All the buildings remind you of cape cod style architecture and the community has a cute little park in the middle of the shops. Read Next: Why Agritourism Should Be Part of Your Next Weekend Getaway in Alberta. This trip takes in the best of Albertas Rocky Mountains, stunning lakes, and some of the best waterfalls in the province. Then make your way to the town of Lamont and go hunting for treasures at the Elk Island Thrift Store. Canmore is the main access point to Kananaskis and one of my favorite places in Alberta. Why you should go: Gull Lake is another versatile spot that's good for visiting any time of the year. I order the one that comes with a bit of everything dry ribs, cactus cut potatoes, jalapeno poppers, fried pickles, onion rings and who knows what else was on there! If you prefer to stroll through some parks, Mirror Lake is stunning in the summer time, where you can watch Trumpeter Swans glide through the water. Wherever your travels take you, I'll help make sure you like where you're going! P.S. You could even combine them all into one giant (pun intended) week-long road trip! Think we will try a few of the routes to the North. Sign up for our newsletter and get a curated list of the top Just south of Lamont is the north entrance to Elk Island National Park. Next, spend a 13 nights in Drumheller, the dinosaur capital of the world. Why you should go: Jasper has so much to offer, from hiking waterfalls to lakes, admire the views and take lots of pictures to keep your Instagram followers envious of your adventures. The area features countless lakes perfect for camping and fishing, the mesmerizing Crescent Falls, Crown Lands where anything goes, and a huge number of hiking trails, both easy and difficult. Continuing north, an optional detour would be Lac La Biche, including Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park, which occupies an island on the lake. Heres my guide to the best things to do in Lethbridge. Heritage Ranch and Alberta Sports Museum are two other cool stops just off the highway (see here for more cool museums around Edmonton!). Well, that sums up my recommended best road trips from Edmonton. Our main mission though was to pay a visit to Blokes Bakery, a Stettler staple. This cafe, bakery and bistro has kept the vintage charm of its early years and now serves the perfect cup of coffee, breakfast plates and light lunches. It is the largest national park in Canada and second largest in the entire world! ), and knocking off several items in my Alberta bucket list. To extend your trip, you can also venture into Glacier National Park in the United States, or take Crowsnest Pass into southern British Columbia. We encourage discussion and debate, but our pages must remain a safe space where everyone feels comfortable and the environment is respectful. After Abraham Lake, you can continue on to Saskatchewan Crossing, where the highway meets the Icefields Parkway. From there, Ill return to Edmonton on one of several routes, which could involve stops in Medicine Hat, Dinosaur Provincial Park, and/or Drumheller along the way. This road trip from Edmonton takes you east of the city. Some major highlights include the expansive Calgary Zoo, Telus Spark Science Centre, Heritage Park Historical Village, Glenbow Museum, and Calaway Park. And we cant miss the T-Rex Discovery Center in Eastend, which houses the worlds largest T-Rex skeleton! Dine in the vintage-inspired caf, where you can choose from gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. Make your way south to Highway 2A to the town of Millet. Next, you can either return to Edmonton via Calgary (4.5 hours), or base yourself in Canmore to explore the greater Kananaskis area (see next entry). If youre a fan of fancy breakfasts, try the brioche French toast stuffed with cheesecake filling! The vast region north of Edmonton is sparsely populated, with few notable attractions. Go boutique shopping, take a walking tour of all the murals and be sure to end your day with dinner at Cilantro and Chive. And if its going to be a clear night, stay for the star gazing. The aviation portion of the museum has plenty of activities for kids, and you can even take part in a behind the scenes white glove warehouse tour. Why you should go: If you don't mind driving a bit further south, why not head to Drumheller for the day? Athabasca is also home to many significant buildings and sites that you can tour on your trip. Its located inside an old train station and at the start of a beautiful municipal park where you can stroll around and enjoy the sunshine. Edmonton to Saskatchewan Road Trip (2 weeks), Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Historic Site, when and how to see ice bubbles at Abraham Lake, guide to the Giants of the Alberta Prairies, 30 Awesome Day Trips from Edmonton, Alberta, 15 Awesome Things to Do in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, 20 Playgrounds in Edmonton That My Kids Love (2021! Drumheller Medicine Hat Lethbridge Loop (1 2 weeks), 9. Local art adorns each wall and antique furniture finishes off the charm of this bistro. While there are certainly loads of things to do in Edmonton, the capital of Alberta, sometimes you just want to get out of town. Then only 15 minutes down Highway 2A, youll arrive at the Reynolds Alberta Museum. But is it worth taking a road trip from Edmonton further east? If youre looking for something that can easily be done in a single day, here are my 30 recommended day trips from Edmonton. Comments are moderated according to our Community Guidelines. A top-rated hotel in Fort McMurray is Microtel Inn & Suites (see on Booking / TripAdvisor / Agoda). Enjoy 90 minutes of heaven while your feet soak in a tub of merlot and includes a special cabernet scrub and a Grenache spray. Just read the reviews many of them say theyre the best in Canada! If you want to get outdoors in between the spa and Sweet Capones (or afterwards), Red Deer has an abundance of parks and trails to explore. Then head to Sweet Capones for a sweet treat the best Italian cannoli! For the ultimate remote road trip from Edmonton, embark on a journey by car to Wood Buffalo National Park in Northern Alberta and Northwest Territories. This is a full day trip or you could make a weekend out of it! The most obvious (and probably most popular) road trip from Edmonton is to Jasper National Park, 3.5 hours to the west. First and last names will appear with each comment and the use of pseudonyms is prohibited. And if youre able to stay in town for dinner, Hart House offers a fine dining experience among a casual gastropub vibe, inside a heritage home! The Northern Lights can be seen super clearly from Elk Island, which always makes for a great show. And make sure you save room for the decadent salted caramel, 4-layer chocolate cake. (If youre stuck in the city in winter, here are my favourite Edmonton winter activities!). The views from the patio are picturesque as you overlook the farmer fields across the highway. If its hot out, the local ice cream shack at Mirror Lake is the best way to beat the heat. After spending a few days in Calgary town to enjoy its numerous art galleries, restaurants, breweries, and scenic walks, you can venture into Banff National Park to the north, or explore vast Kananaskis country to the south. Heres a YouTube video of us exploring the best day trips from Edmonton! We continued south on Highway 56, passing through Big Valley, a charming village with an aesthetic grain elevator and little blue church on the hilltop. What better way to blow off some steam than to leave all your worries behind? As inhabitants of Canadas northernmost city of over 1 million, we Edmontonians have every inclination to go south. For this article, Ive put together 10 tried-and-tested Edmonton road trip ideas. For a fun long weekend road trip from Edmonton, dont overlook the provinces largest and third largest cities, Calgary and Red Deer. Upon entering, youre swept away to a Victorian past, among the original brick and woodwork and collection of vintage decor and antiques. Dear reader: This article contains links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you. If you want to stay up to date, get behind the scenes content, or connect with me directly you can follow my YouTube channel, Facebook Page, Instagram or Twitch channel! Here, you can explore 40 acres of trails that pass by life size animatronic dinosaurs in the bushes. Let me know how it goes! Sure, Edmonton is great, but you're bound to get bored quickly if you spend all your time there, doing the same old things every day. Start off at Cherry Lane Caf (also a bed & breakfast). Try ice fishing in the winter, or work on your tan while you go windsurfing in the summer. Were not ones to shy from a beverage or two, so we were delighted to partake in a wine tasting. There are a couple historic farmhouses, flower gardens, interpretive signage and a tranquil boardwalk through the trees. Continue on Highway 43 to Whitecourt and follow the signs for Hard Luck Canyon. From here, you could head to Regina for a few days, but I plan to bypass it and head further south to spend a few days camping in Grasslands National Park and a few more in the Saskatchewan side of Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. If you havent already been to Elk Island National Park and Ukrainian Village east of Edmonton, then make sure you do! Ellis Bird Farm deserves a visit, where you can stroll through the trails, butterfly gardens and ponds, admire the large collection of bird houses and enjoy a coffee or snack at the tea house. Spend a night or two in the excellent campground, and find real dinosaur bones on one of the parks excellent guided tours. Here are some of my favorite things to do in Canmore and easy hikes in Canmore. Although the two cities aren't that different, they definitely have different things to offer in terms of restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. Narcity Media has the right to remove comments, ban or suspend any user without notice, or close a storys comment section at any time. 31 Things to Do in Invermere/East Kootenays in the Summer (free + low cost)! Heads up that there is a whole lot of driving through farmland to be done between the giants, so bring good music, snacks, and/or a friend to chat with. Tastings are conducted in an old renovated fire hall youll love the story of how this winery came about. When youre ready for a big meal to finish the day, its time to head to the Unwind Bar & Grill in Andrew, Alberta home of the revved up drinks! This rustic-chic farm is a picturesque setting for a fruit winery. One notable stop you can make on the way is Lesser Slave Lake, which (despite the name) is huge. But spend a day in Red Deer proper and you may be pleasantly surprised! Lloyd has the tallest border markers in the world and a cool museum. From Rocky Mountain House (directly west of Red Deer), the David Thompson Highway (Highway 11) provides access to the areathe regions is sometimes also called David Thompson country. For a slower and more scenic route, however, consider taking Highway 22, the Cowboy Trail, which runs parallel to the Rockies through Albertas ranch land. Time: Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. My favorite Edmonton road trip to the east is to tour the Giants of the Prairies. These giant roadside attractions are scattered across our province, but some of the best ones are located east and northeast of Edmonton. Kananaskis Wilderness Hostel is a budget-friendly retreat, Kananaskis Mountain Lodge features a Nordic Spa, while Mount Engadine Lodge is perfect for really getting away from it all. Giants of the Prairies (1 day to 1 week), 10. Heading south from Edmonton, enjoy the prairie scenery along Highway 21 then 56, with potential stops in Stettler for the Alberta Prairie Railway, remote Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park, and Rowley Ghost Town. If youre headed to Jasper, stopping at the waterfalls or the Apex brewery is a great way to break up the drive. If we'rebeing honest,as much as we wouldall like to plan a weekend road trip getaway to somewhere super awesome, and far, far away from the responsibilities of adulthoodwith all of our friends, it's definitely not alwaysrealistic, or easy. Be sure to book in advance because this is popular! Some essential stops include the Western-style town of Longview, Bar U Ranch National Historic Site, and Lundbreck Falls. Older kids and adults may prefer to go tubing on Red Deer River Fort Normandeau is the perfect launching point. For more info, here are my top recommended things to do in Medicine Hat. Canmore is a convenient base for exploring either one as day trips. Start your day with a stop at the Alberta Railway Museum where you can witness one of the only few remaining steam locomotives in Canada that still operates. Like Where You're Going is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We sampled 8 wines, ranging from cherry, rhubarb, black currant and Saskatoon berries. Next, make your way to Medicine Hat, where you can see the worlds largest teepee, the excellent Medalta Potery Historic Site, and explore beautiful green space likes Strathcona Island Park, Police Point Park, and Echo Dale Regional Park. Its close to some amazing trails, is dog-friendly and the perfect spot for a secluded, quiet weekend. Whether youre looking for a family-friendly outing, a couples getaway (maybe with your dog, too) or something fun to do with your besties for the day, escape the city and check out some of these ideas for day trips from Edmonton. Along their adorably scenic main street youll find Babas Bistro. Once you get on Highway 63, the highway speed limit picks up to 110 for the remaining cruise to Fort Mac. Heres my guide to when and how to see ice bubbles at Abraham Lake. If you want to spend a whole day in the area, spend some time at the rural attractions nearby. It could be an add-on to your Banff trip, or you could even stay there as a cheaper and less touristy base for exploring Banff. This road is almost a copycat of the scenic David Thompson Highway (but with no cars). Make reservations at the Solorzano Spa, Caf and Wine Bar. This quaint country setting is aptly named and looks like youre entering a scene from the Notebook. If youre bored of the Albertas Largest roadside attractions road trips, this list provides a new set of ideas for you to check out. On this adventure, youll find some of the best kid-friendly places to visit near Edmonton. In Fort McMurray, some of the top attractions are Heritage Village, Oil Sands Discovery Center (an excellent museum covering local history and mining), and Macdonald Island Park. There are a ton of hidden gems and unique places to visit near Edmonton that are less than two hours from the city, which make for some budget-friendly travel ideas. Once youre ready for some more country scenery, make your way to the historic community of Camrose. Make a weekend out of it and stay in a tiny house cabin in the middle of the woods nearby. Unexpectedly, this fruit wine was dry and crisp, on par with something youd find along the Naramata Bench in the Okanagan Valley. Heading south from Edmonton, you can consider making stops at Pigeon, Gull, or Sylvan Lake for some beach time. Finally, save a few days for Lethbridge, Albertas fourth largest city. The total driving time (without stops) is about 5.5 hours. See all the details in my guide to the best things to do in Fort McMurray. Categories Canada, Itineraries & Road Trips, Puerto Vallarta vs Riviera Maya: Heres How to Choose Your Next Mexico Vacation. This place is extra special in the fall though, with all the pumpkins and harvest colours and decor. You could even stay overnight at the Village Creek Country Inn, which made the list for the top romantic getaways in Alberta. For information on things to do in Jasper, see my guides to visiting Jasper with kids, Jasper in winter, and the best lakes in Jasper. This day spa is located within a cozy historic home built in 1906 and has kept all of its vintage charm. An optional side trip would be to visit the Alberta side of Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, around Elkwater. There are often events happening all summer long, so check the website for more info! Alberta has a budding wine industry, and the fruit wine grown here, from the onsite Delidais Estate Winery is an exceptional showcase of our provinces bountiful produce. You can also bring a packed lunch and enjoy a picnic onsite. Its got a massive beach and is perfect for swimming or catching some rays. Finally, after descending into the Alberta badlands landscape, we arrive at DNA Gardens which has everything you could want in a country getaway a farm store, caf, trail walks, greenhouses, the friendliest and most hospitable staff and a winery! Its a slower but far more scenic drive. This trip takes you south through a small town to the Reynolds Alberta Museum, which boasts an impressive collection of agricultural, industrial, mechanical and aviation artifacts and technologies of the past.