Experience flat lands abruptly ending at a dramatic mountain range. Cities, towns and open prairie let you discover why the West is a popular place to visit.
Start your visit to Southern Alberta in Lethbridge, the regions’s largest city close to the U.S. border. Vestiges of the Wild West spirit still underlie the city’s downtown. Several restaurants and bars occupy repurposed older buildings, including a blacksmith shop. Discover a rugged area known as the Canadian Badlands. In contrast, the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is a beautifully landscaped green space in the city’s center.
Explore the variety of city parks, such as the 630-acre (255-hectare) Alexander Wilderness Park and the UNESCO World Heritage Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park for its incredible rock art. Indian Battle Park has the High Level Bridge, one of the world’s longest and tallest railway bridges of its type that’s still in use.
Just over 100 miles (160 kilometers) northeast is Medicine Hat. Unique sandstone formations at nearby Red Rock Coulee Natural Area make it a fascinating attraction. The town was historically an important clay and pottery center. Learn about the tradition as it’s chronicled at Medalta in the Historic Clay District. The annual Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede in July has been an occurrence since 1887, providing a variety of horse skill shows and entertainment events.
Travel about 185 miles (200 kilometers) northwest to Calgary, locally known as Cowtown, where the internationally recognized Calgary Stampede occurs in July. This diverse place is proud of its Western roots and offers something fun or interesting for everyone. Its flat topography and paved pathways make walking and cycling in the city enjoyable.
The road from Calgary to Drumheller is a fascinating fossil-rich area. The town greets visitors with a T-Rex model 4.5 times larger than actual size. Stop at the Royal Tyrrell Museum where information and exhibits on dinosaurs are interesting for all ages. Tour the town’s surrounding countryside to experience unforgettable geological formations.
Travel to Southern Alberta by rail or air on various major airlines that fly to Calgary. The Trans-Canada Highway also passes through the area from points east and west.
