Alberta, Canada, is a province brimming with natural beauty, rugged landscapes, and diverse attractions. From majestic mountain ranges to pristine lakes and vibrant cities, Alberta offers a plethora of experiences for travelers seeking adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion. Here are 12 wonderful places you must visit in Alberta, Canada.
Start your journey in Banff National Park, Canada’s oldest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the breathtaking landscapes of the Canadian Rockies, including iconic attractions like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the picturesque town of Banff itself.
Head south to Jasper National Park, where you can marvel at the stunning Athabasca Falls, hike through scenic trails, and soak in the soothing waters of Miette Hot Springs. Don’t miss the opportunity to drive along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic highways in the world, offering panoramic views of glaciers, waterfalls, and rugged mountain peaks.
For a taste of Indigenous culture and history, visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that provides insight into the traditional hunting methods of the Plains People. Explore the interpretive center and learn about the significance of this ancient site.
Continue your journey to Drumheller, known as the Dinosaur Capital of the World. Explore the fascinating exhibits at the Royal Tyrrell Museum and embark on a dinosaur fossil tour in the nearby Badlands.
Discover the charm of Alberta’s capital city, Edmonton, where you can explore the vibrant arts scene, visit the iconic West Edmonton Mall, and stroll through the picturesque river valley parks.
Experience the cowboy culture in Calgary, home to the world-renowned Calgary Stampede, an annual rodeo and exhibition that showcases the best of Western hospitality and entertainment. Explore the city’s vibrant neighborhoods, visit the Calgary Tower for panoramic views, and indulge in culinary delights at the city’s diverse restaurants.
Escape to the serene beauty of Waterton Lakes National Park, nestled in the southwestern corner of Alberta. Explore the pristine wilderness, hike through alpine meadows, and cruise along Waterton Lake for stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Venture into the heart of the Canadian Badlands to explore the stunning landscapes of Dinosaur Provincial Park. Embark on a guided fossil hike, camp under the stars, and immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Experience the thrill of winter sports in the Canadian Rockies at world-class resorts like Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, and Marmot Basin. Whether you’re skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing, Alberta offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventure.
Explore the charming mountain town of Canmore, nestled in the Bow Valley and surrounded by towering peaks. Hike or bike along scenic trails, explore local art galleries, and savor delicious cuisine at cozy restaurants.
Discover the unique beauty of Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, where you can explore ancient Indigenous rock art and hike through hoodoos and coulees. Learn about the rich cultural heritage of the Blackfoot people and immerse yourself in the natural wonders of this hidden gem.
Finally, take a scenic drive along the Cowboy Trail, a historic route that winds through picturesque landscapes, charming towns, and ranching communities. Experience the spirit of the Wild West as you explore Alberta’s rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty along this iconic highway.
From the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the sweeping prairies of the Canadian Badlands, Alberta offers a wealth of experiences for travelers seeking adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion. Whether you’re exploring national parks, discovering Indigenous heritage sites, or soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of its cities, Alberta is sure to captivate your senses and leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
Alberta feels like adventure personified! The province has everything you could want from a trip to Canada. The Rockies – snow-capped and always splendid – stretching prairies, dramatic Badlands… the geographic diversity of the province is just staggering.
Over three visits to the Princess Province, I’ve explored many incredible Alberta destinations. There are the obvious – the famous national parks and cosmopolitan Calgary – but what I love about this province goes far beyond the mainstream. It’s the diversity, the richness of the differing landscapes.
Getting off the beaten path is easy in a province with so much to offer – and so much space! So as well as the more popular “top five”, I’ve rounded up a whole bunch of less-visited spots and hidden gems for you to add to your Canada travel wish-list.
“Off the Beaten Path” Alberta Destinations
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of Alberta, but it’s all too often overlooked by tourists. Which is a shame, because the city is really fun – and it’s the perfect place to while away a couple of days before hitting the national parks!
Elk Island National Park
Banff and Jasper aren’t the only national parks in Alberta. Just outside of Edmonton you’ll find Elk Island National Park, a 194km² area of prairies, meadows, aspen forests, and lakes. It’s much less visited than the more famous parks, but offers the perfect little countryside escape. Camping or glamping in such a serene setting is a great way to explore a very different side of Alberta.
Despite the name, the park isn’t actually an island at all. There are also far fewer elk than there are bison. In fact, the park has been working on some really important conservation efforts, which are vital as the species was almost driven to extinction by European settlers in the late 1800s. Be it bison, elk – or even wolves – you’re sure to see plenty of wildlife on a trip to Elk Island.
Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump
Speaking of bison, there’s no better place to learn about Canada’s long and complicated history with these magnificent creatures than Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump.
Before the Europeans came and almost wiped them out, North America was home to some 30 million bison (aka buffalo). For the indigenous Blackfoot people, these bison herds were vital to everyday life and survival. In Alberta there were several “Buffalo Jumps”, clifftop sites where the Blackfoot once held enormous mass hunts.
They’d rile the buffalo up into a stampede and run the whole herd off the edge of a cliff, before harvesting every part of the creature. The annual Jumps would see the tribe through the harsh winter, and despite their magnitude, they didn’t have any effect on the species numbers.
The Interpretive Centre offers the chance to learn more about the hunts, the history of the buffalo in Canada, and the culture of the Blackfoot people. It’s a really interesting site and a must-see destination in Alberta.
Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park
If you want to learn more about the Blackfoot people, head to Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park. Overlooked by the brooding Sweetgrass Mountains in neighbouring Montana, the park takes its name from the petroglyphs that litter the wide valley.
Literal writing – and drawing – on stone can be found all over the valley, left behind by the Blackfoot people over thousands of years.
Dinosaur Provincial Park
Delving even further back into Canada’s history now, Dinosaur Provincial Park is perhaps one of the lesser-known places to visit in Alberta. The park is in the heart of the Badlands, an impressive landscape of winding rocky gullies, twisted hoodoos, and layered sandstone rock.
This is Dinosaur Country: Alberta’s Badlands were once home to about 35 species of dinosaurs, and the 73 km² provincial park is one of the richest fossil sites in the world. Visitors can take a guided hike or bus tour to explore the dramatic landscape, spotting fossils and dinosaur bones on the ground.
Drumheller
In another part of the Badlands, the small town of Drumheller is home to the world’s largest dinosaur. A 26m high model of a t-rex towers over the visitor centre carpark, giving visitors a unique welcome.
Just outside town is the Royal Tyrell Museum of Palaeontology. Even if you only have a passing interest in dinosaurs, the collection of fossils here is amazing. And with hiking trails setting off from the museum’s doorstep, you can get out into the spectacular scenery easily.
Just outside town is the Royal Tyrell Museum of Palaeontology. Even if you only have a passing interest in dinosaurs, the collection of fossils here is amazing. And with hiking trails setting off from the museum’s doorstep, you can get out into the spectacular scenery easily.
Waterton Lakes National Park
Last but not least on this list of off the beaten path places to visit in Alberta is Waterton Lakes National Park. This was probably my personal favourite discovery in the province. Tucked away in a quiet corner of southwestern Alberta, right on the border with the USA, Waterton Lakes feels like Banff and Jasper’s beautiful baby sister.
Although a lot smaller than its more famous cousins, the park also feels more secluded. Only locals seem to know about it, and Waterton is very much “off the beaten path” when compared to the better-known national parks. But the Rockies are the same, the stunning landscapes are the same, and the vividly blue glacial lakes are the same, too.
The lack of crowds also means there’s more chance of spotting wildlife. Deer just wander through the town streets, and I had to brake for a wolf crossing the road as I was driving in! On a boat tour of Upper Waterton Lake we saw a mother and baby moose. I even saw a black bear as I was hiking the Bertha Lake trail!
This small, cosy national park is perfect for family holidays to Canada – especially if your kids are wildlife fans!
Top 4 Places to Visit in Alberta
1. Banff National Park
Banff is one of the two most famous National Parks in Alberta. This is where a LOT of visitors to the province are headed – and it’s easy to see why. Glittering glacial lakes, dense evergreen forests, snowcapped mountains… Banff feels like mother nature at her very best.
The park covers 6,641 km² along the eastern slopes of the famous Rocky Mountains. In winter, tourists flock to the mountain resorts for skiing and snowboarding in the Rockies, while summertime tempts with sunny weather and spectacular weather.
But during spring and autumn, there’s still plenty to attract visitors, and this is also a more “off the beaten path” time to visit as you’ll share the park with far fewer tourists. In both shoulder seasons, you can enjoy rich wildlife, epic hiking trails, and mind-blowingly pretty spots. These are some of the best times of year to visit hotspots like Lake Louise!
2. Jasper National Park
Another of the most popular places to visit in Alberta is Jasper National Park. At 11,000 km², it’s the largest National Park in the Rockies, and covers some truly stunning sights. Think dramatic canyons, thundering waterfalls, and epic glaciers.
Like Banff, Jasper is particularly popular during summer and the winter ski season. But all year round there are so many amazing adventures to have. Again, spring and autumn tend to be much quieter and offer plenty in the way of adventure. From glacier hiking, to canoeing and kayaking on the stunning lakes, to climbing and canyoning. No matter what your limits, adventure and incredible scenery await in Jasper National Park.
3. Icefields Parkway
Connecting the town of Jasper with Banff’s Lake Louise, Highway 93 North is better known as the Icefields Parkway. This is easily one of the most scenic driving routes in the world, and almost definitely the most spectacular road I’ve ever seen!
The road passes the Columbia Icefield, where you can stop to view the Athabasca Glacier. The Glacier Sky Walk offers unbeatable views of the icefield from on high, but you can also get up close and personal with a hike on the glacier itself. It’s a fairly tough hike so you need a guide and proper equipment.
Another unmissable stop along the Icefields Parkway is the viewing point above Peyto Lake. Head up to Bow Summit for a view of the wolf-shaped lake, which is so vividly blue it almost looks unnatural!
4. Calgary
Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and it’s often the first port of call for visitors who fly into the International Airport there. It’s known for the famous Calgary Stampede, but there’s a whole lot more to the city than cowboy culture. Although it’s a pretty well-visited destination in Alberta, there’s plenty to discover in Calgary and it’s easy to have a more “off the beaten path” experience there.
Trendy little neighbourhoods, colourful street art, award-winning contemporary architecture, artisanal breweries, amazing food, and loads of leafy outdoor areas… and that’s just for starters!
How to Get to Alberta
Getting to Alberta from the UK is so easy! There are non-stop flights from London to both Calgary (9hr 15min) and Edmonton (8hr 40min).
Once there, I recommend renting a car to explore the province at your leisure. There’s so much to see so having your own car is really handy. If you’re unsure about driving abroad, Alberta is a great place to try it Top tip: be sure to apply for and purchase an official Canadian Government ETA before you book your tickets. There are loads of sites offering various versions of it, but all you need is the official government one which costs $7.50. Anyone charging more than this is not the official site! Find out more at www.canada.gc.ca/immigration.
