Top 10 Weekend Trips From Edmonton, Canada - Updated 2024

Nicole
Nicole 
Updated
| 5 min read

Officially the capital city of the highly urbanized province of Alberta, Edmonton is a stunning metropolis that boasts a breathtaking cityscape. It shows a combination of nature and modern innovations. Also called Canada’s Festival City, Edmonton is famed for its year-round rotation of festivals. Also, shopaholics will have the time of their lives going on a shopping spree and doing leisure activities in the city as the biggest mall in the whole of North America is located in Edmonton - West Edmonton Mall. World Waterpark, Muttart Conservatory, and Alberta Legislature Buildings are other top-visited places in the city. If you are done with Edmonton and you want to take your adventure elsewhere, here is a list of the top weekend trips from Edmonton, Canada. Feel free to browse below. If you need a place in Edmonton to return to after your trip, there are several Airbnbs and themed hotels available.

1. Drumheller

Drumheller
Source: Pixabay

If you want to go on a road trip, but you do not want to go on a long one, Drumheller might be a destination you’d be interested in. Drumheller is a lovely little town that is situated northeast of Calgary. From Edmonton to Drumheller, it will only take you three hours of a scenic ride. If you’re into rock formations and fossils, you’ll enjoy your trip to Drumheller. It is home to Royal Tyrrell Museum, where you can browse all day through exhibits of dinosaur fossils, including a T-Rex model called “World’s Largest Dinosaur”. Plus, if you want to learn about the mining heritage of the town, add Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site to your itinerary.

Visited this place?

2. Elk Island National Park

Elk Island National Park
Source: Photo by user Mack Male used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Do you feel a deep connection to nature and animals? Visit Elk Island National Park and marvel at the beauty of nature and see wildlife in their natural habitat. Set in Fort Saskatchewan, this breathtaking natural park boasts scenic landscapes that are home to various animals. Additionally, you’ll find stunning natural wonders as you explore the park. You can explore the Ukranian Cultural Village and learn about the Ukrainian culture, set up camp in the enchanting Astotin Lake, or practice your photography skills in Elk Island Park. If you want to visit Elk Island National Park one weekend soon, you’ll only have to gear up for a less than an hour’s drive as it is only 47km (29mi) away from Edmonton.

Visited this place?

3. Jasper (from USD 58.29)

Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park
Source: Photo by user Jeanne18 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Jasper is only a four-hour drive away from Edmonton. A road trip to it only covers 365km (226mi) of distance. This alpine town is the heart of Jasper National Park. A perfect getaway for nature-lovers and adventure-seekers, Jasper has a lot to offer to tourists who like outdoor activities. During summer, the lakes in town are crowded with tourists and students on a school break. In the winter, the lakes transform into marvelous ice skating rinks. Also, the forests are packed with hikers. Some people even set-up camp and stay the night to experience stargazing in Jasper’s star-filled skies.

Visited this place?

Jasper: Winter Wildlife Bus Tour in Jasper National Park

Duration: 3.5 hour

39 reviews

4. Kensington

Kensington PEI
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user P199 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

If you have never been to Kensington before, you’re probably missing half of your life. It’s not too late to visit, though. Located in Prince Edward Island, in Prince County, Kensington is a captivating little town that is rich in cultural heritage. It is home to fascinating museums, including the Anne of Green Gables Museum and Kensington Veterans Memorial Museum. Also, it has numerous parks that are overwhelming with beauty. Here’s the catch; Kensington is 4693km (2916mi) away from Edmonton, so you’ll need to book a plane ticket if you want a quick transfer.

Visited this place?

5. St Paul

St. Paul Cathedral - St. Paul, AB
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jonathan Koch used under CC BY 2.0

In the mood for a quick road trip? Why not visit the charming little town of St Paul? Formerly known as St-Paul-de-Métis, St Paul is a lovely town with a quintessential charm. You’ll find lots of structures in St Paul, a little old school, and the downtown itself exudes an old-town vibe. Most of its offerings include retail shops, restaurants, and laid-back bars. Mostly agricultural land, St Paul provides you the calm and peaceful countryside road trip that you long for. To top it all off, a ride to town from Edmonton will only take two hours.

Visited this place?

6. Victoria (from USD 119.59)

Victoria City Hall, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada 07
Source: Photo by user Michal Klajban used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Set on the southern region of Vancouver Island, Alberta is the official capital of British Columbia. It is a popular hideaway destination of tourists for its stunning theme parks, as well as natural ones. Also, for people who have a deep appreciation for architecture, you will fall in love with Alberta’s Victorian-inspired structures that date back to its colonial past. Craigdarroch Castle is a testament to that. You can not end your Alberta escapade without seeing the magical Butchart Gardens. It has water highlights, floral displays, delightful rides, and more. From Edmonton to Alberta, it is only 274km (170) away.

Visited this place?

Victoria Panoramic Seaplane Tour

Duration: 30.0 minute

148 reviews

7. Banff National Park (from USD 66.85)

Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada, Banff National Park. View from above
Source: Photo by user Viktor Birkus used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Have your breath taken away by the incomparable beauty of nature in Banff National Park. A sight for sore eyes and a piece of heaven on earth, Banff National Park was the oldest natural park in Canada, on record. Set on the Rocky Mountains, you will be enchanted by the stunning mountainous backdrop, breathtaking glacial lakes, and views of charming little villages. Plus, the abundance of wildlife in the area is another reason to love the park. From Edmonton, Banff National Park is only a four-hour ride, covering 413km (256mi) of distance.

Visited this place?

Banff National Park: Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Day-Pass

257 reviews

8. Vancouver (from USD 121.49)

Vancouver-Canada
Source: Photo by user Madhumanti Mandal used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Interested in a long road trip with your best friends? Want to go somewhere a little far, but with a multitude of things to offer? If so, pack your bags and gear up for a 12-hour drive to Vancouver. This is a breathtaking seaport city that is 1159km (720mi) away from Edmonton. It will not only captivate you with its dramatic cityscape but also with its upscale attractions. Additionally, it is both an economic and a cultural center, home to many museums, entertainment venues, and galleries, as well as exquisite restaurants and high-end boutiques.

Visited this place?

Vancouver Delights: 7 Hour City Tour

Duration: 7 hour

324 reviews

9. Calgary (from USD 29.0)

Calgary
Source: Pixabay

Are Drumheller and Athabasca not your cup of tea? Maybe Calgary can excite you for an adventure that you will never forget. A stunning city with modern attractions, Calgary is an ideal destination for tourists who are not into the countryside and more into luxurious activities. The city center itself is filled with skyrocketing buildings that dominate the skyline. One of the most popular attractions in the city is Calgary Tower. Climb to the highest floor and enjoy the panoramic city views, or dine in the exquisite revolving restaurant at the top. If you’re with family, the Calgary Zoo and Glenbow Museum are a must-visit for all of you. To top it all off, a ride from Edmonton to Calgary only takes three hours.

Visited this place?

Calgary: Private Tour with a Local

Duration: 2 hour

16 reviews

10. Athabasca (from USD 189.0)

Athabasca Lake
Source: Pixabay

From Edmonton to Athabasca, you will only have to embark on a one and half hour journey and cover 151km (94mi) of distance. Athabasca is another small town in Canada, and its name used to be Athabasca Landing. From Edmonton, you’ll be taking Highway 2 and Highway 55. It will be a long satisfying ride with stunning views of the Athabasca River. This town is known for its gorgeous natural landscapes that are perfect for outdoor activities, regardless of the season. It boasts excellent hiking and trekking spots, and it turns into a winter wonderland that’s ideal for snowboarding and skiing during the cold season.

Visited this place?

Athabasca Glacier Full-Day Tour

Duration: 7 hours

2 reviews

Fall in love with Canada

Edmonton is a stunning metropolis that boasts luxurious offerings for its residents, especially its tourists. It houses the biggest mall in North America and it has a multitude of retail shops, farm-to-table restaurants, bars, and upscale recreational areas. There are also numerous Airbnb vacation rentals and lofts you can rent. If you feel like you’ve maxed out all of the attractions in this wonderful metropolis, and you want to take the adventure elsewhere, use this list as your guide to planning your next weekend day trip.

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Nicole, a writer and traveler, also identifies herself as a free spirit with a wild heart. She is dedicated to telling authentic stories in a relatable manner. Nicole also enjoys exploring new,...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Edmonton
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.