Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre Tours

Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, is a state-of-the-art cultural center in Calgary. Spanning 160,000 square feet (14,865 square meters), the architecturally notable center includes a museum, performance hall, live music venue, recording studios, radio station, classrooms, and media center.
 
The Basics
Explore on your own, or join a guided tour to see 20-plus exhibitions across five levels that tell the story music in Canada. See a collection of rare instruments, artifacts, and memorabilia; try interactive installations; test out an instrument, sing in a vocal booth, or mix a track. Celebrate the icons in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, and Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame; or catch a performance or live event.
 
Things to Know Before You Go

• Studio Bell is a must-visit for music lovers.
• Book admission tickets in advance for ease.
• Paid guided tours are available daily and last around one hour.
• Start at the Drop-in Zone on the first level to help plan your visit.
• Studio Bell is wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available for rent.
• There’s a cafe and gift shop on-site.

 
How to Get There
Studio Bell is located in the East Village neighborhood of Calgary. The closest LRT station is City Hall. A number of buses stop nearby, including bus Nos. 1 and 305. The center is located directly on Calgary’s bike path system, and bike racks are available along the sidewalk next to the building. Paid parking lots are available near the building for motor vehicles.
 
When to Get There
Studio Bell is open daily in summer and Wednesday to Sunday the rest of the year, with holiday closures on Christmas, New Year's Day, and Easter Monday. Guided tours and demonstrations of the Kimball Theatre Organ take place once a day during the week and twice a day on weekends.
 
Studio Bell Highlights
Some of the highlights of the Studio Bell collection include the TONTO (The Original New Timbral Orchestra), one of the largest analog synthesizers in the world, which was used by Stevie Wonder and The Isley Brothers to record albums; the RSM (Rolling Stones Mobile Recording Studio), which was used by the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple to record albums; and one of Elton John’s pianos.