The Military Museums

This was absolutely amazing. There were retired army veterans working there, volunteering. The exhibits were detailed and there was so much information. One of the volunteers, Reg, took us on a tour spontaneously and it was absolutely amazing. How humble he was, how informative he was and how funny and pleasant he was made this one of our best memories on our road trip to Calgary from Vancouver. The stories he told were amazing and I felt like I could have stayed there for 6 hours and not be bored. It was also huge, we were there 2 hours and only went through one section of it.

My husband, a former reservist and military history enthusiast, and I were happy to make a return visit to The Military Museums in Calgary. This is the second-largest military museum in Canada. It has 8 museums at this location; navy, army, air. There is an incredible team of staff and docents, including many veterans. They are welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable. We received a free, 60-minute personal tour by a retired history teacher (I'm sorry, I can't recall his name) of the section dedicated to the Army. It was amazing. The collection is massive and in rotation as only a portion is on display at any one time in this huge complex so you'll see new things each time you visit. If you're ever in Calgary, go!

This museum offers an engaging and immersive journey through Canada’s Army, Navy, and Air Force history. With impressive exhibits like real tanks, fighter jets, and an authentic Enigma machine, it’s both educational and exciting. Each gallery, from the regimental displays to the naval simulators, is thoughtfully curated and rich in detail. The friendly staff and volunteers add a personal touch, making the experience even more memorable. It’s a must-visit for history enthusiasts, families, and anyone interested in Canada’s military legacy.

The Military Museums in Calgary offers a powerful and educational journey through Canada’s military history. It’s a well-organized and immersive space that represents all three branches of the Canadian Armed Forces—Army, Navy, and Air Force—along with dedicated sections for the Cold War, Afghanistan mission, and peacekeeping efforts. A must-visit Calgary destination for anyone wanting to understand Canada’s military past and its continuing legacy.

This museum rivals if not surpasses the National War Museum in Ottawa for its large collection. My 3 pre teen kids thoroughly enjoyed it. I’d recommend at least 3 hours to be able to see and enjoy all the displays.

OMG, this was THE BEST MUSEUM we’ve ever been to. 8 museums in total, 2 super bigs ones, Air and Navy and 5 Army museums, which are smaller but no less impressive. 8th was the cold war exhibit but, after 3 Army museums and the 2 large ones, we just ran out of time. We will go back to finish the tour, hopefully soon. Our only downside was, we would, however, love a proper coffee/cafe on site. The coffee and snacks from the gift shop were ok…

The name of the place does allude to the fact that this is several separate museums all in one facility. It can be a bit frustrating to try to teach history to children as each gallery has its own full history and it repeats in each one, but I'd recommend starting in the PPCLI for a really good holistic story of time, and then elaborate on what fits in when as you go through the others. The exhibits themselves are absolutely stunning. I have had the opportunity to see many museums across Canada and the USA and the depictions and interactive displays here are so well done and well-maintained I was floored. GREAT use of mirrors to expand spaces, the periscopes were a treat and such smooth bearings, the scenes from full size mannequins to scale model battlefields so good to show you what it was like. The immersive areas truly immerse you, in trenches, in POW shacks, in barracks. The Founders Gallery was neat for a museum nerd, to walk in and feel the climate and humidity control, you know what's in it is precious. Finding a whole gymnasium space of propaganda was eerie given current times! Having washrooms in two spaces was nice, we didn't have to return to the beginning to relieve ourselves, and the break room/snack room was an absolute treat to find as a family. Ample space to bring out the lunch we packed guilt-free. Drinks, snacks, and small meals clearly laid out for purchase nearby if needed. Lots of toys for kids to play - dress up, Lego, K'Nex, and small world play, as well as coloring and puzzle pages. At several places we met docents/volunteers who were all eager to share their knowledge. It was a treat getting more in-depth tours and tips about other galleries as well. It's a traveling exhibit, but my little loved the code breaking in the Naval Museum, and I loved being able to see an Enigma machine and the visual to see how it actually coded and decoded.