Calgary 
Until September 2, 2025, Alberta’s provincial historic sites and museums will offer free admission for individuals aged 17 and under, and half-price entry for those aged 18 to 24.
Credit: Alberta Culture and Tourism
The initiative is part of the Canada Strong Pass program, aimed at increasing accessibility to cultural and historical resources across the province.
The temporary pricing applies to a range of locations, including the Royal Alberta Museum and Rutherford House in Edmonton, the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, and the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre in Crowsnest Pass. Other participating sites include the Oil Sands Discovery Centre, the Remington Carriage Museum, and the Turner Valley Gas Plant.
Participating Alberta Museums
1. Oil Sands Discovery Centre – Explore the Oil Sands Discovery Centre in Fort McMurray to uncover the history, science, and technology behind Alberta’s oil sands. Enjoy interactive exhibits, films, live demonstrations, and view massive industrial equipment like a 150-tonne truck and the 850-tonne “Cyrus” bucketwheel excavator. It’s an immersive, educational experience—no hard hat required! @ 515 MacKenzie Blvd, Fort McMurray
2. Fort George and Buckingham House – Visit Fort George and Buckingham House near Elk Point to explore Alberta’s fur trade history through guided forest walks, interactive exhibits, and hands-on programs. Ideal for families, schools, and groups, experiences are curriculum-based and customizable. Learn where history happened in 1792 and make learning fun with engaging activities rooted in Alberta’s cultural and historical heritage. @ 6015 Twp Rd 565, County of St. Paul
3. Historic Dunvegan – Historic Dunvegan offers immersive learning through four restored buildings and engaging stories of Indigenous, fur trade, and mission life. @ Fairview
4. Victoria Settlement – Step into Alberta’s past at Victoria Settlement, where costumed interpreters bring history to life through engaging activities and tours. Explore two restored buildings in beautiful parkland, situated on the Iron Horse Trail, for a fun and family-friendly experience. Discover a fascinating era through interactive storytelling and scenic surroundings, making history both memorable and enjoyable for all ages. @ County of Smoky Lake
5. Royal Alberta Museum —The Royal Alberta Museum, Western Canada’s largest, offers an extensive journey through Alberta’s history with over 82,000 square feet of exhibition space. It showcases over 5,300 artifacts, from petroglyphs and dinosaurs to First Peoples’ history and modern Alberta. Highlights include the Natural History Hall, Human History Hall, Bug Gallery, a Children’s Gallery, and international exhibitions. @ Royal Alberta Museum, 103A Avenue Northwest, Edmonton
6. Rutherford House — Explore the historic home of Alberta’s first Premier, Alexander Cameron Rutherford. Explore this elegant historic house, join in historical games with the costumed interpreters, sample a treat made in the historic kitchen, and make an old-fashioned craft. @ 11153 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton
7. Reynolds Museum — The Reynolds Museum is an international award-winning destination celebrating mechanical heritage. Through exhibits on transportation, aviation, agriculture, and industry, visitors explore the evolution of machines that shaped our world. @6426 – 40 Ave, Wetaskiwin
8. Stephansson House — Step into 1927 at Stephansson House, home of Stephan G. Stephansson, “Poet of the Rocky Mountains.” Nestled near the Rockies, this preserved homestead reflects the life of Alberta’s famed Icelandic poet. With original furnishings, baking aromas, and costumed interpreters, experience the inspiring blend of prairie life, poetry, and history in a serene, authentic setting. @ 2230 Twp Rd 371, Red Deer County
9. Turner Valley Gas Plant — Visit the historic site in Diamond Valley, home to Western Canada’s first commercial oilfield and natural gas plant. Tour historic buildings, exhibits, and the site where Dingman No. 1 struck gas in 1914, launching Alberta’s petroleum era. Discover the evolution of oil and gas processing technology at this key landmark in Canada’s petrochemical history. @ Sunset Blvd SE, Diamond Valley
10. Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology – The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, Canada’s premier museum dedicated to ancient life, features one of the largest dinosaur displays globally and offers engaging educational programs. @ Midland Provincial Park, Drumheller
11. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump – Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a site used for communal hunting for over 6,000 years by the Plains Buffalo people, features advanced techniques for herding bison into lanes towards a cliff for capture. This location, exceptionally well-preserved and extensive, offers insights into pre-European North American hunting practices. The site is located southwest of Fort McLeod. @ Highway AB-785, Fort MacLeod
12. Frank Slide Interpretive Centre – Discover the dramatic story of Canada’s deadliest rockslide at the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre in Crowsnest Pass. Overlooking the slide site, the centre offers interactive exhibits, gripping storytelling, and award-winning shows that reveal what happened the night Turtle Mountain collapsed, bringing Alberta’s history to life in a powerful and unforgettable way. @ 1.5 km off Highway #3, Crowsnest Pass
13. Remington Carriage Museum – This is the largest of its kind museum located in Cardston, showcases the history of horse-drawn transportation in North America. Explore interactive exhibits, view carriages, wagons, and sleighs, visit a working restoration shop, and enjoy live horses. It’s a fun, educational experience for the whole family in a unique historical setting. @ 623 Main Street, Cardston
Historic sites like Okotoks Erratic – ‘Big Rock’, Brooks Aqueduct and Leitch Collieries are free to visit year-round.
Canada Strong Pass: Alberta participation
Alberta’s government offers free entry for those 17 and under and half-price for ages 18 to 24 at provincial attractions via Canada Strong Pass.
The program encourages residents and visitors to explore Alberta’s diverse heritage.
Visitors may use the discount multiple times throughout the program period. However, no refunds or date extensions will be granted for visits made outside the specified timeframe. Experience Alberta’s History Annual Passes are not eligible for extensions under this program.
Participants are encouraged to contact individual sites for details on programming and how the Canada Strong Pass applies at each location.
When: July 4 to September 2, 2025.
