Top 10 Day Trips in Alberta

by Brianna Walsh – Bishop Grandin High School, Calgary AB Jun 19, 2009

Stuck in Alberta for the summer with nothing to do? Don’t be blue. Here, in no particular order, are the top 10 day trips in Alberta.

1. Nanton (just south of Calgary)
This community is renowned for its antique shops and museums. And for those with a sweet tooth, there’s an old-fashioned candy store.

2. Vegreville (about an hour east of Edmonton)
If you’re interested in Ukrainian culture, then Vegreville is the place to go. It features the world’s biggest pysanka, or Ukrainian Easter Egg.

3. Bow River (Calgary)
On a 30 C summer day in Calgary, what better way to cool off than to float down the Bow in a raft with friends or family?

4. Bragg Creek (about a 45-minute drive west of Calgary)
In the mood for an outdoor adventure? In Bragg Creek, you can go for a hike and roast some marshmallows. Return to civilization by checking out the candy store, art gallery or restaurants in town.

5. Banff/Lake Louise (about an hour-and-a-half drive west of Calgary)
The scenery is unbeatable in Kananaskis Country, and both of these locales offer stunning landscapes. Both tourist destinations, these mountain resorts offer a wide variety of holiday activities.

6. Quarry Lake (about an hour’s drive west of Calgary, near Canmore)
This relatively unknown gem is great for swimming, fishing and picnics on the beach with impressive views of Ha Ling Peak and the Rundle Range.

7. Sylvan Lake (about midway between Edmonton and Calgary)
The classic summer destination for Albertans. Check out the beach, grab a Moo’s ice cream, and then head out for the water park or beach volleyball.

8. Drumheller (about a two-hour drive east of Calgary)
Aspiring paleontologists can visit Dinosaur Provincial Park, where tons of amazing fossils are found.

9. Mundare (about an hour’s drive east of Edmonton)
Famous for its delicious garlic sausages, Mundare is home to the world’s largest garlic kielbasa statue.

10. Elk National Park (just under an hour’s drive east of Edmonton)
This Parks Canada gem is home to plains bison, wood bison, moose, deer and elk, as well as hundreds of bird species.

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