OUR Alberta 2018 | Page 29

Must-have Experiences Honour tradition Alberta is home to many Indigenous peoples, and learning about their history and experiencing their traditions is one of the most unique and meaningful experiences you can have in Alberta. At Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park you’ll be immersed in the natural beauty of the plains while learning about cultures and traditions from local Siksika interpreters and participating in hands-on activities — you can even stay overnight in a tipi. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is the best-preserved buffalo hunt site in North America, featuring a cliff- side interpretive centre, a café and outdoor plaza, traditional drumming and dancing performances, and educational presentations. blackfootcrossing.ca & history.alberta.ca/headsmashedin Dig the dinosaurs Alberta has the largest deposit of dinosaur bones in the world and is one of the only places in the world to immerse yourself in authentic dinosaur-related activities. View an impressive display of dinosaur skeletons and learn about the history of dinosaurs in Alberta at the renowned Royal Tyrrell Museum. For a more hands-on approach, explore all of the outdoor activities at Dinosaur Provincial Park, including a guided dig or tour. www.tyrrellmuseum.com or dinosaurpark.ca Go for a thrilling outdoor adventure Whether you enjoy tranquil moments in nature or action-packed adventures, you’ll find it all in the most southern parts of Alberta. In Waterton Lakes National Park you’ll find 1,000 varieties of wildflowers, easy walks to beautiful waterfalls and mountains, and fun water activities such as paddleboarding in front of majestic mountains. In Cypress Hills you can take intense hiking and biking trails, golf on a course that overlooks Montana in the United States, or go fishing for trout. mywaterton.ca and cypresshills.com Explore a unique museum See Star Trek and movie memorabilia at Trekcetera Museum in Drumheller, wacky taxidermied gophers at the Gopher Hole Museum, and over 250 carriages, buggies, wagons and sleighs at Remington Carriage Museum. trekcetera.com, gopherholemuseum.ca & history.alberta.ca/remington Go Wild West Immerse yourself in frontier-era activities at several cool cowboy- approved attractions. Rope, ride and learn blacksmithing at Bar U Ranch, two-step the night away at the Great Canadian Barn Dance or drive the Cowboy Trail past pastures and ranches. albertaparks.ca, gcbd.ca & cowboytrail.com 29