Alberta attractions

Part of the vast Columbia Icefield that straddles the border between Alberta’s Banff and Jasper National Parks, the Athabasca Glacier—a huge swath of moving ice—is one of the most accessible and awe-inspiring glaciers in North America. Like most glaciers, Athabasca is shrinking, though it’s still impressively large: It covers an area of about 2.3 square miles (6 square kilometers) and measures up to 980 feet (300 meters) at its thickest point.

An alpine lake surrounded by the rugged mountains of Jasper National Park, Medicine Lake is not only a wildlife watching and recreation destination, it is also a geological anomaly. In summer, the pristine lake is brimming with glacial water. Come fall, sinkholes at the bottom of the lake drain the water, leaving nothing but mudflats.

The largest natural lake in Canada’s Rocky Mountains, Maligne Lake is ringed by towering, snow-capped mountains and evergreen forests. This Jasper National Park sight makes for excellent paddling, but visitors also flock here to hike, fish, camp, and snap photos of tiny Spirit Island. Maligne Lake is known as Chaba Imne (Beaver Lake) to the Stoney Nakota First Nation and other Indigenous peoples for whom the lake is ancestral territory.

The Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff National Park is more than just a neat place to explore. The First Nations who discovered the cave consider the hot springs a sacred site. Today, interactive interpretive exhibits make the birthplace of Canada’s national parks system—known today as Parks Canada—a must-visit.

Bubbling up from beneath the Canadian Rockies at a toasty temperature (98–104℉, or 37–40℃), these hot springs have been drawing visitors to Western Canada since the late 19th century. For weary travelers, a soak in the warm, mineral-rich pools overlooking Mount Rundle is the ultimate tonic for sore muscles—though it’s great for the not-so-weary, too.

Standing sentinel over the city’s downtown since 1968, Calgary Tower features an observation deck with a glass floor and a revolving restaurant 627 feet (191 meters) above ground. Both afford 360-degree views across the city to the snow-capped Rocky Mountains in the distance.

What starts out as meltwater from the Bow Glacier in Banff National Park turns into the stunning turquoise-colored Bow River, which winds steadily through the Canadian Rockies and the outdoor and adventure towns of Banff and Canmore. The Bow River provides a natural habitat for wildlife and several species of trout, as well as many opportunities for hiking, paddling, and fishing.

It’s easy to imagine what it was like during the last ice age when you step out onto the Athabasca Glacier in the Columbia Icefield. Located midway along the scenic Icefields Parkway that connects Canada’s Banff and Jasper national parks, the Columbia Icefield—and the on-site Glacier Discovery Centre—gives you a chance to experience how the landscape likely looked when glaciers covered the land.

Takakkaw Falls—whose name means “it’s magnificent” in the indigenous Cree language—tumble 1,260 feet (384 meters) down a rocky mountain, making it one of the highest waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies. Located outside Field, British Columbia, the glacier-fed falls are the gateway to some of the best hiking trails in Yoho National Park.

This magnificent river flows 765 miles (1,231 kilometers from Jasper National Park’s Columbia Glacier to Lake Athabasca. Along the way, it passes boreal forest, rocky summits, and national parks. Fishing, white-water rafting, and riverside trails make the river a top destination for outdoor recreation in Alberta.

The Calgary Stampede is a grand celebration of Canada’s Western heritage that has been attracting visitors every year since 1923. Visit to experience small-town fun in a big way. The Stampede includes rodeo events, chuckwagon races, blacksmithing competitions, a midway, 300 performers on five stages, and First Nations cultural events.

The Columbia Icefield Skywalk (aka Glacier Skywalk) juts out from the side of a cliff in Jasper National Park. Only a curved, transparent pane of glass underfoot separates visitors from the Sunwapta Valley floor 918 feet (280 meters) below. This attraction is an exhilarating—if somewhat unnerving—way to experience the epic, untouched landscapes of the Canadian Rockies. From this vantage point, the view of the park’s ice-hatted peaks and glacial valleys is nothing short of spectacular.

Originating from the Athabasca Glacier, this pair of waterfalls are among the most picturesque in Jasper National Park, with easy access for those driving along the Icefields Parkway. The falls’ icy glacial water sprays a fine white mist up in the air as it drops, while pine forests and mountain peaks serve as the backdrop.

Home to the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson Provincial Park and Protected Area draws in mountaineers, photographers, and sightseers. The 12,972-foot (3,954-meter) Mount Robson stands out both because of its size and dramatic geological rings that spiral up the mountain. Visitors frequently spot moose, elk, bear, and caribou.

In 1875, the North West Mounted Police built a wooden fort—and it became the birthplace of Calgary. Visit Fort Calgary today to learn more about the city's formative years from 1875 to 1914 through interactive exhibits, replica barracks, guided tours, and an interpretive center.

This short scenic drive starts just outside the town of Banff and provides access to several popular trails and scenic viewpoints. This is where you’ll find Surprise Corner, that picture-perfect postcard view of the historic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Even though the drive is just outside the city limits, it’s not uncommon to spy elk, deer, and the occasional bear on the route.

Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, is a state-of-the-art cultural center in Calgary. Spanning 160,000 square feet (14,865 square meters), the architecturally notable center includes a museum, performance hall, live music venue, recording studios, radio station, classrooms, and media center.

Canada’s Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology is home to an extensive collections of dinosaur fossils. The museum’s 10 galleries are devoted to paleontology and feature 40 complete dinosaur skeletons and a collection of 130,000 fossils. The Preparation Lab shows how paleontology technicians prepare locally found fossils for research and exhibition.

With some of Canada’s wildest white water, the Kicking Horse River boasts numerous Class III and IV+ rapids that thrill even the most experienced paddlers. Originating high in the Wapta Icefields of the Canadian Rockies, the river winds through picturesque valleys, gorges, and steep canyons, offering fantastic views as well as adventure.

If hiking Banff’s mountains isn’t enough of an adventure, look to the park’s Via Ferrata—essentially, a steel ladder built into the mountainside. Assisted by cables, the occasional suspension bridge, and your mountaineering guide, you’ll climb one of four routes up Mt. Norquay to some of the most spectacular views in the Canadian Rockies, with no special skills required.

Mt. Edith Cavell exemplifies the grandeur of the Rockies in Jasper National Park, Alberta. This prominent mountain, named after the heroic British nurse Edith Cavell, captivates visitors with its rugged beauty. On the north face of the mountain lies the Angel Glacier, a soft blue monolith that resembles an angel with outstretched wings.

Calaway Park, the largest outdoor amusement park in Western Canada, features 32 family-friendly rides and attractions, as well as live entertainment, from stage shows to street performers. Two dozen games, a 3D theater, and a splash park with 15 water features round out the fun.

The largest cultural museum in Western Canada, Glenbow Museum showcases the history and culture of indigenous Canadians—particularly the Blackfoot Confederacy, whose traditional land Calgary occupies. The museum's impressive collection spans artifacts, artworks, archives, documents, and fun interactive exhibits. Please note: The Glenbow Museum is currently closed for renovations, but you can see exhibits curated by the museum at its satellite gallery, Glenbow at The Edison, in downtown Calgary.

TELUS Spark encourages curious museum-goers of all ages to explore topics of science, engineering, technology, math, and art through a series of interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences. The center’s Dome Theatre hosts live planetarium shows and documentary-style movies on a huge screen.

The collection of historic civilian and military aircraft on display at the Hangar Flight Museum highlights the history of Canadian aviation and the stories of the men and women who designed and flew these engineering marvels.

Designated a Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Jasper is a stargazing paradise. Come to the 40-seat Jasper Planetarium for a glimpse at the area’s star-studded skies, with interactive planetarium shows and powerful outdoor telescopes.

Situated in Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park, Spirit Island is—for most of the year, at least—not actually an island at all, but rather a pint-sized peninsula connected to the mainland by a thin strip of land. A long-standing symbol of the Canadian Rockies, the tree-topped islet has featured on countless postcards and images of the park.

Travel up Whistlers Mountain on the Jasper SkyTram, Canada’s longest and highest aerial tramway, to see Jasper National Park from a brand-new perspective. The enclosed gondola takes you from 4,279 feet (1,304 meters) to 7,472 feet (2,277 meters) above sea level. From the top, enjoy stunning views of Jasper, the Rockies, and the Athabasca River.

Stretching from the Canadian Rockies to Vancouver, the Fraser River is the longest river in British Columbia and is known as one of the most productive salmon fisheries in the world. Throughout its vast basin, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a range of recreation activities such as white-water rafting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and hiking.

Calgary’s Heritage Park Historical Village stretches out across 127 acres (51 hectares), creating an experience that immerses you in Canada’s past. As a living museum, the park features a working steam train, a 19th-century paddle wheeler, and horse-drawn wagons. From the sights to the sounds to the treats on offer, every effort has been made to help visitors experience life in a centuries-old Canadian town.