Adorned with snow during the winters, Alberta is the most picturesque province in all of Canada. Despite its rugged, jagged, and harshly beautiful terrain, Alberta is incredibly inviting and is also an abode to two oldest national parks in the world. The Jasper and Banff National Parks attract millions of tourists and visitors every year to Alberta. Of the many tourist places to visit in Alberta right from outdoorsy stuff such as skating during winters to barbecues, relaxed hangs and refreshing dips in the warm lake during summers. This city also offers a number of entertainment options, Edmonton is the biggest shopping destination in Canada and there are various cultural attractions too.
Places To Visit In Alberta
Alberta is a perfect place in Canada to get a slice of adventure. Take a tour to these places in the county to explore the Canadian outback at its best.
1. Banff National Park
Established in 1885, this oldest park is one among the top places to visit in Alberta and the most visited tourist attraction in Alberta. This 6,641 square kilometer park is located in the center of the glorious Canadian Rockies. The abundant wildlife, scenic drives, a picture-perfect village and mountain town, rocky mountain peaks, glistening glaciers, and turquoise glacial lakes, all together make National Park of Banff a scenic place. Banff is the first ever national park in Canada and is the flagship of the Canada’s park system too.
Also, Banff comes under UNESCO World Heritage Site and encompasses major ski resorts, some spectacular mountain scenery, and the tourist settlement of Banff. Home to beautiful fauna that includes grizzly bears, caribou, elk, black bears, and wolves, Banff is amongst the top places to visit in Alberta for family. Several animals can be frequently seen strolling near the main highway of the park.
During summer, hiking becomes the main activity that people love in Banff, and you can choose one from the number of backcountry and front-country trails available here. If not hiking, you can explore this park from your car and stop by enormous roadside sceans to admire the incredible glaciers, mountains, and lakes. The tourists can enjoy other activities including skiing, hiking, biking, and camping in this world’s most breathtaking mountain scenery.
Location: Improvement District No. 9, AB T0L, Canada
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2. Medicine Lake
Proximate to the Jasper town, the Medicine Lake is certainly one of the most famous places to visit in Alberta. As the lake has holes in the bottom of its bed, it is often described as the sinking lake. Formed by the Maligne River, this lake is sited in the Maligne Valley, is approximately 7km long and is a relatively shallow lake.
Medicine is not actually a lake but a portion where the water from Maligne River backs up and then disappears underground. When the Maligne river flows to merge with the Athabasca River, it meets the Medicine Lake, pools to form a lake over a number of underground limestone caves. The water from this sinkholes drains out and appears at the Maligne Canyon. The tourist can stop here to enjoy the beautiful scenery, learn the geology of the largest inaccessible cave system under the lake, hike to the lakeshore and see wildlife.
Location: Jasper National Park, Alberta
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3. Jasper National Park
Jasper is the biggest national parks in Canada and is associated both with both the park and the town. Spread across an area of 10,878 square kilometers, this park is also one amongst the famous places to visit in Alberta and is adorned with mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, lakes, and lush green forests. Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1984, Jasper park is famous for a variety of birds and animals.
The mammalian species that you can see in this park are elk, caribou, moose, white-tailed deer, porcupine, mule deer, river otter, mink, black bear, hoary marmot, wolverine and timber wolf. The birds that can be seen in this park are Great horned owls, bald eagles, white-tailed ptarmigans, spruce grouses, evening grosbeaks, etc. Hiking is a famous activity in this park as well as in winters, the locals love spending time in the Marmot Basin Ski Resort.
Location: Jasper, AB T0E 1E0, Canada
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4. Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway is nothing but a 230-kilometer highway from Lake Louise to Jasper. It is the most alluring drives to go on and one of the best places to visit in Alberta. The Icefields Parkway leads you to a number of mountains, lakes, glaciers, and waterfalls on the way along with stopping points where you can halt and experience these beautiful scenes up close. You can also find several hiking trails that lead you to the picturesque lookouts over surrounding lakes or glaciers.
Icefields Center is the main attraction along this parkway that features exclusive displays on Columbia Icefields and watches out finished the Athabasca Glacier. If becomes difficult to size and see the icefields, however, the models and photos make the work easy. Opposite the inside, it’s possible to walk up to the toe of the glacier, also, the extraordinarily furnished transports are accessible that drive the guests out on the glacier. The Glacier Skywalk – a 280 meters observation platform with a glass railing and glass floor is the newest attractions here.
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5. Heritage Park Historical Village
The biggest living history museum of Canada, this Heritage Park Historical Village is one among the top places to visit in Alberta for family. The park, Gasoline Alley Museum, Historical Village, and the Town Square are open during summers. Perfect for family outings, this historic village features hundreds of exhibits and attractions, including the ones where you can play, touch and interact.
For the entertainment of kids paddle boat ride, an old train, Ferris wheel and merry-go-round are available here. The adults will love to hang around the Town Square, Air Plaza and Canadian Pacific Railway Station. The car buffs can spend time near the Gasoline Alley Museum and explore models from the early 1900s. There are various dining options and shops here as well.
Location: 1900 Heritage Dr SW, Calgary, AB T2V 2X3, Canada
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6. Lethbridge
Seated in the central area of Alberta’s farm country and one of the popular tourist places to visit in Alberta, this Lethbridge was a coal-mining town. The tourist can explore The Lethbridge Viaduct and Oldman River Valley. The Lethbridge Viaduct is the biggest railway structure in the country and is also the biggest of the type in the entire world.
Location: Lethbridge, AB, Canada
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7. Johnston Canyon
Formed by water erosion into the limestone bedrock, this natural attraction is one of the attractive places to visit in Alberta. When winter hits, you can admire the breathtaking and up close views of the ice formations among the limestone cliffs. Also, along the way there are many viewpoints to see over the canyon and down to the deep blue creek.
Location: Banff National Park, Canada
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8. The Prairie Creek Inn
One of the exotic places to visit in Alberta for couple to spend quality time is the beautiful Prairie Creek Inn. This country inn gateway houses in one of the exotic locations of 150 acre surrounding dense forest and landscapes. Offering executive cottages and 15 well-equipped, uniquely designed guest suites, this romantic gateway is open throughout the seasons.
Each of them are adorned with high-class luxuries and comforts to make you feel at home. The cottages and suites have soaker tubs, upscale decorating, fireplaces, soaker tubs, feather duvets, are to name a few. Also, a few have double whirlpool tubs, loaded kitchens, and are pet-friendly too. The polished restaurant of the inn offers fine dining as well as there is a professional meeting venue that is ideal for meetings, corporate retreats and group getaway destination. You can get involved in a number of exciting activities such as hiking, golfing, fishing and cross country skiing.
Location: Rocky Mountain House, AB T4T 2A2, Canada
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9. Lake Louise
Jewel of Banff National Park, this lake is another romantic getaway and one of the best places to visit in Alberta for couples. Famous and turquoise colored, this 2km long lake reflects the Victoria Glacier on the shore and surrounding mountains. The couples can paddle out in the water too as there are Canoe rentals are available as well as there are hiking trails too.
During winters, the lake freezes and many tourists come to enjoy skiing in Canada’s popular ski destinations – Lake Louise Ski Resort. You can also visit the Lake Louise Village at a short distance that features tourist-related restaurants, retail shops, and coffee shops that you can visit.
Location: Banff National Park, Alberta
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The beautiful scenery where prairies to and meet the mountains, the snow-capped peaks dominating the skyline, turquoise lakes and stupendous glaciers of Alberta makes it a beauty you can miss admiring. Plan a vacation to Canada and have an amazing time with your friends or family under the winter sun.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In Alberta
What is Alberta Canada famous for?
Alberta is Canada’s energy-resource province and is the largest oil reserve in the country (3rd largest in the world). It has large amounts of natural gas and coal too.
How old is Banff National Park?
Banff National Park was set up in 1885 and one of the country’s most visited and oldest National Parks.
How many days do you need in Banff?
Two days are required to do sightseeing in Banff and Louise lake whereas a minimum of 5 days is required to do activities like hiking, canoeing, skiing and snowboarding along with sightseeing.
Is Jasper or Banff better?
Banff is widely visited than Jasper because it has more options for short hikes, sightseeing, and other activities.
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A keen observer, an avid reader, a complete foodie, a pet lover and a curious entrepreneur with a vision to empower women. Penning down thoughts and musings come naturally, so, what better way to make a living than do what you love the most. Sujata started off as a content writer and today spearheads a content agency with an all-women team, where each day is about exploring the strength within, overcoming challenges and aiming to scale new heights. Her idea of a holiday well spent is visiting beautiful destinations, experimenting with food and trying out adventure activities.
