If you are planning to visit Canada, Alberta is a province that you must visit. Visitors to Canada go to the various popular tourist destinations and are overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the landscapes. The province of Alberta is said to have the most gorgeous places you will see on the earth. Alberta in Western Canada has a unique landscape that includes mountains, prairies, desert badlands, and vast coniferous forests. With more than 600 lakes, rich mineral deposits, and pristine glaciers adding to the beauty of this place, Alberta is one of the most sought-after destination for tourists and locals alike. Whether you visit in winter or summer, the spellbinding beauty of this province will steal your heart.
Most Compelling Reasons to Visit Alberta
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is an alpine lake in Banff National Park. With wild turquoise blue color water, fed by a glacier melt, it has a backdrop of Mount Victoria and a hanging glacier. This is a top destination for millions of visitors each year. The brilliant blue color of the glacier waters is due to the fine rock particles on the lake bed. There are hiking trails, canoeing or kayaking the lake, mountaineering, skiing, ice climbing, or ice skating around the lake.
The Icefields Parkway
One of the top drives in the world and one of the most picturesque journeys on the planet is the Icefields Parkway. Linking Lake Louise with Jasper, it is a 232 km stretch of double-lane highway that winds through soaring rocky mountain peaks, icefields, and vast sweeping valleys. As you drive through the Icefields Parkway enjoy looking at hundreds of ancient glaciers, rolling waterfalls, dramatic rock formations, and emerald lakes in deep valleys of thick forests. View wildlife and enjoy a picnic on the way.
The Badlands
The Alberta Badlands is home to the largest deposits of dinosaur bones in the world. Explore some of the most remarkable rock formations and fossil beds here. The best time to visit is in summer. The Royal Tyrrell Museum houses one of the world’s largest displays of dinosaurs. Go hiking through the splendid badlands right outside the museum itself and enjoy the scenery and wildlife viewing. Visit the world’s largest dinosaur, sit in its mouth, and take in the view.
The Northern Lights
Alberta is home to some of the world’s largest dark sky preserves, including Wood Buffalo and Jasper national parks. The best time to visit to see the aurora borealis is from September to mid-May. The Jasper National Park was officially designated light pollution-free as the world’s second-largest sky preserve. Enjoy marvelous stargazing on a clear night and see the northern lights. Also, go to the top of the mountain with guided tours of the sky offered from North America’s highest altitude telescope.
Unique Craft Breweries
The microbrewery business in Alberta is a booming industry. Wherever you are in Alberta, beer enthusiasts can visit a nearby craft brewery and have a great time tasting their specials. Many interactive and hands-on tours showcase their unique brews and techniques. From the farmers and brewers to the retailers and bars, everyone contributes to the community, and there is plenty of cooperation and support.
Ice Castles
If you are in Alberta during winter, do not miss Ice Castles Edmonton. one of the most beautiful Canadian castles. It is a magical collection of ice tunnels, slides, caverns, mazes, and more. Open every December, you will feel as if you are in a fairyland. Found in Hawrelak Park in Edmonton, you can walk to the Ice Castles from the city center. Remember to dress up warmly in layers of clothes, your thickest gloves, a woolen cap or scarf, with waterproof shoes.
Maligne Canyon
Maligne Canyon is a slot canyon located in the Jasper National Park near Jasper, Alberta. It is also the deepest canyon in the Rockies. Explore this jaw-dropping natural wonder by hiking through it and crossing six bridges built across various points of the canyon. For a gentle hike, head over to the first and second bridges. The second bridge is the highest point of the canyon, at 50 meters above the water. See a captivating waterfall from the third bridge. In winter, go for a guided ice walk and walk directly along the canyon’s frozen floor.
Banff National Park
Canada’s first national park consists of incomparable mountain scenery nestled in the heart of the magnificent Canadian Rockies. White water rafting, golfing, hiking, canoeing, skiing, fishing, etc. are some of the activities available here. The diverse wildlife in the park includes bighorn sheep, wolves, bears, elk, coyotes, caribou, and mountain lions. Go up the Banff Gondola and admire the spectacular view. Select a trail that suits you and go backcountry hiking. There are plenty of summer and winter activities here for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Athabasca Glacier
The Athabasca is the most-visited glacier on the North American continent. Its ice is in continuous motion. The glacier flows down the valley like a frozen, slow-moving river. Take a guided tour right up onto the glacier. Travel on a massive Ice Explorer to a place where you can walk on, feel, and drink from the Athabasca Glacier. Also, take a walk along the glass-floored Skywalk at the cliff’s edge. Be warned, this is only for the real outdoors strong-of-heart enthusiast.
Alberta has plenty of attractions and wherever you go, you find spectacularly beautiful sceneries. A visit to Alberta will be the cherry on the cake during your Canada holidays.