Alberta, Canada: National Parks, Cities & Outdoor Fun

Arguably the most visited tourist attraction in the whole province of Alberta, Banff National Park is an impressive park that showcases the best of Alberta’s natural beauty and wildlife. Abundant in recreational activities to enjoy, the park is home to gorgeous mountain scenery, exciting ski resorts, crystal clear lakes, and a famous tourist town called Banff. For visitors who want to get as close to Alberta’s endemic wildlife as possible, there are opportunities to see wolves, elk, caribous, grizzly and black bears and many more beautiful animals within the park and the main highway. Don’t forget to hike some Banff National Park’s popular trails and to stop by the numerous lookouts that offer breathtaking views of the lakes, glaciers and mountains.

Improvement District No. 9, Alberta, Canada

The tourist town of Banff is like a gift that just keeps giving. As if amazing skiing and a historic hotel wasn’t enough, Banff is also home to the unique Banff Upper Hot Springs. Enjoy utter relaxation in the steamy hot mineral water of the springs, which features a unique signature mix of minerals (sulfate, calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium and sodium to name a few), gases and temperature. The springs are considered a heritage experience in and of itself as they’ve been visited by visitors for over a hundred years. Another unique feature of the Banff Upper Hot Springs is its elevation of 1,585 meters above sea-level, which makes it the highest operating hot spring in all of Canada.

1 Mountain Avenue, Banff, Alberta, Canada, Phone: 403-762-1515

Unique Museums

Take a step into a time machine and travel back in time to discover the extraordinary heritage of the First Nations People at the Buffalo Nations Museum . Featuring incredibly interactive exhibits, Buffalo Nations Museum features the history and heritage of the native people of the Canadian Rockies and the Northern Plains. The permanent collection features items like a stunning tipi, fantastic quillwork, ornate costumes and traditional hunting equipment, all of which are meant to help visitors understand what daily life was like before the arrival of European settlers. At its core, the museum aims to display the culturally rich and diverse history of the nation’s native people as well as their resilience throughout the years.

1 Birch Avenue, Banff, Alberta, Canada, Phone: 403-762-2388

Military enthusiasts and history buffs alike are bound to enjoy a visit to the largest tri-service museum in Western Canada and the second largest military museum in the entire country – The Military Museums . Comprised of four founding regimental museums as well as the Army, Naval and Airforce Museums of Alberta, the Military Museums showcases 200 years of the country’s military history. Permanent exhibits on display at the museums are a mixture of artifacts, military vehicles, aircrafts, as well as military artwork. Some must-see features of the museum include the CF-5 Freedom Fighter, the Taurus Armored Recovery Vehicle and the Leopard 1A5 Battle Tank. Make sure to stop by the Founder’s Gallery as well as the Military Museums Library and Archives while you’re at it.

4520 Crowchild Trail SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Phone: 403-410-2340

A small patch of paradise just a short walk away from downtown Banff, the Cascades of Time Gardens is an idea little spot in town to avoid the crowded street of Banff Avenue. Pristine and beautifully maintained, the garden is terraced into the hillside and features rock steps and winding pathways that lead guests through magnificent trees and manicured flower beds. Sitting shelters and gazebos dot the pathways, providing guests with relaxing spots to sit and rest or to enjoy some shade when the sun is a bit too much to handle. Although the flowers are at their peak between May and September, the Cascades of Time Gardens is a fantastic place to visit all year round.

317 Cave Avenue, Banff, Alberta, Canada, Phone: 407-762-1550

For Nature Enthusiasts

Known for being Canada’s largest urban park, the Fish Creek Provincial Park stretches roughly 12 miles long and encompasses a good deal of the city’s south side. The park provides all of its visitors with tons of great recreational activities regardless of fitness level and also offers free use of picnic areas, fire pits, and washrooms. Must-visit parts of Fish Creek Provincial Park include Sikome Lake, the Fish Creek Environmental Learning Center, the Bow Valley Ranch Visitor Center, and the park’s upscale sit-down restaurant called The Ranch. Meanwhile, recreational activities to enjoy include fishing, cycling, roller blading, and trekking around paved trails.

13931 Woodpath Road SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Phone: 403-297-7827

Looking for a time machine to take you to Edmonton’s early history? Make your way to Fort Edmonton Park which features one of the best living history experiences in Alberta. The park features 158 acres of wooded parkland and is located right along the beautiful Edmonton river valley, so make sure to set aside a full day to fully enjoy everything that the park has to offer. Guests can enjoy old fashioned games, hop onto thrilling rides, take a horse ride or hop onto an authentic steam train for a relaxing ride around the park. The park’s character staff is another great feature and guarantees all visitors a memorable visit as well as awesome factoids and tidbits that will put a smile on every history lover’s face.

7000 143 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Phone: 780-496-7381

Located in southern Alberta, the Frank Slide Interpretive Center tells and shows visitors the story of Canada’s Deadliest Rockslide. Overlooking the site of the rockslide at the incredible Crowsnest Pass, the Frank Slide Interpretive Center features a guided visit wherein you’ll hear all about what happened when Turtle Mountain fell. Gripping accounts of the night’s events are told alongside interactive displays. There’s no doubt that the engaging storytelling of the Frank Slide Interpretive Center will keep you hanging onto every word while award-winning shows at the center will keep you at the edge of your seats.

Highway 3, Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Canada, Phone: 403-562-7388

Encompassing 10,878 square kilometers of beautiful and pristine land, the Jasper National Park is the largest national park in Canada. The park features an abundance of awe-inspiring lakes, mountains, waterfalls, glaciers and forests, making it perfect for avid explorers and fans of the great outdoors. Visitors who are looking for more of a remote experience will love a trip to Jasper National Park, as it has less visitors than its cousin, the Banff National Park. Key areas to stop by at the park include the Maligne Lake and Canyon, the Angel Glacier, and Mount Edith Cavell. Those headed to the park during the winter season should make it a point to stop by the Marmot Basin Ski Resort to enjoy heart pumping trails.

Jasper, Alberta, Canada