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The vast and varied landscape of Alberta invites endless opportunities for outdoor exploration. But, let’s face it, the weather isn't always going to cooperate — especially during the winter months. Don’t let that stop you from getting out to see the sights and enjoy your time in the province.
Keep reading to get inspired to explore the great indoors, from the cities to the Canadian Rockies. And, at the end of a busy day, you can cozy up in a rustic cabin or tuck in for a hearty meal.
Edmonton is known as a winter city, and there’s plenty of fun to be had when the temperature dips. A day indoors calls for trips to the city’s arts district to browse the work on display at the Art Gallery of Alberta — the building is a work of art in itself. While in the neighbourhood, take a short walk to the Royal Alberta Museum. It’s the largest of its kind in western Canada, so give yourself lots of time to take it all in. The museum’s permanent collections share the history of Alberta’s people and the natural environment — including archeology, military and government history and Indigenous engagement. Touring international exhibits are also on display, so check the calendar to see what’s on.
Stop for a cozy meal at Bernadette’s (inventive and comforting Indigenous fare) Sabor (tapas and Spanish flavours) or Woodwork (wood-fired dishes and cocktails) before catching a production at the Citadel Theatre or live music at the Winspear Centre or the Starlite Room. Sports fans can fill their evenings watching the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) or the Edmonton Oil Kings (Western Hockey League) in action at Rogers Place. If your visit falls on a weekend, shop like a local at the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market, where you’ll find fresh produce, tasty treats and handmade items from local businesses.
Arts and culture meet rugged wilderness in Alberta’s north. Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray are hubs for the Peace Region and Wood Buffalo, respectively. If a day indoors is called for, take the opportunity to uncover the colourful histories and local life of each city. Take a step back in time and visit the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum just west of Grande Prairie in Wembley. The museum’s permanent fossil collections focus on the Pipestone Creek Bonebed and other significant findings over 360 million years of history. In town, revisit the pioneer days at the Grande Prairie Museum or browse work by local and international talent at the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie. Looking for evening entertainment? The Grande Prairie Live Theatre’s latest production or concert will fit the bill.
Fort McMurray’s Oil Sands Discovery Centre is an educational opportunity to learn the history, science and technology of the city’s largest industry through exhibits and hands-on experiences. MacDonald Island Park is a must-visit to burn off some energy with activities like swimming, climbing and skating, and downtown Fort McMurray has a lively dining and brewery scene too. Try local favourites like the Surekha’s on the Snye and Drum Brewing.
It’s easy to fill up an itinerary of indoor fun in Calgary, with attractions covering an eclectic spectrum of history, music, art and science. Studio Bell, Home of the National Music Centre, is a must-visit for any music enthusiast. It houses the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, interactive instruments and exhibits that span nearly 400 years of music history. You’ll also get to see some special memorabilia, like Elton John’s songwriting piano, and even catch some live performances. Down the road, near the entrance to the historic Inglewood neighbourhood, you can spend a few hours immersing yourself in local history at the Confluence Historic Site & Parkland. It’s where the Bow and Elbow Rivers meet, and the site’s rich, layered history is shared through the diverse voices of Indigenous Peoples — who have gathered there since time immemorial — and the settlers who developed the city of Calgary. Afterwards, visit Inglewood to enjoy some local flavours at the historic Deane House or curl up on a vintage couch for a pint at Cold Garden Beverage Company. Inglewood’s main street (9 Avenue SE) is known as Music Mile, and venues like the Ironwood Stage and Grill and The Attic have local talent onstage all year long.
The TELUS Spark Science Centre is a great space to play and learn for all ages. There’s a kids’ area with hours of interactive and educational fun for children aged zero to eight, and older visitors can ride North America’s first robot rollercoaster, try virtual reality experiences or visit the permanent and featured exhibits. If a robot rollercoaster wasn’t quite enough adrenaline for one day, you can try indoor skydiving and get another rush at iFLY. Wrap up the day with an action-packed Calgary Flames (NHL) or Calgary Hitmen (WHL) game at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Calgary is a great home base for road trips. Head east to Drumheller, and in under two hours you’ll be at the Royal Tyrrell Museum. It houses one of the best fossil collections in the world, an interactive Learning Lounge to get acquainted with the Albertosaurus, and you can even see technicians preparing fossils for display.
Head south from Calgary and spend some time in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. These smaller urban centres have interesting histories and indoor attractions to immerse yourself in the tales of the region. In Lethbridge, the internationally recognized Galt Museum pays homage to the people, places and industries of Alberta while Fort Whoop-Up shares the stories of the First Nations, Métis, American, Canadian and British settlers who shaped the history of the region — including the folks involved in the illegal whisky trade and the buffalo-robe trade from the late 1800s. Just under two hours from Lethbridge is the city of Medicine Hat, where you can visit Medalta in the Historic Clay District, an industrial museum and contemporary arts centre — you can even try a hands-on clay experience led by a ceramic artist in residence. Check the calendar for the latest events there, too.
The cities have tons of local brews to sample too, both of the caffeinated and beer variety, with charming spots like The Penny and [Theoretically] Brewing Co. in Lethbridge or the Station Coffee Co. and Travois Ale Works in Medicine Hat to satisfy your cravings.
Halfway between Calgary and Edmonton is the city of Red Deer. There, sports fans will be entertained at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, an interactive ode to the province’s athletic heroes — plus 16,000 pieces of memorabilia. In the heart of the city, visitors can discover its history at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery, complete with world-class touring exhibits and art programs to create your own masterpiece. Get acquainted with more local culture at the Red Deer Farmers’ Market, an inviting indoor venue filled with local artisans. Cap off your day of exploring with a delicious meal at Cilantro and Chive, one of Red Deer’s most popular family-run restaurants.
Outdoor activities tend to dominate wishlists for visits to the Canadian Rockies, but there’s no shortage of indoor fun to be had — and you can still enjoy the gorgeous views.
Canmore offers quiet, small-town respite amidst the soaring mountain peaks. The downtown core is filled with local shops to browse, along with art galleries (like the Carter-Ryan Gallery), restaurants and breweries — sign up for a Canmore Food Tour or a Brewery & Distillery Tour to try local favourites. The area’s history dates back nearly 10,000 years, and it’s all on display at the Canmore Museum. You’ll learn about the Indigenous Peoples and their cultures along with more recent history, like how the 1988 Winter Olympics shaped Canmore into the destination it is today.
Quintessential mountain coziness is plentiful in Banff National Park, and you can spend the day curled up in a rustic cabin savouring the view — Storm Mountain Lodge or Baker Creek by Basecamp are ideal settings — or get out and uncover local history. This was Canada’s first national park, after all. Start at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. The site has held special significance for Indigenous Peoples for thousands of years, and it’s where three railway workers sparked a series of events that formed the national park. Next, stop at the Banff Park Museum National Historic Site, the oldest natural history museum in Western Canada. Get acquainted with more than 5,000 vintage botanical and zoological specimens, like bears and bighorn sheep. Finally, wander through the historical buildings at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, a gathering place to learn about the evolving history, peoples and environment of mountain cultures.
If sampling delicious local food and drinks is your ideal day, join an Eat the Castle Food Tour, where you can dine your way through the restaurants of the Fairmont Banff Springs. Downtown, the award-winning Park Distillery offers daily tours and tastings of their sought-after house-made spirits (the Alpine Gin is especially tasty).
Jasper National Park in the northern Canadian Rockies is a dark sky preserve, so the wonders up above are clearly visible without light pollution. The Jasper Planetarium’s 38-seat dome brings space close-up to share the stories of the constellations and Indigenous beliefs around the stars. You can choose to experience it all on your own or opt for a telescope tour. Back on ground level, the Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives share the human history of Jasper National Park and the Yellowhead Corridor.
