7 Alberta Towns With Unforgettable Main Streets
Home of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Alberta is known for its stunning wilderness, outdoor amenities, and down-to-earth charm. This is Canada’s cowboy country with wide open skies and quaint villages nestled in the shadow of the towering peaks. These charming small towns are lively and hospitable, with bustling main streets packed with local boutiques, quirky cafes, and historic sights. There is more to this inviting province than the mountains; discover the real Alberta in its unforgettable main streets.
Banff
One of Alberta’s popular tourist towns, Banff is best known for its proximity to Banff National Park, Canada’s oldest and most-visited park. The town’s main drag is Banff Avenue, which cuts through the town and over the Bow River. At the southern end of Banff Ave, on the shores of the river, you will find the Banff Park Museum National Historic Site, the oldest natural history museum in Western Canada. The museum is home to more than 5,000 flora and fauna specimens, so you can get to know the incredible Rocky Mountain wildlife.
Heading north, you will pass the Banff Visitor Center, where you will find all the information you need for visiting the park, including maps, brochures, permits, and guides to the area’s local attractions. Across the road is the Park Distillery Restaurant and Bar, a working distillery and eatery that offers ‘campfire-inspired cuisine and glacier water spirits.' In the summer season, the restaurant can get busy, so reservations are recommended.
Banff is magical in winter, with downtown lit with sparkling holiday lights. But don’t worry if you can’t make the trip. You can experience the holiday spirit year-round at the Spirit of Christmas boutique. A Banff tradition since 1986, this store-turned-holiday-grotto is a dazzling display of ornaments, collectibles, games, candies, gifts, and more. If you pick up a new ornament for your Christmas decor, be sure to ask for a personal inscription. Every year, the store inscribes over 10,000 personalized messages on ornaments free of charge.
Canmore
Not as well-known as its close neighbor Banff, Canmore boasts the same jaw-dropping views of the Rocky Mountain scenery but with fewer crowds in its lively downtown. At the east end of Main Street, you will find the historic Canmore North West Mounted Police Barracks. Built in the late 1800s, this is the oldest barracks on its original site in Western Canada. The rustic hut has a front verandah shaded by trees that have been there since its construction.
Stroll west on Main Street to grab a bite or a sip at the Grizzly Paw Pub and Brewing Company, where you can enjoy seasonal microbrews and upscale bistro food while soaking up stunning views of the mountains. If you still have room after your meal, stop into The Scoopin’ Moose to pick up a sweet treat from their wide selection of ice cream.
Don’t leave Canmore without picking up a locally made souvenir. The town is the headquarters of the Rocky Mountain Soap Company, which began as a small workshop in the Rockies and has since grown to a Canada-wide operation. Their flagship store downtown sells their full line of all-natural cosmetics, including soaps, body wash, cleansers, shampoos, and gift sets.
Bragg Creek
Bragg Creek is a charming hamlet in the foothills of the Rockies that was founded by homesteaders in the 1800s. The town’s main thoroughfare is White Avenue. Here you will find local favourite, Ida May’s Ice Cream & Emporium. This rustic, family-friendly ice cream parlor serves up delicious ice cream floats, shakes, and cones. It’s also probably the only dessert shop to have an early 1900s steam thresher as decor, a vintage piece of family memorabilia belonging to the owners.
After satisfying your sweet tooth, take a stroll to Archer’s Antiques, a great place to rummage for vintage items and collectibles. Browse their quirky collection of furniture, art, jewellery, books, clocks, and more to unearth treasures from the 18th century to the turn of the 20th century. Do more shopping at the Bragg Creek Trading Post, a historic gift shop in operation for over 90 years. This eclectic store sells genuine native crafts, including moccasins, Cowichan knitwear, mukluks, dream catchers, and books by local Cree authors.
It is a short walk from the top of White Avenue to Bragg Creek Distillers at the entrance to town. This tasting and sales center offers private whiskey and gin tastings, as well as a gift shop selling locally crafted spirits and distillery merchandise.
Jasper
Known as the little town in the big park, Jasper is legendary for its main attraction, Jasper National Park. After you have had your fun exploring the park’s glacial peaks, check out the town’s walkable downtown, where there is plenty to keep visitors entertained. Most activity happens on the two core thoroughfares, Connaught Drive and Patricia Street, which run parallel to each other. Start your adventure at the Two Brothers Totem Pole on Connaught Drive, a local landmark and cultural icon that illustrates the connection between the Haida Gwaii and the Rocky Mountains.
Nearby is the Jasper Train Station, built in 1925 and officially designated as a heritage railway station in 1992. In the winter holiday season, the station hosts the Jasper Santa Train, a magical Christmas two-hour train ride perfect for little ones. North of the station, you will find Bear’s Paw Bakery, a favourite with locals and tourists for its large pastry selection and freshly-brewed coffee.
Once you have fueled up, head a block over to Patricia Street to see the Old Fire Hall, built in 1936 and a Recognised Federal Heritage Building. Close to the Fire Hall is the Jasper Visitor Experience Center, where local experts can help you plan your visit to the park or give suggestions on what to see next.
Camrose
Camrose is a busy town in central Alberta that began as a railroad hub in the early 1900s. Soak up some local history while indulging in delicious treats at Main Street 1908, an ice-cream and coffee bar housed in a historic heritage building downtown. Head north to visit Fox & Fable, a charming cafe where you can browse their selection of new and used books, grab a coffee, try a craft beer, or play one of more than 400 board games.
Across the road and a few doors down, you will see the colorful red frontage of the Candler Art Gallery, which features Western Canadian artists and potters. Opened in 1977, the Candler is more than a gallery, it is also an eclectic creative emporium selling crystals, books, essential oils, art supplies, and more.
If you are in town for the day, check the schedule at the historic Bailey Theatre, which began entertaining Camrose in 1911. Now a vibrant performing arts venue, the theatre hosts local musicians of all genres as well as plays, films, and community theatre performances.
Drumheller
Deep in the Alberta badlands, Drumheller is a quirky town on the Red Deer River, also known as the Dinosaur Capital of the World. The town’s unofficial mascot is a gigantic 86-foot-tall dinosaur, affectionately named Tyra the T-Rex, who stands at the top of First St W. Visitors can climb the 106 steps inside Tyra to get stunning views of downtown Drumheller and the river. Stop by the gift shop at the statue’s base to pick up dino-themed souvenirs.
Stroll south to hit the heart of downtown, stopping by Black Mountain Roasters to taste their artisan coffees or treat yourself to a homemade cinnamon bun. From there, it is a short walk to Dry Canyon Collectables, an award-winning boutique specializing in Indigenous products including books, jewellery, art, and clothing. See more local art and support the local creative community at the Badlands Gallery, a not-for-profit creative space operated by the Canadian Badlands Artist Association.
Pincher Creek
Pincher Creek, in Southern Alberta, is known as the gateway to Waterton Lakes National park but this welcoming community has its own appeal with locally-owned boutiques and small businesses full of small town charm.
Pick up some gorgeous gifts at Seeds Flower Shop which sells candles, soaps, fresh milled flours, and coffee along with beautiful blooms. Inside the shop, you will also find a farm-to-table bakery serving daily breakfast and lunch.
A few blocks west of Seeds is another community gem, the Small Town Collective. An upscale clothing boutique, the store sources its products from small businesses across Alberta and also sells a range of bath and beauty products, home goods, accessories, and foods.
Cross the river north of Main Street to see the Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village, a 6-acre replica of an early 1900s settlement with 31 restored buildings and more than 30,000 artifacts. Wander the village to step back in time and see the old blacksmith’s shop, schoolhouse, bakery, bank, and more. The site also includes a First Nations display and a country store.
At the eastern end of Main Street is the Lost Things Distillery, which is open to the public for tastings and events. The distillery prides itself on being a local operation, distilling botanicals sourced from the nearby Oldman River to create products such as Rustic Rhubarb Gin and Huckleberry Tea Liqueur.
Alberta Adventures
In Alberta, adventure isn’t just found in the mountains. You can make unforgettable vacation memories in the vibrant streets of the province’s charming towns. Meet a T-Rex named Tyra, sip a cocktail made with locally-sourced botanicals, see historic buildings perfectly preserved from the pioneer days, shop for unique souvenirs — whatever you are up to, you will have a good time getting to know Canada’s west. From the foothills of the Rocky Mountains to the plains of the Alberta badlands, these main streets aren’t just a fun day out. They are a window into Alberta’s heritage and history.
