In our books, Alberta’s majestic mountains, sprawling prairies, and rich cultural heritage promises a unique and unforgettable journey for every traveler. So if you have a week to spend in this prairie province, what should you do to fully experience it?

Spend a week in Alberta by doing activities that range from exploring the outdoors to immersing yourself in urban comforts. 

In addition to exploring the great outdoors, Alberta offers a wealth of urban comforts for a well-rounded week-long adventure, such as in Calgary for a taste of cowboy culture. 

And if you’re a fan of dinosaurs, don’t miss checking out the museum in Drumheller, where you can marvel at the world’s largest collection of dinosaur fossils and even participate in a hands-on excavation program.

To make sure you get the full Albertan experience, I’ve listed the best activities you can do. From exploring the breathtaking Canadian Rockies to immersing yourself in vibrant cities like Calgary and Edmonton, you’re in for an unforgettable adventure!

Explore the Canadian Rockies in Banff and Jasper National Parks

Website: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/jasper 

Address: Jasper, AB T0E 1E0, Canada

Contact details: +1 780-852-6176

Operating hours: 

• Open year-round – 9AM – 7PM

Prices:

• Adult – $10.50
• Senior – $9.00
• Youth – Free
• Family/Group – $21.00
• Commercial Group(per person) – $9.00

The Canadian Rockies offers an unparalleled experience for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. At the heart of this breathtaking landscape lie two of Canada’s most iconic national parks: Banff and Jasper.  

Banff boasts a plethora of picturesque landscapes, such as the serene Moraine Lake, and Johnston Canyon. If you’re into hiking, there’s a trail for everyone, from easy-peasy strolls to intense backcountry treks.

Now, if you head up north from Banff, you’ll find yourself in Jasper National Park. This place is all about the wild, rugged beauty of the Canadian Rockies. It’s a bit more off the beaten path, and that’s what makes it so special.

You can’t miss the Columbia Icefield while you’re there. It’s one of the biggest non-polar ice fields on Earth, and it’s just incredible. And Maligne Lake, with the famous Spirit Island, is a must-see too; it’s absolutely mesmerizing.

So if you’re looking for a real taste of the Canadian Rockies, Jasper National Park is where it’s at. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

Go skiing or snowboarding in the Rocky Mountains

Alberta’s Rocky Mountain range stretches for miles, and let me tell you, it’s a wild ride. Not only do you get to feast your eyes on some mind-blowing scenery, but you’ll also spot all sorts of critters like moose, elk, and maybe even a sneaky fox or two. 

And when it comes to skiing and snowboarding, Alberta takes the cake, eh? The resorts here are the real deal, nestled right in the heart of those jaw-dropping landscapes. 

You’ll find slopes that’ll challenge even the pros and runs that’ll have you screaming “yahoo!” in no time. But hold your horses, there’s more to this winter wonderland than just shredding the gnar. 

Alberta’s got you covered when it comes to cozy accommodations, too. We’re talking ski-in/ski-out spots where you can roll out of bed and onto the slopes in no time. 

Now, here’s the cherry on top—after a day of carving up the mountains, you’ll find charming dining spots and lively nightlife waiting to welcome you with open arms. 

Visit Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump

Website: https://headsmashedin.ca/  

Address: secondary Highway #785, Fort MacLeod, Alberta

Contact details: +1 403-553-2731

Operating hours: 

• Wednesday to Sunday – 10AM – 5PM

Prices:

• Adult – $15
• Senior – $13
• Youth – $10
• Family/Group of 8 – $40
• Child – Free

You’ve got to check out Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump! It’s this super cool UNESCO World Heritage Site near Fort McLeod, and it’s got history dating back like 6,000 years! 

Indigenous tribes used to hunt buffalo there by driving them off a cliff—pretty wild, right? When you visit, you can wander around the interpretive center, learn all about how they hunted buffalo back in the day, and even try your hand at some demos and activities. 

The views are just *chef’s kiss*—you just can’t beat that gorgeous landscape!

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See the Northern Lights in Wood Buffalo National Park

Website: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nt/woodbuffalo 

Address: Box 750, Fort Smith, NT X0E 0P0, Canada

Contact details: +1 867-872-7960

Operating hours: 

• Monday to Friday – 9AM to 5PM

Prices:

• Pine Lake Rental Cabins(one night) – $106.50
• Kettle Point Group Camp – $5.25 per person

Wood Buffalo National Park in Northern Alberta is one of the best places in Canada to experience the magnificent Northern Lights.

As the largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world, it offers unparalleled opportunities for stargazing and aurora borealis viewing—pretty amazing, eh?

You can consider joining a guided tour or attending one of the park’s annual events, such as the Dark Sky Festival, to enhance your experience and learn more about the science and cultural significance of this breathtaking natural phenomenon.

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Take a brewery tour in Calgary, Alberta’s Beer Capital

If you’re looking to raise a glass to some of Alberta’s best craft beer, then you need to take a brewery tour in Calgary, the province’s beer capital. 

There’s no better way to get an inside glimpse into the city’s brewing culture and sample some of the locally made brews. The craft beer scene in Alberta is flourishing, and there are tons of amazing breweries in the city that offer tours and tastings. 

Canadian Craft Tours allows you to visit three craft breweries for a day, giving you the chance to try out different beers from across the city. 

Some of Alberta’s most popular breweries include Banded Peak Brewing Company, Trolley 5 Restaurant & Brewery, Cold Garden Beverage Company, and Last Best Brewing & Distilling. These tours often come with food pairings, so why not give it a try? 

Go hiking on one of Alberta’s many scenic trails

Alberta is home to a wide variety of trails that offer stunning views and challenging hikes. You can take a day or two to go hiking on some of the province’s awe-inspiring trails. 

From the Athabasca River in the north to the Porcupine Hills in the south, there’s something for all levels of hikers! Here are a few of some of my top favorite trails:

• The Beaver Boardwalk Trail at Elk Island National Park: A short, easy hike that follows a boardwalk along a marshland with beautiful views of beaver ponds and excellent bird-watching opportunities.

• The Stewart Creek Trail at Canmore Nordic Center Provincial Park: A moderate trail that winds through flat meadows and rolling hills, with stunning views of peaks like Ha Ling and Mount Rundle.

• The Badlands Trail in Red Rock Coulee Natural Area: A more challenging trail with incredible scenery, including badlands formations, hoodoos, and rolling hills that stretch out for miles.

No matter which trail you choose, be sure to bring plenty of snacks and water and wear comfortable shoes—you’ll want to stop every now and then for pictures!

Visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum

Website: http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com/ 

Address: 1500 N Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller, Alberta

Contact details: +1 403-823-7707

Operating hours: 

• Tuesday to Sunday – 10AM to 5PM

Prices:

• Adult – $21
• Senior – $14
• Youth – $10
• Family/Group – $50
• Child (6 yrs old and below) – Free

If you have a dinosaur fanatic traveling with you, visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller. It’s packed with over 40 galleries filled with fossils that are a mind-boggling 150 million years old!

But wait, it gets even better! The museum isn’t just a bunch of boring old displays. 

They’ve got interactive stuff and dioramas that bring the dinosaurs and other ancient creatures to life. I mean, who doesn’t want to see a T-Rex up close and personal?

What’s really cool is that the museum offers all kinds of educational programs for everyone, from kids to adults. You can absolutely geek out about Alberta’s geological history! 

Oh, and here’s the cherry on top: they have a virtual reality tour! You can put on a headset and feel like you’re walking right through the museum, surrounded by all these prehistoric wonders.

Go whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River

The Kicking Horse River in Alberta is one of the most thrilling rivers to go rafting on, and it’s definitely something you need to try out if you’re up for some thrills! 

Not only are there plenty of rapids to conquer, but there are even natural rock slides and swimming holes too. Whether you’re an experienced rafter or just starting out, this is a great place to get your feet wet (literally) and experience the thrill of white water rafting!

So here’s what makes Kicking Horse River so much fun:

1. Challenging rapids: The stretches of Class III and IV rapids come quick and fast and provide both amusement and exhilarating challenges.

2. Natural rock slides: There are several natural rock slides along the river that can give rafters an extra adrenaline rush while they glide down the river.

3. Swimming spots: Kicking Horse River provides plenty of opportunities to jump right in for a swim with its numerous swimming spots.

If you’re looking for a week’s worth of outdoor adventures, then white water rafting down the Kicking Horse River should be at the top of your list!

Check out a rodeo show for a taste of Western culture.

Rodeo shows are super popular in Alberta, and it’s definitely worth checking out because of the province’s Western culture!

Watching those riders take on bulls and horses while doing all sorts of crazy tricks is just amazing. But even if you’re not all about the rodeo action, the whole vibe is just so much fun. 

There’s live music, tasty carnival food, and some fantastic people watching. And don’t forget about the vendors where you can find everything from cowboy boots and hats to all sorts of neat souvenirs.

Explore Edmonton’s West Edmonton Mall.

Website: http://www.wem.ca/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb 

Address:  8882 170 St NW, Edmonton, Alberta

Contact details: +1 780-444-5321

Operating hours: 

• Monday to Saturday – 10AM to 9PM
• Sunday – 11AM to 6PM

Oh, if you’re looking for a wild time shopping, you’ve got to head over to West Edmonton Mall. It’s the biggest mall in North America, and it’s right here in Alberta!

With, like, 800 stores, you’ll definitely find something that tickles your fancy. But if shopping isn’t your jam, no worries because there’s a ton of other stuff to do.

You can hit up Galaxyland, which is this awesome amusement park with over 24 rides—we’re talking roller coasters, bumper cars, the works. And if you’re visiting during the summer, Worlds of Fun is where it’s at—16 water slides and a wave pool, cool, eh?

But wait, there’s more! An ice rink, a bowling alley, mini-golf, and a huge movie theater complex—seriously, we think it’s amazing that it’s got it all. 

And don’t even get us started on the food—from quick bites to sit-down meals, you won’t go hungry, that’s for sure.