9 Storybook Towns In Alberta

Alberta has a lot going for it. The Rocky Mountains cut through the western side of the province and make way for some of Canada's most renowned resorts, like Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise, while the Badlands around Drumheller are home to one of the world's largest deposits of dinosaur fossils, and towns like Sylvan Lake capitalize on their proximity to water in the middle of the landlocked Prairies. The Indigenous peoples who have called this land home for thousands of years and countless generations continue to shape the province and add context and perspective to its colonial history, while cowboy culture dominates the rural landscape. These storybook towns in Alberta are among the top destinations in Canada for picture-perfect moments and memories to last a lifetime.

Banff

Perhaps one of Alberta's most iconic towns, Banff is a world-class four-season destination. Given that it is set entirely within Banff National Park, the streets and architecture have the feel of a resort town, like Disney World meets the Rocky Mountains, particularly at and around the historic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Built by the Canadian Pacific Railroad at the turn of the 20th century to entice tourists in the newly developed West, it has retained its luxury status and sits like a castle, attracting millions of visitors each year. Strolling Banff Ave in the shadow of Mount Rundle is an experience in itself, and a meal at Good Folk in the Otter Hotel is a must for upscale Canadian cuisine in a stylish, intimate setting. Menu items range from west coast mussels and east coast oysters to local Alberta bison, wild boar, and beef.

For a cultural perspective, the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is home to the Banff Mountain Film Festival and presents a range of programming throughout the year, from artist talks to live music and literary cabarets. Those who find themselves in Banff are usually drawn to the park's 6,641 square kilometers (2,564 square miles) of wilderness, which includes peaks and glaciers, alpine lakes, rivers, and forested trails. Tunnel Mountain is a relatively easy hike accessible right from town that rewards with sweeping panoramas of Banff and the Bow Valley beyond.

Lake Louise

Banff's next-door neighbour is another jewel in Canada's Rocky Mountain crown, with picture-perfect views at every turn. The lake itself provides a point of focus around which the rest of the community revolves, including the elegant Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The five-star hotel boasts a range of dining options, as well as a spa and recreation opportunities like boating and hiking steps from the lobby. Topping the list is the Lake Agnes trail, a popular, moderate uphill hike that leads to a scenic tea house and connects to more advanced routes for an extended trek.

Lake Louise is also a premier ski area. The massive resort features more than 145 runs and 13 lifts across 4,200 acres of terrain and 900 meters (3,250 feet) of vertical drop, making it one of the largest and most diverse ski areas in the country. While the ski season runs for about half the year, thanks to glaciers and high-alpine runs, the gondola runs year-round for sightseeing and wildlife spotting, particularly grizzly bears and other local celebrities.

Jasper

Rounding out this trifecta of towns in a national park, Jasper is like a distant cousin to flashier Banff and Lake Louise. It is far more remote, and its signature Fairmont resort is more rustic. Jasper Park Lodge is a laid-back luxury log cabin chalet offering private suites and cottages, as well as golf, skiing, fishing, hiking, and the usual gamut of spa and dining options one might expect. The town and surrounding park are still recovering and rebuilding after devastating wildfires swept through the area in 2024. Despite the widespread damage, tourism is invited and encouraged.

Jasper Food Tours is a great way to sample regional flavours and support multiple local businesses at once. The 3-hour experience departs daily from the Visitor Information Center and stops at four restaurants, as well as a variety of other points of interest along the route. As for the national park, trails and sections are reopening as they become feasible and accessible, so it's best to check the Parks Canada website when planning a trip for the most up-to-date information. Otherwise, Jasper makes for a great base from which to explore the otherworldly Icefields Parkway, perhaps even en route to one of the other towns in the province.

Canmore

While Jasper, Banff, and Lake Louise are resort towns with an economy driven largely by tourism, Canmore strikes a balance between storybook streetscapes and everyday living. Just an hour west of Calgary, lots of residents commute to the city for work and come home to an idyllic backyard with endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. The Canmore Nordic Center was an Olympic venue for cross-country skiing and biathlon events in 1988, and today it is home to 65 km (37 miles) of groomed and set tracks in the winter, as well as hiking and biking trails in the summer.

In town, the Grizzly Paw is a go-to spot for local craft beer and pub food on a busy patio perfect for people watching along 8th Street, while Communitea Cafe is a hub for fresh food, cozy drinks, and excellent live music in a casual, inviting space. ArtsPlace is another beloved venue for live performances of all kinds, as well as film screenings, gallery exhibits, and community events.

Cochrane

Even closer to Calgary, Cochrane sits just 18 kilometers (11 miles) west of the city, where the prairies meet the foothills of Kananaskis Country. The vibe here is heavily influenced by cowboy culture. The Cochrane Historical Museum on the 55-hectare Historic Cochrane Ranche provides a bit of context through exhibits, photographs, and displays that highlight the region's pioneer days and ranching heritage.

For a true taste of Cochrane, the Rockyview Hotel is the epitome of Wild West hospitality. One of the oldest in the province, the inn was welcoming guests before Alberta officially became a province in 1905, and its saloon, Texas Gate, still draws a crowd for cold beer and good times in the heart of town. Saddle Peak Trail Rides takes it up a notch, with horseback tours by the hour, as well as overnight packages and multi-day rides for those keen to live out their own cowboy dreams.

Fort MacLeod

While other towns in the state have an aesthetic rooted in extraordinary natural surroundings, Fort MacLeod's appeal lies in its abundant historic sites. Its well-preserved downtown is like a scene from a movie and, in fact, has been the set for many Hollywood films and television shows, including Brokeback Mountain, Interstellar, and The Last of Us. The Fort Museum is a logical starting point for visitors and newcomers to the area, with an archival collection and thousands of artifacts that showcase the complex legacy of the North West Mounted Police, as well as a First Nations Interpretive Centre.

The Empress Theatre is another historic gem. The beautifully restored opera house first opened in 1912 and continues to be an entertainment hub for rural Southern Albertans, presenting first-run movies, live music, and a range of programming. UNESCO World Heritage Site Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump lies just outside town and is an important cultural landmark with information about the history of the Plains Indigenous peoples who have called the region home for millennia.

Drumheller

Not to be outdone, Drumheller's history dates back to the days of the dinosaurs. The town's hoodoo backdrop is teeming with 70-million-year-old fossils, some of which are on display at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology. The impressive facility spans 11,200 square meters (121,000 square feet) and is Canada’s only museum dedicated exclusively to the study of ancient life, boasting one of the world’s largest displays of dinosaurs.

In town, the trend continues, with streets named after dinosaur species and local businesses playing to the theme as well. Unsurprisingly, Drumheller is also home to the world's largest dinosaur, "Tyra," towering 25 meters (82 feet) above the Visitor Information Centre and open to the public for those willing to climb the more than 100 steps to peer through the mouth of a Tyrannosaurus rex. It's only open until 2029, so go see it before it's closed! From a geological perspective, the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site (in East Coulee) offers seasonal tours ranging from train rides to challenging hikes above and below ground.

Sylvan Lake

Sylvan Lake is a popular vacation spot in central Alberta, just a quick drive west of Red Deer. With a sandy beach that stretches for 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) and plenty of space for boating, paddling, swimming, and even water skiing, it's no wonder Sylvan Lake Park is one of the region's top summer destinations. In the winter, the lake is typically open for ice skating and ice fishing, and it also hosts the Ice Dragon Boat Festival in the middle of February, where teams race across the frozen lake in boats mounted on skids.

Given its proximity to water in an otherwise landlocked province, Sylvan Lake's official symbol is a mermaid, and she appears all over town, including as a life-sized statue, titled Birth, on 50th Avenue between 50th and 49th Streets. Meanwhile, Sylvan Lake's lighthouse takes its design from the one in Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia. While it doesn't serve a maritime or nautical purpose, it is yet another symbol of the town's deep connection to water and has become a cherished local landmark, as well as a community gathering spot.

Okotoks

South of Calgary in the Sheep River Valley, Okotoks is a bedroom community that makes suburban sprawl look classy and cool. Olde Towne's preserved streets and architecture reflect the early days of Okotoks at the turn of the 20th century, now lined with independent shops and home to an emerging culinary scene. One such example is the Heartland Cafe, set inside a former church, which offers fine dining and elegant takes on classic dishes, featuring house-made pasta, Alberta beef, local ingredients, and seasonal flavours.

In a similar vein, the Okotoks Art Gallery is housed in a former Canadian Pacific Railroad Station and offers free admission to its exhibition spaces, which feature work by local and nationally-acclaimed artists, as well as a gift shop and the town's Visitor Information Centre. The Okotoks Erratic, or Big Rock, is a nearby site of cultural and geological significance. The enormous boulder lies in the middle of an otherwise flat stretch of prairie landscape and is believed to have originated in Jasper National Park, 345 kilometers (214 miles) away, before being pushed by glacial movement between 10,000 and 30,000 years ago.

Adventure Awaits in Alberta's Small Towns

From the Badlands to the Rockies and rural towns beneath the big prairie sky, Alberta's most picturesque destinations inspire and delight visitors and residents alike. Whether it's a big-name resort like Banff, an underrated gem like Cochrane, or a historic outpost like Fort MacLeod, each of these sweet spots has something to offer and a million reasons to visit any time of year.