage and the story of Alberta's people
- Bug Gallery displaying live invertebrates, spiders, and a visible nursery
- Interactive 650-square-metre Children's Gallery with a dig pit and makerspace
- Feature gallery hosting travelling exhibitions from Canada and around the world
Visiting tips
Bring younger travelers to the interactive Children's Gallery so they can enjoy hands-on activities in the dig pit and makerspace.
How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
Royal Alberta Museum is easy to reach on Edmonton’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Al-Rashid Mosque and Art Gallery of Alberta. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Edmonton travel guide.
See the full Edmonton travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.