Banff Park Museum

Banff Town


Occupying the oldest surviving federal building in a Canadian National Park and dating from 1903, this museum is a national historic site. Its exhibits – a taxidermic collection of local animals, including grizzly and black bears, plus a tree carved with graffiti dating from 1841 – was curated by Norman Sanson, who ran the museum and Banff weather station until 1932. A number of the animals originally resided in a long-ago zoo that was briefly located behind the museum.

When the animals died, the zoo would donate them to be displayed in the museum – an early example of recycling, perhaps.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Banff Town attractions

1. Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies

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Founded by local artists Catharine and Peter Whyte, the century-old Whyte Museum is more than just a rainy-day option. It boasts a beautiful, ever…

2. Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum

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The Luxton Museum recounts the story of Alberta's indigenous people, with a strong emphasis on the Cree, Blackfoot, Blood and Stoney nations. The displays…

3. Banff Avenue

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A little over a century ago, Banff Ave was Banff. Initially, the central street was home to little more than a handful of hotels, homesteads and trail…

4. Old Banff Cemetery

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Banff’s shaded cemetery is worth a visit, especially if you’re interested in the town’s history. Some of the gravestones date back to the 1890s; among the…

5. Bow Falls

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About 500m south of town, just before the junction with Spray River, the Bow River plunges into a churning melee of white water at Bow Falls. Though the…

6. Surprise Corner Viewpoint

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About 1.2km east of Banff Town, the Surprise Corner viewpoint looks out over the rushing white water of Bow Falls.

7. Marsh Loop

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This 2.3km loop trail begins near the Cave & Basin National Historic Site and meanders through one of Banff’s most important areas of natural marshland…

8. Cave & Basin National Historic Site

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The Canadian National Park system was effectively born at these hot springs, discovered accidentally by three Canadian Pacific Railway employees on their…

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