9 of the Quirkiest Towns in Alberta

Alberta, a western province in Canada sandwiched between British Columbia and Saskatchewan, is home to the immensely popular Banff and Jasper National Parks, vast prairies, and the major cities of Calgary and Edmonton. Alberta has a strong European background, specifically Ukrainian, which is reflected in many of the province's attractions, events, and businesses. But while Alberta can be serious, it can also be extremely quirky, from the “Dinosaur Capital Of The World,” Drumheller, to the Star Trek replica in Vulcan. This article delves into nine quirky towns in Alberta with tons of fun activities and attractions.

Drumheller

Often called the “Dinosaur Capital Of The World,” Drumheller is an ideal destination for dinosaur enthusiasts, offering numerous photo opportunities. Located an hour and a half from Calgary and three hours from Edmonton, most visitors head directly to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, which showcases numerous large fossils, dinosaur exhibits, and displays of rocks, plants, and animals from various evolutionary periods. For more dinosaur-related adventures, try fossil hunting—there's a good chance you'll find something along the rivers or on the cliffs. Alternatively, climb the steps to the top of the world's largest dinosaur, a giant T-Rex statue, for a panoramic view of the town from its open mouth.

For a different experience, you can drive out to the Hoodoos in the badlands, giant rock formations that will puzzle your mind as you try to understand how they formed. Another way to explore is along the Dinosaur Trail, which takes you to Horse Thief Canyon, the Star Mine Suspension Bridge, and a small church that can only hold six people.

Torrington

This small town hosts the Gopher Hole Museum, arguably one of Alberta's most unique attractions. Inside, you'll discover 47 dioramas showcasing over 77 taxidermied gophers in various scenes. These scenes depict gophers going to school, acting as party clowns, working as farmers, serving as firefighters, and even portraying pioneers. The displays include charming speech bubbles for added fun. After your visit, stop by the gift shop to browse adorable plushies and other souvenirs.

Another fun place to visit in Torrington is Kirk's Alpaca Farm, home to over 110 alpacas. They allow you to feed the alpacas and have an on-site store selling mittens, hats, and more. Afterwards, you can relax with a beer at the Torrington Hotel, one of the few businesses in this small town. With its German-inspired exterior and laid-back vibe, you'll feel at home in this tight-knit community.

Vulcan

This town is passionate about Star Trek and wants to showcase that. It features a large replica of the Starship Enterprise built in 1995. The Trek Station serves as the main visitor center, displaying Star Trek memorabilia, space-themed murals, and a model of a landed space station. Every June, the town celebrates Spock Days, and in July, visitors can enjoy VulCon, a weekend dedicated to Star Trek enthusiasts, with dinners, dancing, cosplaying, and celebrity appearances.

The town decided to play along since it shared the same name as Spock's home planet. You can visit this geeky oasis by driving an hour and a half from Calgary or just over four hours from Edmonton. Vulcan also has a Solar Tree, shaped like a futuristic flower, that powers itself and helps to light the tourism hub.

Jasper

Jasper, like Banff, is a stunning mountain town in the Rockies. Known for its incredible views, massive canyons and waterfalls, and wildlife sightings, it also has its fair share of quirky attributes. Despite suffering a massive wildfire in the summer of 2024, which burned down a portion of the town, it is open once again to visitors and is encouraging tourism to bring it back to its once flourishing state.

The main quirky attraction in Jasper is the iconic Jasper the Bear statue, which survived the fire and still stands in the middle of town near the visitor center. Built in 1962, this funky guy serves as the town's mascot. Tourists can also enjoy the Jasper Planetarium, with its dome theatre and outdoor telescope experience, so you can witness the Northern Lights in all their glory. And for those who want to see even more natural sights, the Icefields Parkway connects Jasper to Banff, with stops at waterfalls, glaciers, and expansive lookouts.

St. Paul

Not far from Glendon is the town of St. Paul, also known as the Centennial Capital of Canada. Here, you will find the giant UFO Landing Pad, unveiled on June 3rd, 1967. This town loves aliens, and the info center right next to the landing pad features a huge UFO on top of it. Inside and around it, you can read about UFO sightings, see photos, and take some photos with the alien statues. At night, the attractions even light up. Also, on clear nights, keep the fun going by heading out to stare at the stars and perhaps even see your own extraterrestrial sighting.

UFO Pizza is just down the road from the landing pad, with a quirky space-themed interior and fun menu names like Kryptonite Pizza. A few doors further is Elite Theatre, showing the latest releases inside their iconic, old-fashioned building that will make you feel like you've traveled back in time. And with $11 general admission tickets ($6 on Tuesdays), you truly can't beat the price.

Smoky Lake

Smoky Lake is a quaint town in Central Alberta that loved pumpkins. The local Pumpkin Park is open year-round, featuring six giant concrete pumpkins of varying shapes. In early October, visitors can attend the Pumpkin Fair. This event is full of activities, so one can conquer the corn maze, attend the midway, and participate in the pumpkin showcase. Furthermore, there's a car show, a farmers market, and a pumpkin weigh-off. You will be absolutely blown away by the gigantic creations some people manage to grow. Top it all off with the crowd-favorite pumpkin drop, where pumpkins are dropped from a crane onto old cars for everyone's amusement.

Rowley

To many, Rowley is a ghost town, except for the eight people who live there. Or is it 10? 12? Sources can't seem to agree. But what's certain is that this small number of residents keeps the town alive. Rowley had a population of around 500 in the 1920s and was a thriving agricultural town that used the Alberta Midland Railway to ship its goods across the province. It was mostly abandoned in the 1970s and has remained a tourist stop between Stettler and Drumheller ever since. Those interested in the town’s rich history can visit the Prairie School Museum, Rowley Trading Post, or Rowley Grain Elevators, each offering a unique perspective for visitors. There's also Sam's Saloon, which occasionally hosts pizza nights organized by residents as a way for visitors to experience the town and support it.

Mundare

An hour from Edmonton is Mundare, the birthplace of the Stawnichy Meat Processing Company, which helped put this town on the map. The town was initially inhabited mainly by English and Eastern European settlers. Stawnichy's was established in 1959 and has been a staple ever since. They are also responsible for the giant sausage statue, which stands 42 feet high and weighs nearly 12,000 pounds. As the world's largest sausage statue, it’s truly a sight to behold. The statue is also located near the current Stawnichy meat shop, so you can pick up some delicious items for home.

Baba's Bistro, located not far from the giant sausage and across the street from Stawnichy's, offers authentic Eastern European dishes like perogies and sausage. It is a locally owned, family-operated establishment that also provides space for local artists to showcase and sell their handmade works.

Beaverlodge

Beaverlodge is a lovely destination is close to the city of Grande Prairie. And on its 75th anniversary on July 21, 2004, it unveiled its gigantic beaver statue. It still remains the world's largest beaver. This massive statue took 90 gallons of polyurethane, 13 gallons of paint, and 18 foam blocks. It weighs a total of 3,000 pounds, with the beaver portion being 1,500 pounds and the log portion being 1,500 pounds. Surrounding it is interpretive signage about the town, beavers, and where beavers like to live. It's a must-see if you're driving along Highway 43.

Just outside of town is the South Peace Centennial Museum, an interactive heritage museum featuring steam engines, antique cars, and farm equipment, along with more than a dozen buildings to explore. Fifteen minutes down the highway, you'll discover the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum, which not only showcases numerous dinosaur artifacts and information signs but also includes a fossil lab and rotating exhibits.

Wrapping Up

From dinosaur parks to giant pierogis, Alberta’s quirky towns add a playful touch to the province’s rugged landscapes and cultural richness. Each town showcases its own unique charm, from Drumheller’s prehistoric wonders to Vulcan’s sci-fi enthusiasm, offering one-of-a-kind experiences for all types of travelers. Whether you're fossil hunting, exploring Star Trek replicas, or enjoying pumpkin festivals, Alberta’s offbeat attractions provide a memorable mix of history, culture, and community spirit. These destinations are ideal for those wanting to see a different side of Alberta, where local quirks meet breathtaking scenery and unforgettable adventures await around every corner.