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20+ Free Museums Around Edmonton

John Walter Museum

Whether you’re trying to fill a rainy afternoon, entertain curious kids, explore local history, or just want an excuse to get out of the house, there are plenty of museums around Edmonton where admission is free, by donation, or donations are simply appreciated.

From military history and vintage classrooms to fossils, creepy antiques, historic homes, and model trains, these small museums prove you don’t need to spend a lot to discover something new.

One big (but easy) favour: When you visit these museums be sure to sign the guestbook. Visitor numbers can impact the grants and funding many small museums rely on to stay open. Your visit, even when admission is free, can help support these local attractions.

Please Note: We do our best to keep the information Alberta Mamas current and accurate, but all information shared is subject to change. Please check the website and/or social media for the organizations directly (we always try to link to them!) to confirm before travelling.

Land Acknowledgement

This land has welcomed First Nations from across Turtle Island, and settlers and visitors from around the world. Alberta lands are part of Treaties 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10, and the homeland of the Métis.

Alberta Mamas respects and celebrates the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all Indigenous, Métis, and Inuit nations. We are striving to better listen, understand, and learn from the Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing.

We are all Treaty people.

Before You Go!

Wood sign reads "Welcome we are Open please come in" over a blurry background.

Many of these museums have limited, seasonal, or changing hours, so be sure to check the museum’s website and social media before heading out.

I’ve listed the published hours at the time this article was written, but they are always subject to change.

Map of Edmonton’s Free Museums

Are you going to be in a specific corner of the city? Find a museum near you using the map:

Free Museums in Edmonton

Legislature Building Visitor Centre

Be sure to also register for a 45 minute tour of the Legislature Building, too. (Must register in advance!)

  • Address: 9820 107 Street, Edmonton
  • Admission: Free
  • Hours:
    • Summer: 10am to 4pm, Wednesday to Sunday
    • Winter: 11am to 3pm, Wednesday to Sunday
  • Website

Edmonton Public Schools Archives & Museum

Be sure to ask about the scavenger hunt and visit the General Office on the second floor for a prize!

  • Address: McKay Avenue School, Edmonton
  • Admission: Free
  • Hours: Follows the EPSB school calendar. Self-Guided tours are available between 9am-noon and 1-3pm.
  • Visit Length: 1 to 2 hours
  • Website

The Beck Horror Museum

Tucked at the back of the store this dimly lit area has several areas and includes creepy dolls, horror movie dioramas, and a variety of haunted and cursed objects Beck’s has collected over the years.

  • Address: Beck’s Antiques, West Edmonton Mall
  • Admission: Free
  • Hours: Mall hours
  • Visit Length: 10 minutes
  • Website

University of Alberta Museums

Bones on display inside the Palaeontology Museum at the University of Alberta.

The University of Alberta has 30 registered museum collections found throughout the University of Alberta’s North Campus.

Four have regular public hours, and the rest require appointments to view.

John Walter Museum

John Walter Museum

Explore some of the earliest homes from the Edmonton area. Located in the same parking lot as Kinsmen Sports Centre, Queen Elizabeth Pool, and the Grizzly Bear Lodge playground.

  • Address: 9180 Walterdale Hill, Edmonton
  • Admission: Free
  • Hours: 1-4pm, Sundays
  • Website

Strathcona Streetcar Barn & Museum

Note: While admission to the museum is free, there are fares to ride the streetcar.

  • Address: 103 Street and 84 Avenue, Edmonton
  • Admission: Free but donations are gladly accepted!
  • Hours: 10:30am – 2:30pm Saturdays, Noon – 3pm Sundays and Holidays from May Long Weekend to Thanksgiving (excluding Fringe Festival)
  • Website

The Loyal Edmonton Regiment Military Museum

  • Address: Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre, 10440 108 Avenue, Edmonton
  • Admission: Free
  • Hours: 10am – 4pm, Monday to Friday (except holidays)
  • Visit Length: 30 minutes to 2 hours
  • Website

Ukrainian Museum of Canada

Not to be confused with Ukrainian Village east of Edmonton, this small museum is located within St John’s Cultural Centre.

  • Address: St John’s Cultural Centre, 10611 110 Avenue, Edmonton
  • Admission: By donation
  • Hours: 10am – 4pm, May to August
  • Visit Length: under 30 minutes
  • Website

More Affordable Things to Do in Edmonton

Whether you’re planning a day out with the kids or looking for something new to explore, there are plenty more ways to get out and enjoy the city.

Explore all of our Edmonton-related articles to find your next favourite thing!

Free Museums in St Albert

Father Lacombe Chapel

Join interpretive guides to explore the chapel, crypt, grotto, and cemetery on historic Mission Hill.

  • Address: 5 St. Vital Ave., St Albert
  • Admission: By cash donation
  • Hours: 10am – 5pm, Wednesday to Sunday, Mid-May to Early September
  • Visit Length: For a Chapel tour only, allow 30 minutes. For full tour including the grotto, cemetery, and Mission Hill, allow 1 hour or more.
  • Website

St. Albert’s Historic River Lots & Grain Elevators

Home to some of St. Albert’s oldest surviving historic houses and agricultural buildings. Start by meeting an interpreter at the Train Station.

  • Address: 4 Meadowview Drive, St Albert
  • Admission: Admission is free, donations welcome
  • Hours: 10am – 5pm, Wednesday to Sunday (and Holiday Mondays), May Long Weekend to September Long Weekend
  • Visit Length: Guided tours typically take about 90 minutes
  • Website

Musée Héritage Museum

Located at the east end of St Albert Place by the waterfall window, this museum covers the local history of Alberta’s oldest town that didn’t start as a fort.

  • Address: 5 St Anne Street, St Albert
  • Admission: Admission is free, donations welcome
  • Hours: 10am – 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday
  • Visit Length: 30 minutes to 1 hour
  • Website

Tip: If you miss the apple tree that was in St Albert Public Library, this is the place to find it now!

Free Museums North of Edmonton

Musée Morinville Museum

  • Address: 10010-101 Street, Morinville
  • Admission: Admission is free, donations welcome
  • Hours: 12pm – 5pm, Wednesday to Saturday
  • Website

Gibbons Museum

Wander around the small village of historical buildings and learn the story of the founding of Gibbons and the surrounding area.

  • Address: 4807 – 50 Avenue, Gibbons
  • Admission: Admission is free, donations welcome
  • Hours:
    • 9am-Noon, 1-4pm Monday-Wednesday & Friday
    • Noon-7pm Thursdays
  • Website

Free Museums East of Edmonton

Strathcona County Museum & Archives

  • Address: 913 Ash Street, Sherwood Park
  • Admission: Admission is by donation
  • Hours: 10am – 4pm, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday; 1pm – 8pm Thursdays
  • Visit Length: 30 minutes to 1 hour
  • Website

Free Museums South of Edmonton

Beaumont & District Heritage Society

  • Address: 3116 – 49th Street, Beaumont
  • Admission: Admission is free, donations welcome
  • Hours:
    • 9:30am to Noon Monday & Wednesday
    • 1pm to 4pm Tuesday & Thursday
  • Website

Dr. Woods’ House Museum

  • Address: 4801 49 Avenue, Leduc
  • Admission: Admission is free, donations welcome
  • Hours: 4-8pm, Tuesday to Thursday, June 23 to Sept 7, 2026
  • Visit Length: 30 minutes
  • Website

Free Museums West of Edmonton

Stony Plain and Parkland Pioneer Museum

  • Address: 5120-41 Avenue, Stony Plain
  • Admission: Admission is free, donations welcome
  • Hours:
    • Summer hours: 10am-4pm, 7 days a week
      • Model Train: 1pm-4pm, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
    • Tea House: 11am-3pm, Friday & Saturday until the end of September
  • Website

Red Brick Common (formerly Multicultural Heritage Centre)

  • Address: 5411 – 51 Street, Stony Plain
  • Admission: Admission is free, donations welcome
  • Hours: 11am – 4pm, Monday to Saturday
  • Website

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