A COMPLETE Guide For Visiting Heritage Park Calgary (for 2024)

Compiled by the Road Trip Alberta team

Last updated on March 22, 2024

Heritage Park in Calgary takes guests on a remarkable journey through Western Canadian history. This living museum showcases life from the 1860s to the 1950s with over 180 exhibits, including historical buildings, a steam train, and an antique midway.

The park is open year-round and offers a variety of seasonal events. It’s one of our favourite open-air museums, and every time we go, we experience something new. Plus, it’s fun for all ages and makes for an exciting and educational day that’s sure to be memorable for anyone.

A Guide to Heritage Park Historical Village

About Heritage Park Historical Village

Known as Western Canada’s largest living history museum, Heritage Park Historical Village is one of the best things to do in Calgary. This massive park deserves at least a day’s time, as it’s the perfect place to enjoy a wonderful blend of education and entertainment.

Found across 127 acres of land, the historical village showcases Western Canada’s history, from the early 1860s of the fur trade to the automobile-dominated 1950s. With multiple preserved heritage buildings, costumed staff, restaurants, shopping, over 180 exhibits and 55,000 artifacts, Heritage Park Calgary has plenty to see and do.

History of the Park

The park was first conceived as an idea in 1961 and relied on generous donations from The Woods Foundation and interested Calgarians. With an aim to create a children’s pioneer park where they could both learn and play, construction began shortly thereafter; the park was officially opened to the public on July 1st, 1964. At the time, it was operated by only 28 employees (22 of them part-time) and 100 volunteers.

Today, after many additions and renovations over the years, it is one of the largest living history museums in the world and is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Alberta. It now employs over 500 people and relies on the help of over 1,800 volunteers every year.

Location and Parking

The Heritage Park Historical Village is located at 1900 Heritage Drive SW, Calgary, T2V 2X3. It is on the Glenmore Reservoir, not far from downtown Calgary. You can easily get there by car or by public transportation; Calgary Transit runs the Route 502 bus between the Heritage LRT station and the front gate of Heritage Park.

Heritage Park has a paid parking lot, and you can pay through one of the ParkPlus machines or various parking apps. The daytime cost is currently $8 for the first seven hours and then $8 for every half hour after that (to a maximum of $32). If you plan on attending an evening event at the park, evening parking is currently a $3 flat rate, beginning at 5 pm (although cars must be removed by 9 am the next morning). None of these fees apply to members.

If you plan on shopping or dining in the Heritage Town Square free zone, there is complimentary parking for up to 90 minutes (although you still must register your licence plate into one of the ParkPlus machines).

Heritage Park Calgary Opening Hours

Heritage Park Calgary is a mostly seasonal attraction, as not every exhibit is open year-round. The Historical Village is open from May long weekend until Labour Day and then weekends until Canadian Thanksgiving; it is always closed on Mondays. The Railway Café, Selkirk Restaurant, Gasoline Alley, and the Shops of the Haskayne Mercantile Block are open year-round in the Heritage Town Square. 

This year, the Historical Village is open on May 18th, 2024.

The hours of operation differ for each exhibit depending on the time of year. For a full list of the heritage park’s opening hours, click here.

Prices of Admission

Currently, the price of general admission to the Gasoline Alley Museum is $14.95, while those aged 3-15 are $8.95. Children under 3 visit for free.

If you plan on visiting Heritage Park Historical Village a few times per year, it is definitely worth it to buy a membership. There are numerous membership options, including “Express” and “Escape.” To find out which membership might work for you and your family, click here.

Accessibility

Unfortunately, not all Heritage Park Historical Village areas are accessible, especially for wheelchair users. While the Gasoline Alley Museum and Heritage Town Square are fully accessible, the historical village has gravel roads and boardwalks, which make it difficult for those in wheelchairs. Additionally, many of the buildings within the village are original structures from history and so have not always been modified to accommodate wheelchair users.

All exhibits that are indeed accessible by wheelchair are identified by a wheelchair symbol on the park’s map (which you can get at the front gate). The Heritage Park bus is also available for those with special requirements, which you can inquire about at the front gate. Note that wheelchairs, motorized scooters, and strollers are unavailable to rent at the park.

Also worth mentioning, service dogs are welcome inside the park and all other exhibits.

Things to Do at the Heritage Park Historical Village

Exhibits

With over 180 exciting exhibits and attractions at Heritage Park Historical Village, it would be impossible to list them all! The exhibits are found in four distinct areas, including the 1860s Fur Trading Fort and First Nations Encampment, the 1880s Pre-Railway Settlement, the circa 1910 Prairie Railway Town, and the 1930s, 40s, and 50s Gasoline Alley Museum (a vintage car museum) and Heritage Town Square. Wander among the areas and explore preserved heritage buildings, shop in traditional shops, and even ride trains or a paddlewheeler.

In the 1860s Fur Trading Fort and First Nations Encampment, explore the Hudson’s Bay Company Fur Trading Fort, Laggan Station, Bowell Station, and the First Nations Encampment, where you can see traditional tipis.

In the 1880s Pre-Railway Settlement, you can find numerous exhibits, including the Railway Water Tower, the Livingston House and Barn, the Trapper’s Cabin, and multiple locomotives.

The 1910 Prairie Railway Town is one of the largest sections, with many exhibits to explore. You can find, amongst others, a Finnish Sauna, the Atlas Lumber Yard, Barons Snooker Parlour, Shonts Grain Elevator, Burnside Ranch House, and many more. There’s also the Midway for rides and games, which we describe below.

Finally, the Gasoline Alley Museum and Heritage Town Square feature dozens of classic automobiles, a bandstand, and a plaza with the Haskayne Mercantile Block shops.

Midway

In our opinion, the Midway is one of the best parts of Heritage Park! Ride the antique Midway rides just as people did in the early 20th century, but don’t be surprised if it turns out to be just as exciting as a modern-day fair. There’s a Ferris wheel, children’s boat swing, dangler swings, a carousel, and many more fun rides to enjoy.

Wagon Rides

During the summer months, horse-drawn wagon rides are available. It’s a unique and relaxing way to see the park!

Train Rides

Have you ever wanted to ride on an authentic steamtrain? You’re in luck! At Heritage Park Historical Village, you can do just that. It’s a great way to see the park!

Paddlewheeler Rides

The S.S. Moyie Historical Paddlewheeler is part of Heritage Park, and you can take a ride on the boat during the summer months. It’s a neat way to learn about the role that paddlewheelers played in Alberta and BC in the 19th and 20th centuries!

Shopping

Shopping is available inside and outside the historical village. Inside, traditional and old-fashioned goods can be bought at Botsford Harness Shop, I.G. Baker & Co. Store, Gledhill’s Drug Store, and Claresholm General Store.

Outside the historical village, shop at the Haskayne Mercantile Block shops in the Heritage Park Town Square.

Events

Numerous events take place throughout the year at Heritage Park, including special exhibits, holiday festivals, tea parties, breakfast buffets, rallies, private functions, and more. Check the park’s event schedule here to stay in the loop.

Programs

If you’re like us, you want to know even more about Alberta’s history after visiting Heritage Park. Thankfully, there are plenty of programs at the park to keep you busy all year long! From school programs to storytime to adult educational programs, there’s a solid list of ways to learn more about the people who lived this history. Check their website for plenty of programs and educational events to choose from.

Heritage Park Calgary Tours

There are tours available of the park for large groups; make sure to book at least 10 days in advance if you’d like a complimentary tour for your group of 15 people or more.

Otherwise, self-guided walking tours are encouraged, especially as there are many costumed interpreters and staff members along the way to help with any questions you may have. The self-guided walking tour maps are available at the front gate of the historical village.

Can you eat at Heritage Park Calgary?

Yes! There are plenty of places to eat at the Heritage Park Historical Village. There are multiple concessions throughout the park, all serving food that relates to the eras represented in the park. Think old-fashioned candy at Claresholm General Store, delicious bread and tarts at the Alberta Bakery, sodas at Harvey’s Confectionary, and candy floss and other indulgent treats at the Midway Treatery. Hot dogs, snacks, cold drinks, and more are available throughout the park at various concessions.

For a more substantial meal, try one of the restaurants or diners in the park, including Club Café, Gunn’s Dairy Barn, Railway Café, or the Wainwright Hotel. All of these spots offer tasty food with a historical flair and original decor, transporting you back in time. Click here for opening hours for all of these locations, as some are only open in summer.

Finally, you can also visit The Selkirk Grille, which is found outside the park gates in the Heritage Town Square free zone. The Selkirk Grille is open year-round.

Can you stay overnight inside the Heritage Park Historical Village?

No, there is nowhere to stay overnight within the park. The Wainwright Hotel is for historical purposes only. Make sure to check out our list of the best hotels in Calgary!