Alberta Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Alberta

Alberta is located in Western Canada between British Columbia and Saskatchewan. Alberta is a dynamic province that boasts the Rocky Mountains on its western border, numerous lakes including the Lake Athabasca, and Lesser Slave Lake, and vast flat prairies.

Wildlife is abundant in Alberta : you'll be able to see buffalo, black bears, coyotes, wolves, foxes and pumas and grizzly bears in the mountain and wooded areas; Moose and deer in the forests; Mule deer, jumping deer and antelope in the prairies; Wild sheep and goats in the Rocky Mountains; and large numbers of ducks, Canadian geese, and swans in the central areas.

Due to Alberta's dynamic climate and geography tourist attractions, adventure tours, ski resorts, lakeside vacations communities, and recreational activites are plentiful! The Rocky Mountains of Alberta harbour superb resorts and get-aways including Banff and Lake Louise, Jasper, Canmore, Kananaskis, and Waterton.

In central and southern Alberta be sure to check out the vast farmlands, and ranches in the area. Central Alberta boasts some of the best dinosaur fossils in North America, so be sure to check out Drumheller , the "Dinosaur Capital of the World"! Participate in the Calgary Stampede , which is a a 10 day summer rodeo full of entertainment and activities for the whole family. Visit Alberta's capital city Edmonton where you'll find West Edmonton Mall - the World's largest shopping and entertainment complex! After a fabulous day at the mall, relax at one of Edmonton's top hotels and accommodations!

Alberta's various cities provide a variety of things to do. The most popular include:

Edmonton - the capital city of Alberta and the second largest urban population (752,000 city; 1,102,000 metro region). It is home to a vibrant cultural community, the largest urban parkland system in North America, North America's largest mall, Canada's only Indy race, and is dubbed Canada's Festival City. Aside from that, there is so much more stuff like a pretty good science centre and a conservatory, just explore and also read our guide.

Calgary - Alberta's largest city (1,040,000 city; 1,139,000 metro region). It is home to a beautiful river, nice museum, cool towers, bustling economy, world class zoo, shopping, and is most famous for the 1988 Winter Olympics.

Banff - vacation destination in the Rockies offering a variety of outdoor activities.

Drumheller - site of the Royal Tyrell Museum, the largest paleontology museum in Canada.

Fort McMurray - fast growing community deep in northern Alberta, most famous as the center of the oil sands industry.

Jasper - Banff's northerly neighbour - less visited than Banff but no less stunning.

Lethbridge - is a city in southern Alberta with a population of about 78,700 and most famous for its canyons.

Medicine Hat - is in southern Alberta with a population nearing 57,000 and is interesting.

Red Deer - is a city in between Edmonton and Calgary at about 82,800 people (2006) and is a major service center.

Suggest a change to the Alberta Things to do section (click to dropdown)

Population: 32.805.000
Languages: English 59.3%, French 23.2% (both official); other
Currency: Canadian dollar
Currency code: CAD
Local Times:
Canada - Ontario - Toronto

Canada - British Columbia - Vancouver

Canada - Quebec - Montreal

Canada - Alberta - Calgary

Canada - Yukon Territory - Whitehorse

Country Dialling Code: +1
Voltage: 120V 60Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 parallel flat prongs

2 Parallel flat prongs with an earth connector

The second largest country on earth (only the Russian Federation is bigger), it stretches over 3,400 miles from Atlantic to Pacific coast, spans six of the world's 24 time zones and could fit most of Europe within its borders.

Yet 90 per cent of the population lives within 100 miles of the US border, leaving huge tracts of unspoilt wilderness elsewhere.

It's the edginess between Canada's indigenous, French and British traditions that gives the nation its complex three-dimensional character. Add to this a constant infusion of US culture and a plethora of traditions brought by migrants, and you have a thriving multicultural society.

With its history, people, landscape and natural beauty, Canada offers an abundance of well-known cities, attractions, parks and regions that make for wonderful destinations whether you're looking for a trip that's educational, inspiring or just plain fun. But don't pass up a chance to explore the less-travelled areas, too - at the fringes of the inhabited world, great challenges, eye-opening experiences and hospitable people await.

From its large cosmopolitan cities to its frozen northern tundra; its snowy mountain peaks to its rugged coastlines; and its rich farmlands to its pioneering outposts, Canada offers something to suit the taste of every traveller. Canada is bound in the west by the Pacific Ocean and Alaska, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the north by the polar ice-cap, and in the south by the United States of America.

Alberta Travel Guide

Alberta Suitability Profile