7 Whimsical Towns in Alberta
An important economic and cultural center of Western Canada, the beautifully picturesque province of Alberta is a must-visit for anyone exploring the “Great White North.” Also known as "Wild Rose Country," Alberta has been a central component of the Canadian Prairies since its entry to Confederation in 1905, and today nearly 5 million inhabitants call it home. While the major cities of Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, and Lethbridge boast the largest populations, it is the smaller whimsical towns of Alberta that attract the most tourism. From Rocky Mountain communities, close encounters with wildlife, and prehistoric wonders, there is undoubtedly something memorable and spectacular awaiting all ages of visitors in these Alberta towns. So come see the Canadian West and stop by the special province of Alberta, where a treasure trove of beauty awaits!
Banff
One of Alberta’s most beloved mountain communities, the town of Banff is beautifully situated within the National Park of the same name. Home to a population of just over 8,000, thousands more visit throughout the year looking for splendid panoramas and loads of quaint charm. A convenient 90-minute drive from the city of Calgary, guests will find loads of cute shops (with whimsical names like Cool As A Moose), restaurants, bars, cafes, and other 19th-century alpine architecture in Banff, which can trace its modern history to the 1880s.
Add in great lodging options and easy access to the National Park, and it is not difficult to see what makes Banff so popular. Marvel at local wildlife, go mountain climbing, ride a bike, relax at hot springs, or soak in the sights of some alpine waterfalls; the outdoor wonder of Banff is second to none in a climate known for cool summers and winters.
Canmore
Just a half-hour drive from Banff, the town of Canmore is another truly stunning Alberta Rocky Mountain destination that all ages can enjoy. Established in the 1880s, today, nearly 16,000 inhabitants call this alpine wonder home. Less crowded than its Banff counterpart, in Canmore, visitors can enjoy all the raw natural beauty of the area in a quieter and more relaxed ambiance.
Go hiking, cycling, mountain climbing, and even wildlife watching, while winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy opportunities at great local ski and snowboard resorts. These include the Canmore Nordic Provincial Centre, which was even used during the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. Meanwhile, even just a stroll through Canmore’s downtown area is a whimsical delight, with a fine assortment of local shops, restaurants, and other businesses, like The Rocky Mountain Bagel Co., The Wood Restaurant & Lounge, and Stirling Dining Room and Lounge.
Vegreville
Vegreville is situated just some 100 kilometers east of the capital city of Edmonton, and it continues to be a most charming and welcoming town with a deep pioneer history. Founded in 1906 by pioneer settlers of Ukrainian ethnicity, today, just under 6,000 residents call Vegreville home, and many continue to trace their cultural and ethnic roots to these Ukrainian pioneers. The town celebrates this special heritage year-round with events, including the summer Pysanka Festival. Here great food, dances, cultural displays, music, and more celebrate Ukraine and the pioneer class that settled in this part of Alberta.
Look into the daily lives of Ukrainian settlers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with a visit to the nearby Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, which is 30 minutes away. Vegreville’s most famous attraction cannot be missed! A giant pysanka egg weighing in at some 2.5 tons (or 5,000 pounds); this most unique sculpture has been delighting residents and guests for nearly 50 years.
Fort Macleod
Near the border with the State of Montana, the town of Fort Macleod was established in the 1870s (some 30 years before Alberta became a province), and today just over 3,000 residents call it home. A scenically beautiful and historically rich community, Fort Macleod is located along the Oldman River, and guests can marvel at the wide prairie vistas, the vast and famed Alberta sky, and views of the Rocky Mountains in the distance. Spend time along the River or visit the Oldman River Valley Wilderness Park, where opportunities to see such wildlife as beavers, moose, and bobcats are exciting prospects for the young and old alike. Meanwhile, the history-minded tourist cannot miss both the Museum of the Northwest Mounted Police and the Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump.
The former highlights the growth of Western Canada and Alberta’s official birth in the early 1900s, and the latter is a fascinating look at the hunting techniques of the Indigenous people who long inhabited the land. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this landmark brings visitors back in time several hundred years and creates a renewed appreciation for the early settlers of the area. Enjoy spectacular vistas of the Alberta foothills while interactive indoor exhibits recreate the daily lives and customs of the many Indigenous peoples who populated the land before European contact.
Jasper
Similar to Banff, the town of Jasper is an extraordinary mountain wonderland that is also located within a National Park of the same name. Despite devastating recent wildfires (which destroyed about 30% of the townsite in 2024), the region offers splendid views of the Alberta Rockies and is a true haven for the outdoor adventurist; Jasper's allure is hard to beat. Enjoy awesome biking and hiking trails, gorgeous alpine panoramas, splendid waterfalls (including Athabasca Falls), and chances to see mountain wildlife, and any time spent in Jasper will surely create a most picturesque set of memories. Spend a night or two or three at the famed Jasper Park Lodge (when they reopen), and support the local economy as they recover, where nearby a cute variety of souvenir shops, tasty restaurant options, and charming chalet-like architecture make for a most perfect vacation.
Drumheller
Drumheller is undoubtedly one of Alberta’s most unique communities, and anyone who visits can tell you that visiting it is like stepping back in time, millions of years! Famed for its prehistoric badlands rock formations (including the special Hoodoos), for over a century, paleontologists have also discovered a rich collection of fossils and dinosaur bones in the area. These include the Albertosaurus, which was said to roam the area some 71 million years ago! Home to the beloved Royal Tyrell Museum, which opened in 1985, a massive collection of some 160,000 fossils attracts thousands of tourists from across the world each year. Including the skeletons of the T-Rex and other species, as well as an impressive array of geological rocks, the Tyrell Museum is a must-visit destination that creates a sense of wonder in all ages.
From there, explore the Hoodoo rock formations, admire the cliffs of the Badlands, or visit the Atlas Coal Mine Historic Site. Cross a swinging suspension bridge, enjoy the hot sun, and even catch a special performance of the Canadian Badlands Passion Play held every July.
Lake Louise
The town of Lake Louise shares its name with the body of water, and it is surely one of Alberta’s most quietly beautiful and charming places. Just a 40-minute drive from Banff, this splendid Rocky Mountain community with just under 700 residents is an ideal destination to simply enjoy the outdoors and a slower pace of life. At an elevation of some 5,000 feet, guests will love the scenic opportunities to go hiking, biking, and canoeing while skating, skiing, and even dog sledding delight in the wintertime.
With its sparkling waters and majestic alpine peaks (particularly stunning when capped with snow), Lake Louise is a photographer’s dream. Lodge at the famous Fairmont Château Lake Louise and enjoy great panoramas from your room.
Alberta is undoubtedly one of Western Canada’s most beloved treasures, whose vast natural beauty stands out as some of the best in the country. From Rocky Mountain settings to prairie vistas to prehistoric geology, Alberta and its wonderful towns are great places for travelers of all ages to experience. Though Edmonton and Calgary are the largest cities, the smaller whimsical towns of central and southern Alberta are often the places where magical memories are made. From the ethnic allure of Vegreville, the mountain wonders of Jasper and Banff, and the historic ambiance of Fort Macleod and Drumheller, these and other Alberta towns are awesome reminders of what makes “Wild Rose Country” such a wonderful place to be!
