Alberta Travel Guide
Tourism in Alberta is centred on its famous Rocky Mountain
region, which flanks it on its western border with British Columbia
and offers a host of alpine attractions. The northern area is a
sparsely inhabited wilderness of forests, lakes and rivers; the
provincial capital, Edmonton, is in the central area, while in the
east, on the border with Saskatchewan, the atmosphere takes on a
Wild West feel in the Badlands and prairies.Even in the cities and towns, visitors to Alberta can be sure
that nature is never far away. Albertans love the outdoors and
urban environments are interspersed with plenty of lush river parks
and greenbelts. In fact the capital, Edmonton, has more parkland
per capita than any other North American city. An important aspect
of Alberta's heritage is its aboriginal culture. Home to 43 First
Nations, this heritage has been preserved in 14 reserves and
educational attractions ranging from the world's largest teepee to
native interpretive trails and exquisite handmade crafts.The natural beauty of this Canadian province is world-renowned,
so it is no surprise to discover that it is home to five of
Canada's 14 World Heritage Sites: Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump,
Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Banff-Jasper National
Parks, Wood Buffalo National Park and Dinosaur Provincial Park.
Wood Buffalo National Park is Canada's largest national park and
the second largest in the world.
Alberta Travel Guide
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Alberta Travel Guide
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Description:
Located in the heart of Calgary, opposite the tower, the Glenbow
Museum is Canada's largest museum, with more than 93,000 square
feet (8,640 sq metres) of exhibition space spread over three
floors. It houses more than a million objects that fill up its 20
galleries and showcase the colourful history of Canada's West.
Explore the exhibits to discover the people, stories and events
that shaped the region from its First Nations to the arrival of the
European settlers. There is a family-friendly Discovery Room, which
is an open studio full of educational activities and crafts that
bring the museum to life. A special feature is the Blackfoot
Gallery, which tells the story of the Nitsitapi people through
interactive displays, artefacts, a film and circular narrative
path. There are also some 28,000 artworks dating from the 19th
century to the present on display in the museum. Glenbow's library
is a treasure trove of reference materials on western Canada and
the Glenbow Archives are a major research centre for historians,
writers, students and the media.
Address:
130 9th Avenue SE
Postcode:
Telephone:
(403) 268 4100
Email:
info@glenbow.org
Website:
www.glenbow.org
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Description:
Canada's second largest zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals
from all over the world, as well as a variety of fish and insects
in natural habitat enclosures. It also features a prehistoric park
with 19 life-size animatronic dinosaurs on display. The botanic
gardens include a 20,000 square foot (1,858 sq metre) conservatory
and butterfly garden and a special Rocky Mountain exhibit featuring
many indigenous Alberta animals, including the endangered Whooping
Crane. The zoo is situated close to the downtown area, on St
George's Island.
Address:
1300 Zoo Road NE
Postcode:
Telephone:
(403) 232 9300
Email:
Website:
www.calgaryzoo.com
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Description:
This historical site chronicles Calgary's history between 1875
and the 1940s and allows visitors to step back in time and explore
the early days of the city through interactive exhibits, costumed
interpreters, hands on activities, guided tours and an entertaining
audio-visual presentation. Fort Calgary is situated on the site of
an original North West Mounted Police Fort and is designed to
preserve the history of the founding, development and growth of the
city. The 40-acre riverside park includes the reconstructed 1875
fort, 1888 barracks, the interpretive centre and Deane House
Historic Site and Restaurant.
Address:
750 - 9th Avenue SE
Postcode:
Telephone:
(403) 290 1875
Email:
info@fortcalgary.com
Website:
www.fortcalgary.com
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Description:
This massive field of ancient ice, made up of eight major
glaciers, is situated near the town of Jasper in the middle of
Jasper National Park. The icefield covers 125 square miles (325 sq
km) and in places is estimated to be 1,270ft (385m) deep. The
icefield feeds four of North America's major river systems, the
Columbia, Fraser, Mackenzie and Saskatchewan and its meltwaters
flow into three different oceans, the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic.
Tours of the glacier are offered on snowcoaches between April and
October each year. Ice-walk tours are also offered by the Jasper
Adventure Centre.
Address:
Jasper National Park
Postcode:
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Description:
Affectionately known as the 'little town in the big park',
Jasper lies in the middle of Canada's largest mountain park, the
Jasper National Park, and makes a delightful base from which to
explore the lakes and mountains. The town of just over 4,000 people
is 233 miles (373km) from Edmonton and lies among pristine
wilderness, surrounded by a necklace of green lakes and majestic
waterfalls. There are one or two attractions in the town itself,
including the Jasper-Yellowhead Historical Society Museum, which
features displays of early Canadian explorers; the 165 foot (55m)
deep Maligne River Canyon; the longest and highest reversible
tramway in Canada that transports passengers up Whistlers Mountain;
and the Den Wildlife Museum that houses more than 100 animal
specimens displayed in their natural habitat. Driving to Jasper is
relatively simple, however harsh winter weather can sometimes make
the roads impassible so check the weather reports before you go. In
the surrounding areas there are many natural wonders to explore,
and using Jasper as a base gives you the opportunity to try
dogsledding, snowmobiling, cat-skiing, cross-country skiing, and
ice climbing in the winter. Summer activities include white-water
rafting, hiking, horseback riding, camping, rock climbing, mountain
biking, and wildlife spotting.
Address:
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Description:
The West Edmonton Mall is the largest in North America. With
over 800 shops and other attractions, it hosts more than 28 million
visitors every year. The mall boasts an ice skating rink, the
world's largest indoor waterpark, the Galaxyland amusement park, a
sea lion habitat, a petting zoo, an IMAX theater, an indoor skate
park, and Ed's Recreation Centre, which encompasses a bowling
alley, pool hall, music stage, arcade, and restaurant. It has
several themed areas made to resemble Bourbon Street in New
Orleans, China, and a European streetscape.
Address:
1755 170 Street NW
Postcode:
Telephone:
(780) 444-5200
Email:
Website:
www.wem.ca
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Description:
Located within Banff National Park, close to the popular resort
towns of Lake Louise and Banff, Moraine is an utterly spectacular
glacially-fed lake. Due to 'rock flour' - tiny particles of
suspended sediment - the lake is a vivid turquoise colour, and on a
clear day, reflects the surrounding mountains in its mirror-smooth
surface. There is plenty to see and do in the snow-capped,
pine-strewn 'Valley of the Ten Peaks' - including an assortment of
scenic hiking trails, and kayaks can be rented from The Lodge, an
on-site cafe that also serves wonderful food and refreshments. If
you are without a car, getting to Moraine can be difficult, though
not impossible: take a Greyhound bus to Banff station, and from
there, you can either walk the nine miles (about 14km) to the Lake;
rent a bicycle from Wilson's Bikes (C$40 for the day); take a taxi
(about C$35); or, make use of the new Park-run Vista shuttle
service, which departs every 30 minutes from the Lake Louise camp
site.
Address:
9 miles (about 14km) from Lake Louise, located within
Banff National Park
Postcode:
Telephone:
403 762 8421 (Lake Louise Tourism)
Email:
Website:
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Description:
Heritage Park is a 'living history village', comprised of over
150 exhibitions that attempt to show what life was like in Alberta
in the 19th and 20th centuries. Set on 127 beautiful acres of
parkland, and located just 15 minutes from Calgary's CBD, Heritage
Park makes for a worthwhile day trip, especially if you have kids
in tow. Highlights include steam train rides, and an impressive
collection of vintage automobiles.
Address:
1900 Heritage Drive Southwest
Postcode:
Telephone:
(403) 268 8500
Email:
Website:
www.heritagepark.ca
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Description:
Canada Olympic Park was a major venue during the 1988 Winter
Olympic Games, and now hosts skiing and snowboarding programmes
every winter; as well as housing the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame
and Museum. COP (as it's known to locals) remains a chief tourist
attraction for casual visitors and winter sports enthusiasts
alike.
Address:
88 Canada Olypmic Road Southwest
Postcode:
Telephone:
(403) 247 5452
Email:
Website:
www.winsportcanada.ca/cop
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Description:
The city's most recognisable structure, Calgary Tower is a
must-visit landmark. The glass-floored observation deck offers
spectacular views of the city below, and there's a revolving
restaurant on offer, as well.
Address:
101 9th Avenue Southwest
Postcode:
Telephone:
(403) 266 7171
Email:
Website:
www.calgarytower.com
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Description:
The kids won't let you get away with not visiting Calaway Park,
western Canada's largest outdoor amusement park. Open seven days a
week - and featuring 33 rides and rollercoasters, live magic shows
and musical performances - Calaway Park is the ideal destination
for a fun-filled family outing.
Address:
Rocky View No. 44, Calgary
Postcode:
Telephone:
(403) 240 3822
Email:
Website:
www.calawaypark.com
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Description:
A 'buffalo jump' is a ledge of rock traditionally used to lure
stampeding buffalo to their deaths. This one not only has an
awesome name, but is a UNESCO World Heritage Site - proudly
displaying exhibitions detailing the life and history of the
Blackfoot people, the original inhabitants of the Great Plains
region of southern Alberta.
Address:
92 Township Road, Willow Creek
Postcode:
Telephone:
(403) 553 2731
Email:
Website:
www.head-smashed-in.com
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