Face it, museums are subjective – not everyone is interested in Granny’s coffee grinder. Most are like antique stores without the price tags. In the Edmonton area though, we’ve got decidedly XY museums full of trains, planes and automobiles. Grab a camera and explore these gems.
The Alberta Aviation Museum is located at the City Airport, not the International, making it easily accessible. From a Tiger Moth to the ill-fated Avro, there are over 30 aircraft displayed, as well as artifacts from the bush pilots who helped open the north. 11410 Kingsway Avenue, (780) 451-1175.
The Alberta Railway Museum collects far more than trains. Original firehalls, water towers and tiny rail stations rescued from Edmonton and the surrounding counties dot the grounds. The trains are the stars though, saved from certain death on an iron scrap heap and restored to their original state. The best way to get there is to head east on Hwy. #37 past Namao to 34th Street. 24215 – 34th Street, (780) 472-6229.
The Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin is the ultimate transportation museum. If it moves (or used to), they have it either on display or in storage waiting for restoration. This year will be their 10th anniversary, with a vintage car show on June 14 and 15. You could also pretend to be the Red Baron and fly in an open cockpit biplane (20 minutes of this will cost you $170 and your lunch). Located west of Wetaskiwin on Hwy. #13, (780) 361-1351.
