Northeast of the cosmopolitan city of Calgary, in the Alberta Province, and the wildly popular Banff, Drumheller risks to go unnoticed. Yet, the seemingly unremarkable town immersed in a sea of flat, semi-arid wasteland and cut across by the Red Deer River with its typical rock formations, has a few surprises in store. For example, did you know it has been recognized as the dinosaur capital of the world? To celebrate this title, the city boasts the World’s Largest Dinosaur that can be visited inside and a dinosaur-dedicated museum, the Royal Tyrrell. For the adventurous souls there’s a mine tunnel and a suspension bridge! What are you waiting for? Whether you are just stopping by on your way to Banff, or on a day visit from Calgary, come discover the best things to do in Drumheller.
1. Catch a show at Badlands Amphitheater
In the heart of the so-called badlands - a portion of harsh, dry land where soft sedimentary rocks are exposed to the incessant erosion of the wind - lies the Badlands Amphitheatre, Canada’s largest outdoor theatre. A non-profit venue that has hosted theatrical performances, music concerts and other art events, the scenic stage is set to re-open for visitors next summer. Tickets are already on sale on their website. So, book a seat at this unique and magical place where you’ll be able to consume some good art while surrounded by arid plains, interspersed with canyons and bizarre wind-sculpted hoodoos.
Badlands Amphitheater
Address: 605 17 St SW, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y0, Canada
Website: Badlands Amphitheater
Price: from CAD 49 [37 USD]
2. Kick start with a cup of coffee at Black Mountain Roasters
If you can’t function without a good dose of black coffee to kickstart your day, this place has a cup with your name on it. Similar to winemaking, coffee roasting is a mixture of science and art, where you need to experiment and find the perfect balance of flavours to make a good cup of coffee. This is exactly what you can expect at Black Mountain Roasters where they have a vast selection of coffee blends to choose from. If you visit the store, alongside hipster vibes and a delicious coffee, you can enjoy a sweet or savoury treat.
Black Mountain Roasters
Address: 150 3 Ave W, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y4, Canada
Website: Black Mountain Roasters
Opening hours: Mon - Fri 8am - 5pm; Sat: 9am - 4pm; Sun: 10am - 4pm
3. Spark the dinosaur geek in you at Royal Tyrrell Museum
Majestic, fascinating creatures, the dinosaurs have inhabited our planet millions of years ago. If Jurassic Park has given us a cinematographic glimpse of what Earth might have looked like when these giants were roaming free, Royal Tyrrell Museum will help you make it even more tangible, vivid and real. Locally discovered fossils and living relatives of plants from different eras are on display as well as real-life replicas of the indigenous Albertosaurus, skeletons of Triceratops, a T-Rex and a 21-metre (68.9 feet) long Ichthyosaur, a preparation lab where visitors can admire palaeontologists at work and lots of other interactive display, and hands-on activities specially designed for children. A timed-entry system is in place due to current restrictions so don’t forget to reserve your slot online.
Royal Tyrrell Museum
Address: 1500 N Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y0, Canada
Website: Royal Tyrrell Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: Adult 21 CAD [16 USD]
4. Grab a bite at Last Chance Saloon restaurant
Plenty of stories live within the walls - and on the walls! - of this quirky saloon. In fact, bullet holes that have now been framed are the result of shots being fired by a bartender at customers who were reluctant to pay for their libations. Located in Wayne, once a sprawling mining community, which, back in the early 20th century, attracted coal miners in search for a job, it is now a spooky ghost town. Just 10 km (6 mi) from the centre of Drumheller, Last Chance Saloon offers some delicious comfort food, including burgers, grilled chicken and perogies, premium beers and liquors and complimentary juicy tales of yesteryear.
Last Chance Saloon
Address: 555 Jewell St, Rosedale Station, AB T0J 2V0
Website: Last Chance Saloon
5. Climb inside the 25-meter-tall World's Largest Dinosaur
A giant, 4.5 times-bigger replica of a real Tyrannosaurus Rex ominously stands by Avenue West in Drumheller. The project took two years to complete, from 1999 to 2001, and a lot of fibreglass moulding from China and the Philippines. The 25 metres-tall (86 ft) female dinosaur can be visited inside: there are 106 stairs to climb to be able to reach the jaws where 12 people can fit and scan the badlands landscape in front of them.
World's Largest Dinosaur
Address: 60 1 Ave W, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y0, Canada
Website: World’s Largest Dinosaur
Opening hours: 10am - 5:30pm (daily)
Price: Adult: 4 USD
6. Set your brave feet to cross Star Mine Suspension Bridge
Only for the brave! A 117 metre-long (384 feet) pedestrian suspension bridge crosses the Red Deer River, south-east of Drumheller’s city centre. The bridge was built in 1931 to replace an earlier cable car system and to provide coal miners easy access to the nearby Star Mine, located on the northern bank of the river, that had opened for business in 1912. You can freely attempt to walk the wobbly construction at your own risk and peril.
Star Mine Suspension Bridge
Address: 3061 AB-10, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y0, Canada
7. Learn about the coal mining community at East Coulee School Museum
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Just a short drive from Drumheller, East Coulee is a small community that, like many other in the area, has seen exponential growth in its population at the beginning of the last century when coal mines opened for business. It allured an eager workforce that contributed to the expansion of the small village. East Coulee School Museum opened its classrooms in October 1930 to a growing number of pupils. Some 50 years later, in 1985, the building is now a museum that pays tribute to the lives of the first pioneers who settled the area, making a living thanks to the mines.
East Coulee School Museum
Address: 359 2 Ave, East Coulee, AB T0J 1B0, Canada
Website: East Coulee School Museum
Price: Adult: 7 USD
8. Peacefully meditate at The Little Church
Just north of Royal Tyrrell Museum, Drumheller’s Little Church is a tiny, quaint chapel. Able to accommodate only six people at a time, it was first constructed in 1968 by local contractor Trygve Seland and then again rebuilt in 1991 by the inmates of the nearby federal penitentiary. Over the years it has become a tourist attraction but it’s still operating as a place of worship. Public services and private ceremonies are held here prior to booking.
The Little Church
Address: Murray Hill Rd, Drumheller, AB T0J 2C0, Canada
Website: The Little Church
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
9. Dive into the mining history of Atlas Coal Mine
A visit to Drumheller cannot be complete without a tour of Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site. Exciting for the young ones and the young-at-heart alike, the site encompasses some 76 acres (31 hectares) and preserves 139 mines that were used during the years of the coal bloom, at the beginning of the 20th century. The site with heavy machinery, historic buildings, and an array of other objects and memorabilia can be safely visited.
Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site
Address: Box 521, 110 Century Dr. East Coulee, Alberta, Canada T0J 1B0
Website: Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site
Opening hours: Thu - Mon: 11am - 4pm (closed on Tue & Wed)
Price: General admission 10 USD
10. Rent a canoe and explore Red Deer River
Are you ready to wear your safety jacket, grab an oar and start paddling? If the answer is yes, drive to Newcastle Beach, just west of Drumheller and stop at Red Deer River Adventures. You can rent a kayak or a canoe and explore the river at your own pace or embark on a guided tour with a local who will show you the magical valley. Online bookings are not possible at the moment but you can contact Red Deer River Adventures through their webpage or phone them for more info.
Red Deer River Adventures
Address: 980 2 Ave W, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y0, Canada
Website: Red Deer River Adventures
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Drumheller: not your ordinary unremarkable town
Despite not attracting the big masses who drive past it towards the more popular Banff, Drumheller has its share of attractions. Formerly a mining area, excavations have not only made coal available for factories to exploit, but fossils were discovered, too, winning Drumheller the title of the dinosaur capital of the world. And what about the scorched, wind-swept badlands and their quirky repertoire of wind-eroded rock formations that offer quite the spectacle, especially if you visit at dusk? Come see for yourself!
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