Calgary Historic Sites and Tours Children Will Enjoy
Calgary is a city rich with history and ways to explore it. If your family is looking for ways to learn about the people, places, and events that have made YYC what it is today, there are many Calgary historic sites around the city filled with their stories. Here’s a list of some awesome local historic places and tours for your family to check out (that even the kids in your family will enjoy!)
Calgary Historic Sites and Tours Children Will Enjoy
Heritage Calgary | heritagecalgary.ca
Heritage Calgary has created a series of free walking tours for those who want to get out and explore their communities. The tours are self-directed and can be explored from any point on the maps that are provided on their website. There are locations all over the city, including the Beltline, Chinatown Marda Loop, Mount Royal, Stephen Avenue, the Warehouse District, and even a Haunted Inglewood tour for anyone brave enough to take it!
Heritage Park Historical Village | heritagepark.ca
A visit to Heritage Park is a no-brainer when it comes to showing kids just how fascinating exploring history can be. This popular spot for grownups and children alike is actually Canada’s largest living historical village, and it’s filled with original historical houses, stores, machinery, an authentic steam train, a vintage midway, and a replica of the S.S. Moyie Steamwheeler, just to name a few artifacts! During your visit, you can enjoy a range of treats from baking to ice cream and more, grab a meal at an on-site restaurant, or bring along your own picnic lunch. Heritage Park is open seasonally; Gasoline Alley Museum stays open year-round.
Calgary Cemetery Tours | calgary.ca
There truly is something fascinating about taking a walk through a graveyard, but on your own, it’s hard to uncover the stories that lie beyond the tombstones you see. Through the City of Calgary, volunteer tour guides bring the past to life as they tell the stories of the people and events that have contributed to the city of Calgary. These free tours are offered from May through October, and are offered in the city’s historic Burnsland, St Mary’s, and Union Cemeteries. Visit the website to book your tour!
The Military Museums | themilitarymuseums.ca
Did you know that the city of Calgary is home to Canada’s second largest military museum? Kids fascinated by the military are sure to enjoy a visit to Calgary’s Military Museums, where they can experience the memories and traditions of the Canadian Armed Forces through art, artifacts, and education. There are eight separate museums at one location including the Naval, Army and Air Force Museums of Alberta, the Air Force Cold War Museum, the four museums of the founding regiments, Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) and more.
The Hangar Flight Museum | thehangarmuseum.ca
Are the kids in your family aviation aficionados? If so, head to the Northeast side of the city (near the YYC International Airport) to check out The Hangar Flight Museum, which is filled with interactive exhibits, uniforms, scale models, and over 20 historic aircraft on display in a Second World Ward drill hall and outdoor hangar.
Calgary Tower | calgarytower.com
Fort Calgary | fortcalgary.com
If your family is interested to learn more about the origins of Calgary, add a visit to the home of the first North West Mounted Police fort to your bucket list. This fort, built on traditional Treaty 7 territory in 1875, is filled with with interactive exhibits, costumes, and a virtual streetcar tour. Take a self-guided tour of the land, or book one of their private tours or programs.
Royal Tyrrell Museum | tyrrellmuseum.com
Okay, this one is a bit of a drive, but there truly is nothing more historic (or should we say, prehistoric) than a visit to a dinosaur museum. The Royal Tyrrell Museum Canada’s only museum dedicated exclusively to the study of ancient life. As you explore the museum, you’ll find one of the world’s largest displays of dinosaurs, as well as a variety of creative, fun, and educational programs. If you’d like to join a group of fellow dino-enthusiasts on a guided tour excursion, Viator has several tour options available!
What are your favourite ways to explore Calgary’s fabulous history with your family? Are there any Calgary historic sites that should be added to our list? Let us know in the comments!
