Top Reasons to Visit Alberta, Canada
Alberta is where towering mountains meet expansive prairies, creating a landscape that feels both wild and welcoming. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, exploring ancient glaciers, or enjoying the vibrant culture in its cities, Alberta promises experiences that are as diverse as they are breathtaking.
We will see the top 8 reasons to visit Alberta, but before finding out about the wonders of Alberta, let's talk about an important step for international visitors: the Canadian eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) or Canada Visa Online.
If you're flying to Canada and don't need a visa, you'll likely need an eTA. It's a quick online process that grants you permission to enter the country. Make sure to apply for your Canadian eTA a week or two before your trip.
Must see places to see in Alberta, Canada
Rocky Mountain Majesty
Alberta's crown jewel is undoubtedly its stretch of the Rocky Mountains. Banff and Jasper National Parks is a playground for adventurers. Travelers love to hike through Alpine meadows. If you are a wildlife fanatic and lucky enough, you can spot elk or a bighorn sheep, or take a gondola ride for panoramic views. Don't miss the turquoise waters of Lake Louise—it's a postcard come to life.
Calgary: Where Urban Meets Wild
Calgary, Alberta's largest city, blends cowboy culture with modern flair. Time your visit for the Calgary Stampede in July, a 10-day festival celebrating western heritage with rodeos, chuckwagon races, and plenty of pancake breakfasts. Outside of Stampede season, explore the city's food scene or take in the view from the Calgary Tower.
Dinosaur Valley
Step back in time in the Alberta Badlands. The Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller is a world-class paleontology museum where you can come face-to-face with fossilized dinosaurs. Nearby is a place—eerie hoodoo rock formation—perfect for photography buffs.
Northern Lights in Dark Sky Preserves
Some of the greatest locations to see the Aurora Borealis can be found in Alberta. Jasper National Park, also known as the second-largest dark sky preserve in the world, offers a stellar (pun intended) opportunities to witness this natural light show. Plan your visit between September and mid-May for the best chances of seeing the Northern Lights dance across the sky.
Ice Fields Parkway: A Drive to Remember
Some people refer to the breathtaking drive along the Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Banff as an unforgettable Canadian road trip experience. Moreover, your journey through glaciers, waterfalls, and wildlife will be unforgettable. Halt at the Columbia Icefield and walk on ancient ice.
Edmonton's Festival Scene
Referred to as Canada's Festival City, Edmonton is a good place for the Folk Music Festival and for theater lovers, the Fringe Theatre Festival. The West Edmonton Mall, North America's largest shopping center, will provide you a place for entertainment with its indoor waterpark and amusement park.
Waterton Lakes National Park
Often overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbors is Waterton Lakes National Park. Waterton Lakes National (an UNESCO World Heritage Site) is a gorgeous place where prairies meet mountains. Take a boat tour to cross the US-Canada border on Upper Waterton Lake, or hike to the picturesque Bears Hump for panoramic views.
Winter Wonderland
Don't shy away from an Alberta winter. World-class ski resorts in Banff and Jasper cater to all skill levels. Ice climbing in Canmore or dog sledding in Lake Louise are other activities you will surely love doing in Canada.
Alberta offers a perfect blend of natural wonders and urban adventures. Remember to apply for your Canadian eTA if needed, pack layers (Alberta's weather can be unpredictable), and prepare for an unforgettable journey through one of Canada's most diverse and beautiful regions.
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Alberta is Canada’s only landlocked province. Of the many places worth a visit on your trip to Alberta, here is a list of some of the best ones that you must definitely make sure to see while visiting Alberta.Learn about them in Must See Places in Alberta.
Check your eligibility for eTA Canada Visa and apply for eTA Canada Visa 72 hours in advance of your flight. In addition to Brazilian citizens, Luxembourgish citizens, Belgian citizens, Czech Republic citizens and Romanian citizens can apply online for eTA Canada Visa.