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Alberta
TRAVEL ALBERTA
Freedom To Create. Spirit To Achieve
Alberta is located in western Canada, bounded by
the provinces of British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, the
Northwest Territories to the north, and the U.S. state of Montana to the
south. It is also one of only two Canadian provinces that are landlocked (the
other being Saskatchewan).
Alberta is the most populous and fastest growing of Canada's three prairie
provinces. It is approximately the same size as France or Texas and had a
population of 3.7 million.
Alberta's grandeur and beauty are obvious from the moment of arrival. Rolling foothills, intimidating mountains and prehistoric hoodoos are a few of Alberta's more distinct natural landmarks.
Most impressive are Alberta's Rocky Mountains, which facilitate the world famous resort towns of Banff, Jasper, Canmore, Kananaskis, Lake Louise and Waterton. Dinosaur hunters flock to Drumheller, home of the acclaimed Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, where the desert topography yields countless fossils and prehistoric discoveries.
Alberta's rural heritage can be further explored with a visit to the vast farmlands of Alberta's Heartland, Southern Alberta and Northern Alberta.
Edmonton, the provincial capital, is often synonymous with its largest attraction, West Edmonton Mall. North America's largest shopping and entertainment complex offers over 800 stores and services and over 110 dining establishments, the epitome of one-stop shopping.
Calgary, home of the globally recognized Calgary Stampede, is best known for its warm hospitality, oil and gas industry and close proximity to the Rockies.
Edmonton Parliament Buildings.
Edmonton
The Capital of Alberta
Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River
in the central region of the province, an area with some of the most fertile
farmland on the prairies.
The city had a population of 730,372 makes it the second largest city in
Alberta after Calgary. However, Edmonton covers an area larger than Chicago,
Philadelphia, Toronto, or Montreal. Edmonton has one of the lowest urban
population densities in North America.
Edmonton is a staging point for large-scale oil sands projects occurring in
northern Alberta and large-scale diamond mining operations in the Northwest
Territories.
It is home to North America's largest mall, West Edmonton Mall and Fort
Edmonton Park, Canada's largest living history museum..
West Edmonton Mall.
Attractions
Fort Edmonton Park:
Experience the times of our lives. Fort Edmonton Park is Canada's largest
living history museum. Nestled in the scenic Edmonton River Valley, Fort
Edmonton Park offers a taste of Edmonton's history you'll never forget.
Heritage Amphitheatre: The Heritage
Amphitheatre is a stunning outdoor venue in William Hawrelak Park. The
amphitheatre is the largest of its kind in western Canada.
Sir Winston Churchill Square: is a safe,
family-friendly, vibrant and lively venue that hosts a variety of events year
round in the heart of Edmonton's downtown. It is a great place for
Edmontonians to come together to celebrate, take part in a festival, or to
just enjoy a relaxing lunch break.
Each summer Churchill Square hosts The Works Festival, Street Performers
Festival, Taste of Edmonton, and Cariwest Festival. During Movies on the
Square, the space is transformed into an outdoor theatre offering participants
a movie experience on a 3-storey high inflatable screen.
The Great Divide Waterfall: an addition to
Edmonton's High Level Bridge. The Great Divide Waterfall is 64 metres high (7
metres higher than Niagara Falls) and spans 91 metres along the expanse of the
bridge. Water for the facility is supplied from a nearby 42 inch water main on
the north side of the river. The Great Divide Waterfall operates in
celebration of holiday events.
West Edmonton Mall: The North America's
largest shopping and entertainment complex, with a roller coaster, tropical
rainforest and an indoor bungee jump, in addition to the over 800 stores and
20 restaurants.
Sandledome in Calgary, Alberta.
Calgary
Stampede City
Calgary is an attractive and dynamic city situated
on the banks of the Bow River and close to Alberta's majestic Rocky Mountains.
The Calgary Stampede is undoubtedly Calgary's best-known visitor attraction.
This event, featuring a large parade and world-class rodeo, draws more than a
million people each year.
The host city of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games takes pride in its sporting
legacy. Canada Olympic Park is a multi-purpose athletic facility designed for
skiing, snowboarding, bobsleigh and luge during the winter and mountain biking
during the summer.
The Pengrowth Saddledome is the home of the NHL's Calgary Flames, as well as
being the venue for countless events and concerts throughout the year. Other
attractions, including the Glenbow Museum, Calgary Tower and Eau Claire Market
are other great places to visit year-round.
Calgary Stampede
Attractions
Calgary Zoo Botanical Gardens:
span six acres of land and include more than 4,000 plant species that are
ideal for growing in Calgary's ever-changing climate. The gardens include
Specialty Gardens with various creative displays and a Conservatory with Arid
Gardens, a Rain Forest Garden and a Butterfly Garden.
Calgary Tower: At 190 metres (626 feet) in
height, this was once the tallest building in Calgary's skyline. The
Observation Terrace offers panoramic views of the city, and a glass floor
allows visitors to stand 160 metres (525 feet) above the street. Also located
at the top of the tower is a gift shop, Tops Bar and Grill and the revolving
Panorama Dining Room, open for lunch and dinner.
Chinatown, Calgary: dates back to 1910 and
is located between the Bow River and 4th Avenue SW in downtown Calgary.
Pedestrian traffic is always steady here, with Sunday being the most lively.
Visitors to this area will find unique and bargain gift shops, a couple of
shopping centres, and grocery stores along with a plethora of bakeries and
restaurants.
Fort Calgary: The North West Mounted
Police arrived on the land where Fort Calgary exists today, where the Elbow
River meets the Bow River, in 1875. Exhibits are scattered throughout Fort
Calgary's 40 acres of riverside property that resemble the lifestyle of its
original inhabitants.
Heritage Park Historic Village: Discover
"How The West Was Once" at Canada's largest living history museum. From May to
October immerse yourself in Western Canadian history from the 1860s all the
way until the 1950s. History comes to life in the historical village with 127
scenic acres to explore filled with lively costumed interpreters, over 150
historic buildings. An authentic steam train, paddle wheeler, antique midway
and much more! Explore the new year-round exhibit , Gasoline Alley
Museum and find out how the automobile changes our culture. With Heritage Town
Square open year-round, with fine dining, unique shopping and more.
Stampede Park: is a versatile and
multi-purpose facility that hosts many events in addition to the Calgary
Stampede held in July. The park includes the Pengrowth Saddledome, the Roundup
Centre, the Stampede Coral, the Stampede Casino, Stampede Racing Park, the
Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Agricore Grain Academy, several
souvenir shops and more.
Stephen Avenue Mall: is a pedestrian mall
(8 Ave SW) in the heart of downtown. It has many retail outlets along the way.
There are often buskers and street vendors along the way, since the road is
closed for vehicular traffic during the day. It is on Stephen (8th) Avenue,
between 3rd St West & 1st St East. It includes sites such as Olympic Plaza,
Banker's Hall, TD Square, and Eaton Centre.
Drumheller Badlands and dinosaur digs.
Central Alberta
Brooks, Drumheller, Edmonton, High River, Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House
Alberta's heartland, with lush agricultural areas and
communities that take pride in their history and culture. Central Alberta is
filled with stunning features: idyllic rolling foothills, expansive prairie
vistas and the countless lakes that make this region an outdoor playground. We
welcome you with warmth and friendly western hospitality.
Bordered by the Canadian Rockies in the west, Southern Alberta and the Calgary
Region to the south, Saskatchewan to the east and Northern Alberta to the
north. It completely surrounds the Edmonton Capital Region and contains the
central part of the heavily populated Calgary-Edmonton Corridor.
Drumheller Statue.
Attractions
Alberta Prairie Railway
Excursions: offers an exciting one day adventure on board a real
steam or diesel-powered train. Different themes are enacted throughout the
season, including murder mysteries, family, dinner theatre, seniors and teddy
bear specials. The train leaves Stettler and returns five to six hours later.
(Stettler)
Buffalo Jump Canyon Ranch: experience one
of Alberta's most majestic scenes from a trail ride or wagon ride, led by an
experienced trail guide. At the end of the day, set up your tent in the
campground and share some stories around the fire.
Camrose Resort Casino: features over 200
slot machines, 12 gaming tables, a private poker room, live entertainment, and
a full service pub and buffet room. (Camrose)
Edmonton: see The Capital of Alberta top of page.
Drumheller Badlands: the Dinosaur Capital of the World is home to the best Badlands scenery in Canada, the world-famous Royal Tyrrell Museum, and the richest deposits of fossils and dinosaur bones in North America. Located 90 minutes Northeast of Calgary.
GuZoo Animal Farm & Petting Zoo:
More than 40 varieties of animals can be viewed here, including bears, camels,
cougars, emus, lions, monkeys, singing dogs, tigers and much more. Enjoy an
informative guided tour or get hands-on with the tamer animals in the petting
zoo. (Three Hills)
Rosedale Suspension Bridge: In 1931, this
swinging suspension bridge was built. At one time, it carried thousands of
miners across the river to the Star Mine. The original had no sides, but the
bridge has been upgraded to entice visitors across.
Torrington Gopher Hole Museum: About the
size of an RV, Torrington Gopher Hole Museum features stuffed gophers posed to
resemble the townspeople. Exhibits include gophers dressed as a priest, bank
robber, RCMP officer, duck hunter, firefighter, and beautician, among others.
(Torrington)
Suncor Millenium Mine North Tar Sands.
Northern Alberta
Cold Lake, Fort Fitzgerald, Fort McMurray, Grande-Prairie, Peace River
Alberta's North, known to some as Canada's outback, is
relatively untamed. But winding through the acres of Alberta's North
wilderness are many highways, connecting little (and some not so little)
pockets of civilization where the spirit of explorers, pioneers, trappers and
hunters still lives on.
Fort McMurray, a booming town that boasts a precious reserve of oil sands as
its claim to fame. Nearby Wood Buffalo National Park offers natural
tranquility and once-in-a-lifetime encounters with bison and wolves.
Farther west is the Peace River region, with important communities like Grande
Prairie, a thriving agricultural community, and High Level, gateway to the
Northwest Territories and home to Canada's most northerly grain elevator.
Outdoor activities, including snowmobiling, dog sledding, ATVing and cross
country skiing, are especially popular in Northern Alberta. Hunters will
relish the big game opportunities in this vast region, which offer chances at
elk, deer, bear and moose, to name a few.
Fort McMurray.
Attractions
Kakwa Wildland Park:
is a remote, rugged place of incredible beauty
with tree-carpeted valleys, swift clear creeks and high mountain ridges. The
park is approximately 650 square kilometres in size and is location 160
kilometres southwest of Grande Prairie.
Oil Sands Discovery Centre: It's as close
as you can get to the oil sands, without a hard hat and work boots. The Oil
Sands Discovery Centre tells the story of Alberta's oil sands through
colourful, interactive exhibits and daily interpretive programs. (Fort
McMurray)
The Great Northern Casino: facility
features 15 Table games, 399 slot machines, a 3 table poker room, a restaurant
and a 145 seat showroom and lounge featuring live entertainment. (Grande
Prairie).
Wood Buffalo National Park: is Canada's largest national park and one of the largest in the world. It was established in 1922 to protect the last remaining herds of bison in northern Canada. Today, it protects an outstanding and representative example of Canada's Northern Boreal Plains. (east AB-NWT border)
Blue Mountain Ski Resort, Village and Georgian Bay.
The Rockies
Banff National Park, Canmore
and Jasper National Park
The Alberta Rocky Mountain area is one of the most
beautiful places on earth. Starting with Jasper, Hinton, Grande Cache and the
Icefields Parkway in the north; Banff, Lake Louise, Kananaskis Country and
Canmore in the south; and Waterton, a picturesque mountain park on the U.S
border, there are a wealth of travel experiences to be enjoyed in Canada's
largest mountain range.
The attractions in this region are geared towards the outdoors, taking full
advantage of the natural geography of the area. Downhill and alpine skiing,
snowmobiling, rock climbing, spelunking, hiking and wilderness camping are
just a few of the many recreational opportunities available to visitors of
Alberta's Rockies.
The small, mountain towns that are speckled throughout also add to the
experience, with their small gift shops, local restaurants and friendly
disposition all making any visit memorable.
Jasper National Park.
Attractions
Banff National Park:
the little town of Banff boasts a big, worldwide reputation. Its charming
streets are abuzz year round due to an annual influx of millions of visitors,
and this famous mountain resort town caters accordingly with world-class
shopping, dining and accommodation.
Columbia Icefield: Stretching 325 sq km
across the Continental Divide, this extensive field of ice features six major
glaciers and reaches an estimated depth of 365 m (1,299 ft). Tours, including
icewalks, are available from spring through fall.
Lake Louise: the majestic Victoria Glacier
and beautiful Lake Louise. At Lake Louise visitors can enjoy horse-back
riding, hiking, canoeing, etc. The original Chateau Lake Louise (Canadian
Pacific) was originally built in 1890.
Banff Upper Hot Springs: All the amenities
of a modern facility are featured in this splendid, historic spa and bath
house. Banff's premier attraction features an outdoor hot pool, a day spa.
Swimsuits, towels and locker rentals are available. Open year-round.
Icefields Parkway: is a spectacular route
that travels past unforgettable scenery through both Banff and Jasper National
Parks. The parkway was named for the icefields that spread through the
Rockies, and it is considered to be among the world's most scenic highways.
Jasper: Mountain sheep, bears, wolves, elk
and mountain goats have a secure home here, and can often be seen when simply
driving down the road. In the town of Jasper itself, visitors enjoy a peaceful
small-town atmosphere, while chalets, B&Bs and famous Fairmont Jasper Park
Lodge offer a wide range of accommodation.
Sulphur Mountain: is located about five
minutes from the town of Banff and offers panoramic views of the town and its
surrounding area. The mountain's summit is easily accessible by the Banff
Gondola while those wishing to hike may follow a trail to the top.
Sunshine Village Ski Resort: attract a
global deluge of skiers and snowboarders, while cross-country skiers,
snowshoers and ice climbers explore numerous local trails.
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump cliffs.
Southern Alberta
Calgary, Cardston, Fort MacLead, Lethbridge, MacLeod, Medicine Hat
Alberta's South offers a traditional western setting where
short grasses, dramatic foothills and big sky dominate the landscape.
The region, which shares borders with Montana, the Canadian Rockies and
South Western Saskatchewan, has several important communities, including
Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Pincher Creek and Brooks.
Many make the trek to Alberta's south to check out the amazing scenery of
Waterton Lakes National Park.
The remarkable culture and lifestyle of local Aboriginals comes alive at
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump located 18 km northwest of a charming provincial
historic town, Fort Macleod.
Medicine Hat City Hall
Attractions
Brooks: located only
two hours east from Calgary, Brooks is a stunning destination for the outdoor
enthusiasts. Fishermen come to Brooks from all over the country to take
advantage of the sparkling lakes rich with trout, pike and sturgeon. Lake
Newell, located in the Kinbrook Island Provincial Park is one of the
country's largest man-made lakes.
Crowsnest Pass: where rolling prairies
meet the southern corridor of the majestic Rocky Mountains, revealing some of
Alberta's prettiest countryside. Including the communities of Blairmore,
Bellevue and Coleman.
Fort Macleod Provincial Historic Area:
Over 30 historically restored buildings from the 1890 to 1920 era. Guided or
self-guided Walking tours available.
Frank Slide Interpretive Centre:
highlights the rich history of the Crowsnest Pass amid the breathtaking
beauty of the Canadian Rockies. Displays throughout the Centre feature the
1903 Frank Slide (rockslide-avalanche). Pathways around the Centre provide
spectacular views of the Frank Slide and surrounding area. (Frank)
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump: north of
Fort Macleod, Head-Smashed-In is the largest and best preserved buffalo kill
site in North America, and the superb Interpretive Centre portrays life on
the prairies over thousands of years. (Fort Macleod)
Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden: the garden
stands as a monument to the Japanese Canadians who endured the government
enforced relocation of British Columbia's Japanese Canadians in 1942. The 4
acre garden has meandering path joins five traditional Japanese Garden
styles, combining trees, shrubs, rocks, waterfalls, ponds and bridges to
create vistas of unparalleled beauty. (Lethbridge)