Alberta is a naturally resplendent province in Western Canada, renowned for its snowy winter landscapes, towering mountains, desert badlands and vast forests found in national parks. This dynamic province also boasts a range of alluring cities and townships, from the sprawling capital city of Edmonton to the rodeo-crazy Calgary.
Things to do in Alberta
Begin your exploration of Alberta in its picturesque capital, Edmonton, which sits on the North Saskatchewan River and features numerous waterfront parks. Edmonton is also known for its thriving live music scene and the Francis Winspear Centre for Music. Don’t miss seeing the cultural and aboriginal tribal exhibits at the Royal Alberta Museum.
Nature lovers will enjoy exploring Alberta’s world-famous national parks, such as Jasper National Park, known for its vast crystalline lakes, subalpine forest, Columbia Icefield and hiking trails. If you prefer to combine nature with sports, head to Banff National Park to ski or snowboard the slopes during winter or go mountain biking during summer.
If you’re a fan of Western culture and rodeos, visit Calgary during the annual Calgary Stampede during July. The city is also a great place to soak up performing arts at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium and national sports, including football, ice hockey and soccer at packed-out stadiums.
Don’t miss some of Alberta’s most renowned attractions, such as the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, which is home to more than 130,000 dinosaur fossils. Enjoy a unique swimming experience at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, where you can relax in hot mineral springs and an outdoor emerald pool.
Getting around Alberta
Alberta is serviced by numerous international airports, including Calgary International Airport and Edmonton International Airport. You can easily get around using the Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian National Railway trains, public buses and taxis in towns and cities and well-maintained highways.