Alberta Travel Guide
Plan your next adventure to Alberta, Canada with our comprehensive travel guide featuring the best places to visit, things to do, where to stay, and more.
- Introduction to Alberta
- List of Places to Visit in Alberta
- Hiking/Biking Routes of Alberta
- Best Things to Do in Alberta: Activities and Tours
- Week-Long Itinerary for Alberta
- Food and Drink Scene of Alberta
- Where to Stay in Alberta: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses
- What to Buy in Alberta: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home
- Local Culture and Customs of Alberta
- Best Time to Visit Alberta
- Do’s and Don’ts of Alberta
- Safety and Health
- Getting to Alberta: Transportation Options and Logistics
- How to Get Around in Alberta
- Where to Go Next from Alberta: Nearby Destinations and Excursions
- Conclusion
Introduction to Alberta
Welcome to Alberta, located in the heart of Prairies, Canada. While Alberta is known for its stunning natural attractions, including mountains, lakes, and forests, it also boasts an exciting cultural scene and delicious food and drink options. Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast looking for adventure or a history buff seeking to learn more about Canada’s past, Alberta has something for everyone. In this comprehensive travel guide, we will cover the top places to visit in Alberta, hiking and biking routes, where to stay, the best things to do, and more.
List of Places to Visit in Alberta
Alberta has no shortage of incredible attractions to visit. Here are some of our top recommendations:
Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places
- Heritage Park Historical Village
- Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology
- Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Natural Attractions of Alberta: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views
- Banff National Park
- Jasper National Park
- Lake Louise
- Athabasca Glacier
- Waterton Lakes National Park
- Dinosaur Provincial Park
Hiking/Biking Routes of Alberta
Alberta is a paradise for hikers and bikers alike with its abundance of scenic trails. Here are some of the most popular routes:
- Banff Legacy Trail
- Sulphur Skyline Trail
- Plain of Six Glaciers Trail
- Mistaya Canyon Trail
- Kananaskis Trail
Best Things to Do in Alberta: Activities and Tours
- Helicopter Tours of the Rocky Mountains
- White Water Rafting in Kananaskis River
- Horseback Riding in Banff National Park
- Dog Sledding Tours in Canmore
- Ice Climbing in Jasper National Park
- Skydiving in Leduc
Week-Long Itinerary for Alberta
Day 1: Explore Calgary, including the Calgary Tower and the Calgary Zoo. Day 2: Visit the Badlands and Dinosaur Provincial Park. Day 3-4: Explore Banff National Park, including Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Day 5-6: Discover Jasper National Park, including the Columbia Icefield. Day 7: Visit Edmonton, including the West Edmonton Mall and the Royal Alberta Museum.
Food and Drink Scene of Alberta
Alberta’s culinary scene is known for its fusion of international influences and locally-sourced ingredients.
Must-Try Dishes
- Poutine with Alberta beef gravy
- Bison burgers
- Alberta steak
- Saskatoon berry pie
- Smoked salmon
Local Beverages
- Alberta craft beer
- Ice wine from local vineyards
- Alberta rye whiskey
Where to Stay in Alberta: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses
Alberta offers a wide range of accommodations to fit any budget or preferences, including luxury hotels, cozy bed and breakfasts, and affordable hostels. These are some of our top picks:
- Fairmont Banff Springs
- Rimrock Resort Hotel
- Chateau Lake Louise
- Elk + Avenue Hotel
- Banff International Hostel
What to Buy in Alberta: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home
- Local honey
- Maple syrup
- Bison leather products
- Handcrafted jewelry made by local artisans
- Alberta craft beer
Local Culture and Customs of Alberta
Alberta is known for its friendly and welcoming people, and a relaxed lifestyle emphasizing outdoor activities. Be sure to respect local customs, such as removing your shoes when entering someone’s home, and tipping your servers and bartenders at least 15 percent.
Best Time to Visit Alberta
The best time to visit Alberta depends on the type of activities you are interested in. Summer and early fall are the best times to hike, bike, and explore the national parks. Winter is ideal for winter sports such as skiing and snowshoeing, especially in Banff and Jasper.
Do’s and Don’ts of Alberta
Do:
- Embrace the outdoor culture: Hiking, biking, skiing, and snowshoeing are all popular activities.
- Explore the national parks: Banff and Jasper offer some of the most stunning natural scenery in the world.
- Respect local customs: Remove your shoes when entering someone’s home, and tip your servers and bartenders at least 15 percent.
Don’t:
- Forget to pack sunscreen and insect repellant, especially in the summer.
- Approach wildlife: Bison, bears, and elk are among Alberta’s most popular inhabitants, but they are also potentially dangerous.
- Smoke or litter in the national parks: Keep the parks clean and enjoyable for others.
Safety and Health
Safety in Alberta
Alberta is a relatively safe destination for travelers. However, it’s always a good idea to take precautions, such as locking your doors and windows in your accommodations and being aware of your surroundings. Also, be sure to follow posted signs and warnings when exploring the natural parks.
Health in Alberta
Alberta has a high-quality healthcare system, which includes several public hospitals and clinics. Be sure to purchase travel insurance before visiting in case of emergencies.
Getting to Alberta: Transportation Options and Logistics
There are several options available for traveling to Alberta, including:
- Air travel: Calgary International Airport and Edmonton International Airport are the two main airports serving Alberta.
- Bus: Greyhound and other bus companies offer connections to several cities in Alberta.
- Train: Via Rail has stations in several cities in Alberta.
Airports Near Alberta
- Calgary International Airport (YYC)
- Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
Bus Stations Near Alberta
- Calgary Bus Terminal
- Red Deer Bus Terminal
Other Options
- Car rental: Renting a car is a popular and convenient option for those looking to explore the national parks and other areas of Alberta.
- Ride-sharing services: Uber and Lyft are both available in Alberta.
How to Get Around in Alberta
While renting a car is one of the most popular ways to get around in Alberta, there are also several public transportation options available, including bus and train services. Additionally, many popular attractions are within walking distance of many accommodations in cities like Calgary and Edmonton.
Where to Go Next from Alberta: Nearby Destinations and Excursions
- British Columbia: Just west of Alberta lies British Columbia, featuring stunning scenery, cities like Vancouver and Whistler, and recreational activities like skiing, snowboarding, and camping.
- Saskatchewan: Alberta’s neighbor to the east, Saskatchewan, is known for its prairies and parklands.
- Northwest Territories: Located to the north of Alberta, the Northwest Territories are known for their distinctive landscapes and incredible aurora borealis views.
Conclusion
We hope you find this comprehensive Alberta travel guide helpful in planning your next adventure. Whether you’re interested in exploring the natural beauty of the national parks, experiencing the local cuisine and culture, or just seeking an outdoor adventure, Alberta has something for everyone. Safe travels!
Alberta Image Gallery
Beyond the Rockies, Alberta offers a stunning assortment of landscapes, like the almost-lunar "badlands", here at Hays, between Brooks and Taber.
Calgary is the largest city in Alberta
Morraine Lake in Banff National Park.
Tiny towns like New Norway (shown ''circa'' 1915) sprang up across Alberta at the turn of the last century and thousands poured in from Europe and Eastern Canada. Different parts of the province have different ethnic flavours.
Stephansson House Provincial Historic Site in Markerville, Central Alberta. It was once the home of famed Icelandic poet, Stephen G. Stephansson, and has been restored to how it looked in the 1920s.
The VIA train at Jasper, Alberta
The Trans-Canada Highway near Canmore, Alberta.
Bronco riding at the Calgary Stampede.
The Foothills of the Rockies as seen from Alberta Highway 40, part of the "scenic route to Alaska".
The Bar U Ranch National Historic Site gives and introduction to the ranching history and lifestyle of southern Alberta.
The "hoodoo" rock formations at Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park.
St. Vladimir's Orthodox Church at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village outdoor museum near Elk Island National Park
The giant ''pysanka'' (Ukrainian Easter egg) in Vegreville.
The Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park main building.
Dancers at the Calgary Stampede powwow.
Albertans as a rule love anything loud and fast. Here a snowmobile near St. Paul, Alberta.
The Hotel Macdonald in Edmonton is place for a more urbane dining or drinking experience.
The two biggest dangers in Alberta are the weather and the wildlife. Other people aren't much of a problem. Pictured are white tailed deer running along an icy road in rural Alberta.