10 Ways to Explore the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies in Banff, Alberta Canada

Named for local artists and philanthropists Peter and Catharine Whyte, the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies opened as a museum 1968 in downtown Banff to showcase their collection of artifacts and artwork celebrating the town of Banff and the Canadian Rockies. The Whytes were married in the 1930s and built a home in Banff where they lived and supported their local community for over many decades.

The main Gateway to the Rockies exhibit (the entrance sign replicates the sign at the entrance to Banff National Park in Calgary) has several vignettes showcasing important elements of the history of the Canadian Rockies and Banff area. There are also rotating art exhibits, a library and research room, and collections of minerals and crystals. The museum, one of the largest cultural history museums in Alberta, is a wonderful way to deepen visitors’ appreciation for Banff and its rich history.

Travel Tips:

• The museum is open from 10am-5pm; check here for up to date information on hours and admission fees. 
• Museum staff offer guided tours every half hour and special themed tours of the area- Check here for additional information, pricing, and schedules. 
• Check here for the downloadable walking tour app. 
• Limited, free parking is available in front of the museum; there are also several paid lots near the museum
• Washrooms, lockers, and a gift shop are located near admissions. All backpacks and bags must be stored in (free) lockers.
• No dining facilities on site, but there are dozens of restaurants, coffee shops, and snack shops within steps of the museum; a good index here and here. We loved Wild Flour for pastries and coffee and had an amazing dinner at The Bison Restaurant). 
• Plan on 60-75 minutes to fully tour the museum exhibits.

Ten Things for Kids to Do at the Whyte Museum:

1. Stop by the coloring station and pick up the three activity booklets to complete while touring the museum.  Kids will also enjoy the large puzzles in the middle of the Gateway to the Rockies exhibit space.
2. Learn about the bison (English name)/ buffalo (Indigenous name), the largest land mammals in the Western hemisphere.  During the 19th century, the overhunting of buffalo threatened the existence of the species, so Banff National Park created a “Buffalo park” to help preserve the species. However, it didn’t work well and the few remaining buffalo were moved to other parks to save them, but were reintroduced to the area in 2017 and have strengthened their numbers in the past few years. 
3. Open the drawer to see paintings by Mary Schäffer Warren, one of the first non-indigenous people to explore the Canadian Rockies, including Banff and Jasper National Parks. The exhibit also features other Women of the Bow Valley.
4. See the tools, such as ice axes, gloves, and crampons, used by John Palliser’s Expedition of Western Canada in the 1850s.
5. Check out the various marketing campaigns used to bring tourists to Banff (The General  Manager of the Canadian Pacific Railroad, William Cornelius Van Horne, was famous for saying “If we can’t export the scenery, we’ll import the tourists”), including Monopoly games and posters. 

6. Pretend to hide inside a replica snowshed used in the 1800s to protect people from the avalanches. Until the building of the Connaught Tunnel in the mid 1910s, avalanches would often bury trains and people without warning. The snowshed were built to help protect people from the elements, especially at Rogers Pass; until the Tunnels were built in the 20th century, traveling through the Rockies was a dangerous journey.  
7. Listen to the narration about the life of Bill Waterworth, a Banff native, who was shot down over the French coast during World War II, and became a prisoner of war for three years, during which he recorded his captivity. Pay homage to the 60,661 Banff area veterans who died in World  War I and the 42,042 Banff area veterans who died in World War II in the Heritage Gallery. 
8. Hop inside a replica model of a Brewster Company touring car from the mid 1990s. No cars were allowed in Banff National Park (visitors traveled by horse or train) until the late 1920s. The Brewster Company was one of the first companies offering sightseeing tours in its 15 person cars; the company is still in business today!
9. See a pair of mid 20th century seal skin skies (made from the skin of seal), one of the first used on Canadian Trails. Western Canadians preferred snowshoes and it wasn’t until Euporeans introduced skiing in the early 1910s that skiing became popular in Alberta, with the opening of various ski clubs. The Skoki Ski Lodge, opened in 1931, was briefly run by the Whyte family.
10. Pick a favorite crystal or mineral in the lower level Founders Gallery exhibit.

Bonuses: See the rotating art exhibit– The summer of 2024 features The Lake O’Hara Era 1924-1930 exhibit with over 100 works of J. E. H. MacDonald, celebrating the 100th anniversary of his first trip to Lake O’Hara. On display until October 2024. 

Take a break and read a book about Banff in the Reading Room, which has a large library dedicated to the Canadian Rockies and Banff history, and several books for children. 

Looking for other things to do in Banff? Check out our full City Guide to Banff here. 

Disclosure: We were given a media pass to explore the museum; all opinions expressed are my own.