9 Best Downtowns In Alberta
Alberta is a province filled with natural beauty, and that beauty carries right into the downtown areas of its towns. Some are framed by towering mountains while others sit beside rolling prairies or lakes. Banff is one of the province's most famous destinations, while Fort Macleod is home to a National Historic Site of Canada. Whether you are after a relaxed weekend or simply a new favorite place to unwind, these downtowns deliver an easy pace. Consider the towns ahead and the welcome their locals have to share.
Banff
Whether you visit in the serene winter, the colorful fall, or the lush summer and spring, Banff is one of the most popular places to visit. A lot of this is largely due to the popularity of the Banff National Park; however, its downtown serves as a small slice of the playground that Canada's first national park has to offer.
To experience the mountainous area without hiking, head over to the Cliffhouse Bistro. The restaurant only has 50 seats but offers plenty of natural light and offers an incredible view of Mt. Rundle. Meanwhile, Banff also offers a plethora of history too with places like the Banff Park Museum making visitors feel like they're stepping back in time. With over 5,000 specimens in the museum, the rich diversity and natural history proudly display everything that inspired the creation of Canada's first national park.
Canmore
With Banff becoming an increasingly popular destination, Canmore serves as a nice alternative to avoid the crowds. In fact, people who visit Banff likely include a trip to Canmore too, and it's easy to see why. A former mining town, Canmore has become another popular natural wonder overnight.
One of the most popular spots to visit in Canmore is the Canmore Railway Bridge. Before it appeared prominently in an episode of The Last of Us, it was an attraction few really thought much about. Beyond that, Canmore is surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountains, which makes a perfect setting for some golfing at the Stewart Creek Golf Course. And if you head towards The Drake for a bite to eat, visitors are bound to find the reason why the town is called Canmore, the "Big Head" sculpture that's situated nearby. Created by Al Henderson, the name Canmore was taken from another small town in Scotland that means "great head" or "chief" in the Gaelic language.
Pincher Creek
Resting on the foothills of the Canadian Rockies is the small town of Pincher Creek. Referred to as the 'Jewel of the Rockies,' natural wonders surround this place, but it also offers plenty of attractions within town too.
A good example of this is the rich history of the Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village, a heritage museum that has over 30 buildings that are filled with several historical artifacts. And before you go, don't forget to pick up some classic homemade fudge at Simply Cowgirl Fudge. Another great spot to learn some history is the Lebel Mansion, a historic landmark that serves as an artists' hub. There you'll find an incredible array of local small businesses housed in its halls, including art studios, skincare, massage therapy, and more.
Okotoks
Okotoks is a riverside town that is warm and inviting, with an easygoing pace all its own. Despite having over 30,000 residents, the town itself offers plenty of attractions in addition to the small-town character and country atmosphere that can make people feel right at home.
For a taste of Italy, head over to Amedeos Italian Bistro, where this culinary gem will serve an unforgettable dining experience. Be ready to smell the blending aromas of sauces, fresh garlic, and warm bread. For more active unwinding, the Unwind Wool is a creative cozy crafting sanctuary that is fitting for makers, dreamers, and lovers of fiber arts. They sell a wide variety of luxurious textures and colors to pick from, to the point that it's bound to inspire visitors to create. Or to do something completely different, head over to Millennium Lanes, a bowling alley located in the heart of town that offers food and drinks alongside bowling.
Lacombe
Lacombe sits in central Alberta between Red Deer and Ponoka, and pulling off the main highway reveals one of the province's strongest heritage downtowns. The compact commercial core along 50 Avenue holds the most intact concentration of Edwardian-era buildings in Alberta, which makes it a downtown built for walking rather than driving past.
The clear place to start is the Flatiron Building, a wedge-shaped 1904 landmark that dominates 50 Avenue and stands as the oldest flatiron building in the province. Once the town's first bank, it now houses the local tourism office and a museum with rotating exhibits on Lacombe's past. From there, the downtown alleys hide a self-guided mural tour, where local artist Tim Giles has painted dozens of early-1900s scenes straight onto the brick. History runs deeper still at the Michener House Museum, a restored 1894 home that was the birthplace of Roland Michener, who went on to become Governor General of Canada. Add in the working Blacksmith Shop Museum with its original machinery, and Lacombe offers a downtown where nearly every block has a story to tell.
Vegreville
Rich in history and home to several new shops and services, Vegreville pulls visitors in with its stores alongside one of its most historical landmarks, the World's Largest Pysanka (Ukrainian Easter Egg). Best of all, it's only an hour's drive from Edmonton for those traveling from there.
Over the years, the downtown area of Vegreville has really grown well beyond its popular spots. Naturally, there's Pysanka Park, which houses the aforementioned World's Largest Pysanka, with the park itself serving as a perfect place to take a selfie with the Pysanka. However, not far from the park is Pysanka Putt Putt, a 9-hole mini golf course that takes up just the right amount of time. Going further into town, there are local community spots like Thrive Coffee, formerly called The Nest Cafe, which continues to offer nourishing grab-and-go food, homemade baked goods, and a comfortable seat to relax. And for those looking to bring back a little of Vegreville's food, the Prime Cuts Meat & Deli is a fine option, with the establishment offering its iconic Vegreville Garlic Sausage.
Fort Macleod
Fort Macleod, home to a National Historic Site of Canada, was named after Colonel James Macleod of the North West Mounted Police. The original fort served as headquarters for the Colonel, but today the town's namesake has been transformed into a museum, making the original Fort Macleod a treasure trove of history and displaying thousands of artifacts from the fort's years between 1874 and 1878.
Aside from the fort, there are several other historical buildings that continue to operate to this day. A good example of this is the Empress Theater, a first-class opera house that opened in 1912. All of this is combined with traditional shops and some unique ones you'd least expect. One such place is The Baked Aussie, where they serve handmade Aussie meat pies, sausage rolls, and other baked goods.
Drumheller
One of the few towns situated in Alberta's badlands, Drumheller is most widely known for its dinosaurs. Out of the many attractions in the town, the Royal Tyrrell Museum is chief among them with the largest collection of dinosaur fossils, displays, and exhibits in the world. Consider the place a rite of passage for those with a love for dinosaurs to visit.
Aside from the plethora of dinosaurs, the downtown area has a wide variety to experience. For a cozier experience, head to Cafe Ole, a Spanish-style cafe that serves some of the best coffee in town that's locally roasted. They also serve other hot beverages, including cold beverages, alongside some food like waffles, paninis, chili, soup, and some home baking. And for some decor that's inspired by the badlands themselves, Jungling Works creates an inviting atmosphere with art scarves and home decor that draws from that environment. Visitors can also find other assortments of gifts and kitchenware too, and it's all contained in a restored 1920s brick building.
Cochrane
Cochrane is an ideal place to spend a weekend getaway without having to travel far. Their downtown is framed by the foothills, and there are plenty of local shops and galleries to spend the day away checking out. All of this is emphasized by the Bow River and surrounding ranchlands.
For that cowboy culture, the Stockmen's Museum & Mercantile tells the story of how ranching in western Canada began almost 150 years ago through all kinds of western memorabilia. Alternatively, the Cochrane Historical Museum will give people a glimpse of Canada's West through the lenses of settlers, ranchers, farmers, and other residents. And if you're willing to travel just a little outside of town, the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary is a one-of-a-kind rescue sanctuary housing over 60 wolfdogs that were neglected, abandoned, or otherwise displaced. This sanctuary provides a rare opportunity for people to see wolfdogs up close and discover their unique traits.
Small-Town Alberta at Street Level
The rich western history that Cochrane has to tell and the spectacle of Vegreville's World's Largest Pysanka give Alberta's downtowns a great mixture of character and personality. And when they're framed by vast prairies, beautiful foothills, mountains, or even badlands, these natural beauties only make the drives to and from these places just as much of an experience as it is to spend time there. So whether you're looking to fill in your weekend plans and not travel too far or you're ready to take in some beautiful sights, consider visiting some of these standout downtowns and experience what the locals have to share.
