The main cultural museum of West Sumatra occupies a large traditional Minangkabau building near the city centre, with its characteristic roof rising to two dramatic points at either end. Inside, the collection covers the full range of Minangkabau material culture: ceremonial costumes, traditional jewellery, musical instruments, weaving, wood carving, and everyday objects from across the highland villages.
The museum is a good first stop before heading to Bukittinggi or the highland villages, as it provides useful context for what you will see there. Labels are in Indonesian and sometimes English. The building itself is worth studying from the outside — the proportions and carpentry of a full-scale rumah gadang are impressive and not easily replicated.