Alberta is filled with hidden gems waiting to be explored!
I’m a big believer in learning by doing, and understanding where you come from. Also saving money on vacations! Together, this leads to our family taking a lot of staycations here in Alberta (not paying for flights for four anywhere else basically covers the cost of the trip!).
We try to head all over the province, hitting the Rockies, north, and central annually, and south is becoming more common, too, now that the kids are bigger (it’s a long drive from Edmonton!).
Every corner of Alberta has it’s own magic, history, and natural wonders, ready to create new memories for you and your loved ones. Here are some great spots we love to visit!
Alberta Travel Advisories
First, a quick tip: Before setting out on any road trip, make sure to check for road closures, wildfires, and extreme weather. The summers seem to be getting more intense for wildfires, and a winter storm can make highways unsafe to travel for a day or two (thankfully they are almost always cleared and safe to travel again within 24-48 hours). And let’s not even get started on construction.
Some helpful resources for planning around fires, road conditions, and weather include:
- 511.alberta.ca – Road conditions
- IQAir.com – Air quality
- FireSmoke.ca – provides reasonable predictions of how smokey a location will be in the next day or two.
- Google’s Wildfire map overlay
- Your favourite weather app
Rocky Mountains
I need an annual mountain fix like other people need their beach fix. Being in nature, surounded by the breathtaking views of tall peaks revives me. Does it do that for you?
The Rockies run up the western edge of Alberta from Waterton Park in the south to beyond Grande Cache in the north.
- Banff and Canmore: Always popular in the summer, expect even more visitors following the fires in Jasper. Canmore offers a slightly quieter alternative.
- Kananaskis: Beautiful and tranquil, a great spot for outdoor activities.
- Jasper: Hit by fire in Summer 2024, Jasper is going through recovery and would love for you to visit!
- Hinton & William A. Switzer Provincial Park: Close to Jasper, Hinton is still a hidden gem for mountain visits.
- Grande Cache: A couple hours north of Hinton, Grande Cache has stunning scenery. A popular destination for OTV’ers.
- Rocky Mountain House, Caroline, and Nordegg: Ideal for wilderness camping if you have a self-contained unit. This area is becoming more tourist-y, but is still in the early stages. It’s primarily nature-based activities.
- Crowsnest Pass: Rich in history and natural beauty the sleepy coal mining towns of Highway 3 are a personal favourite.
- Castle Mountain Provincial Recreation Area: A less crowded but equally stunning option.
- Waterton National Park: Known for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife. Waterton was hit by a massive forest fire in 2017, putting it about seven years ahead of Jasper on recovery and regrowth. Almost all infrastructure has re-opened at this point, and it’s an interesting destination to learn about the tranformative power of wildfires.
Southern Alberta
Rich in history, landscapes, cowboys, and wind, southern Alberta could fill an entire summer with things to do.
- Pincher Creek/Fort McLeod: Great base for exploring south west Alberta’s attractions, including:
- Crowsnest Pass: Lundbreck Falls, Frank Slide, Leiche Colleries, Lille ghost town, and more.
- Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump: One of the best First Nations museums in Alberta.
- Cardston: Alberta’s Mormon capital and home of Remington Carriage Museum.
- Waterton National Park: Known for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife.
- Lethbridge: One of the two big cities of Southern Alberta and home to some of the best hotel pools in the province. Attractions include Galt Museum, Fort Whoop-Up, High Level Bridge, Henderson Pool, Helen Schuler Nature Centre, and the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation.
- Alberta History Pass covers admission to several attractions in the area.
- Black Diamond and Turner Valley: Charming small-town vibe, offering scenic drives, local arts, and outdoor adventures in the nearby Kananaskis Country.
- Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park: Hard to get a reservation but highly recommended. It becomes a favourite destination for almost everyone who visits!
- Cypress Hills: A beautiful destination that reminds me of what Jasper was like in the 90s. (Just with hills instead of mountains.)
- Dinosaur Provincial Park: Offers more than just dinosaurs, with fascinating black settler history, unique flora and fauna, and remarkable trails and badlands to explore.
Central Alberta
Flat prairie meets rolling hills and swimmable lakes in central Alberta. Located between Edmonton and Calgary, there are lots of attractions to discover in this region.
- Sylvan Lake: This resort lake town is the perfect summer getaway with its beautiful beach and lively community.
- Stettler: Home to the Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions, offering a unique historical experience.
- Red Deer: Family-friendly with parks, museums, and plenty of activities.
- Gull Lake and Pigeon Lake: Tranquil retreats with excellent camping and water activities.
- Drumheller: Famous for its dinosaur history and the Royal Tyrrell Museum, ideal for family adventures.
Northern Alberta
Get away from the typical tourist destinations and head north! Home to Alberta’s first European settlers there is unique history to discover here, and a stronger connection to First Nations than I’ve seen in other parts of the province.
- Lesser Slave Lake: Known for its beautiful beaches and fantastic fishing opportunities.
- Cold Lake: A stunning destination known for its crystal-clear waters, excellent fishing, a range of water sports, and beautiful hiking trails. (And the local air force base which means cool planes and a bi-annual air show.)
- Fort McMurray: Offers a unique cultural experience and insights into the history of the oil sands.
- Grande Prairie: Explore the rich local dinosaur history at the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum, and outdoor activities in the surrounding area. We LOVED camping at Kleskun Hills.
- Peace River: Ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and canoeing, with stunning landscapes.
The Big Cities: Edmonton and Calgary
Finally, consider visiting one or both of the metropolitan areas of Alberta – Edmonton and Calgary. Both offer lots of things to do!
You are also going to find lots of dining and accommodation options in both locations – it’s unlikely you won’t have a place to sleep or eat here!
Edmonton Highlights
- 35+ Best Day Trips from Edmonton (<2 hours drive!)
- My Edmonton Bucket List (with kids) this summer
- Family Friendly Edmonton Bucket List for August
- West Edmonton Mall
- Whyte Avenue and the arts scene
- Sir Winston Churchill Square is surrounded by: City Hall, Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton Art Gallery, Citadel Theatre, Edmonton Public Library, and usually has a festival happening during the summer.
- River Valley trail system is over 100km long!
- Elk Island National Park to see bison and other large wildlife.
- Camping? Consider Rainbow Valley Campground.
Calgary Highlights
- 25+ Family-Friendly Calgary Hotel Pools With Waterslides (Mapped!)
- Calgary Zoo: Home to a wide variety of animals and engaging exhibits.
- Telus Spark Science Centre: Interactive exhibits and hands-on activities for all ages.
- Downtown Calgary: Calgary Tower, Glenbow Museum, Prince’s Island Park, Devonian Gardens
- Stephen Avenue Walk: A historic pedestrian street lined with shops, restaurants, and entertainment.
- Heritage Park Historical Village: A living history museum showcasing life in the early 20th century.
- Kid & Family Friendly Attractions include Calaway Park, Granary Road, Cobbs Adventure Park
- Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre: A museum dedicated to the history of music in Canada.
- Cross Iron Mills shopping centre
Unique Accommodations Across Alberta
If you’re looking for a theme to get you started, consider some of these accommodation options:
- Glamping in Alberta
- Stay in a Hillside Burrow in Three Hills with Good Knights
- A Magical Stay in Charmed Family Resorts’ Fairy Tale Cottages
- Renting An Ice Fishing Shack In Alberta
- Pools:
- 10+ Best Hotel Pools Across Alberta That Kids Will Love
- 25+ Family-Friendly Calgary Hotel Pools With Waterslides (Mapped!)
- 7 Amazing, Family-Friendly Lethbridge Hotels with Water Slides (Mapped!)
- Top Family-Friendly Hotels in Drumheller with Waterslides
- Travel in Alberta: Pomeroy Kananaskis Lodge Review
- The Best Hotel Pool In Fort McMurray (We LOVE It!)
Alberta Campgrounds
If you love to camp, these pages may help you find your next travel destination in Alberta.
Your Next Adventure Awaits!
I hope this list inspired you to discover more of what Alberta has to offer. From majestic mountain destinations to vibrant cities, and the unique charm of rural Alberta there is no shortage of places to discover and enjoy.
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