20 things in Alberta that make it the best province in Canada
There is nothing wrong with a little pride in where you live, and there are plenty of reasons why Alberta is the best province in Canada.
From its vast wilderness to charming small towns and vibrant cities, ‘Berta has plenty of things going on.
Albertans may not agree on everything, but we have rounded up a list of things that would make anyone give a big thumbs-up to being called the best province in the country.
The Battle of Alberta
Sergei Belski/USA TODAY Sports
On the sports side of things, the rivalry between the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames is legendary and always oh-so-fun, especially when the teams meet up in the playoffs or the Heritage Classic. Whether you cheer for the oil or fan the flames, the gentle taunting between fans of both teams is one thing that makes the province so great.
The Calgary Stampede
Chuckwagon races (calgarystampede.com)
There’s a reason it’s called “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” and the Calgary Stampede truly has global recognition. People travel to Calgary from all over the world every summer to check it out, from its wild Midway eats and numerous pancake breakfasts to celebrity-filled concerts and, of course, everything rodeo.
West Edmonton Mall
Ronnie Chua/Shutterstock
You can’t think of Alberta without thinking of the West Edmonton Mall in the province’s capital. This mall is chock full of options like Galaxyland, the Waterpark, mini golf, ice skating, bowling, and, of course, shopping. There is even a hotel within the mall that has tons of wild and eccentric theme rooms to stay in. Nowhere else in Canada can compete!
Moraine Lake
Laine Mitchell/Daily Hive
It’s one of the most iconic spots in Canada, and Alberta is ever so lucky to have Moraine Lake in its backyard. The deep, bright turquoise waves gently lap across the rippling lake, and a mineral-rich content allows for a truly brilliant and vibrant hue. Having Banff National Park in Alberta is a huge W for us and certainly makes it stand out as the best province. Just remember, you’ll need to book a shuttle to visit the iconic lake.
The Badlands and Dinosaur Provincial Park
Drumheller hoodoos (Jeremy Klager/Shutterstock)
A true natural wonder, the Badlands and all the dinosaur bones that lay within them truly help make the province the best in the country. Drumheller offers up so much, like the Royal Tyrrell Museum – if you haven’t been, you seriously gotta go – and gigantic plastic dinosaurs. In addition to Drumheller, there is also Dinosaur Provincial Park to check out in Alberta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that transports you back to prehistoric times.
All the outrageous roadside attractions
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There are plenty of highways to road trip on in Alberta, and one thing that makes the province so special is its wild amount of MASSIVE (and sometimes even a little bizarre) roadside attractions and landmarks to visit. From a big bee to a giant beaver, there are plenty that make it so great.
Fort Mcleod
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This small community has one of the cutest main streets in all of Alberta, and it has played host to PLENTY of Hollywood productions. You can catch in HBO’s massive series The Last of Us, Brokeback Mountain, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Fargo, to name just a few. Kind of iconic if you ask us!
Athabasca Sand Dunes
@explorefmwb/Instagram | explorewoodbuffalo.ca
If you aren’t a fan of the Rockies (we mean, who wouldn’t be?) there is actually a MASSIVE sand dunes area in Alberta to check out, too. The Athabasca Sand Dunes are located in the Maybelle River Wildland Park, 200 kilometres north of Fort McMurray in the Wood Buffalo region. According to Travel Alberta, the area features 12-metre-tall sand dunes along with 60-metre-high kames (steep-sided mounds of sand and gravel deposited by a melting ice sheet) that are among the world’s largest.
Public art that gets people talking
The City of Calgary Arts and Culture/Facebook | LisaBourgeault/Shutterstock
Public art installations seem to get one HECK of a reaction from Albertans, and in Calgary, many residents still don’t seem to like the art installation Travelling Light. With a budget of $471,000, it’s been called a giant waste of money by some. Over in Edmonton, the Talus Dome has garnered a similar reaction from residents over the years. Made up of nearly 1,000 handcrafted stainless steel spheres forming an abstract talus shape, the sculpture reflects the sky, weather, and the river of cars that pass by it. Just don’t get stuck in it.
Abraham Lake ice bubbles
CoolPhoto2/Shutterstock| Shawna and Damien Richard/Shutterstock
Ice bubbles that form in a lake in Alberta have gained international prominence; take that, the rest of Canada! The ice bubbles bloom under Abraham Lake like flowers, making for a stunning sight. You can pack your skates and hit the lake, gliding over the bubbles while surrounded by the Rockies.
Maligne Canyon
Laine Mitchell/Daily Hive
Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park is a gem to visit year-round, but an ice walk through the canyon hits different, with frozen waterfalls and breathtaking views. While “majestic, marvellous, and memorable” first comes to mind, this geological wonder is also known as one of Jasper’s most famous natural landmarks.
Beautiful golf courses
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Golf season may be short in Alberta, but the province is completely stacked with world-renowned courses to enjoy. From the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course in Jasper, Blackhawk in Nisku and Mickelson National in Calgary to Calgary Golf & Country Club and Stewart Creek in Canmore, it’s a beautiful place to be a golfer!
Alberta beef
AIVRAD/Shutterstock
We can’t talk about what makes Alberta great without bringing up one thing: Alberta beef. Everyone knows that Alberta has some of the best cuts of beef in the world, so it’s no shocker that there are some seriously killer steakhouses in Calgary and Edmonton.
The affordable housing
Andy Dean Photography/Shutterstock
Alberta has some of the most affordable house prices in Canada, with Edmonton and Calgary recently being declared two of the most affordable cities for first-time homeowners. If you are looking to start a life comfortably, Alberta sure seems like the place to be!
Icefields Parkway
Icefields Parkway (EB Adventure Photography/Shutterstock)
The 232-km stretch of highway between Jasper and Lake Louise is packed full of stunning works of nature, demanding hikes, and views that take your breath away. You can see more than 100 glaciers, jaw-dropping waterfalls, shimmering lakes, green forests, and much more. We mean, if you have ever driven the Icefields Parkway, you know EXACTLY why this route would help make Alberta the best province in Canada. One word: stunning.
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Fairmont Banff Springs/Facebook
It’s as iconic as it is romantic, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is surely a sight to see. Nestled in Banff National Park, it’s been graced by celebrities and royalty alike and is just another gem for Alberta’s crown as the best province in Canada.
Commonwealth Stadium
City of Edmonton
It’s the largest open-air stadium in Canada, and Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton has held tons of major events. From musicians like Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift, David Bowie, and Beyonce to sporting events like the 2003 and 2023 Heritage Classic and the 1978 Commonwealth Games. If it’s a big event in Alberta, it’ll likely be at Commonwealth Stadium!
Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake, Banff National Park/Shutterstock
A lake that is instantly recognizable (we’ve likely all seen it on the Insta feed of a hiker friend or two), Peyto Lake is known for its vibrant blue water. Banff National Park sure seems to have a few of those, which means we must see them all! The lake is about 40 kilometres north of Lake Louise, and a hike to an outlook spot provides a view that will amaze you.
Columbia Icefield
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The largest icefield in Alberta’s Rockies, the Columbia Icefields will leave you in awe due to its sheer size. It covers some 230 sq km to a depth of 1,200 feet and measures some 28 km long. There is a skywalk nearby, along with tours that will take you right out onto the glacier itself, and plenty of hiking spots nearby that give stunning views of its impressive appearance.
Waterton Lakes National Park
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Waterton Lakes National Park makes for the perfect place to brush up on your high-school history while relaxing and taking in the scenic views, especially at Waterton Lake. The park is located three hours south of Calgary and spills into the US state of Montana, where it becomes Glacier National Park.
What in Alberta would you say makes it the best province in Canada? Let us know in the comments.
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