Banff Park Museum National Historic Site

Cute and charming little museum dedicated to stuffed animals and local wildlife. Some of their oldest bird specimens date back to the 1860s, which is amazing to see up close. There’s a small admission fee, but it’s absolutely worth it to help support the local parks and preserve the area’s natural history.

This museum turned out to be one of the best places I have visited for anyone interested in nature and wildlife. What makes it special is the way it presents the animals of the region in such a complete and impressive way. The collection includes everything from plants and insects to mammals and birds, all carefully preserved through taxidermy. Walking through the exhibits gives you a real sense of the diversity of life in the area, and seeing the animals in their actual size and form was both educational and fascinating. The wooden interior and overall design of the museum add to the natural atmosphere, making the space feel warm and inviting. It’s not just about displays it feels like a step closer to understanding the environment and the creatures that live in it. Another highlight is that there is no admission fee. Entry is completely free, which makes it very accessible for everyone. At the entrance, the staff were welcoming and helpful, taking the time to explain the basic rules for visitors. This created a positive first impression and made the visit smooth and enjoyable. We really enjoyed spending time here, taking photos, and learning more about the local wildlife. It’s also an excellent spot for children, since they can see animals up close in a way that books or screens can’t offer. Overall, I highly recommend this museum to families, tourists, and anyone curious about the natural world. It was a truly rewarding experience.

Banff Park Museum is a must-visit gem in Banff National Park! Housed in a beautiful historic log building, this museum offers a fascinating look at Western Canada’s natural history with over 5,000 vintage specimens, from stuffed bears to unique minerals. The interactive exhibits and Xplorers Club activities were a hit with our kids, making it a fun and educational stop. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. The only downside was that it felt a bit small, and we wished for more modern displays. Still, a great experience for the price, and we’d definitely return!

The Banff Museum is a charming and informative place to visit. The exhibits offer interesting insight into the history, culture, and natural environment of the area. It’s well organized and easy to explore, with knowledgeable staff and a peaceful atmosphere. While it’s not very large, it’s definitely worth a visit, especially if you want to learn more about Banff’s heritage.

Has to be seen to be believed. To see specimens of such a huge range of wildlife over 100 years old was incredible. Even the 120 year old display cases were wonderful to look at. Highly recommended.

Wandered in just past 3PM, and was told I had the rare opportunity to have the guided tour at 3:30PM. So I wandered around in the museum, which despite its size has quite a few things on display. It's essentially a taxidermy display of animals that roamed (or at least at some point) the surrounding areas. At 4.50$ for an adult, it isn't exactly pricey and the sign at the entrance said it was actually free for year pass holders, though unfortunately I didn't have it on me. The building is a work of art, both inside and outside and is a rare survivor of its time and style. The guided tour was great, and provided a lot more insight into the history of how the place came to be as well as a minor intro into taxidermy. I was told the tour was only two days per year or so, but all of the staff I talked to were very eager to help answer any question you might have. So don't hesitate to ask stuff. All staff were extremely knowledgeable about a great variety of topics. Things to look out for: - a very chunky beaver - botched avian pedicures - a nearly beheaded pelican - the US custom stamps on some displays - the adorable staff member Claire who made my day

This little piece of history is right in the centre of the town of Banff. It is an original architectural delight of wooden construction built in the beginning of the 1900's. Although the displays are minimal compared to today's standard, the history it reflects, along with its displays are still relevant. I'm sure this would have really been something to witness in its heyday. Plenty of staff on hand. Unfortunately, no Jr Ranger programs available due to ironically, lack of funds, according to a staff member. The place is teeming with people overpaying for everything so I did find that comment somewhat laughable.

A small museum near downtown with an interesting variety of local subjects covered. The largest subject seemed to be the local wildlife. It was interesting how they included the animals' environment of a few animals and may have influenced them - a very good idea, which should be expanded. The second subject covered global warming, which had a section just for it. Thought it was very well done, making it interesting without being overly scientific. The building itself was historical. There's not much on museums, but this was nice to see on a local level.

A place to see all the animals you didn't see live in Banff National Park. We didn't see a lot of wild animals in our trip to the Canadian Rockies. Trout in Maligne Lake, pikas at Morraine Lake, elk on the Icefields Parkway, and bison at a ranch in the Kananaskis Valley. Here in the heart of Banff is a two story 100+ year old building, constructed out of Douglas Fir, renovated, so that the interior structure looks spanking new, with varnished wood beams. Entering the front door, and I feel like I'm in the center of a stage, with all the animals seated in the stands and bleachers, looking right down on me, with open eyes, ready to pounce! Individual airtight glass cases, to keep out destructive insects and live rodents, and keep the dust down. Wolves, lynx, elk, moose, bison, mountain lion, ox, beaver, bear, deer, mountain goat, owls, birds, and pronghorn sheep. Two stories, with the second floor being a corridor running along the sides, with a center gap, looking down on the displays. Many of these animals, I've seen live in Yosemite, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. Today for the 150th anniversary of Canada, free admission throughout 2017. A great place to spend a few hours during our stay in Banff, under forest fire smoky skies, this first week in September.

One of the perks for running the Banff Marathon was free entry into the Banff Park Museum. It was very convenient since the race finished right at Central Park. So after the race, my friend and I stopped in here to check things out. Before we began looking around, the guy at the entrance made sure to let us know that some of the exhibits were over 100 years old and cautioned us not to touch any of them. There were 2 floors full of exhibits including a room with videos. A lot of the animals that we saw were ones you probably don't want to come across out in the wild! Overall I thought it was a museum definitely worth checking out.

I love it, is free on Saturday and if you are a Fairmont guest. Very educational experience, staff very knowledgeable.

Come to see the beautiful Douglas fir building filled with natural light, stay for the 70 pound beaver! Tons of stuffed animals from the 1800s and friendly charming park rangers to explain it all. Several people mention a charge to get in, but it was free on the Saturday I went in March.

If you walked into town and are heading back up the hill stop in here and support Parks Canada! Cool spot with a lot of history- mostly taxidermy of animals (some of which I promise you did not see in the park) and neat black and white photos. The building itself is gorgeous and you can get some great photos. I'm so glad we stumbled in here!

The Banff Park museum was the child of the old Natural History Branch of the Geological Survey of Canada back in 1895. The present 1903 museum building is the largest and most elaborate example of the early phase of park design utilizing decorative cross-log construction. The resulting roof/walls, large windows, nice natural light, truss system, and Douglas Fir construction make the interior and exterior architecture of this "railway pagoda" half the fun in coming here. The other half of course are some of the most unique and "stuffed" natural history exhibits that I have seen, or really ever want to see. The collection itself is an OCD-inspired collectors dream (with more than 5000 specimens), and could have easily made a vegetarian out me.

Great slice of Banff history and a neat view of how they told these stories 100 years ago through stuffed animals. A real throw back and a good deal at $3. The design of the building and all of the wood interiors were stunning. August 2014

The love child of a taxidermist and an obsessive-compulsive collector, the Banff Park Museum serves as a cabinet of curiosities for Canadian wildlife. Set in a small two-story building, it is stuffed (pun intended) with dead animals brought back to life with shiny, glass button eyes. There is quite a nice variety, though, including an elk, musk ox, beaver, lynx, and two ponderous bison heads mourning the romance of another era. Half of downstairs is devoted to winged creatures, including owls, hummingbirds, water fowl of all kinds, as well as an entire display of bees. For families with children who may be terrified of so many beasties, there is a Discovery Room in the back where you can touch different kinds of antlers and pelts. For a mere $3.90 fee for adults, the museum is worth going to, since you will probably never see so many stuffed animals crammed into such a confined space.