Things to Do

For first-time visitors, Alberta’s biggest draw is probably spending time outside in its spectacular natural beauty. There’s no better place to start than the province’s national and provincial parks.

Banff National Park is famous for a reason, with turquoise lakes, dramatic mountain peaks and a charming townsite that feels straight out of a postcard. It’s gorgeous in any season, though winter is particularly magical. Banff is beloved for excellent skiing (with a season that extends into May), summer hikes, sightseeing gondolas and plenty more.

Jasper National Park offers a quieter, more rugged experience. It’s home to vast wilderness, abundant wildlife and some of the darkest skies in Canada, making for excellent stargazing. Go for skiing, hiking, nature walks, wildlife spotting and more—just a bit more off the beaten path than Banff.

The Southern Rockies, home to Waterton Lakes National Park, deliver equally stunning sightseeing and hikes, with much fewer crowds than in the Banff area. And the Nordegg area in West Country is a true hidden gem. It's known for its wild landscapes, hiking, mountain biking and frozen ice bubbles on Abraham Lake.

Guided hikes are a great way to explore all of these areas throughout Alberta’s Canadian Rockies, whether you're looking for a walk with storytelling or a more challenging alpine adventure.

Even beyond the mountains, Alberta’s landscapes are diverse. The Canadian Badlands showcase hoodoos, canyons and prehistoric history and the area is home to the famous Royal Tyrrell Museum, which is packed with fossils.

Southern Alberta is home to two of Alberta’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. These cultural landscapes offer powerful insights into the deep history of the land and the Indigenous people who have lived here for thousands of years.

In Alberta, you can play outdoors in every season, with skiing, hiking and nature walks, dog sledding and northern lights viewing among the top experiences.

In winter, skiing and snowboarding are standout experiences. The ski season extends into May thanks to high elevations and consistent snowfall. Resorts like Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Marmot Basin offer long ski seasons, varied terrain and spectacular mountain views. For winter travellers looking for something different, dog sledding offers a hands-on way to experience the landscape. Or try the great Canadian pastime of ice skating on a pretty outdoor rink.

When the snow melts, hiking and biking take centre stage. For bikers, there are thousands of kilometres of trails ranging from family-friendly bike paths in Calgary and Edmonton to world-class mountain biking. Hikers are spoiled for choice in Alberta. Choose a family-friendly trek like Troll Falls in Kananaskis or Valley of the Five Lakes in Jasper, a rewarding hike up to Banff’s Lake Agnes Teahouse or countless others. Booking a hike with a guide can help you reach new heights while leaving planning and navigation in the hands of an expert.

Alberta is a prime destination for wildlife viewing, with opportunities to spot elk, bison, bears and birds in their natural habitats while you’re exploring or on guided tours. Fishing is popular across the province, from mountain streams to remote northern lakes. Anglers even cast into the Bow River in Downtown Calgary.

As night falls in fall and winter, northern lights viewing and stargazing become unforgettable experiences, especially in places like Jasper National Park, a designated Dark Sky Preserve.

Alberta is home to many Indigenous Nations. There are engaging, Indigenous-led tourism experiences across the province that invite visitors to learn directly from people who know the land best. These experiences offer meaningful opportunities to connect with diverse cultures, histories and perspectives.

Visitors can explore Métis culture and history at Métis Crossing, where you can also stay in sky-watching glamping domes and see rare white bison roaming a wildlife paddock. Participate in guided medicine walks and storytelling with Mahikan Trails, or partake in a fireside chat, beading workshop and learn about contemporary Indigenous life with Warrior Women.

Enjoy and explore Indigenous food in Edmonton at Bernadette’s, which highlights Indigenous ingredients and food traditions. Or try a guided adventure with Jasper Tour Company, offering deeper insight into the land and stories of Jasper National Park.

Explore more Indigenous Experiences in Alberta

Alberta is home to two natural hot springs: Banff Upper Hot Springs and Miette Hot Springs in Jasper National Park. Both offer the chance to soak in mineral-rich waters surrounded by mountain scenery, making them classic Alberta experiences.

Beyond these iconic locations, Alberta is a growing destination for Nordic-inspired spa and wellness experiences. In Lake Louise, guests of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise can enjoy hydrotherapy surrounded by iconic views at BASIN Glacial Waters. In Canmore, Everwild features hot and cold pools, saunas, steam rooms and curated menus.

Discover more unique spa and wellness opportunities in Alberta

The best things to do in Alberta depend on what you are into, but one constant is getting outside and enjoying the province’s natural surroundings. Every season brings its own highlights.

Summer in Alberta is ideal for road trips, especially through rural towns and along iconic routes like the Icefields Parkway, where glaciers, waterfalls and wildlife sightings are part of the journey. Hiking, paddling and outdoor festivals are also popular summer activities.

In Alberta’s winters, our world-class skiing draws loads of visitors, but there are plenty of ways to enjoy the season without strapping on skis. Snow tubing, downhill snowshoeing and winter walks offer fresh-air fun, while après-ski culture focuses on warming up with great food and drinks after a day outside.

Spring and fall each bring quieter trails, active wildlife, changing landscapes and fewer crowds, making them perfect for travellers who enjoy a slightly slower pace.

Alberta is full of experiences you won’t find anywhere else. The Calgary Stampede is one of the most iconic. You'll find rodeo traditions like chuckwagon racing and First Nations relay racing plus city-wide pancake breakfasts and other western-themed events. The energy spreads well beyond the grounds, with dozens of concerts across the city earning the festival a reputation some visitors describe as “cowboy Coachella.”

The Canadian Badlands offer landscapes that feel almost otherworldly, shaped by erosion and rich with dinosaur fossils.

For travellers looking for memorable places to stay in Alberta, glamping experiences range from mountain getaways to boreal forest geodomes, offering comfort in nature.

You can explore Indigenous cultural sites that have been gathering places for generations, like Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park or Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site.

In winter, book a tour of Alberta’s Abraham Lake to see its frozen ice bubbles—it’s one of only two spots on the planet where this natural phenomenon is easily accessible.

If you want to explore Alberta beyond the highlights, guided tours are often the best way to get to know lesser-known regions. Places like the Crowsnest Pass, David Thompson Country and the Northern Rockies reveal dramatic scenery, history and local stories that can be easy to miss without a guide.

Travelling with local experts adds depth to the experience, whether that means learning about geology, wildlife, cultural history or hidden trails.

Explore “Things to do in Alberta” to dive into guided tours and more.