Things to do in Alberta
-
A
Da-De-O
The best Cajun diner this side of The Big Easy, with checkerboard floors, '50s-style booths and tunes born on the bayou. Hitch yourself up to the counter and tuck into an order of jambalaya. It's a little slice of Bourbon St in the Great White North. Go on, eat to the beat, you know you want to.
reviewed
-
B
Banff Gondola
In less than 10 minutes, the Banff Gondola whisks you up to the 2281m (7484ft) summit for spectacular views over the surrounding mountains, Bow River and Banff town. The upper terminal looks like something from an old James Bond movie and has the expected restaurant. Alternatively, you can hike up the steep east side of the mountain in about two hours one way. You will be aptly rewarded with great views.
The trail starts from the Upper Hot Springs parking lot. Or just hike down.
The lower terminal is just over 3km (2mi) south of Banff on Mountain Ave; it's adjacent to the Upper Hot Springs pool.
reviewed
-
C
Peter's Drive-In
In 1962 Peter's opened its doors and locals have been flocking there ever since for the super-thick shakes, burgers off the grill and fries done the way they should be. It's a true drive-in, so either bring the car along or be happy to eat on the lawn out front. On a Friday night, it's a popular hangout for the automotive set.
reviewed
-
D
High Level Diner
If you want to catch up with some locals over eggs then the High Level Diner is the place to go. It's a friendly, popular eatery, right beside the river, and a great way to start the day.
reviewed
-
E
The Edmonton Space & Science Centre
The Edmonton Space & Science Centre is a great place for kids. With an emphasis on interactive displays, there are a million things to discover, all under one roof. Fight crime with the latest technology, see what living on a spacecraft is all about, go on a dinosaur dig and explore what makes the human body tick. Young and old will have a blast and maybe even learn something at the same time.
For the ultimate souvenir, you can buy the naming rights of an actual star: the more you spend, the brighter it is.
reviewed
-
Fort Edmonton Park
If the weather is nice, head to Fort Edmonton Park, where you can see a slice of the old west, right in amidst the city. Walk along the vintage streets lined with period buildings or take the steam train for a spin. Costumed guides are there to answer questions and add some flavor. There is a small amusement park for the kiddies too - who knew that miniature golf had such a long history?
reviewed
-
F
Flames Central
The place to be to catch a hockey game on the big screen. The huge interior of what used to be a cinema has been transformed into the sports bar to end all sports bars. With more TVs than an electronics shop, you'll definitely get a good view of the game - just make sure you're not cheering for the Oilers. There is an on-site restaurant and it has concerts from time to time.
reviewed
-
G
Shumka
You can't come to Edmonton and not tuck into some good Ukrainian food. With a huge Ukrainian population, the city is speckled with authentic options. Shumka is a standout, although your first impression will be, 'I drove all the way out here for this?' Don't let the mini-mall location discourage you; the pierogi and cabbage rolls are topnotch.
reviewed
-
H
Melrose Café & Bar
Right in the epicenter of cool Calgary culture on 17th Ave, Melrose has been starting and finishing nights out since it was cool to go there and watch Melrose Place. The gourmet pizzas are great to share over one of the many beers available on tap. The patio is legendary and the scene is an electic mix of lounging locals.
reviewed
-
I
Yianni's
This is a great traditional Greek restaurant with a mint location right on Whyte Ave - big windows open onto the street, making it a prime spot for watching the world go by. There are two levels of eating to double your pleasure - opa!
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Café Mosaics
An Edmonton institution, the funky art, creaky wood floors and cool vibe brings 'em in here, and the amazing vegetarian food keeps them coming back (go for the tofu curry). Full of that style you just can't manufacture, it'll make your day.
reviewed
-
K
Koi
It's not every place you can have a great meal of Asian-inspired tapas while being serenaded by the spun wax of a good DJ. Sharing food with friends is the idea here, but the trouble is, the food's just too good to share.
reviewed
-
L
The Broken Plate
Great Greek food right in the heart of Kensington, one of the coolest neighborhoods in town. Yummy pastas, pizzas and traditional Greek fare are the go in the open, light-filled dining area.
reviewed
-
M
Le Chien Chaud
Gourmet hot dogs? Sounds like a contradiction in terms, but delicious they are. With more varieties of tube-steak than previously thought possible, this place can even cater to vegetarians.
reviewed
-
N
Mountain Equipment Co-op
MEC is the place to get your outdoor kit sorted before heading into the hills. It has a huge selection of outdoor equipment, travel gear, active clothing and books.
reviewed
-
Small-Group Maligne Canyon Icewalk in Jasper National Park
3 hours (Departs Jasper, Canada)
by Viator
Take a break from skiing and experience the wonders of the Maligne Canyon during this small-group winter wonderland icewalk in the heart of Jasper National Park…Not LP reviewed
from USD$56.13 -
O
Nellie's Kitchen
Nellie's has long been a favorite place to start the day, catch up with friends and attempt to quell a hangover. Awesome big breakfasts, bottomless coffee and funky style are the hallmarks of this 17th Ave stalwart. Nellie's is a growing empire these days, but the original is still the best.
reviewed
-
P
Cave & Basin National Historic Site
The Cave and Basin National Historic Site is the birthplace of Banff. The discovery of hot sulfur springs in a cave here led to the area being set aside from development in 1885. Like condo developments of today, the idea spread rapidly and soon Banff National Park and Canada's national park system were created. The complex has been rebuilt to its 1914 appearance. Visitors can look at (and smell) the cave and sulfurous waters, but there's no bathing allowed.
The Middle Springs further down the hill are closed to visitors, to protect the delicate balance of waters. You can stroll around the attractive grounds, where you'll see both natural and artificially made pools, for …
reviewed
-
Heritage Park Historical Village
Want to see what Calgary used to look like? Head down to the Heritage Park Historical Village and step right into the past. With a policy that all buildings within the village be from 1915 or earlier, it really is the opposite of modern Calgary. There are 26 acres of re-created town to explore, with a fort, grain mill, church, school and lots more.
You can ride on the steam train, catch a trolley and even go for a spin on the SS Moyie, the resident sternwheeler, as it churns around the Glenmore Reservoir. Heritage Park has always been a big hit with the kiddies and is a great place to soak up western culture. At the time of research major expansion was underway, so expect…
reviewed
-
Q
West Edmonton Mall
It's hard to know whether to laugh or cringe at the West Edmonton Mall, which may as well be a different planet orbiting the city. Not content to simply be a shopping mall, it has the world's largest waterslides, an equipped indoor wave pool, a full-sized amusement park, a skating rink, two, yes, two minigolf courses, a fake reef with real seals swimming around, a petting zoo, a hotel and 800 stores thrown in as a bonus. It truly is a sight to see.
The kids will love it and no visit to Edmonton is complete without seeing it - love it or hate it, there's nothing else like West Ed. So go for a stroll through Chinatown, grab a meal on the delightfully unauthentic Bourbon St,…
reviewed
Advertisement
-
R
Museum
Be sure to join Babe Ruth as one of the visitors who've signed the guest book at the Banff Park Museum - he did so in 1922. Near the Bow River Bridge at the southern end of town, this lodge-style wood building was built by the CPR in 1903. Check out the surprising inner atrium.
Before trails first led curious wildlife watchers into the bush, the museum housed a zoo and aviary, so Victorian visitors to Banff could catch a safe glimpse of the park's wildlife. The museum, a National Historic Site, contains a collection of animals, birds and plants found in the park, including two small stuffed grizzlies and a black bear, plus a tree carved with graffiti dating back to 1841. …
reviewed
-
Cycling & Mountain Biking
You can cycle on the highways and on most of the trails in and around town. Excursions of all varieties are possible, whether you're looking to ride for a few hours, a day or several days with overnight stops at campgrounds, hostels or lodges. Two good, short cycling routes close to Banff run along Vermilion Lakes Drive and Tunnel Mountain Drive.
For something more challenging, go 1km past the Banff Springs Golf Course to the 14km Rundle Riverside Trail, which plunges into the backcountry with a lot of rough riding along the way.
Ski Stop runs self-guided trips in the backcountry that include van shuttle, bike, gear and map and Bactrax organizes two-hour rides from around …
reviewed
-
S
Alberta Railway Museum
The Alberta Railway Museum, on the northeast edge of the city, has a collection of more than 50 railcars, including steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock, built and used between 1877 and 1950. A trainspotter's paradise, it also has a collection of railway equipment, old train stations and related buildings.
On weekends, volunteers fire up some of the old engines and you can ride along for around C$3 (the diesel locomotives run every Sunday in season; the 1913 steam locomotive gets going only on holiday weekends).
To get there, drive north on 97th St (Hwy 28) to Hwy 37, turn right and go east for 7km (4.5mi) to 34th St, then turn right and go south about 2km (1.2m…
reviewed
-
T
Fish Creek Provincial Park
Cradling the southwest edge of Calgary, the huge Fish Creek Provincial Park is a sanctuary of wilderness hidden within the city limits. Countless trails intertwine to form a labyrinth, to the delight of walkers, mountain bikers and the many animals who call the park home. There was severe flooding in the park a few years ago, washing away many bridges and, in many cases, severely impacting the landscape.
The park is slowly returning back to normal with the assistance of the city and Mother Nature. There are numerous access points to the park, which stretches 20km between 37th St in the west and Bow River in the east. From downtown, take bus 3 via Elbow Dr.
reviewed
-
U
Calgary Zoo
More than 900 animals from around the world, many in enclosures simulating their natural habitats, make the Calgary Zoo one of Calgary's most popular attractions. Besides the animals, the zoo has a Botanical Garden with changing garden displays, a tropical rainforest, a good butterfly enclosure and the 6½-hectare Prehistoric Park, featuring fossil displays and life-sized dinosaur replicas in natural settings.
Picnic areas dot the zoo and a café is on site. During winter, when neither you nor the animals will care to linger outdoors, the admission price is reduced. To get here, take the C-Train east to the Zoo stop.
reviewed
