Alberta is regarded as one of the most scenic provinces of Canada. The skyline is painted with snowcapped peaks as the charming prairies converge with huge mountains. The picturesque landscapes, serene lakes, dense forests, and other places to visit in Alberta, charm over four million tourists annually. The popularity of these tourist attractions signifies the intense yearning we have for nature in our technology-centric lifestyle. The largest of the three prairie provinces, Alberta, offers a diverse set of experiences for its tourists who want to explore the West Canadian countryside.
Enchanting Eight of Alberta
Alberta offers a diverse range of activities to its visitors. You can experience the thrills of skiing amongst the ice cliffs at Banff, or absorb the serenity of Lake Louise and Moraine. Visit Jasper to get a much-needed break from the commotion and revel in the great outdoors. Learn about the fascinating history of this planet at Drumheller, which is a rich treasure trove of fossils of dinosaurs. Do not forget to stop by the Columbia icefields which will engross you with their majestic glaciers as you get a glimpse of the ice age that once reigned our planet. Find below the list of places to visit in Alberta to make your trip to the province a memorable one.
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Banff National Park
Banff is a major crowd puller and is a definite mention on your itinerary of places to visit in Alberta.The national park hosts wildlife enthusiasts from all over the world. The Banff National Park has an exquisite assortment of scenic mountains, enthralling lakes, ski trails, and resorts for the outdoorsy thrill-seekers who revel in conquering mountains with their ski poles and zeal. Banff offers various options for visitors who want to tour the enchanting parks. The tourists can halt at various lookout spots to soak in the effortless splendor of the vast mountains, revitalising lakes, and engrossing glaciers.
Banff Gondola- A ride on the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain offers a spectacular view of the mountains and the town. There are many charming cafes and an alluring boardwalk at the top of the Gondola.
Banff Avenue- A stroll through Banff avenue is prescribed as the attractive atmosphere is both pleasing to the eyes and enriching to the soul. Banff is too vast and exciting to be covered in a day, an overnight stay in the homely campgrounds or check-in at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is advised for the elegant.
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Lake Louise
Lake Louise is an enchanting turquoise-coloured lake that accentuates the mountains surrounding it and provides a sweet spot for you to glace at the Victoria Glacier. The lake holds a captivating walkway that stretches along its shorelines as you relish the serene ambiance on your leisurely stroll. It is also a base point for the hikers who commence their journey on the hiking trails that lead to the mountains and glaciers.
Lake Louise Village – If you’re not ready to put on your hiking boots yet, you can also explore the Lake Louise village situated nearby. Moreover, you may also survey the retail shops, cafes, and restaurants if you’re in the mood to rest and savour the riveting surroundings. The lake is at its best in summers and attracts the most number of tourists due to the picturesque scenery. During winters, it is a desirable hotspot for skiers as the lake freezes and the hiking trails are smothered under the ice. Exquisite Ski resorts are located near the lake to accommodate them and are one of the must-visit places in Alberta.
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Moraine Lake
14 kilometres from Lake Louise, you’ll find Lake Moraine, a glacially-fed lake located in the Banff National Park Region. Moraine Lake is based in the Valley of Ten Peaks, the most momentous peaks of Canada. Each of the ten peaks is at least 3,000 meters high; it also includes the famous Wenkchemna Peak.
Rockpile Trail – The lake hosts many hiking trails that are operational with regard to the weather or season. The hikers predominantly opt for the Rockpile Trail, which is around 300 feet long. The hikers endure the strenuous journey to experience its magnificent peak, which is one of the most photographed places in Canada.
Lakeshore Trail – You can also choose the Lakeshore trail which lengths an hour and offer beautiful viewpoints from a variety of angles of the lake which is different from the parking lot view. It is to be noted that this lake is only open during summers and booking the shuttle bus to the lake in advance is advisable as there is no guarantee you’ll find a parking spot. It is also recommended that you tighten your laces and charge your phone to capture the picturesque grandeur of this lake to awe your Instagram followers!
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Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park is another stop point in your exciting journey across Alberta. Like Banff, Jasper is an automatic mention of places to visit in Alberta. The Jasper National Park is the largest national park in Canada, enclosing a humongous area of 10,878 square kilometres. Jasper is an option availed by tourists who want to avoid the long queues and commotion of the Banff region. The remoteness and the small-town ambiance give distinct character to Jasper making it a favourite among the outdoorsy tourists. The region is less commercialised and more attuned to nature.
Jasper Skytram – You can take a ride in the Jasper Skytram which will take you to the Whistlers Mountains and experience the engrossing views the peak has to offer.
Pyramid Lake – Explore the Pyramid Lake that submits below the Pyramid mountains to soak in the picturesque atmosphere where you can also stroll around an enchanting Broadwalk which gives you a 360-degree view of the magnificent mountains.
Maligne Canyon – Another popular Albertan tourist destination in Jasper is the Maligne Canyon. Rightly so, you’ll find many elegant sites that exemplify the beauty and grandeur of nature.
Other Places to Visit in Alberta
Apart from the above-mentioned destinations, the following places in Alberta also offer various sightseeing opportunities.
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Drumheller
This is one of the places to visit in Alberta if you want a break from the mountains, trails, and lakes. The aesthetic of the place adds to the richness of the distinct landscapes Alberta has to offer. It is a sanctuary for palaeontology enthusiasts as the region provides significant information on dinosaurs’ existence that walked the region around 75 million years ago. The findings are so intriguing that people with no inclination towards the subject are also amazed by the information that is too interesting to miss.
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Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology
Visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology which was established after the region was identified as a hotbed of dinosaur activity. Situated in the Canadian badlands, the museum collects, preserves, and exhibits a diverse set of dinosaur fossils to its visitors, giving them a fascinating peek into the rich natural history of the planet. The museum also attracts Jurassic Park aficionados as it showcases one of the largest displays of dinosaur skeletons in the world consisting of over 1,60,000 individual specimens. These rustic badlands are 140 kilometres from the city of Calgary and offer contentment to the visitors who have had enough of the mountains.
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Columbia Icefield
Part of the scenic Icefield Parkway, you’ll find Columbia Icefield as you travel from the Banff to Jasper route. The exhilarating route gives an ode to the final ice age as the Canadian Rockies were once covered in ice. More than a hundred glaciers are featured along this scenic route and Columbia Icefield, the largest icefield in the Rockies often attracts tourists who are enchanted by the vast and serene ambience.
A Seat at the Ice Explorer – To explore the icefield in all its glory, you’ll have to catch the Ice explorer- a passenger vehicle that is compatible with the rough terrains of the icefields.
Athabasca Glacier – The Athabasca Glacier has been a major Albertan tourist attraction being one of the ‘six’ toes of the Columbia Icefields. Known as one of the six principal ‘toes’ of Columbia, the tours on the glass-floored glacier are breathtaking!
Glacier Skywalk – You can also walk on the Glacier Skywalk, a glass walkway that exposes the majestic height if you happen to take a peek below. Explore the immense grandeur of glaciology in one of the most unique ecosystems in the world.
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Canmore
It is one of the few mountainside tourist towns that is not situated in a Canadian National Park. This feature makes it an affordable choice among tourists who want to explore the splendid mountain peaks. Just like Banff and Jasper, it offers a variety of outdoor activities to tourists.
Nakiska – For skiers who can’t wait to reign the ice with their ski poles, a visit to Nakiska Ski Resort is one of the best places to visit in Alberta. Skiing still is the most popular thing to do in Canmore as the riveting mountain peaks are covered in snow.
Grassi Lakes – The Grassi lakes hike is a family-friendly effortless trek where visitors from all-fitness levels can participate. The hike provides a perfect setting for visitors who want to partake in light recreational activities while enjoying the refreshing atmosphere.
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The Bow Valley Parkway
The Bow Valley Parkway is an enchanting drive-through from Banff National Park to Lake Louise. This scenic ride is sure to give you a serene experience as you would be thinking about pressing the brake pedal more than once to soak in the charming landscapes.
Morant’s Curve – This eccentric viewpoint gives a charming view of the train tracks running at the footnotes of the majestic mountains straight out of a postcard.
Castle Mountain Lookout – As the name suggests, the Castle Mountain Lookout is famous for its resemblance to an aristocratic castle. There are many hiking trails around the mountain that can be relished by the outdoorsy souls.
What Are You Waiting for?
The diverse and eloquent landscapes of Alberta ensure an enriching experience for its visitors. Alberta’s tourist attractions offer endless opportunities to you to augment your trip with adventures and tranquillity, whichever is preferred. These attractions in Alberta will give you a glimpse of the world before us, so book your tickets and make the necessary arrangements to redefine your bond with this beautiful planet.
You May Also Read
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| Happening Festivals in Canada | Best Beaches in Canada |
| Attractions & Activities in Vancouver | Benefits of Living in Canada |
Frequently Asked Questions
Banff National Park is the most popular tourist attraction in Alberta. It attracts the most number of tourists across the world owing to its exquisite assortment of scenic mountains, enthralling lakes, ski trails, and resorts.
Alberta has no dearth of tourist attractions that will surely enchant your soul. From the majestic mountains of Columbian Icefields to the ice cliffs at Banff for the thrill-seekers. Alberta offers something for everyone. The beautiful prairies and riveting lakes would surely redefine your relationship with nature.
Alberta is at its scenic best in July. The pleasant and refreshing weather makes July the busiest time of the year in the Albertan tourist calendar. As the summer accentuates the charm of prairies and lakes in the province.
A trip to Maligne Canyon at the Jasper National Park will surely enthral the thrill-seekers. This slot canyon place is open all year round and should be definite mention on your list.
All the tourists who are travelling to Alberta from another country are required to make arrangements to quarantine for 14 days. (It is to be noted that restrictions applied are variable and flexible) Which is the most popular tourist attraction in Alberta?
Why should I visit Alberta?
Which is the perfect month to visit Alberta?
Which are the most adventurous places in Alberta?
Are there any current travel restrictions in Alberta?
