tourism alberta video

Alberta Tourism Information

Why visit alberta.

Alberta , the largest of Canada’s three  prairie provinces , contains a large portion of the Rocky Mountains and most tourism to the province centers around visiting the beautiful parks that surround them. The province’s two main cities, Calgary and Edmonton , are Canada’s largest outside the Toronto-Montreal-Vancouver axis, though they’re much less popular as tourist destinations. The larger city, Calgary, is generally acknowledged to contain more to see and do, though Edmonton contains a few famous attractions, as well.

Orientation

Most Albertans live in either Calgary or Edmonton and the cities are about three hours apart, with Calgary in the south and Edmonton in the north. The Rocky Mountain region is on the province’s far west, along the border with British Columbia . Everywhere else is largely rural, home to small farm towns and oil fields.

Lake Louise in Banff National Park. kavram/Shutterstock

The rocky mountain parks.

The most iconic tourist destination in Alberta — and possibly the entire country — is the beautiful Banff National Park and its emerald-green Lake Louise . Containing over 6,000 square kilometers of unspoiled Rocky Mountain scenery, Canada’s most popular outdoor resort is home to virtually every activity you could imagine, with over 1,000 km of hiking trails, a dozen campgrounds, numerous ski hills, a 27-hole golf course , three hot springs, and a wild river (the Kicking Horse ) that’s ideal for white water rafting . There are no shortages of shops, hotels, and restaurants in the village of Banff Town , which is usually packed with tourists.

Three hours north of Banff is Jasper National Park , which is broadly similar to Banff in terms of natural beauty, but is harder to get to, has fewer activities and is thus slightly less popular. Some prefer its more laid-back vibe. Even more laid-back are the smaller-still mountain communities of Canmore Kananaskis , which is near Banff, and Waterton Lakes National Park which is in Alberta’s most south-west corner. All of the Rocky Mountain parks are a couple hours from the two big cities. Banff, Canmore, and Waterton are closer to Calgary while Jasper is closer to Edmonton.

Calgary's Peace Bridge, over the Bow River that divides the city. Its eccentric design, though controversial at first, has now become an icon of the city.

Calgary Tourism

The largest city in Alberta.

Calgary is split in half by the Bow River , which has a pleasant coastline for walking and in the summer is popular for “floating” — what locals call riding in inner tubes. The river is crossed by multiple bridges, with the recently-completed Peace Bridge the most architecturally interesting.

The 160 meter tall  Calgary Tower is the city’s most famous landmark, and like most buildings of its sort, it contains a rotating restaurant and observation deck at the top. It’s no longer the tallest building in Calgary, however — that honor goes to the uniquely curved Bow Building , recognizable from afar with its criss-cross design. Equally iconic is the sloping roof of the Scotiabank Saddledome , home of the city’s NHL team, as well as other sports events and concerts.

Within walking distance of downtown is the massive Calgary Zoo which encompasses over 159 hectares and houses a vast assortment of Canadian and foreign animals, as well as exhibits on Alberta’s dinosaur-filled past.

Calgary postcards often feature pictures of the Ski Jump Towers , a relic of the 1988 Olympics found on the edge of the city limits. The surrounding  Olympic Park  is now run by a company named WinSport that offers a variety of public activities, including a Zipline and bobsled.

• Official Website, Tourism Calgary
• The Top 10 Things to Do in Calgary, TripAdviso r

" Wonderland ," a sculpture by famed Spanish artist Jaume Plensaat (b. 1955) at the base of downtown Calgary's Bow Building.

Museums and Galleries

The Glenbow Museum is Alberta’s largest museum, featuring an extensive history of the province from aboriginal times to the present, as well as contemporary artwork and traveling exhibits from around the world.

Spanning over 127 acres, Heritage Park Historical Village is a vast village of antique buildings containing re-creations of Canadian life from the Victorian era to the 1950s, complete with costumed actors.

Shopping and Restaurants

8th Ave SE, better known as Stephen Ave (Calgary streets often have two names) is the primary shopping district. Closed to car traffic in the summer and weekends, it contains a vast array of shops, restaurants, and vendors, many of which are housed in iconic Victorian-era sandstone buildings. An enormous shopping mall known as the CORE runs parallel to a portion of 8th, and contains most major retail chains, as well as a large indoor park, the Devonian Gardens , on the top floor.

Many blocks away, 17th Ave SW, also known as the Red Mile , is the other trendy shopping area, but is better known for its bars and restaurants. A 15 minute drive from the downtown core is the city’s largest mall, the Chinook Centre , which has everything the CORE doesn’t.

The Red Mile is Calgary’s iconic drinking and party zone, named after the color of Calgary’s hockey team, the Flames, which appears in considerable abundance on game nights. The Mile is home to many of the city’s oldest and most iconic bars and lounges.

Chuckwagon races at the 2016 Stampede. Bill Marsh/Calgary Stampede

A T-Rex skeleton display at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller.

The Calgary Stampede is Canada’s biggest party, and takes over much of the city for 10 days every July. Though the 100-year-old festival is officially supposed to revolve around watching traditional cowboy sports like bronco riding and steer wrestling, the modern-day Stampede has grown to offer something for everyone, including live concerts, carnival rides, shopping, and plenty of hot, greasy food.

Spectator Spots

Calgary has an NHL team, the Calgary Flames who play in the Scotiabank Saddledome  and a CFL team, the Calgary Stampeders , who play in the  McMahon Stadium .

Outside Calgary

An hour and a half from Calgary, the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller houses a vast collection of exhibits on life in prehistoric Canada, including an array of dinosaur skeletons uncovered from the Alberta badlands. The bizarre landscape of the  badlands themselves, which surround the museum, are fun to explore as well.

The skyline of Edmonton on the base of the Saskatchewan River .

Edmonton Tourism

Alberta’s second-biggest city and provincial capital.

Edmonton is split in half by the North Saskatchewan River and ample parklands surround the coasts. The downtown area is located on the north side.

The city’s most iconic building is the enormous sandstone structure that houses the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and four glass pyramids on the south side of the river that house the Muttart Conservatory , a massive indoor garden and museum. An equally grand glass pyramid can be found on the roof of the distinctive City Hall building. Surrounding city hall is Sir Winston Churchill Square , a large public plaza.

The gigantic Hotel Macdonald is Edmonton’s fanciest hotel, and the city’s most prominent example of Victorian-era architecture. Outside of downtown, the neighborhood of Old Strathcona contains most other historic buildings of note.

• Official Website, Tourism Edmonton
• The Top 10 Things to Do in Edmonton, TripAdvisor

The World Waterpark at the West Edmonton Mall. Jeff Whyte/Shutterstock

Edmonton City Hall and the Friendship Tower clock.

Most of Edmonton’s shops and restaurants are concentrated around the long Jasper Ave. (also known as 101st Ave) which runs through the downtown core, and the Old Strathcona neighborhood, centered around Whyte Ave (also known as 82nd Ave), which has a more bohemian character.

More than anything else, however, shopping in Edmonton is synonymous with the enormous West Edmonton Mall , which was at one time the largest mall in the world. Though the 1980s-era building is hardly state-of-the-art by today’s standards, its size remains awe-inspiring. It contains over 800 shops and countless other gimmicky attractions, including a roller coaster, a waterpark, a petting zoo, mini-golf, and a re-created 16th Spanish galleon. It’s about a half-hour drive from downtown.

The Art Gallery of Alberta is a wild-looking building containing the province’s largest collection of historic and contemporary art from both Canadian and international artists, with constantly changing exhibits.

Fort Edmonton Park  is an outdoor “living history” museum offering recreated streets and buildings from Edmonton’s past. It’s popular with schoolchildren on field trips.

Spectator sports

Edmonton has an NHL team, the Edmonton Oilers , who play in Rogers Place . Edmonton’s CFL team, the Edmonton Eskimos , play at  the Brick Field  in  Commonwealth Stadium .

Edmonton is unexpectedly home to the world’s third-largest fringe festival , run by a local outfit called  Fringe Theatre Adventures . Held in August, Edmonton Fringe is an 11-day celebration of independent plays, story slams, comedy, magic, busking, and all other forms of public performance. A global assortment of talent stage shows all over town. Ticket prices are quite cheap.

Fan of more conventional performances can check out a play at the  Citadel Theater , or a concert by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at the beautiful Winspear Centre .

Outside Edmonton

As Edmonton is not exactly a major tourist destination unto itself, the surrounding area offers limited appeal for visitors. Parks and campgrounds are the main attractions, primarily Jasper National Park (see above), and to a lesser extent  Elk Island National Park , which, though beautiful, has the dubious distinction of being Alberta’s only national park not recognized as a World Heritage Site by the U.N.

Alberta Tourism Resources

• Alberta Tourism Official Website
• Alberta, Lonely Planet
• Alberta Travel Guide, Fodor's

A first-timer’s guide to Alberta

May 13, 2024 • 14 min read

The majesty of Sunwapta Falls is worth a stop along the Icefields Parkway © Francesco Riccardo Iacomino / Getty Images

Alberta is home to some of the most awe-inspiring scenery on the planet: rugged snow-capped mountains, massive glaciers, thick forests, impossibly blue lakes, vast prairies and other-worldly badlands filled with dinosaur bones. It’s a nature lover’s paradise, but that's only one side of this remarkable destination.

First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples have lived on and cared for these lands for thousands of years and are still present here –  Alberta is home to remarkable Indigenous places and experiences. Its two largest cities, Edmonton and Calgary , are extremely multicultural, each with its own unique cosmopolitan flare. Meanwhile, cowboy culture lives on in small towns, farms and ranches that dot the prairie regions.

There’s much to love about Alberta. It’s a destination so packed with possibilities that it can be difficult to decide where to start. Here’s how to make the most of a visit to this extraordinary Canadian province.

How many days do you need in Alberta?

Ideally, you’ll spend at least two or three days exploring Calgary or Edmonton. It won’t give you enough time to see everything, but it's enough to hit the highlights. Tack on extra time if you’re visiting the Calgary Stampede , the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival  or any other iconic festival in the area.

If you don’t mind moving fast, you could explore the Canadian Rockies in Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper in about a week. That would give you two or three days in the Banff and Lake Louise area, one day to drive the Icefields Parkway and two or three days to explore Jasper . Add at least two more days to explore the Canadian Badlands region of the province, where you’ll discover a mind-blowing, arid landscape filled with dinosaur fossils, hoodoos and other land formations.

Why not extend your trip and fully explore excellent Edmonton? Our first-timer's guide has everything you need to know.

What is the #1 tourist attraction in Alberta?

Established in 1885, Banff National Park was Canada’s first national park (and the world’s third) and is one of Canada’s top travel destinations. More than four million people visit this incredible park every year. Banff has something for hardcore adventurers, the bus tour seniors crowd and everyone in between. The discovery of Banff Hot Springs and a subsequent dispute over their ownership prompted the park's creation, and you can still soak in their healing waters.

The park is filled with breathtaking mountain scenery, including two of the most beautiful lakes on the planet:  Lake Louise and Moraine Lake . As you drive, ski or hike through it, you’ll see rugged mountains, glaciers, lakes, valleys and abundant wildlife, including deer, elk, moose and bears. It’s the busiest and most developed park in the Canadian Rockies, with wonderful hotels and restaurants, three world-class ski resorts, a challenging golf course and a bustling town  with loads of amenities for tourists.

When should I visit Alberta?

The short answer is anytime – Alberta is a four-season destination. The weather is warmest in the summer months with average temperatures of 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) from June through September. Summer is the busiest travel season when hotel prices are at their peak.

Winters are cold with average daytime highs of -5°C to -15°C (23°F to 5°F), but temperatures can dip as low -30°C (-22°F) for shorter periods of time. If you’re a fan of winter sports and hiking, this is a great time to visit, though accommodation prices go up during the Christmas season.

You’ll find lower prices in the Rockies and elsewhere in the province during the shoulder seasons in fall (October through November) and spring (May to June). Crowds are smaller in the shoulder seasons but some facilities and trails are closed.

Where should I stay in Alberta?

There are many options when it comes to accommodations in Alberta. Many hostels have private rooms with private bathrooms for a fraction of the cost of a hotel room. Parks Canada and Alberta Parks both offer comfort camping sites that range from fully equipped tents with beds in them to fully equipped cabins. B&Bs are a comfortable mid-range option that allow you to meet locals and usually include breakfast. Hotel accommodations range from budget family-owned motels to high-end luxury properties like the Fairmont Banff Springs , also known as “the castle in the Rockies.”

Backcountry lodges are one of the more unique accommodations in the Rockies. You typically need to hike, ski, ride on horseback or take a helicopter in to reach the property, but these comfortable lodges offer delicious, home-cooked meals and an escape from the crowds. A ranch or farm stay is another unique option that offers a glimpse into cowboy culture.

In Edmonton, the Fantasyland Hotel at West Edmonton Mall has a variety of themed suites, from an igloo room to a Western room to a Polynesian room. At Métis Crossing, guests can stay in a comfortable lodge, a fully equipped trapper’s tent or in a circular Sky Watching Dome that lets you observe the night sky while you lie in bed.

Is it easy to get around in Alberta?

Alberta is a big province, and you’ll need a car to visit more remote places, small towns and provincial and national parks. Public transit is excellent in Edmonton, Calgary and Banff, and taxis and Uber are available there and in other larger cities. All three destinations are also very walkable. Several companies offer  shuttle services between Calgary and Banff. Between Edmonton and Jasper, Via Rail offers train services , and Sundog Tours offers a shuttle bus service.

Top things to do in Alberta

Visit a unesco world heritage site.

There are six UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Alberta, and each one is a unique experience:

• Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks include Banff and Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho national parks, and Mount Robson , Mount Assiniboine and Hamber provincial parks in British Columbia. These parks protect a striking mountain landscape.
• Dinosaur Provincial Park was recognized for its remarkable landscape and the huge number of high-quality Cretaceous fossils found here. This includes about 35 species of dinosaurs, dating back 75 million years.
• Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is one of the oldest, most extensive and best-preserved buffalo jumps in the world, and it was used by the Indigenous Plains People for nearly 6000 years.
• Waterton Glacier International Peace Park includes Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta and Glacier National Park in Montana, which together formed the world’s first international peace park. These parks are situated at the Crown of the Continent and protect stunning scenery and many plants and animals.
• Wood Buffalo National Park is Canada’s largest park containing some of the largest undisturbed grass and sedge meadows left in North America. It’s also home to North America’s largest herd of wild bison and the only breeding habitat in the world for the endangered whooping crane.
• Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park / Áísínai’pi is a sacred landscape that provides exceptional testimony to the living cultural traditions of the Blackfoot People. This site contains the largest concentration of Indigenous rock art on the North American plains.

Hike, cycle or ski along a trail in Kananaskis Provincial Park

You drive right through Kananaskis when you are traveling from Calgary to Banff, and it’s worth a stop. This stunning park has beautiful mountain scenery and lovely hiking trails – two of my favorites are the  Ptarmigan Cirque and the Grassi Lakes Trail . Rent mountain bikes in summer or cross-country skis in winter at Kananaskis Outfitters , or you can book trail rides and dogsledding at Boundary Ranch .

Nakiska offers exceptional downhill skiing and was the host of the alpine ski events at the 1988 Winter Olympics. If you want to experience the thrill of a whitewater rafting trip in Banff , it will probably happen in Kananaskis. Rest and treat your tired muscles after all your outdoor adventures at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa in Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge , Alberta’s only Nordic Spa.

Explore Banff National Park

Canada’s first national park is a vast area with incredible scenery and activities in every season. In winter, you can skate on a frozen lake , go on a guided ice walk of Johnston Canyon, enjoy fat biking or spend your day skiing at one of the three world-class ski resorts.

In summer, you can take a boat cruise on Lake Minnewanka , stretch your legs on a hike, watch for grizzly bears while you ride the Lake Louise Summer Gondola , test your head for heights and climb a via ferrata , paddle a canoe on Lake Louise and many more activities. Banff Upper Hot Springs, top-notch spas and the fantastic food and drink scene can be enjoyed year-round.

Drive the Icefields Parkway

The 230km (143-mile) Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper is one of the prettiest drives in the world. You’ll pass more than 100 glaciers and other incredible sites along the way, including the Columbia Icefield area and the Athabasca Glacier , Tangle Falls, Sunwapta Falls and Athabasca Falls .

There are some incredible day hikes along the parkway, including Mistaya Canyon, Peyto Lake Viewpoint , Parker Ridge and Wilcox Pass. Some visitors stop at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre near the Athabasca Glacier to enjoy a Columbia Icefields Adventure Tour that takes guests in a special vehicle onto the surface of the ancient glacier. Experience the Icefields Parkway without the crowds by booking an overnight stay at the Glacier View Lodge .

Have an Indigenous tourism experience

Alberta is filled with amazing Indigenous tourism sites and experiences right across the province, including two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you’re attending the Calgary Stampede, make sure to visit Elbow River Camp and attend the Calgary Stampede Powwow . Southeast of Calgary, Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park has exhibits and tours that offer an authentic Blackfoot cultural experience.

In Edmonton, you shouldn’t miss the Indigenous People’s Experience at Fort Edmonton Park , a multi-media exhibition that tells the stories and shares the cultures of the Indigenous Peoples of this region of Canada. Visit Métis Crossing , northeast of Edmonton, to learn about Métis culture and enjoy fun activities like paddling a voyageur canoe and taking a wildlife tour to see sacred white bison.

Have an epic adventure in Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park is filled with epic adventures, and the Maligne Canyon hike is one of them. In summer, you can feel the mist on your face from roaring waterfalls, and in the winter, it becomes a wonderland of fascinating ice formations that can be experienced on an ice walk tour .

Other park adventures include taking a cruise on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island, riding the Jasper Sky Tram to the top of Whistlers Mountain, paddling a canoe or skating on Pyramid Lake and viewing the stars in one of the world’s largest and most accessible dark sky preserves . The annual Jasper Dark Sky Festival is one of the highlights of visiting Jasper in October.

Hunt for fossils in the Canadian Badlands

The Canadian Badlands in southeast Alberta feature arid landscapes like nowhere else on earth and some of the world’s largest deposits of dinosaur fossils. Join in on a bus tour, a hike or a fossil excavation with real paleontologists in Dinosaur Provincial Park  or visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, one of the top dinosaur museums in the world.

When you've had your fill of dinosaurs, take a trip through Horseshoe Canyon and experience the unique landscape of the badlands up close, then explore ghost towns like Wayne and coal mining history at Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site .

Explore Calgary on bike and on foot

Rent an e-bike from Bow Cycle and explore the most extensive urban network of pathways and bikeways in North America. Along the way, check out the spectacular architecture of the Peace Bridge and the Calgary Central Library , beloved city landmarks. After your bike ride, head to Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre . Five floors of interactive exhibits tell the story of music in Canada, and you can sing your heart out in vocal booths and play a variety of musical instruments.

Calgary is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Canada, and residents come from 240 different ethnic origins, which you’ll see reflected in the city’s restaurants and festivals. The biggest celebration of all is the Calgary Stampede, which happens annually in July and has been a staple in the city for more than a century.

Explore the North Saskatchewan River Valley in Edmonton

Edmonton’s North Saskatchewan River Valley is the largest stretch of urban parkland in North America. There are many attractions and more than 99 miles (160 km) of trails to explore by running, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or taking a guided Segway tour. River Valley Adventure Co is the place to go for Segway tours, mountain bike rentals, stand-up paddle boarding and other sports equipment rentals.

Rent a canoe or kayak with Edmonton Canoe and paddle your way through the river valley. Outdoor adventures are all around, and adventure travelers are spoilt for choice, with options including Snow Valley Ski Hill , Snow Valley Aerial Park , Fort Edmonton Park, the  Valley Zoo , Muttart Conservatory and the John Janzen Nature Centre .

My favorite thing to do in Alberta

My Alberta highlight is Waterton Lakes National Park . I grew up nearby, and when I was in high school, I spent a summer working at the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel . A piece of my heart will remain in that small mountain park in the southwest corner of Alberta.

When I visit, I almost always stop for a photo op on the bluff behind the Prince of Wales Hotel. While walking or cycling through the townsite, I make stops at  Cameron Falls and the Parks Canada red chairs that sit near the edge of the lake. Waterton was the world’s first international peace park, and Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co offers boat tours that cross the lake into the United States and Glacier National Park .

I always watch out for wildlife on the drives to Cameron Lake and Red Rock Canyon, and I’m never disappointed. Three of my favorite hikes are Bear’s Hump , Blakiston Falls and Crypt Lake , and that last one is an incredible experience that involves a boat ride, hiking up a mountain, climbing a ladder, crawling through a tunnel and hanging onto a steel cable on the side of a mountain. The reward: a gorgeous blue lake that is worth the effort of getting there.

How much money do I need for Alberta?

Accommodation prices vary depending on the location and the season, but they will always be higher in major cities and the most popular tourist destinations. Book early and avoid peak-season travel for the best deals. You need to purchase a pass to explore Kananaskis Provincial Park or Banff and Jasper National Parks , but once inside, there are plenty of hikes, scenic drives and other free activities to enjoy. Restaurants vary in price depending on the establishment.

Here are some average costs:

• Hotel: $100-375 CAD per room per night
• Private double room in a hostel: $65 CAD per night
• Coffee (Tim Hortons or similar): $2 CAD
• Entrée at a midrange restaurant: $25-40 CAD
• Glass of wine: $8-10 CAD
• Museum admission: $14-21 CAD
• Public transit single ticket: $3-5 CAD
• Admission to Banff or Jasper National Parks: $11 per person per day
• Admission to Kananaskis Provincial Park: $15 per vehicle per day

Where are the major airports in Alberta?

The two largest airports in Alberta are in Calgary and Edmonton. Calgary International Airport (YYC) is the closest airport to Banff National Park – it’s about a 90-minute drive from YYC to Banff Town – and Edmonton International Airport (YEG) is the closest airport to Jasper National Park. It’s about a four-hour drive from YEG to the Jasper Town.

If you’re visiting both Banff and Jasper, you can shorten the drive time and avoid backtracking by flying into one airport and out of the other. Some car rental companies may charge a one-way drop fee to rent a car in one city and drop it off in another. Drumheller , one of the key destinations in the Canadian Badlands, is about a 90-minute drive from Calgary.

Is there a train service in the Alberta Rockies?

Via Rail offers a train service between Edmonton and Vancouver that stops in Jasper. Edmonton to Jasper takes about six-and-a-half hours on a night train and starts at $135 CAD, and Jasper to Vancouver will take nearly 24 hours and starts at $208 CAD, but the views of the Canadian Rockies during the daylight hours are amazing. Sleeper cars are available starting at $715 CAD.

Rocky Mountaineer also offers luxury train journeys from Vancouver to Banff that take a full day and start at $2049 CAD with sleeper car service and meals included. The company also offers multi-day journeys that include Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and Calgary and combines rail and motorcoach services.

Bring lots of layers, no matter the season

As the old saying goes, if you don’t like the weather in Alberta, just wait five minutes. Conditions can change rapidly in the area, especially in the mountains. It’s a good idea to pack lots of layers, no matter what season you’re traveling in.

Keep planning your trip to Canada:

• Add these top experiences to your itinerary
• We've narrowed down the country's best places to visit
• A national park visit is a must in Canada, and  these are the best
• Head out on Canada's best hikes , in Banff and beyond

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Places to go

Where big meets bold

Alberta is the kind of place that delivers no matter what you’re after. From towering Rocky Mountains, glistening lakes and sprawling grasslands, to the spirited city life and renowned festivals of Edmonton and Calgary, there’s something for everyone. Alberta is home to eight Métis settlements and 48 First Nations — with their own languages, traditions and beliefs. Whether you’re seeking cultural enrichment in the cosmopolitan city of Calgary, adventure in the majestic Rocky Mountains or nature in the wilderness of northern Alberta, there are a variety of ways to gain a deeper sense of place. Spend the night in a teepee at Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park as Knowledge Keepers share tales of the Blackfoot People. Deepen your connection with the land as a Cree guide shows you how to use local flora for medicine in Canada’s oldest National Park. Or hear the lesser-told stories of the Métis Peoples at Métis Crossing, Alberta’s first cultural interpretive centre. The possibilities are endless.

Nestled at the base of the Canadian Rockies, Calgary boasts a frontier attitude and historic neighbourhoods that buzz with bravado.

Edmonton is Canada’s northernmost metropolis in the prairie heartland of Alberta, where bison roam in Elk Island National Park and a swath of parkland unfurls from the winding North Saskatchewan River.

Things to do

Inspiring local experiences

Exploring Calgary

7 of the coolest places to stay in Alberta

What to do on a spring trip to Alberta

The top 10 attractions in Calgary

Where to ski in the Canadian rockies

The best parks in Edmonton

6 vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Alberta

The top 10 attractions in Alberta

Itineraries.

Don’t miss the iconic spots and hidden gems. No matter where you go in Alberta, there are amazing itinerary ideas for you to explore.

Travel packages

Great regional escapes

13 Day Inspiring Canada & Alaska With Inside Passage Cruise    External Link Title

From USD $1,999 Per Person

Incredible sightseeing including Banff National Parks snow-capped peaks, explore Vancouver and Calgary's cosmopolitan heartbeat, visit iconic Lake Louise and cruise the Inside Passage to Alaska 5 nights accommodation in comfortable 3 star accommodation 7 nights Alaska cruise with Royal Caribbean including gratuities Breakfast daily, 6 lunches and 7 dinners

Rockies Winter Premium    External Link Title

From USD $1,052 per person (double occupancy)

4 days / 3 nights

The Canadian Rocky Mountains are stunning at any time of the year, but there’s something magical about visiting in the winter, when the mountains are covered in a blanket of glistening snow. The entire region becomes a true winter wonderland, surrounded with snow-capped mountains, frozen lakes, and dense snowy landscapes. It’s the perfect setting for an array of winter activities. This tour includes 2-nights in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, the town of Banff. You will visit many spectacular sites on the journey to the Rocky Mountains, enjoy an authentic Indigenous experience, and have ample free time to try an exciting winter activity.

Western Canada Iconic Sites    External Link Title

From USD $2,744 per person (double occupancy)

7 days / 6 nights

This small-group tour provides a unique and truly Canadian experience with overnight stays in Whistler, Sun Peaks, Jasper, Banff, and Kelowna. You will have plenty of time to get off the beaten path and do some amazing hikes, in addition to experiencing the world-renowned sights of Maligne Lake in Jasper, Lake Louise, Columbia Icefields, Banff and more.

Discover incredible destinations

British Columbia

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Fantastically filmed video – Travel Alberta – (remember to breathe)!

The Travel Alberta – (remember to breathe) video is unlike any other travel I have ever seen.

I have seen a lot of travel videos from tour promos to cultural or educational or historical places and from animals to flowers and landscapes.

Some are poorly filmed and don’t really get the intended message across.  Others have quality filming but don’t capture the essence of the place.  You might say these are just pictures (moving, of course) but they are not “art”.  They don’t reveal the soul of the place.  Still, others are well filmed but poorly edited.  They don’t tie varying scenes into a coherent whole.

Well, friends, Travel Alberta (remember to breathe) has done all things well.  In fact, the producers and crews have now done dozens of short videos about Alberta.  There are seasonal videos that follow the changing outdoor face of Alberta during the course of the year. There are topical videos such as horseback riding, skiing, water activities and others.

But the one that started it all is this one – Travel Alberta (remember to breathe).  This three- minute HD video has the technical side done exquisitely.  The actual content – actors and actresses, animals, settings convey a sense of adventure, joy, challenge. They combine to transport the viewer so close to the actual real-world places and actions, that it really is almost like being there – and two million YouTube viewers must have agreed because the numbers keep growing.

P.S.  I am not in any way connected to Alberta or its promotion.  I’m just awed by what they been able to achieve in presenting their message to the world.

How about you?  Tell us what you think of this video. Drop a Comment below.

Please use the Share Buttons and/or email the post link below directly to your friends. They may need a virtual getaway like this.

Thanks. I appreciate it. – Dick S

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7 Essential Places to Visit in Alberta

From expansive national parks to lively cities, the canadian province will keep you busy for days..

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Abraham Lake may be lesser known than Lake Louise but it’s no less spectacular.

Photo by David Wirzba/Unsplash

With turquoise glacial waters set against soaring, snow-capped peaks, the iconic alpine scenes of Alberta ’s Banff National Park are arguably the poster child of Canada . And while the rugged Canadian Rockies live up to their reputation, they’re just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Alberta’s striking landscapes. From the mushroom-shaped hoodoos of the fossil-laden Badlands to the ice bubbles trapped beneath the surface of Abraham Lake —there is no shortage of natural wonders to discover.

Four national parks and five UNESCO World Heritage sites offer year-round adventure for outdoor enthusiasts. But with a burgeoning Indigenous tourism industry and the two main cities– Calgary and Edmonton—becoming increasingly cosmopolitan, all while maintaining their western charm—Alberta is ripe for cultural exploration, too.

From the rowdy Calgary Stampede to the spiritual mountain lakes to the desolate northern parklands, where you can catch a rare glimpse of the world’s last remaining wild buffalo and, if you’re lucky, the Northern Lights —these are the places you won’t want to miss on your next trip to Alberta.

Visit in July for the Calgary Stampede.

Photo by Steve Estvanik/Shutterstock

While skiers and snowboarders still hit the slopes at the former 1988 Olympic venue Winsport , Canada’s fourth largest city is no longer just a gateway to Alberta’s alpine attractions. In the summer, you’ll find locals and visitors floating on tubes down the Bow River that splits the city in two. While in the winter, penguins waddle freely at the Calgary Zoo , home to nearly 1,000 animals spanning 119 species. Across the river in the popular East Village, music lovers appreciate the 2,000 rare instruments housed at Studio Bell. Around the corner, the Calgary Central Library attracts architecture enthusiasts and bookworms alike for its collection of over 400,000 books stacked amid soaring cedar arches and winding terraces inspired by Alberta’s foothills and Chinook winds.

Creativity also abounds in the East Village’s many kitchens, where chefs and mixologists rewrite “Cowtown’s” culinary reputation as the beef-loving city where the popular Caesar cocktail—a savory mix of vodka and Clamato juice served in a celery salt-rimmed glass–was born.

Locally grown vegetables take center stage at the beloved Coup and Japanese-style Nupo (don’t miss the omakase and hidden eight-seat restaurant in the back). Cheap beer and Caesars are swapped for sophisticated cocktails at Bengali-style curry house Calcutta Cricket Club and Cannibale , a speakeasy concealed behind a full-service barbershop.

Still, Calgary hasn’t forgotten its western roots. Every July, you can find Calgarians shading the hot prairie sun with their cowboy hats while waiting in line for “stampede breakfast.” The complimentary pancakes are doled out by businesses across the city in celebration of the annual Calgary Stampede , a world-class rodeo known as “the greatest outdoor show on earth.”

2. Drumheller

Seventy-five million years ago, dinosaurs roamed the lush, subtropical environment just northeast of Calgary. Today, it’s an arid tundra known as the Canadian Badlands, and home to the richest dinosaur fossil collection in the world. Housing over 130,000 fossils and a 67-million-year-old T-rex, the Royal Tyrrell Museum is a must for dinosaur fans. As is a stop in the nearby former coal town of Drumheller , to climb inside the mouth of the world’s largest dinosaur. It may be the “Dinosaur Capital of the World,” but with its mystical hoodoo rock formations and dusty desolate canyons, you don’t have to be a science whiz to be wowed by the Badlands.

3. Banff National Park

Sore muscle relief is available on the lower slopes of Sulphur Mountain at the Banff Upper Hot Springs . For more impressive views, take the Banff Gondola up to the summit, where you’ll find an interpretative center, boardwalk, and locally sourced Canadian cuisine served 2,292 feet in the sky. The experience is offered year-round, but skiers and snowboarders will want to wait for winter to hit Banff’s pristine slopes. Adrenaline junkies can also find their fix climbing the Via Ferrata cliffs above Mount Norquay or traversing the frozen waterfalls of nearby Johnston Canyon .

Back at sea level, an hour-long cruise of Lake Minnewanka —also known as the “Lake of the Spirits”—offers Indigenous history and wildlife sightings on its placid shorelines. Stretching over 17 miles long, Minnewanka is the largest lake in Banff National Park, and more than a pretty picture—cold-water divers can explore Minnewanka Landing , a sunken resort town dating back to 1886. Spirit-chasers will want to head south afterward to visit the ghost town of Bankhead .

Where to stay at Banff National Park

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Book now: From $299 per night, expedia.com

With countless outdoor activities on offer—such as canoe rentals and forest bathing—the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise makes a convenient home base for exploring Canada’s first national park any time of year. History buffs will revel in Renaissance revival architecture dating back to 1890 while wellness-seekers take in the mountain air at an outdoor morning stretch session or pamper themselves at one of the spa’s 20 indulgent treatments.

4. Icefields Parkway

Arguably one of the most scenic drives in the world, the three-hour stretch between Banff and Jasper is a must to experience Alberta’s more rugged natural wonders. It’s worth braving the crowds midroute to marvel at the thick ice sheets and frozen rivers of the 10,000-year-old Athabasca Glacier —one of the six glaciers of the Columbia Icefield .

For a more capacious experience, head to the Glacier Skywalk at night to view the Icefield beneath a blanket of stars from the glass-floored balcony. Equally impressive are the methane ice bubbles that form on the surface of Alberta’s largest reservoir, Abraham Lake . Stops at Sunwapta Falls and Athabasca Falls offer more opportunities to witness aquatic forces of nature.

5. Jasper National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest park in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper National Park is teeming with fossils, flora, and fauna to explore. In the summer, a half-day canoe journey or relaxed boat cruise takes you out to Spirit Island , one of Canada’s most photographed destinations due to its remote location and the distinct emerald color of the surrounding Maligne Lake, while the six suspension bridges that soar above Maligne Canyon are a hiker’s dream. Ice climbers will want to wait until the winter, when the 50-meter-deep canyon transforms into a winter fortress of frozen ice floes.

For a more laid-back adventure, the Jasper Skytram transports you 7,000 feet above sea level to the summit of the Whistlers in a mere eight minutes. Spectacular sky views are also had at the Jasper Planetarium, where you’ll find the most powerful telescopes in the Rockies, and astronomers explaining the stars and Northern Lights, from the 50-seat outdoor domed theater. A short drive south will land you at Jasper Brewing Company , the first brewery in a Canadian national park.

6. Edmonton

Home to the largest stretch of urban parkland in North America, Edmonton River Valley , Alberta’s capital city embodies the province’s main draw—nature. The North Saskatchewan River that cuts through the heart of the city makes for a peaceful urban kayak or canoe, while the Valley’s more than 20 parks offer 100 miles of trails for hiking, cycling, and cross-country skiing.

When the harsh winter proves too cold for outdoor pursuits, head indoors to West Edmonton Mall . Housing the world’s largest indoor amusement park, indoor lake, and indoor wave pool, plus a zoo, skating rink, and over 800 shops—North America’s largest mall is a destination in its own right.

Calgary’s rival city also has an artistic side. In the vibrant Arts District , you’ll find an eclectic mix of Indigenous and contemporary art at the Royal Alberta Museum and Art Gallery of Alberta . With over 60 annual festivals, most notably the summer Fringe Theatre Festival (the largest and oldest of its kind in North America), the aptly nicknamed “ Festival City ” is a delight for theater buffs. The city’s growing dining scene sees Alberta beef reimagined nose-to-tail style at Rge Rd and drinks infused with juniper foraged from the Alberta Badlands at Strathcona Spirits , the smallest distillery in North America.

Métis Crossing is expanding in 2022.

Courtesy of Travel Alberta

7. Elk Island National Park

Once numbering in the millions, Canadian bison—Alberta’s most emblematic animal—have dwindled to a wild population of less than a thousand. This “ island of conservation ,” located a 30-minute drive east of Edmonton, is the best place to encounter the remaining few, and the Northern Lights, at the light pollution–free Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve .

Despite its remote nature, the national park gets a glamping glow-up in the summer with luxury Geo Domes , complete with gas fireplaces and charcuterie delivery. The culturally savvy will want to head north to rest at the forthcoming Métis-designed boutique lodge at Métis Crossing , which also features Indigenous-led experiences—among them, wildlife tours and stargazing workshops—and hearty Canadian fare, like bannock, crafted by Indigenous chefs.

>> Next: Discover a Side of Indigenous Canada at Métis Crossing, Newly Expanding in 2022

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ALBERTA , CANADA , NORTH AMERICA , TRAVEL DESTINATIONS · October 7, 2021 updated on March 30, 2024

Travel Alberta: Your Guide & Everything You Need to Know

Alberta is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Canada. There is so much that it has to offer – the amazing rocky mountains of Banff, Jasper, and Waterton National Park, the rolling prairies, the dinosaur capital of the world and the badlands, the chance to see the Northern Lights, buffalo watching at Elk Island National Park, and SO MUCH more!! This is your guide to travel Alberta, and includes everything you have to see when traveling this amazing place!

I have lived in Alberta my entire life, and have spent my free time exploring this beautiful province! Every year I get to visit new places and re-visit some of my favourite spots here.

In this article, we will talk about everything that has to do with Alberta travel! Including the best time to visit and what it’s like in each season, as well as how to get around, where to stay and what to see, the National Parks in Alberta, and things to know before visiting.

Please know this website is reader supported and includes some affiliate links. I earn a small commission when you click on or purchase from affiliate links at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support! !

Table of Contents

Best Time to Visit Alberta

Alberta is truly beautiful in each season, although there are pros and cons to visiting during each season as well! In Alberta, the summers can be incredibly hot, and with the increasing amount of wildfires each year, they can be smoky as well. Summer is also an incredible time to get outside and see all of the nature has to offer. Whereas winter can get incredibly cold and snowy! But winter can also be magical.

November – Late March: Winter

Winter is an amazing time to visit Alberta if you are interested in visiting frozen waterfalls, playing any winter sports ( ice skating on frozen lakes , snowboarding, skiing…), dog-sledding in the Rockies , snowshoeing, or hoping to see the mountains covered in snow.

During the winter the Northern Lights are also out a lot more, although they are still unpredictable during this time of year and require a bit of luck to see them on a short visit.

In Alberta, wintertime can also be freeeezing, so make sure you bundle up and come prepared with snow boots, jackets, toques, and mittens. The temperatures can fluctuate to around 0C, all the way down to feelinf like -40C.

Read more: The 12 Best Places to Ice Skate in Banff National Park

Late March – May: Spring

Spring is a beautiful time of the year to visit Alberta. The snow is melting and trees are starting to get their leaves back. Animals are waking up from a long winter and wildlife babies are starting to come out! It can get pretty slushy in the spring, but because of the melting snow, the waterfalls are at their best.

The crowds are also just starting to pick up in the Canadian Rockies, but it still isn’t as busy as the peak summer season.

The temperature in Alberta during Spring typically ranges from +2C to +20C (the weather can be wild!). Sometimes if winter is hanging around longer the temperatures can still be below 0C, but typically the weather averages around +10C.

June – September: Summer

Summer is another amazing time to visit Alberta. It is actually warm out, which makes it perfect for getting outside and enjoying the stunning nature in the province.

Summertime in Alberta is great for seeing the wildflowers while on hikes, camping, swimming in glacial lakes, and just enjoying Alberta while it’s nice out.

There is the risk of wildfires during the summer season, so sometimes the air can get very smoky around the province. Unfortunately, this can make it hard to get outside when the air quality isn’t great.

As summer continues on, the lakes of the Rockies turn bluer and bluer in colour.

Temperatures in the summer can get up to around 35C in Alberta!

September – Late October: Fall

If you’re after the golden larch trees in the Rockies, you’ll want to visit Alberta in the fall time.

Yellow trees are so so sooo pretty to see all over the province as everything starts to turn golden, but the larch trees do it best (in my opinion). Larches are a type of tree that look like pine trees, but they are actually deciduous, so their needles turn yellow and fall during autumn. They grow mainly at high elevations in the Rockies, so if you’re wanting to see the larches in the fall, you’ll have to either hike up to see them or take one of the gondolas!

The fall is the perfect time to visit for fall hikes, or for autumn festivals around the province. It starts to get chilly in the fall though and there is a risk of snow, so come prepared!!

Read more: This is the Perfect Fall Hike to do in Banff National Park

How to Get Around Alberta

Alberta isn’t the most “public transit friendly” place, just because it is quite big and takes a long time to drive from place to place, everything is pretty spread out. But really, it depends where you are.

Places like Edmonton, Calgary, and even Banff are very easy to get around using public transportation such as busses.

Other places, like Jasper, do not have public transportation options.

If you’re looking to travel far distances, I would highly recommend renting a car to drive yourself.

Or, check out Sundog Transportation . They have a couple of buses and charters to connect cities together (including a connection to Jasper National Park).

In the bigger cities (Edmonton & Calgary) uber is a very popular service to use as well.

Because of the lack of public transportation, Alberta can be a hard place to backpack around.

Read more: Visiting the Canadian Rockies Without a Car

Where to Stay

You can find accommodation to match your budget no matter where you’re heading in Alberta. Prices do vary depending on where you are planning to go, though.

Staying in Edmonton

Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta and is the closest city with an airport to Jasper National Park (small towns that are close to Jasper are Edson and Hinton). If you’re looking to stay in Edmonton and explore for a day or two, I would recommend checking out these places –

• Metterra Hotel
• Fantasyland Hotel (inside West Edmonton Mall)
• Air BNBs are also a great option in Edmonton

I would recommend booking a hotel nearby what you want to do and see while in Edmonton, because things can be spread out, and some areas of the city don’t really have a lot to offer!

Staying in Calgary

Calgary has the biggest airport in Alberta and is only an hour drive from Banff, which makes it one of the most popular cities to stop at when heading to the mountains.

• Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire
• Westin Hotel
• Air BNBs are great all over Alberta!

If you are spending time in Calgary, I would recommend finding a hotel nearby what you are planning to do and see! If you are just staying overnight between flights and then driving to the Rockies the next day, it may be better to find an airport hotel and grab your car rental directly from the airport.

Staying in Canmore

Canmore is a cute little mountain town that is super close to Banff, but it isn’t as expensive to stay in (usually). It’s a great place to look into if you’re planning to visit Banff National Park .

Hostels are a great option in the mountains too (if you’re a hostel person), as they are all over the national parks!

• MTN House by Basecamp
• Mountain View Inn (not as modern, but can be a more affordable option)
• Canmore Downtown Hostel

Staying in Banff

Banff is the place everyone wants to visit when they are traveling Alberta. For this reason, Banff can usually get pretty pricey to stay in! (I usually stay in Canmore or camp during the summer, to save some money).

• Moose Hotel & Suites
• Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
• Banff International Hostel

Staying in Jasper

Jasper is not as popular as Banff is in the Rockies, but it is becoming more and more popular throughout the years. Either way, it is an awesome place to visit in Alberta, and I would recommend checking out these places if you’re looking to stay in Jasper –

• Forest Park Hotel
• Pyramid Lake Lodge
• Jasper Downtown Hostel
• Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Things to Know About Traveling Alberta

• Weather can change at any moment, come prepared with a jacket no matter the season!
• Wildlife is everywhere (even in the prairies). If you’re driving on highways or in National Parks, always watch for deer and moose that can jump out of nowhere
• You will need a Canada National Park Pass if you are stopping in a National Park (you can get them at the entrance to National Parks)
• If you are visiting Kananaskis Country, you will need a separate, Kananaskis Conservation Pass to park there
• Distances between places of interest can be quite far, so make sure you google map distances of places you’re hoping to visit, and factor in the time it takes to get there
• There is more to Alberta than just Banff and Jasper National Park! Although the Canadian Rockies are absolutely amazing!

National Parks in Alberta

Alberta is home to 5 National Parks, and they are all worth a visit if you are traveling Alberta for a while! If you have a vehicle and are stopping in one of these parks, you will need a proper Canadian National Parks pass.

Waterton National Park

Located in Southern Alberta, right by the border to Montana in the United States, Waterton National Park is an incredibly beautiful place to visit! In Waterton, there are mountains, they are just a little bit different than the mountains you see in the Rockies.

Waterton is also home to a bunch of amazing hikes, including the Crypt Lake hike – which National Geographic named one of the most thrilling hikes in the world!

Banff National Park

Of course, everyone knows Banff National Park. And just in case you don’t, you need to! Banff National Park is one of the best places you can add to your itinerary. It is the main spot to visit in the Rocky Mountains, with the cutest little mountain town, Banff, as the main and really only city in the National Park.

Here you will also find infamous Lake Louise , Moraine Lake , and so many incredible outdoor adventures like hiking to the Lake Agnes Teahouse , swimming in Banff’s glacial lakes , one of the world’s most beautiful drives (the Icefields Parkway) , and more!

Jasper National Park

Often overshadowed by Banff is Jasper National Park. Another mountain town in the Canadian Rockies that is just North of Banff! There is so much to do in Jasper National Park , including incredible hikes, outdoor adventures like canoeing to Spirit Island , and exploring Maligne Canyon (in the winter, you can explore the interior by doing a Maligne Canyon ice walk !),

Wood Buffalo National Park

This is the one National Park in Alberta that I have yet to visit! It is located in Northern Alberta is quite a distance from any major airport here.

Nontheless, Wood Buffalo National Park seems like the perfect place for an outdoor adventure. It is the largest national park in Canada and the world’s largest Dark Sky Preserve, meaning they limit the amount of light pollution allowed here, making it the perfect spot to stargaze and see the Northern Lights.

You can also camp here, hike, and keep your eyes peeled for herds of bison!

Elk Island National Park

Around a 30 minute drive from the city of Edmonton is Elk Island National Park!

This is a great place to get out in nature, go on a walk through pretty forests, and try to see bison! They roam free around Elk Island National Park, although you always don’t get a chance to see them (since they roam wherever they want to!).

In the winter time, Astotin Lake freezes and there is a path cleared for ice skating. You can also sign up for Snowshoe and Stargaze with Parks Canada during the winter time.

In the summer you can swim, although the lake usually gets overrun by blue-green algae, and when this happens, swimming isn’t really advisable!

But, it is a great place to spend the day out in nature on a daytrip from Edmonton!

Top 5 Things to do in Alberta

1. Explore the mountains –

The Canadian Rocky Mountains are the main thing that bring so many visitors to Alberta each year! They are absolutely stunning and cannot be missed during your trip to Alberta!

Banff, Alberta is full of amazing things to do. During Alberta’s winter, you can go wild ice skating , dog sledding, skiing, and snowboarding in Banff. In the fall you can hike and be surrounded by amazing golden alpine larches . In the summertime, you can hike around popular places like Lake Louise (with a teahouse in the mountains), swim in glacial lakes, or head out on a canoe tour. Springtime in Banff gives visitors incredible opportunities to beat the crowds (especially to Moraine Lake) , and see waterfalls at their peak as the snow melts.

Read more: Your 4 Day Banff Itinerary

Jasper National Park is another incredible place to visit in Alberta. Surrounded by mountains (just like Banff), there are so many amazing things to do in this National Park. One of my favourite adventures is renting a canoe to visit iconic Spirit Island , or taking the Jasper Sky Tram up the mountain to get amazing views of the surrounding mountains. Jasper is also home to so many amazing hikes, you could spend a lifetime exploring the nature here.

Read more: Your Jasper National Park Bucket List: 25 Things to See & Do

Icefields Parkway

The Icefields Parkway is another incredible stop to make on a trip across Alberta. This is the road that connects the town of Banff to the town of Jasper and is rated as one of the most beautiful drives in the world. You’ll have to budget quite a bit of time to drive this road because you’ll want to stop every 5 minutes to look at the amazing viewpoints and lakes along the way.

Read more: Where to Stop Along the Icefields Parkway

Read more: How to see the Frozen Methane Bubbles of Abraham Lake

Hike, swim, and camp at Waterton National Park. It is located at the very southern end of Alberta and is an awesome (and a little lesser known) place to visit. Waterton National Park is basically the Canadian side of Glacier National Park in Montana, which makes it the perfect place to hike if you’re trying to stay in Alberta.

Kananaskis Provincial Park

Kananaskis Provincial Park is located just outside of Banff and is a hikers dream. There are soo many amazing places to hike and camp here, it is worth a stop on any Alberta itinerary. One of my favourite spots in Kananaskis is the Blackshale Suspension Bridge , which isn’t too bad of a hike to visit! (and it is also free).

Tip: If you’re stopping in Kananaskis, you will need to purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass.

Read more: Hiking Chester Lake in Kananaskis, Alberta

Read more: The Ptarmigan Cirque Hike in Kananaskis Country

2. See the Bison

If you’re looking to see Alberta’s bison, the two best places to see them are at Elk Island National Park (about 35 minutes out of Edmonton) or up North at Wood Buffalo National Park .

Bison are an important part of Alberta’s past. If you do end up exploring Southern Alberta, I would highly recommend checking out Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump while there. It is a great way to learn about the Indigenous connection with the bison, and Alberta’s bison history!

3. Explore Alberta’s Cities

There are quite a few cities and towns in Alberta, but the two main ones are Edmonton and Calgary!

If you’re visiting one of these cities and there is a hockey game happening, they can be so fun attend! The fans in Alberta can go crazy for hockey!

The City of Edmonton is Alberta’s capital and is one of two cities with a major airport. Edmonton is a cool place to explore if you have the time, although I honestly wouldn’t go out of my way to visit!

Some popular spots to check out include the Muttart Conservatory, University of Alberta Botanical Gardens , Fort Edmonton Park , and the river valley.

If visiting in the summer, there are a ton of festivals in Edmonton, such as K-Days, The Fringe, Taste of Edmonton, and Heritage Days.

You can also take a day trip to Elk Island National Park from Edmonton!

Calgary is the city that most people will fly into when visiting Alberta, and is a good base to explore from!

The City of Calgary is only an hour drive from Banff, an hour and a half to Drumheller (Alberta’s badlands), and just under 3 hours to Waterton National Park.

If you’re spending some time in Calgary, I would recommend checking out Prince’s Island Park, the Calgary Zoo , or go to the top of the Calgary Tower .

4. See the Badlands in Dinosaur Country

Drumheller is a town located in the heart of dinosaur country and is a pretty close drive from Calgary. Here you’ll find landscapes of the badlands, the world’s largest dinosaur, and the chance to discover fossils.

Another provincial park nearby Calgary where you can see the badlands is Dinosaur Provincial Park. You can camp at both of these spots and it is a really cool landscape to see!

Drumheller also has a super cool dinosaur museum called the Royal Tyrell Museum. It is one of the world’s largest places where you can see dinosaur fossils, and is an awesome spot to explore whether you are an adult or a kid!

Read more: The Top Things to see in Drumheller, Alberta

5. Hunt for the Northern Lights

There are dark sky preserves (places with little to no light pollution) in Alberta which are perfect for seeing the Aurora. Popular ones include Jasper National Park and Elk Island National Park, but if you can get out of the city you have a high chance of seeing the lights (if they’re out that night). Fort McMurray and up North(like Wood Buffalo National Park) are also great places to go Northern Lights hunting.

Tip: Check out Aurorawatch for the Northern Lights forecast

Other Areas in Alberta to Mention:

There is SO much to see and do in Alberta, it cannot possibly fit in one blog post!

A few other spots you might be interested in exploring are:

• Big Knife Provincial Park
• Medicine Hat and Southern Alberta
• Frank Slide
• Rochon Sands Provincial Park

Alberta Travel Guide Summary

Alberta is truly a beautiful place to visit in Canada, with so much to offer (especially if you love to be outside!). From the Canadian Rockies to Southern Alberta and the badlands, there is so much to see and do here.

I feel lucky to live in a place that has so many interesting spots to explore! Each season is super unique, with different activities and things to do in each month.

Getting around can be difficult if you don’t have a car – so I highly recommend renting one when visiting Alberta! Or, sign up for a tour or book seats on shuttle busses if you can.

Accommodation prices can really vary all over the province, but the earlier you look the more likely you are to find something in your price range! And if you’re visiting Banff, look into staying just outside of the National Park in Canmore instead.

Always be prepared for changing weather because it can be hard to predict, especially in the mountains!

And don’t forget to budget in the cost of a Canadian National Parks Pass if you’re planning to head to one of Alberta’s 5 national parks.

Hopefully, this guide helps you travel Alberta! Please let me know if you have any questions about your Alberta trip (or travel in general!).

Other Resources to Help Plan Your Trip to Alberta

• TravelAlberta.com
• Parks Canada
• All Trails (for hiking)

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Hey! I’m Kat. Based in Alberta, Canada I love to travel to the Rockies and explore new places around the world. Follow along on my adventures and find inspiration and tips for your own travels.

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I'm Kat. Based in Alberta, I'm currently exploring and documenting my adventures in Alberta's Rocky Mountains. I'm also taking smaller international travel every now and then when I get the chance! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Shocking video shows serial offender stab random tourist near times square in unprovoked attack.

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Shocking video captured the moment a serial offender pulled out a massive knife and stabbed a passing tourist  near Times Square  in a horrifying unprovoked attack.

Video of Saturday evening’s attack shows the man using a walker to exit Port Gourmet Deli at West 43rd and Eighth Avenue and loitering outside the storefront before lunging at an unsuspecting woman on the sidewalk.

The attacker can be seen in the clip wearing a bright yellow sweatshirt under a dark jacket and an orange hat leaving a store and sitting outside on his walker.

Two women can be seen walking toward him when he suddenly jumps up from his seat and reveals a large knife.

Footage shows the suspect shuffling forward and stabbing one of the women across the chest.

Three   women can then be seen backing away from the man, who returns to his seat outside the storefront with the knife on display on his lap.

About two minutes later, footage shows two police officers approaching the man, getting him to drop the knife, and placing him in handcuffs.

The suspected attacker, Cyril Destin, 62, has been arrested 14 times in the past 20 years, largely for criminal mischief and trespassing — including four arrests since 2019, police sources told The Post.

Destin was taken to Bellevue, where he remained Sunday morning.

Charges against him are pending.

Jamal Mubare, 56, who has owned Port of Gourmet Deli since 1994, told The Post the suspect lives across the street at a homeless shelter and would regularly come into his store to buy Newport 100 cigarettes. 

“I know this guy one year. He don’t look like he’s dangerous. I think he just didn’t take his medication or something,” Mubare told The Post. “Everyone over there in the homeless shelter across the street is crazy. They all take medications.” 

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Mubare said he had to stop selling beer, cigars, rolling papers and even lighters because the people coming from the shelter would steal them all. 

“He calls me Bobby. He comes in here and buys cigarettes, Newport 100s. Yesterday he came in and bought a pack of Newport 100s and he paid with a $20 bill. Usually pays with a $20 bill. He comes in and he buys cigarettes and he goes outside and sits in his walker. He has one of those chairs that’s a walker with the wheels,” Mubare said. 

Mubare said that yesterday the suspect did just that but allegedly attacked out at two women who had exited a gift shop next door. 

“He goes outside he sits in his walker and he’s smoking his cigarettes and then the two women come out of the gift shop and he just goes and takes a strike at one of them. He did not know them. And then he just sat down like nothing happened he did not run away. He just sat there smoking a cigarette like I didn’t do anything.”

The victim, a 46-year-old woman, was also taken to Bellevue where she was treated for a stab wound to the chest.

She was in stable condition on Saturday.

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Lots of crazy things happen on the beaches of Los Cabos, Mexico, but being attacked by a bull has to be a rare event.

The accompanying footage shows a woman being knocked down by a bull that had just been harassed by dogs at La Fortuna in Baja California Sur’s East Cape region.

Unfortunately for the tourist, she seemed more concerned about gathering her belongings than walking away from the beast. (Video contains salty language from others imploring the woman to back off.)

😱 #ENTÉRATE : Toro que fue confrontado por un trio de perros, había atacado a una mujer; los hechos ocurrieron en playa La Fortuna, en #BCS >> pic.twitter.com/ivcom0eqC1 — BCSnoticias (@BCSnoticias) May 14, 2024

The clip was shared via X by BCS Noticias under the translated description: “Bull that was confronted by a trio of dogs had attacked a woman; The events occurred on La Fortuna beach, in BCS.”

In the footage, the woman is rammed and knocked down by the bull, which apparently had strayed from a nearby ranch.

It was not clear if the woman suffered serious injuries.

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Travel Alberta’s Winter 2021/22 Campaign

Date: Nov 2, 2021

More than 18-months since Travel Alberta’s winter 2019/20 campaign was paused due to COVID-19 restrictions, our winter 2021/22 marketing campaign is officially live. This multi-channel campaign is designed to position Alberta as a top winter destination by showcasing best-of-Alberta moments to   Ultimate Travellers  across a diverse set of tactics.

This campaign takes a unique joint marketing approach that includes collaborations with Destination Canada, Alberta’s NorthStar Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), and tourism industry partners throughout Alberta.

U.S. WINTER CAMPAIGN: Winter is Deeper

Winter is Deeper is a pilot partnership campaign with Destination Canada that has the overarching creative concept of celebrating the qualities that make winter in Canada a deeper, one-of-a-kind experience, ultimately positioning Canada as the ‘home of winter’.

Travel Alberta is working in collaboration with Destination Canada as one of three partnered Provincial Marketing Organizations (PMOs), along with Destination B.C. and Tourism Quebec, to target Destination Canada’s High Value Travellers and Travel Alberta’s   Curious Adventurers   in California and Texas. As an additional partnership layer, Travel Alberta will be highlighting the winter offerings of participating DMOs and tourism operators, including Tourism Calgary, Explore Edmonton, Tourism Jasper, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism, SkiBig3, Fresh Tracks Canada and Contiki.

Leveraging existing   Winter Warmth   assets, the campaign aims to grow awareness and interest in our province as a winter travel destination, and drive consideration and ultimately bookings for winter and ski experiences. Once consumers move through the awareness and consideration phases of the marketing funnel, they are led through the preference phase to book their trips and experiences.

In the Destination Canada-led awareness and consideration portions of the campaign, some of the notable tactics include digital audio ads on podcast platforms such as Apple and Spotify, amplification of creative on key social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube), showcasing Canada through in-flight entertainment on United Airlines and American Airlines, and a partnership with The New York Times to position Canada as a winter “wander-land” through custom executions across desktop, mobile and print.

The Travel Alberta-led preference portion of the campaign includes Google discovery ads promoting partners’ winter offerings, on-site and off-site placements on Expedia to drive users to book their Alberta winter vacation, and paid social media ads promoting and encouraging bookings on Facebook and Instagram.

What Winter is Deeper looks like

As Alberta industry partners, you have access to a wide selection of images to use in your marketing. Find these and more winter images in Travel Alberta’s   Multimedia Library   using the search term ‘winterwarmth’.

Explore the   “Winter is Deeper” hub   on Travel Alberta’s consumer website for ideas and more information.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife

Film tourism is on the rise in Alberta, with lots of movies being filmed in the province. As you may know,   Ghostbusters: Afterlife , the latest iteration of the iconic Ghostbusters movies, was shot in several Alberta communities, including Beiseker, Calgary, Crossfield, Drumheller and Fort Macleod. We knew we needed to capitalize on the excitement surrounding the film’s release to raise awareness of Alberta as a travel destination among fans of the film and other fans of the genre.

We will be activating three tactics that focus on strengthening connections between Alberta, the film talent and icons.

• In collaboration with Sony Pictures Entertainment, we will utilize sight, sound and motion to evoke excitement for Alberta by running a 30-second spot prior to the Ghostbusters: Afterlife movie during the pre-show presentation in theatres in target U.S. markets. Cinema is a highly engaging and high-impact ad format where we can reach our target audience without distractions, helping to drive reach and awareness.
• Establish a connection between Ghostbusters and Alberta through video ads on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. By amplifying the magnificent creatives on social platforms, the goal is to attract our target American audience and get them to visit their favourite movie location.
• Generate awareness by captivating Americans through high impact ad formats on premium publisher sites, such as Desktop Skin and Mobile Footer, to exhibit the magnificent Badlands to targeted audiences. Destination branding can have a great deal of influence on an audience and could be a major factor in driving tourism.

By capitalizing on this unique big screen opportunity, our goals are to increase interest from U.S. travellers in key Alberta locations featured on the film and tourism product related to the film. These tactics will be live in California and Texas from November 19 until mid-December.

NorthStar DMO Search & Social Pilot Program

Travel Alberta is targeting Canadian audiences and Ultimate Travellers through a search engine marketing and social media pilot with Alberta’s five largest DMOs: Tourism Calgary, Explore Edmonton, Tourism Jasper, Banff Lake Louise Tourism and Tourism Canmore Kananaskis, as well as Indigenous Tourism Alberta.

By integrating search and social efforts between Travel Alberta and the DMOs, Team Alberta will drive efficient results, reduce duplication of efforts, maximize reach, drive leads direct to DMO websites, and reach the most qualified travellers by leveraging Travel Alberta’s dynamic creative and Ultimate Traveller audiences.

Travel Alberta successfully launched this program in spring 2021 with the first phase of the campaign running from June to September 2021. The second phase will run from November 2021 to March 2022.

Finally, Travel Alberta is working directly with Expedia to target Canadian, American and U.K. “travel shoppers” through on-site display banners, sponsored content and retargeted ads.

Ads will run on the Expedia.com and Hotels.com platforms in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. to reach travel shoppers who are scouting for ski vacations, using our beautiful creatives to incite desire and prompt bookings to Alberta. These campaigns are live and will run through to the New Year.

How You Can Get Involved

As always, please like, comment, and share posts from Travel Alberta’s traveller social channels with your audiences to help amplify this message.

Please also continue to use #ExploreAlberta to share content to and engage with potential travellers.

Destination Development Managers

Christopher Smith

Wildlands & Northern Rockies

West Country & Central Prairies

Andi Dzilums

Canadian Badlands & Historic Plains

Cameron Spence

Foothills & Canadian Rockies

Yvonne Chau

Southern Rockies & Calgary

Rene Rondeau

Edmonton & Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo

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