BEYOND CALGARY
The following listings include attractions the editors judge worthy of your attention , including advertisers in Where Calgary . If you have an observation regarding any of our listings , please email editor _ calgary @ where . ca .
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ATTRACTIONS & TOURS ALPINE HELICOPTERS Get a bird ' s eye view of stunning mountain ranges from Three Sisters peaks and Mt Assiniboine . 91 Bow Valley Tr , Canmore . 403-678-4802 . www . alpinehelicopters . com
BANFF GONDOLA Enjoy an eight-minute ride up Sulphur Mountain in an enclosed gondola to an observation deck with a 360-degree view of Banff and the Canadian Rockies . The renovated upper terminal has a 4D theatre , interpretive centre , and cafe . $ 42 , adult $ 21 child ( ages 6 - 15 ); children 5 and under are free . Mountain Ave , Banff . 1-800-760-6934 . www . brewster . ca
BAR U RANCH South of Calgary off Hwy 22 , this national historic site commemorates the local ranching industry with tours , demonstrations and special events . Activities and attractions include a hiking trail , historic buildings , an interactive display in the Saddlehorse Barn and a blacksmith shop . Tours run daily . May 15 - Sep 30 open daily . 1-888-773-8888 . www . pc . gc . ca / en / lhn-nhs / ab / baru
CATHEDRAL MOUNTAIN LODGE An upscale lodge with luxury log cabins on the edge of Kicking Horse River . Cabins include fireplaces and soaking tubs . This is a true unplugged retreat with no televisions or telephones . Room service is available . 1 Yoho Valley Rd , Field , BC , 250-343- 6442 , www . cathedralmountainlodge . com
CAVE AND BASIN NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE The place where three railway workers discovered thermal springs that led to the creation of Banff National Park , Canada ’ s first , in 1885 . Interpretive media exhibits on the protected waters ’ heritage ; accessible tunnel to cave and thermal springs ; emerald coloured basin ; giant fourscreen HD video on Canada ’ s national parks , historic sites and marine conservation areas . Story Hall images , artifacts and photo booth in historic 1914 bathing pavilion . Galletly Building discovery room , café and theatre . Interpretive boardwalk and trails ( free ) to the cave vent hole , hillside springs , unique plants , and pools with fish and the Banff Springs snail ( found only here ). Discovery Tour by Parks Canada staff included with admission , Wed - Sun , 11 am-5 pm . 311 Cave Ave , Banff . 403-762-1566 . www . pc . gc . ca / caveandbasin
EAU CLAIRE DISTILLERY Alberta ’ s first craft distillery is home to award-winning spirits including gin and vodka . Tours and tastings are available daily . $ 12 per adult ; $ 6.50 for tasting only . 113 Sunset Blvd NW , Turner Valley . 403- 933-5404 . www . eauclairedistillery . ca
FORT WHOOP-UP NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE Established by American fur traders in 1869 , Fort Whoop- Up was a notoriously wild whiskey trading post . Visitors can relive its Old West dramas , explore artifacts from the local plains tribes and do a little trading in the Fort ’ s store . Open year round . Indian Battle Park , Lethbridge . 403-329-0444 . fortwhoopup . com
FRANK SLIDE INTERPRETIVE CENTRE In 1903 , 82 million tons of limestone crashed down Turtle Mountain , obliterating part of the coal-mining town of Frank in less than 100 seconds . The Centre ’ s interpretive displays focus on the disaster as well as community life and settlement during the early coal-mining days . Open daily , year-round . Closed on holidays . Admission : $ 10 adult , $ 8 seniors , $ 5 youth ( 7 - 17 ), kids six and under free , $ 22 family .
HEAD-SMASHED-IN BUFFALO JUMP A UNESCO World Heritage Site , this is one of the oldest , largest and best-preserved buffalo jumps in the world . Open 9 am - 5 pm daily . Regular admission : $ 15 adults , $ 13 seniors , $ 10 youth ( 7 - 17 ), children under six free , $ 40 family ( 2 adults and up to 6 youth ) group rates available . On Hwy 785 , off Hwy 2 north of Fort Macleod , 403-553-2731 . www . history . alberta . ca / headsmashedin
LEIGHTON CENTRE The former home of painter AC Leighton , the centre is located on 80 acres of gorgeous ranchlands property with views of the Rockies , and hosts art exhibitions year-round . Open Tue - Sat , 10am - 4pm . Admission is $ 2 , members , free . South on Macleod Tr or Deerfoot Tr to Highway 22X , watch for signs . For info , 403-931-3633 . www . leightoncentre . org
PARK DISTILLERY RESTAURANT & BAR This bar distills its own spirits and serves campfire cuisine in a casual space . 219 Banff Ave , Banff . 403-762-5114 . parkdistillery . com
RAW DISTILLERY Small batch craft spirits with distinct tastes , using Alberta grains and glacier water from the Rocky Mountains . 1460 Railway Ave , Canmore . 403-710-3285 . rawspirits . ca
REMINGTON CARRIAGE MUSEUM See over 270 carriages , a restoration workshop , theatre , cafeteria , gift shop , tack room and stables . 623 Main St , Cardston . 403- 653-5139 . www . remingtoncarriagemuseum . com
REYNOLDS-ALBERTA MUSEUM This museum , located 30 minutes southeast of the Edmonton International Airport , hosts an outstanding collection of vintage vehicles , aircraft , tractors , and industrial machines that pay tribute to mechanical genius . 6426 - 40 Ave , Wetaskiwin . 780-312-2065 . www . reynoldsalbertamuseum . com
ROYAL TYRRELL MUSEUM This museum is focused on the science of palaeontology . It features 13 exhibits with over 40 full-sized dinosaur skeletons , numerous other fossils , and engaging dioramas of prehistoric ecosystems . $ 18 adult , $ 14 senior , $ 10 youth , children 6 and under are free , $ 46 family . Open daily 9 am - 9 pm . 1500 North Dinosaur Tr , Drumheller . 403-823-7707 . www . tyrrellmuseum . com
TREKCETERA MUSEUM Canada ’ s only Star Trek museum is home to authentic , original costumes , props and set pieces used on various Star Trek series and movies . It also features memorabilia from many other movies and TV shows , including Harry Potter and Superman . Open daily 9 am - 9 pm . $ 14 adult , $ 12 senior ( 65 +), $ 10 youth ( 7-17 ), $ 38 family , children 6 and under are free . 802 Hwy 9 S , Drumheller . 403-820-4085 . www . trekcetera . com
WILD LIFE DISTILLERY Craft distillery specializing in premium small batch vodka and gin . Open Wed - Sat , 12 pm - 8 pm . Daily tours at 3 pm . 160 , 105 Bow Meadows Crescent , Canmore . 403-678-2800 . www . wildlifedistillery . ca
TOWNS AND NATIONAL PARKS BANFF NATIONAL PARK This world-famous park in the Canadian Rockies offers an abundance of things to do and see in the great outdoors . Go for a scenic hike or bike ride , camp overnight , or discover the shops and restaurants in the town of Banff . www . banff . ca
BRAGG CREEK This small town has antique dealers , boutiques , and restaurants in a mountainous , pine-forest setting . It makes for a beautiful weekend drive for city dwellers . Take Hwy 8 west of the city to Hwy 22 South . 416-960-2223 . visitbraggcreek . com
CANMORE Nestled between Calgary and Banff National Park , the quaint mountain town of Canmore is full of shops , restaurants , attractions , and accommodations . Visitor Centre : 907A - 7 Ave , Canmore . 1-855-678-1295 . www . tourismcanmore . com
DINOSAUR PROVINCIAL PARK The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the largest badlands in Canada as well as the richest fossil site in the world for late Cretaceous fossils . Guided tours , self-guided tours , and activities such as hikes and dig tours are available . 48 km ( 30 mi ) northeast from the city of Brooks . AB 403-378- 4342 . www . dinosaurpark . ca
DRUMHELLER Located 138 km ( 83 mi ) from Calgary , this town is in the heart of the Canadian Badlands , a geographically fascinating area of arid canyons , mesas and buttes . The Badlands are also the source of many of North America ’ s greatest dinosaur fossil finds , and Drumheller is home to the Royal Tyrrell Museum , one of the world ’ s finest paleontological resources . Also home to the world ’ s biggest dinosaur and the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site . Drumheller has a population of more than 8,200 and offers full services and amenities . An hour and a half from Calgary , take Hwy 1 east , turn north onto Hwy 9 , 1-866-823-8100 . www . traveldrumheller . com
KANANASKIS COUNTRY This area features numerous parks with trails for hiking and biking , camp sites , tours , water activities , fishing , and golfing . 403-678-0760 . www . kananaskis-country . ca
OKOTOKS Just a 15-minute drive from south Calgary is this quaint town with lots of boutique shopping and dining destinations . Family-friendly festivals and events take place throughout the summer . 403-938-3204 . www . okotoks . ca
RANCHLANDS The Ranchlands are the region south and west of Calgary encompassing the towns of High River , Nanton , Turner Valley , Black Diamond and Longview . It gets its name from the large ranches established here around the turn of the century , including the North West Cattle Company , now the Bar U , established outside Longview in 1882 . The area can be reached by travelling west and south through Kananaskis Country on Hwy 40 ( open after mid-June ) then east on Hwy 541 , or south from Calgary on Hwy 2 or 22 .
SHEEP RIVER PROVINCIAL PARK Enjoy camping , hiking , geocaching , fishing , biking , and equestrian activities in the summer , as well as cross-country skiing and ice skating in the winter . www . albertaparks . ca / sheep-river
VULCAN Visit the town of Vulcan , the Star Trek Capital of Canada , and explore the town ’ s history at the Vulcan & District Historical Society Museum and Archives . www . vulcantourism . com
WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK Experience the beauty of both the Rocky Mountains and the prairies in this stunning national park located in the southwest region of Alberta . Go for a scenic hike , take in a game of golf , enjoy watersports including windsurfing and kayaking , and more . Camp sites and indoor accomodations are available . 403-859-5133 . www . mywaterton . ca
TIP
In celebration of Canada 150 , all National Parks and Historic Sites in Canada are offering free admission . There are 19 sites in Alberta , including Banff National Park , Waterton Lakes National Park , Cave and Basin , and Bar U Ranch .
56 where . ca MAY / JUNE 2017