If you are planning to visit Canada, Alberta is a province that you must visit. Visitors to Canada go to the various popular tourist destinations and are overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the landscapes. The province of Alberta is said to have the most gorgeous places you will see on the earth.
Alberta in Western Canada has a unique landscape that includes mountains, prairies, desert badlands, and vast coniferous forests. With more than 600 lakes in Canada, rich mineral deposits, and pristine glaciers adding to the beauty of this place, Alberta is one of the most sought-after destination for tourists and locals alike. Whether you visit in winter or summer, the spellbinding beauty of this province will steal your heart.
Most Compelling Reasons to Visit Alberta
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is an alpine lake in Banff National Park. With wild turquoise blue color water, fed by a glacier melt, it has a backdrop of Mount Victoria and a hanging glacier. This is a top destination for millions of visitors each year. The brilliant blue color of the glacier waters is due to the fine rock particles on the lake bed. There are hiking trails, canoeing or kayaking the lake, mountaineering, skiing, ice climbing, or ice skating around the lake.
The Icefields Parkway
One of the top drives in the world and one of the most picturesque journeys on the planet is the Icefields Parkway. Linking Lake Louise with Jasper, it is a 232 km stretch of double-lane highway that winds through soaring rocky mountain peaks, icefields, and vast sweeping valleys. As you drive through the Icefields Parkway enjoy looking at hundreds of ancient glaciers, rolling waterfalls, dramatic rock formations, and emerald lakes in deep valleys of thick forests. View wildlife and enjoy a picnic on the way.
The Badlands
The Alberta Badlands is home to the largest deposits of dinosaur bones in the world. Explore some of the most remarkable rock formations and fossil beds here. The best time to visit is in summer. The Royal Tyrrell Museum houses one of the world’s largest displays of dinosaurs. Go hiking through the splendid badlands right outside the museum itself and enjoy the scenery and wildlife viewing. Visit the world’s largest dinosaur, sit in its mouth, and take in the view.
The Northern Lights
Alberta is home to some of the world’s largest dark sky preserves, including Wood Buffalo and Jasper national parks. The best time to visit to see the aurora borealis is from September to mid-May. The Jasper National Park was officially designated light pollution-free as the world’s second-largest sky preserve. Enjoy marvelous stargazing on a clear night and see the northern lights. Also, go to the top of the mountain with guided tours of the sky offered from North America’s highest altitude telescope.
Unique Craft Breweries
The microbrewery business in Alberta is a booming industry. Wherever you are in Alberta, beer enthusiasts can visit a nearby craft brewery and have a great time tasting their specials. Many interactive and hands-on tours showcase their unique brews and techniques. From the farmers and brewers to the retailers and bars, everyone contributes to the community, and there is plenty of cooperation and support. You can also visit these places while travelling on the ultimate Canadian road trip.
Ice Castles
If you are in Alberta during winter, do not miss Ice Castles Edmonton. one of the most beautiful Canadian castles. It is a magical collection of ice tunnels, slides, caverns, mazes, and more. Open every December, you will feel as if you are in a fairyland. Found in Hawrelak Park in Edmonton, you can walk to the Ice Castles from the city center. Remember to dress up warmly in layers of clothes, your thickest gloves, a woolen cap or scarf, with waterproof shoes.
Maligne Canyon
Maligne Canyon is a slot canyon located in the Jasper National Park near Jasper, Alberta. It is also the deepest canyon in the Rockies. Explore this jaw-dropping natural wonder by hiking through it and crossing six bridges built across various points of the canyon. For a gentle hike, head over to the first and second bridges. The second bridge is the highest point of the canyon, at 50 meters above the water. See a captivating waterfall from the third bridge. In winter, go for a guided ice walk and walk directly along the canyon’s frozen floor.
Banff National Park
Canada’s first national park consists of incomparable mountain scenery nestled in the heart of the magnificent Canadian Rockies. White water rafting, golfing, hiking, canoeing, skiing, fishing, etc. are some of the activities available here. The diverse wildlife in the park includes bighorn sheep, wolves, bears, elk, coyotes, caribou, and mountain lions. Go up the Banff Gondola and admire the spectacular view. Select a trail that suits you and go backcountry hiking. There are plenty of summer and winter activities here for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Athabasca Glacier
The Athabasca is the most-visited glacier on the North American continent. Its ice is in continuous motion. The glacier flows down the valley like a frozen, slow-moving river. Take a guided tour right up onto the glacier. Travel on a massive Ice Explorer to a place where you can walk on, feel, and drink from the Athabasca Glacier. Also, take a walk along the glass-floored Skywalk at the cliff’s edge. Be warned, this is only for the real outdoors strong-of-heart enthusiast.
Emerald Lake (Yoho National Park)
Nestled in the Canadian Rockies, Emerald Lake is a jewel in Yoho National Park. Its bright green waters dazzle visitors. Rent a canoe to paddle across, or hike along the lakeshore trail. Take in incredible views of the surrounding mountains. The vibrant color comes from glacier flour suspended in the water.
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (Fort Macleod)
For over 5700 years the Plains tribes used this 36 foot cliff as a buffalo jump. The tribe members used to strategically drive the herds off the cliff edge to hunt and kill these animals.
Currently this place is a UNESCO site, where you can explore the interpretive centre just above the cliff. You can also check out the archaeological evidence of this indigenous hunting method.
Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park (Milk River)
This beautiful provincial park contains a very sacred indigenous site with over 50 Rock art sites. Here you will get to discover ancient petroglyphs and pictographs that are carved into the sandstone walls and the cliff face. These prehistoric drawings have been present here for thousands of years.
The strange and unique hoodoo rock formations also add to the mystique. This is the perfect spot to explore the spiritual history and culture represented through these drawings.
Waterton Lakes National Park
Located along the Canada-U.S. border, this mesmerizing park offers various opportunities for wilderness hiking, wildlife viewing, and you will also get to visit the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel. Travellers can explore the rugged Rocky Mountain terrain. But make sure to keep an eye out for grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, and other majestic wildlife that call this region home.
The natural beauty and abundance about the activities make it a must visit destination for all nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.
West Edmonton Mall
Edmonton’s mega-mall stands out as an unparalleled destination, transcending the bounds of a mere shopping center. With over 800 stores, it seamlessly blends retail therapy with exhilarating attractions like Galaxyland’s thrilling indoor amusement park, the refreshing World Waterpark, and a captivating skating rink. This sprawling complex invites visitors to immerse themselves in a world of endless possibilities, where days can effortlessly melt away amidst its kaleidoscope of experiences.
Royal Tyrrell Museum (Drumheller)
Renowned as one of the world’s foremost paleontology museums, this extraordinary institution showcases an awe-inspiring collection of over 130,000 fossils. Prepare to be awestruck by the sight of towering, meticulously preserved dinosaur skeletons and a vast array of ancient fossils within the authentically recreated dinosaur hall. Witness the fascinating process of scientific discovery unfold before your eyes as skilled technicians diligently prepare and analyze newly unearthed fossils in the captivating live laboratory.
Moraine Lake (Banff National Park)
Situated in the majestic Valley of the Ten Peaks, is a breathtaking natural wonder, the Moraine Lake. This place leaves every visitor spellbound with its blue-green hues.
This crowning glory of the Banff National Park is a sight to behold. At this beautiful place you will get to witness pristine water that mirrors the surrounding peaks there by creating mesmerising reflections.
To fully enjoy the beauty of this divine area you need to arrive early and witness the awe-inspiring sunrise reflections which paint the landscape in a kaleidoscope of colours.
Sunshine Village Ski Resort
The Sunshine reigns is one of the largest ski resorts at Banff and it spans over an impressive 3,300 acres. From gentle beginner slopes to extreme high-alpine terrain, it caters to skiers and snowboarders of all abilities, offering a diverse playground for adventure.
Heritage Park Historical Village (Calgary)
Step back in time and immerse yourself in a captivating living history museum that transports you to the late 1800s. Wander through a meticulously recreated Western Canadian village, where every detail authentically captures the essence of a bygone era. Ride a nostalgic steam train, savoring the sights and sounds of a bygone era, while costumed interpreters bring the past to life, vividly portraying the daily rhythms and challenges of life in the old West. Calgary is a wonderful destination to visit during Ramadan, offering a unique blend of cultural experiences and serene landscapes. This incredible open-air museum offers a truly immersive experience, inviting you to connect with the rich tapestry of Canada’s pioneering spirit.
Frank Slide (Crowsnest Pass)
In 1903, 82 million tons of limestone rock suddenly dislodged, burying part of the town of Frank. This deadly rockslide killed over 90 miners. Today, you can walk the interpretive trail through the rock debris.
Elk Island National Park
Just 35 minutes east of Edmonton, see free-roaming bison, elk, and other wildlife amid the park’s forests and meadows. With dark skies at night, it’s also a prime destination for aurora viewing.
Getting Around Alberta
Alberta spans a vast area, and exploring it thoroughly is best achieved with a private vehicle. While organized tours and buses service renowned destinations like Banff, their routes are confined to a limited number of locations.
If your aim is to venture into the province’s diverse regions, renting a car emerges as the optimal choice. Personal transportation grants you the flexibility to chart your own course, discover off-the-beaten-path gems, and revel in scenic vistas that public transit may overlook. To truly experience Alberta’s breadth and depth, a rental car offers unparalleled freedom and convenience.
Best Time to Visit Alberta
Alberta is a great place to visit all year round. But the weather can be extreme. Summers are very hot, with temperatures up to 35°C (95°F) in July and August. Winters are freezing cold, sometimes reaching -35°C (-31°F). Edmonton is occasionally the coldest city on Earth! However, the Canadian Rockies make Alberta perfect for skiing, snowboarding, and enjoying snowy mountain views.
The best time to visit is mid-June to mid-September. This is summer, when it’s warmest. All the trees and flowers look beautiful, and all the popular activities and attractions are open. But it’s also the busiest and most expensive time.
For winter sports like skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing or snowshoeing, January to March is ideal. It’s coldest then, with lots of snow. But it’s much quieter than summer, with cheaper hotels and less crowding, except on holidays.
Spring (April to mid-June) can be nice too, but the weather is unpredictable, with rain. It might reach 25°C (77°F) some days. Tourism is lower then, and some plants still look dead, but it’s milder overall.
Fall is great as well, especially late September and October. It’s still quite warm, with gorgeous fall colours on the trees. There are fewer tourists than summer, but most things remain open. We prefer fall over spring. The one exception is if you want white water rafting – spring is better for that.
Road to 150 – Alberta Road Trip
In 2017, they produced one of Canada’s largest independent media campaigns. The Road to 150 was a 150-day road trip across the country to create a 12-part video series showcasing what makes Canada special.
Alberta was the final destination, as it is their home province. They spent 14 days exploring Alberta, resulting in one of the most beautiful tourism videos from the entire campaign. Starting in Banff National Park, they hiked, canoed, rode gondolas, and drove the Icefields Parkway to Jasper.
They witnessed glaciers, wildlife, and fall foliage. Later, they visited Edmonton’s giant mall, learned about dinosaurs in Drumheller, and finished in Calgary, riding a steam train and the Calgary Tower. They highly recommend watching their Alberta video.
Where to Stay in Alberta
When it comes to choices of accommodation in Alberta, there really is something for everyone. From the luxury of the Fairmont Banff Springs to the charm of a local bed & breakfast, there’s something for any budget and any taste.
There are also a lot of excellent cabins in Alberta that can be rented, including cabins in the mountains, in the badlands, or lakeside on one of Alberta’s many lakes. They’ve written a variety of articles about accommodation, including where to stay in Calgary, where to stay in Banff, the best Jasper accommodations, and some of the best campsites in Alberta.
What to Do in Alberta
- Explore Banff National Park – Hike through the stunning Canadian Rockies, canoe on Lake Louise, and drive the scenic Icefields Parkway.
- Visit Calgary – Ride the Calgary Tower for panoramic city views, learn about Canadian music icons, and experience the Calgary Stampede (if visiting in July).
- Discover Dinosaur Provincial Park – See incredible dinosaur fossils and badlands landscapes in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Go Skiing/Snowboarding – Alberta’s world-class ski resorts like Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, and Marmot Basin offer exceptional winter sports.
- Experience Edmonton – Shop at the massive West Edmonton Mall, visit the Royal Alberta Museum, and explore the river valley parks.
- Explore the Badlands – Hike through the unique hoodoo rock formations and canyons in Drumheller and Dinosaur Provincial Park.
- See the Northern Lights – During the winter months, venture out to dark sky areas like Elk Island National Park to witness the magical aurora borealis.
Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Alberta
- Last Chance Saloon (Wayne): Want to learn more about the history of this region? Then you must visit this ghost town bar with bullet holes and interesting stories that has been embedded on its walls.
- Little Chief (Calgary): The Little Chief in Calgary is one of the finest places to chill and have a hearty meal. At this restaurant you will get to experience indigenous culinary fusion when a chef with First Nations roots takes the entire duty of this hotel restaurant and creates innovative dishes.
- Lake Agnes Teahouse (Lake Louise): Reward yourself with a scenic tea break after hiking to this remote teahouse nestled in the Canadian Rockies, surrounded by breathtaking mountain vistas.
- Giant Perogy (Glendon): A quirky roadside attraction paying tribute to the beloved Eastern European dumpling, this giant perogy is a must-see for food enthusiasts.
- Grizzly House (Banff): Indulge in a unique fondue experience at this eatery catering to “lovers and hedonists” since 1967, where you can even try alligator.
Alberta has plenty of attractions and wherever you go, you find spectacularly beautiful sceneries. A visit to Alberta will be the cherry on the cake during your Canada holidays.