Canadian Inspiration – Albertan Destinations

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The province of Alberta, named after Princess Louise Carolina Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, is located in the Canadian prairies. Landlocked Alberta is the home of more than 4 million Canadians; both the capital city, Edmonton, and Calgary, are the main urban centres with more than 1 million inhabitants each, and both are hubs for technology, culture and education.

Besides these two metropolises, Alberta also attracts tourists to several destinations distributed around the province: Banff and Canmore in the Rockies, located respectively inside and on the border of Banff National Park; Drumheller and its Jurassic heritage; Jasper and its mesmerizing lakes and nature.

EWT offers sample itineraries to Albertan destinations. Let's explore them!

Alberta Gems

These two small Rockies cities have a world to offer to anyone interested in natural wonders, Canadian history, and inspiring sceneries. Jasper is located in Jasper National park, 362 kilometers west of Edmonton. First established as a commercial outpost in the early 19th century, on the route to British Columbia, this settlement was established as a town in 1907 and in 1913, it was renamed Jasper.

With a population of only 4,000 people, Jasper offers incomparable adventures: the 3.4km Maligne Canyon trail and its rock formations are certainly great photo opportunities; the immense Jasper planetarium; and the Jasper Skytram, a ride up to Whistler Mountain – the highest and longest tramway in Canada, reaching the summit lookout and the views of the Canadian Rockies. Last but not least, Jasper is home to the annual Jasper Folk Music Festival.

Banff

This alpine town is located 365km from Edmonton and 288km from Jasper. The road from Jasper to Banff – the Icefields Parkway – is considered one of the top ten scenic drives in the world: stops at the Athabasca Falls, Suntwapta Falls are mandatory! And the deep blue waters of Peyto Lake, Moraine Lake, while the iconic Lake Louise is certainly one of the most famous spots in Canada.

Around 8,000 people live in Banff. It was the first Canadian city incorporated into a national park and currently, it is a resort town and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada. In Banff, nature dictates the daily itinerary: from a visit to Banff Hot springs at 1,585 meters of elevation to the caves of the Cave and Basin National Historic site, or the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, there is no way one cannot feel wondered by the majestic wonders of this town.

South Alberta

South Alberta has a long list of attractions based on its fascinating natural and social history. Drumheller and its "Dinosaur Valley", at the heart of the Badlands, is where the educative journey will take your students, back to tens of millions of years ago when the region was home to different specimens of dinosaurs.

Drumheller is known as the dinosaur capital of the world: you can explore the Royal Tyrell Museum dedicated to palaeontological research and home to an impressive dinosaur display and several different educational programs.

At Hoodoos trail you will have a chance to see the hoodoos, curious sandstone pillars formed by water erosion, a natural process that took millions of years to reach its current form. Last but not least, this town offers a glimpse from the old times, when it was a mining hub, at the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic site.

Alberta Highlights

A tour that will include South Alberta attractions along with the province's two main urban centres: Calgary and Edmonton. Calgary is situated at the confluence of the Bow River and the Elbow River and it is famous for having the Calgary Stampede, a massive July rodeo festival that started from the farming exhibitions. The city offers cultural, musical, historical, and natural attractions to wonder all its visitors.

The Calgary Tower is a good way to start your visit, with a 360-degree view of the city, the surrounding prairies from one side to the imposing Rockies on the west. The artsy Glenbow Museum and the interactive National Music Centre are certainly two mandatory stops that can be covered in one day. Other remarkable attractions are the Telus World of Science and the intriguing, hands-on scientific displays, or just a stroll at the Calgary Olympic Park.

Edmonton

The capital city of this province is located near to the geographical centre of Alberta. A prairie city, it is one of Canada's youngest and fastest-growing urban centres, and home to Edmonton Cantando, a music festival open to school to show off talent and technique. Start your visit at the Legislature Buildings of Alberta to learn more about the province's history and peoples; then continue to the Royal Alberta Museum to know more about local heritage, culture and environment. The fun continues at the West Edmonton Mall, the largest mall in North America and its indoor amusement parks.

We hope that you are feeling inspired and are looking forward to designing your next tailor-made itinerary with you.

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