Visiting CPDC FAQ
Visiting the Calgary Police Discovery Centre: Frequently Asked Questions
Planning Your Visit
Whether you’re visiting with your family, planning a weekend activity, bringing grandparents, or looking for CPDC Visitor Questions about FREE Educational attractions in Calgary for families, the Calgary Police Discovery Centre offers an interactive experience unlike any other museum in the city.
Located in northeast Calgary, the Discovery Centre combines hands‑on exhibits, real police artifacts, forensic science, cyber safety activities, and interactive challenges that encourage visitors of all ages to learn while having fun. CPDC Visitor Questions about FREE Educational attractions in Calgary for families that help them choose meaningful, hands‑on experiences in the city.
Most visitors spend between 1½ and 2 hours exploring the exhibits, although families with younger children often stay longer as kids enjoy revisiting interactive stations.
Below you’ll find answers to the questions visitors ask us most often. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please contact our team, we’re always happy to help.
Is the Calgary Police Discovery Centre free?
Yes. Admission to the Calgary Police Discovery Centre is completely free.
Visitors can explore the exhibits, participate in interactive activities, and learn about policing, forensic science, cyber safety, and crime prevention without purchasing admission tickets.
Although admission is free, donations are always appreciated and help support educational programming for schools and community groups.
Helpful Tip
Weekends and special event days can be busier than usual. Arriving earlier in the day often provides the best experience.
Related Questions
- Do I need tickets?
- Can adults visit without children?
- What exhibits are included?
Why is the Calgary Police Discovery Centre free?
The Calgary Police Discovery Centre is committed to making crime prevention, public safety, and educational programming accessible to everyone. Rather than relying on admission fees, the Centre operates as a registered charitable non-profit organization and is supported through a combination of donations, fundraising, event revenue, community partnerships, and its close partnership with the Calgary Police Service.
By offering free admission, the Centre removes financial barriers so that families, students, newcomers, and visitors can learn about policing, forensics, cyber safety, and crime prevention regardless of their ability to pay. While admission is free, visitors are encouraged to make a voluntary donation to help support exhibits, educational programs, and community outreach.
The goal is simple: to ensure every member of the community has the opportunity to explore, learn, and leave with knowledge that helps make Calgary a safer place.
Do I need to book tickets before visiting?
For regular public visits, advance reservations are generally not required.
However, certain special events, workshops, school programs, or community presentations may require registration due to limited capacity.
Checking the Events page before your visit is always recommended if you’re planning to attend a special activity.
Related Questions
- What are your opening hours?
- Do school groups need reservations?
What are your opening hours?
The Calgary Police Discovery Centre is open to the public on the following schedule:
Summer Hours (July & August) Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Summer is our busiest public season, so we open five days a week for families, visitors and curious minds.
Fall Hours (September to June) Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM From Monday to Thursday, the Centre is dedicated to school field trips, youth crime‑prevention programs and educational workshops.
Hours may shift during holidays or special events, so checking our website before your visit is always a good idea.
What age is the Discovery Centre best for?
The Discovery Centre offers experiences for nearly every age group.
Preschool (3–5)
- Interactive displays
- Police vehicles
- Dress up in real police uniforms
- Hands-on activities
Elementary (6–12)
This is our most popular age group.
Children enjoy:
- Solving mysteries
- Police vehicles
- Fingerprint activities
- Dress up in real police uniforms
- Cyber safety games
- Police equipment
- Forensic science exhibits
Teens
Older students often enjoy learning about:
- Digital investigations
- Crime scene science
- Trying on real police uniforms
- Police careers
- Online safety
Adults
Many adults are surprised by how much they enjoy the exhibits. The Discovery Centre offers fascinating insights into modern policing, Calgary history, and forensic investigations.
Can adults visit without children?
Absolutely.
While many visitors come as families, adults regularly visit on their own or with friends to learn about policing, forensic science, Calgary history, and community safety.
The Discovery Centre also hosts occasional adult-focused true crime or historical events throughout the year
Where is the Calgary Police Discovery Centre located?
The Calgary Police Discovery Centre is located in northeast Calgary at:
5111 47 Street NE, Calgary, Alberta
We’re easily accessible by car, with convenient free parking nearby for families and visitors.
The Centre is also simple to reach by public transit, with several bus routes serving the area. Guests can plan their trip using Calgary Transit’s online trip planner for a smooth and stress‑free visit.
Our location places us within 10 minutes of dozens of hotels, making us an easy stop for travelers staying in the northeast or near the airport. Whether you’re visiting Calgary for business, a family getaway, or a quick stopover, the Discovery Centre is a perfect nearby attraction.
We’re also just minutes from Calgary International Airport, making us a convenient destination for travelers exploring other attractions in the area or looking for a family‑friendly indoor activity close to their hotel.
Detailed driving directions, transit information, and maps are available on our website.
Is parking available?
Yes.
Free visitor parking is available on-site for public visitors.
Accessible parking spaces are also available close to the entrance.
School buses have designated drop-off and pickup areas for field trips.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
Yes.
The Discovery Centre is designed to be accessible for visitors with mobility challenges.
Accessibility features include:
- Accessible entrances
- Wheelchair-accessible pathways
- Accessible washrooms
- Family-friendly facilities
If you have specific accessibility needs, our staff are happy to assist before or during your visit.
Can I take photos and video?
Yes.
Strollers are welcome throughout the museum.
Wide pathways and open exhibit spaces make it easy for families with young children to explore the interactive police museum comfortably.
Can I bring a stroller?
Yes. Photography is encouraged for personal use.
Many families love taking pictures beside our police vehicles, interactive exhibits, forensic activity zones, and special displays. These snapshots help capture the hands‑on fun of the Discovery Centre and make great keepsakes from your visit.
We also welcome guests who want to document their experience on social media. Sharing your photos, videos, and favourite moments helps other families discover our free, family‑friendly attraction and supports our mission to make crime‑prevention education accessible to everyone. Whether it’s a jail‑cell photo op, a fingerprinting activity, or a curious kid climbing into a police car, your posts help spread the word.
If you tag us or mention the Calgary Police Discovery Centre in your posts, our team may even feature your content to help inspire future visitors.
What kinds of exhibits are there?
Visitors can explore a wide variety of hands-on, interactive exhibits that make policing, investigations, and community safety both fun, educational and free for all ages. Every major Calgary Police Service unit has a featured exhibit that gives guests an inside look at how different teams work together to keep Calgary safe. Patrol, Forensics, Traffic, Cybercrime, Community Outreach, and Emergency Response units are all represented with real tools, real techniques, and real stories from the field.
Our exhibits include:
Forensic science Step into the world of investigators and learn how evidence is collected, analyzed, and used to solve cases.
Fingerprint analysis Dust, lift, and compare fingerprints just like a crime scene specialist.
Cyber safety Explore digital safety tips, online risks, and interactive activities that teach smart decision making for kids, teens, and adults.
Police history Discover Calgary’s policing past through historic artifacts, uniforms, and stories from decades of service.
Crime prevention Learn practical ways to stay safe at home, online, and in the community.
Emergency response See how specialized units respond to critical incidents and protect the public.
Police uniforms and equipment Try on real CPS gear, explore protective equipment, and learn how officers use it in the field.
Community safety education Engage with exhibits that teach youth and families about making safe choices and supporting a healthy community.
Many exhibits encourage visitors to touch, explore, experiment, and solve problems rather than simply reading display panels. Kids love the hands-on activities, adults enjoy diving deeper into investigative techniques, and families appreciate learning together in a space that is super fun, highly interactive, and educational for all ages.
Is the museum good for a rainy day?
Absolutely.
Because the Calgary Police Discovery Centre is entirely indoors, it’s one of Calgary’s best rainy-day family activities.
Families looking for educational indoor attractions often spend a few hours exploring the exhibits while staying comfortable regardless of the weather.
Is it suitable for tourists?
Yes.
Many visitors discover the Calgary Police Discovery Centre while searching for:
- Things to do in Calgary
- Hidden gems
- Family attractions
- Educational museums
- Free indoor activities
The Discovery Centre offers a uniquely Calgary experience that can’t be found elsewhere.
Is the Calgary Police Discovery Centre worth visiting?
If you’re looking for an engaging indoor activity in Calgary that combines education, technology, history, and hands-on experiences, the Calgary Police Discovery Centre is well worth adding to your itinerary.
Unlike many museums, visitors don’t simply observe exhibits—they explore real policing equipment, discover how forensic science works, and learn practical safety skills that can be used in everyday life.
Whether you’re visiting with children, grandchildren, friends, or exploring Calgary as a tourist, the CPDC offers an experience that is both entertaining and educational.
Is there a free museum or free things to do in Calgary for kids?
Yes. The Calgary Police Discovery Centre is one of the city’s top free indoor attractions for families. Kids can explore police vehicles, try fingerprinting, learn forensic science, and enjoy interactive exhibits at no cost.
What are some fun indoor attractions in Calgary for families?
Families looking for indoor fun often visit the Calgary Police Discovery Centre, Spark Science Centre, Calgary Zoo’s indoor habitats, and the Hangar Flight Museum. The CPDC is especially popular because it is free, hands-on, unique, and perfect for all ages.
What are the best hidden gems in Calgary that most people do not know about?
The Calgary Police Discovery Centre is often called one of Calgary’s best hidden gems. Many locals are surprised to learn there is a free police museum with hands on activities, crime prevention education, and true crime themed exhibits right in the northeast.
Are there any unique hands-on museums in Calgary?
Yes. The Calgary Police Discovery Centre is a fully interactive museum where visitors can touch exhibits, try real forensic tools, explore police equipment, and participate in crime solving activities.
What can I do near the Calgary International Airport during a layover or short visit?
The Calgary Police Discovery Centre is only minutes from the airport and dozens of nearby hotels. It is an ideal stop for travelers who want a quick, fun, family friendly activity close to their accommodations.
Is there a family friendly attraction in northeast Calgary?
Yes. The Calgary Police Discovery Centre is located in the northeast and is designed for families, kids, teens, and adults. It offers hands on learning, interactive exhibits, and a safe indoor environment.
What are fun educational activities for kids and teens in Calgary?
Kids and teens enjoy fingerprinting stations, forensic science labs, cyber safety activities, crime prevention exhibits, and interactive investigations at the Discovery Centre. Everything is designed to be fun, educational, and engaging.
What are good attractions to pair with other northeast Calgary destinations?
Many visitors pair the Discovery Centre with the airport area, nearby hotels, CrossIron Mills, the Hangar Flight Museum, or other northeast attractions. It is an easy addition to any itinerary because it is free and close to major routes.
Before You Visit
To make the most of your visit:
- Check current opening hours before arriving.
- Wear comfortable shoes—you’ll be on your feet exploring interactive exhibits.
- Bring your camera to capture memorable moments.
- Allow at least two hours to fully enjoy the experience.
- Ask our staff questions—they’re passionate about helping visitors learn more about policing and community safety.
