Alberta, home to the Canadian Rockies and the Columbia Icefields in Western Canada is one of the most breathtaking places on earth. Alberta boasts a truly magnificent landscape, with glaciers, turquoise-hued lakes, mountain peaks, and prairies, but also an incredible wildlife and flora diversity. Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, fun family time, or a romantic getaway, you’ll find plenty to see and do in Alberta. Banff’s ski resort, the glacier-fed Lake Louise, Icefields Parkway’s scenic drive, and the historic town of Jasper are all top of the list. Read on as we explore some of the best and most exciting things to do in Alberta, Canada.
1. Admire the spectacular wildlife at Jasper National Park (from USD 131.0)
The Canadian Rockies are known for their breathtaking scenery and wildlife diversity, but you won’t grasp their magnificence until you explore Jasper National Park and the Maligne Valley. This tour will take you through the Maligne Canyon and cruising on the Maligne Lake. You’ll get to gaze at sky-high peaks, cascading waterfalls, and might even spot bears, eagles, and elks in their natural habitat. Guests will be picked up from the hotel and transported with a comfortable bus into the park, where they will get to explore its treasures by foot and cruise.
5.5-Hour Jasper Wildlife and Waterfalls Tour from Jasper
Duration: 6 hours
2. Scale a frozen waterfall at Maligne Canyon (from USD 177.0)
Ice climbing is not for everybody, but thanks to this beginner-friendly tour, you’ll get a chance to explore parts of Maligne Canyon that only a few get to. Get your adrenaline pumping as you climb a frozen waterfall and reach hidden parts of the canyon, together with a trained professional. No need to worry if you’re new to the sport; you’ll get a safety briefing, receive all necessary technical gear, and useful tips on different ice-climbing techniques.
Jasper Ice Climbing Experience
Duration: 6 hours
3. Go canoeing on a glacier-fed lake
Whether it’s your first or tenth time canoeing, Moraine Lake will offer you an experience like no other. It may not stand out because of its size, especially if compared to the neighboring Lake Louise, but the vivid colors of its glacier waters are otherworldly. Watersports enthusiasts bringing or renting canoes and taking them on the water will get to relax in a dazzling turquoise pool that reflects the surrounding mountain peaks.
Moraine Lake
Address: Banff National Park, Alberta
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4. Soak in the warm waters of Banff Upper Hot Springs
The steamy waters of Banff Upper Hot Springs overlooking the mountains have been a top attraction for travelers all over the world for more than a century. Perfect for a family fun day or a romantic and relaxing escapade, this is the only hot springs pool in Banff National Park, and it’s open year-round. What makes the waters so special is that they’re a unique blend of gases and minerals, including Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, and Bicarbonate, in different concentrations, and at a particular temperature.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
Address: 1 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1KU
Website: Banff Upper Hot Springs
Opening hours: 9am - 11pm (daily)
Price: 8.30 USD
5. Learn about fossils at Royal Tyrrell Museum
Whether you’re a history buff, traveling with your kids, or looking for a far-from-boring activity for less than sunny days, the Royal Tyrrell Museum should go up on your list. Filled with indoor and outdoor activities galore, the Royal Tyrrell Museum is home to a realistic quarry where you can dig for fossil replicas, interactive displays, educational activities, but also some cool fossils, like the Albertosaurus you’ll spot in the lounge.
Royal Tyrrell Museum
Address: 1500 N Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y0
Website: Royal Tyrrell Museum
Opening hours: 9am - 9pm (daily)
Price: 19 USD
6. Explore Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada
Another truly spectacular place that’s proof of Alberta’s surreal landscape is Waterton Lakes National Park, where the Canadian Rockies meet the valleys, prairies, and lakes. Home to waterfalls, vividly colored streams, and wildlife diversity, the national park is a paradise for hikers, mountain bikers, but also for sightseers looking for fantastic vistas and fresh mountain air.
Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada
Address: AB-5, Waterton Park, AB T0K 2M0
Website: Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada
Price: 7.80 USD
7. Go for a shopping session at North America's largest mall
West Edmonton Mall is not your usual shopping mall, but an experience in itself. Being the largest shopping mall in North America surely raises the bar, so get ready to find anything from golf, bowling, and high-end shops to an aquarium, a water park, an ice skating rink, and much more. After all the shopping, fun, and games, you’re bound to get hungry, which is great because the options are plentiful. Travelers can also enjoy the convenience of staying steps from the shops and check out the hotel rooms inside or near the mall. This is the perfect place for a family day out.
West Edmonton Mall
Address: 8882 170 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5T 4J2
Website: West Edmonton Mall
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 11am - 6pm
8. Go on a white-water rafting adventure at Athabasca Falls (from USD 84.97)
Water sports enthusiasts, this one is for you. Get the adrenaline pumping with a white water rafting adventure, and experience the waters of Athabasca Canyon, the quiet of its surroundings, and the spectacular scenery surrounding you. After a 30-minute bus drive, you’ll get to the canyon, put on the wetsuit gear, and get ready to start your river adventure. The tour also includes a licensed river guide and all the gear necessary.
Athabasca Falls: Class 2 White Water Rafting Adventure
Duration: 3.5 hour
9. Enter a birdwatcher's paradise at Elk Island National Park
Many who have heard of Elk Island National Park know it for its role in the conservation of the American bison, but there’s more to this magnificent place. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 250 species calling its lands home. The best times to visit are during the spring and fall seasons, when birds migrating offer a wonderful spectacle.
Elk Island National Park
Address: 54401 Range Rd 203, Fort Saskatchewan, AB T8L 0V3
Website: Elk Island National Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: 7.80 USD
10. Soar the slopes of three mountains at Sunshine Village
Alberta is a spectacular destination with outdoor activities year-round, but it’s during winter months that Banff truly comes to life. Banff’s Sunshine Village offers skiers and snowboarders more than 3,500 acres (1,400 hectares) of slopes spreading over three mountains: the family-friendly Goat’s Eye Mountain, Lookout Mountain, known for its alpine skiing terrain, and Mount Standish, perfect for quick skiing and snowboarding rides. Banff Sunshine Village also features Canada’s only heated lift.
Sunshine Village
Address: 1 Sunshine access Rd, Banff, AB T1L 1J5
Website: Sunshine Village
11. Take a walk down history lane at Glenbow Museum
History and art aficionados will be happy to hear that Calgary is home to one of the most interesting arts and history museums in Canada. From seasonal displays like its dazzling and colorful summer exhibitions to hands-on school learning programs, and creative activities in the Discovery Room, the museum has plenty to offer. It hosts an extensive collection of history and culture artifacts, archives, and an art collection.
Glenbow Museum
Address: 130 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0P3
Website: Glenbow Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Thu & Sat: 9am - 5pm; Fri: 9am - 8pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 18 USD
12. Participate in multiple activities at Heritage Park Historical Village
Whether you’re traveling with family or friends, a full day at Heritage Park Historical Village will be filled with activities everyone will enjoy. Known as Canada’s largest living history museum in Calgary, it is open daily, offering its visitors access to the Gasoline Alley Museum, gift shops, and cafes, but also awesome rides, fun live performances, and more. One of the best things to try is a ride on the thundering steam train.
Heritage Park Historical Village
Address: 1900 Heritage Dr SW, Calgary, AB T2V 2X3
Website: Heritage Park Historical Village
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 26.5 USD
13. Unwind in Kurimoto Japanese Garden at University of Alberta Botanic Garden
Established in 1959 near the town of Devon, The University of Alberta Botanic Garden is Alberta’s largest botanical garden, a flora oasis spreading over 240 acres (97 hectares). The garden boasts impressive collections of annuals and perennials, fruit and vegetables, a herb and sensory garden, and superb flowers. Its lush lands feature the Aga Khan Garden, with contemporary landscape architecture, and the vast Kurimoto Japanese Garden, created in a strolling-garden style, with lanterns, pagodas, and Japanese plant species. This garden has a place for guests of every age and physical characteristics.
University of Alberta Botanic Gardens
Address: 51227 AB-60, Spruce Grove, AB T7Y 1C5
Website: University of Alberta Botanic Gardens
Opening hours: Fri - Wed: 10am - 6pm; Thu: 10am - 9pm
Price: 15.85 USD
14. Zip over the landscape at WinSport
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
WinSport is a multi-purpose facility in Calgary, where athletes and sports lovers come to train, compete, or just have fun. The park features a ski hill, trampolines and mountain bike trails, and more. One of the best ways to get your dose of adrenaline is on WinSport’s zipline, which is the fastest in North America. The zipline starts from the ski jump that brought Eddie the Eagle fame at the Winter Olympics in 1988, and a tour consists of three different ziplines. There is a minimum age of 6 and a weight limit between 90-250 pounds (41-110 kilograms).
WinSport
Address: 88 Canada Olympic Rd SW, Calgary, AB T3B 5R5
Website: WinSport
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 9pm; Sat - Sun: 9am - 5pm
Price: 83.99 USD
15. Enjoy great Canadian home-style cooking at Tekarra Restaurant
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Tekarra Restaurant has been welcoming its guests into an authentic Canadian atmosphere and impressing with its fine dining cuisine since the early 1950s. Hosted in a pine cabin, the restaurant perfectly blends the rustic vibe with classic Canadian dishes, with a modern twist. Right in the heart of nature, guests can savor Executive Chef Dale Nutt’s exquisite dishes while taking in the splendid views of the Athabasca River and the Rockies’ wildlife. Some of the most delicious items on the menu include the Rib Eye, the Rainbow Trout, and the Surf and Turf Board.
Tekarra Restaurant
Address: Hwy 93A South ,1km South of Townsite, Box 2016 Hazel Ave, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0
Website: Tekarra Restaurant
Opening hours: 5am - 9:30pm (daily)
16. Discover an urban oasis at Prince's Island Park
When in Alberta, even days spent in the city can be sprinkled with some outdoor time surrounded by lush greenery. Spend an afternoon roaming the alleys of Prince’s Island Park, an urban park in downtown Calgary. The park is home to many festivals and events, including Canada Day celebrations and the Calgary Folk Festival. It also features a playground for kids, picnic areas, water fountains and flower gardens, as well as lots of hiking trails, and an outdoor skating rink with weather-dependent availability.
Prince's Island Park
Address: 698 Eau Claire Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Website: Prince’s Island Park
Opening hours: 5am - 11pm (daily)
17. Savor gourmet burgers at St James's Gate Irish Pub
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
St James’s Gate Irish Pub welcomes its guests in an authentic Irish setting and turns them into faithful clients thanks to its delicious food, pub fares, and live music. They have different offers going on, from Taco Tuesdays to Burger Wednesdays and Rib Night Saturdays. Their menu includes a vast offering of bits and bites, hand-crafted sandwiches and burgers, and some pub favorites like Fish and Chips, Chicken Makhani, or their famous Irish Stew. Pair the food with a draught beer, but save some room for dessert too.
St James's Gate Irish Pub
Address: 5140 Dundas St W, Etobicoke, ON M9A 1C2
Website: St James’s Gate Irish Pub
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 11pm; Fri: 11:30am - 1am; Sat: 10:30am - 1am; Sun: 10:30am - 11pm
18. Explore the local history at the Buffalo Nations Museum
The Buffalo Nations Museum in Banff takes people back in the time when native people used to follow the buffalo herds and move their camp every season. The museum is filled with all kinds of artifacts from local indigenous Canadians, including beautifully ornamented costumes, tipis, quillwork, and hunting equipment. You’ll also get to learn more about how people lived on Canadian lands and how they adapted to their surroundings.
Buffalo Nations Museum
Address: 1 Birch Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A8
Website: Buffalo Nations Museum
Opening hours: 10am - 7pm (daily)
19. Enjoy sweeping views while playing golf at Banff Springs Golf Club
Banff Springs Golf Club is part of the Fairmont Banff Springs and features two golf courses - an 18-hole and a 9-hole golf course. What sets Banff Springs Golf Club apart, besides its astonishing layout, is the surrounding landscape; the views are breathtaking anywhere you look. The courses are in perfect condition, and the on-site Stanley’s Smokehouse Restaurants serves the best barbecue, which can be savored in a magnificent mountain setting.
Banff Springs Golf Club
Address: Golf Course Rd, Banff, AB
Website: Banff Springs Golf Club
20. Tour the Canmore Cave in the Rockies
The Rockies are a spectacular adventure as much on the outside as they are on the inside. One of the best ways to explore them is by going underground in one of Canada’s longest caves, under Grotto Mountain. Canmore Cave Tours offers a variety of experiences, for different ages and skill levels. Prepare to climb, crawl, rappel, and hike. If tight spaces are not a problem, check out the Explorer tour and spend two hours underground, passing ancient bones and cave formations, or join the Adventure tour and go on a 54-feet (18 meters) rappel. Those looking for a more relaxed tour or that prefer staying above ground will find the Discovery tour perfect.
Canmore Cave
Address: 129 Bow Meadows Crescent Unit 202, Canmore, AB T1W 2W8
Website: Canmore Cave Tours
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 55 USD onwards
21. Score like a champion at K-J Bowl
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Although originally opened in 1964 under a different name, the place known as K-J Bowl today is still a fun place to spend an evening out with friends or family. Depending on the skill level, visitors can bowl for fun, join the adult or youth leagues, enroll in Club 55, or challenge their friends on teen nights. K-J Bowl is also great for corporate events, graduation or birthday parties, and even weddings. When you are tired of the outdoor activities and need a day to relax and simply have fun indoors, this is where you should visit.
K-J Bowl
Address: 12143 54th St, Edmonton, AB T5W 3N4
Website: K-J Bowl
Opening hours: Wed: 9am - 9pm; Thu: 1pm - 9pm; Fri: 9am - 10pm; Sat: 1pm - 10pm; Sun: 1pm - 6pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: 6.5 USD per game
22. Go biking in the urban wilderness of Fish Creek Provincial Park
Just when you thought there couldn’t possibly be any new ways of enjoying Calgary’s outdoors and seeing the Bow River, you discover Fish Creek Provincial Park, the city’s largest urban wilderness, and a dogs’ paradise. With over 54 miles of trails, it is the perfect place for hiking, biking, running, or just walking your furry friend. The park is home to educational programs and events galore, including the Fish Creek Summer Tour Series. Visitors can easily spend an entire day in the park, boating, fishing, golfing, rollerblading, swimming, or picnicking. Bird lovers will get to observe over 200 bird species here, including ducks, geese, and bald eagles.
Fish Creek Provincial Park
Address: 13931 Woodpath Rd SW, Calgary, Alberta T2W 5R6
Website: Fish Creek Provincial Park
Opening hours: 8am - 10pm (daily)
23. Catch sweeping views of Lake Louise (from USD 146.0)
Canada is known for its spectacular waters, and Lake Louise sure does it justice. The lake surrounded by the Canadian Rockies boasts some of Canada’s most breathtaking scenery. Spend a day soaking in the sun, taking in jaw-dropping sights of the Icefield Parkway, the Bow Falls, nearby Moraine Lake, and make sure to peak your eyes for bears, deer, and eagles; after all, this place abounds in wildlife and flora.
Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway - Full-Day Tour
Duration: 8 to 9 hours
24. Marvel at the alpine scenery of Banff National Park (from USD 85.0)
There are many ways to soak up the majestic scenery that Banff National Park has to offer. One way to take in all its mountain peaks but also its valleys and rivers, while sitting comfortably, is on a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. You can marvel at the mountains from up above on a gondola ride. The gondola’s large windows are perfect for catching that Instagram-ready selfie, with the epic Banff scenery as a background. Visitors will also get to stroll the boardwalk at the summit and discover a nearby national historic site.
Banff National Park Tour with Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
Duration: 4 hours 15 minutes
25. Walk among lemurs at Calgary Zoo
Whether you’re traveling with the kids or not, the Calgary Zoo is worth a visit. The zoo is home to over 900 animals from all over the world, and a place that puts great emphasis on education and conservation. Once inside, you’ll most likely want to spend an entire day here, walking among lemurs in the Land of Lemurs habitat, or checking out the Panda Passage experience, where you can learn everything about the giant panda.
26. Cruise the turquoise waters of Lake Minnewanka
Explore Alberta’s breathtaking scenery from a different perspective. While cruising the turquoise waters of Lake Minnewanka. You’ll get to see prairies, the surrounding Canadian Rockies and their soaring peaks reflecting in the clear waters, and you might even spot deers or bears on the lakeshore. A guide will tell you all kinds of stories along the way, as you’ll learn about the history of the indigenous people in the area.
27. Enjoy a cowboy experience at the base of Sulphur Mountain (from USD 99.64)
Breathe in the fresh mountain air and get a glimpse of cowboy life on a horseback riding tour along the Bow River. The three-hour tour at the base of Sulphur Mountain also includes a stop at 3 Mile Cabin, where western-style games, lassoing, and a yummy barbecue lunch awaits. The meal will include steak, salad, potatoes, baked beans, and dessert. You’ll be accompanied by a tour guide along the way, receive basic horseback riding instructions, and a helmet, for protection.
Banff: Wagon Ride with Cowboy Cookout BBQ
Duration: 3.0 hour
28. Cruise Lake Minnewanka for a panoramic view of the Rockies (from USD 160.41)
Embark on a cruise on Lake Minnewanka’s beautiful emerald-green waters, and you find yourself in the middle of one of Canada’s most picturesque scenery. With the Canadian Rockies stretching around its shorelines, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife, you’ll be looking left and right tirelessly and in awe. You can opt for a beer voyage at dusk, and enjoy a taste of local craft beer, or take a family-friendly cruise, and savor ice cream on the dock.
Lake Minnewanka Cruise
Website: Lake Minnewanka Cruise
Price: 58 USD
Banff: Sightseeing, Lake Minnewanka Cruise, & Banff Gondola
Duration: 6.5 hour
29. Reach new heights over Jasper National Park (from USD 48.0)
Hop on the iconic Jasper SkyTram, and enjoy the Jasper National Park as you’ve never seen it before. Soar above its magnificent lands, marvel at alpine vegetation and spot its abundant wildlife down below. The Jasper National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site that boasts glaciers, lakes, and peaks, all in the vast wilderness of the Canadian Rockies. The tour is suitable for all ages, so it can be a fun, effortless activity for the whole family.
Jasper SkyTram
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
30. Walk through snow and ice on the Athabasca Glacier (from USD 189.0)
Travel along the famed Icefields Parkway and take in its magnificent sights, then walk on ice on the famous Athabasca Glacier. The tour is perfect for any skill level, as it doesn’t require any experience in mountain walking, plus a professional guide will be with you at every step of the way, keeping you safe. Transport to the glacier, a bagged lunch, and all necessary gear is included in the tour price. This is the perfect activity for an entire group of friends of the family, although very small children won’t enjoy the rough weather.
Athabasca Glacier Full-Day Tour
Duration: 7 hours
Alberta - Canada's most surprising state
There’s not a corner short of amazing in Alberta, Canada. Home to gems like Jasper, Banff, Lake Louise, and Calgary, Alberta is one of the most spectacular places in the world, when it comes to mountain scenery, prairie landscape, and all sorts of thrilling, adrenaline-pumping adventures. Whether you’re the solo-traveling type, you love trying new sports with your friends, or looking for family-friendly activities, Alberta is the place for you. Here, you can go underground and explore caves, snap the most Instagrammable shot of the Rockies, hike, bike, go on a horseback riding tour, and even go on a white-water rafting adventure at the Athabasca Falls. If you’re still unsure about whether Alberta is the place for you or not, or you’ve already booked the plane tickets and are just looking for a little more inspiration on what to do while there, check out our comprehensive list of the best things to do in Alberta, Canada. You can even save some ideas for next time; after all, you’ll want to come back for sure.
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