There are very few places in the world where visitors have such a richly diversity of things to do as Alberta. Whether you want to experience the great outdoors in all of its awe-inspiring natural fineries, or indulge in some city living, Alberta gives you choices. To help guide you on your ideal vacation, here are the top six things to do in Alberta with destinations you should add to your vacation schedule.

Calgary

Calgary Stampede. Source: Pixabay

For those looking for summer fun, the ten-day Calgary Stampede is a famous rodeo that involves the whole city. The city’s population become Stetson wearing festival goers, who celebrate all things cowboy. From rodeo competitions, chuckwagon races and agricultural shows, the whole city embraces the festival. You should also aim to visit History Park for an enlightening trip back in history to the pioneering times.

Banff National Park

Banff, Alberta, by James Wheeler. Source: Pixabay.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Banff National Park is the most visited tourist attraction in the province of Alberta. It provides the visitor with the opportunity to experience breathtaking mountain scenery, beautiful lakes, and, of course, the world-renowned ski resorts. Famed for its summer hiking, the area is home to an abundance of wildlife grizzly and black bears, caribou, elk and wolves; all of which can be seen from the roadside.

Lake Louise

Lake Louise. Source: Pixabay.

In winter, Lake Louise is one of Banff’s spectacular ski-resorts, but once the snow has melted and the glacier-fed lake thawed, it returns to be a glorious turquoise lake that is surrounded by paths for visitors to enjoy, and for the more adventurous, a hike to the Victoria Glacier. Lake Louise reflects the mountain that surrounds it and is one of the most photographed lakes in Canada.

Icefields

The Athabasca Glacier at the south end of Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, is easily accessible off the Icefields Parkway. Photo by David Stanley. Reused under CC BY-SA 2.0

From Lake Louise, you can drive the 232-kilometer 93N Icefield Parkway, which is the highway to Jasper. It is a stunning drive that takes you past lakes, glaciers, waterfalls andthe icefields. There are numerous stopping points and day trails that you can hike to really get a feel for the icefields environment. Do remember though that to come off the highway, you will need a pass as the route is considered a park facility, and you may need to pay for these kiosks at the park gates.

Jasper National Park

Jasper. Photo by Linda Aksomitis.

Jasper National Park is one of Canada’s largest national parks and covers 10,878 square kilometers. Jasper is home to beautiful lakes, glaciers, canyons and forests, but out of the summer season, Jasper is quieter than Banff, and so the visitor can really experience the remoteness of the area –many of the tourist facilities shut, so do bear this in mind!

And if you’d like an unique experience, try out Jasper’s Glacier Skywalk! Check out the video above for a sneak preview.

Edmonton

West Edmonton Mall. Stock Photo.

No trip to Alberta is complete without a trip to the huge West Edmonton Mall. While the natural sites will impress you with their sheer scale, this mall is one of the largest in North America, and is home to a vast selection of stores and entertainment to inspire you. There is something for the whole family to enjoy, whether you want water park fun, or perhaps the world’s largest indoor amusement park; there is plenty to entertain you. For more Edmonton family fun, visit Travel Top 6 for more things to do!

Find Things to do in Alberta!

Alberta is home to a wealth of stunning landscapes that are inspiring and intriguing with their scale and beauty. By discovering Alberta, you can benefit from the natural beauty, and see how Man has mirrored this with extravagance and celebration.

This Google map gives you an idea of where you’ll find these destinations.

More Things To Do In Alberta