Charming town named a top stress-free weekend retreat in Alberta | Daily Hive

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If you’re looking for a stress-free weekend retreat in Alberta, a small town in the south was just named among the best destinations for a quick getaway.

World Atlas, one of the largest publishing resources in geography, recently released a list of eight stress-free Alberta towns for a weekend retreat. It looked at towns located close enough to major cities that visitors can spend more time exploring and less time travelling.

Located just over two hours south of Calgary, Pincher Creek made the cut.

According to South Canadian Rockies, A North West Mounted Police outpost was established in 1878, and the town was named after European settlers discovered a pair of pincers, a tool used to trim the hooves of horses, in a nearby creek.

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During the late 1800s, many retired police officers settled in the area to begin farming, leading to an agriculture boom which helped establish the town.

It wasn’t until the 20th century that Pincher Creek had a more modern transition and started focusing on tourism and outdoor recreation. Due to its proximity to the Canadian Rockies, it became a popular destination.

The town offers several opportunities to explore the region’s history and outdoors. World Atlas pointed to Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village, where relocated cabins, businesses and homestead buildings showcase the area’s past.

Nearby Beauvais Lake Provincial Park offers fishing, trails, paddling routes and day-use areas, while Waterton Lakes National Park is close enough for an additional day trip.

For those looking to unwind after a day of exploring, World Atlas also noted the Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre, which features an indoor pool.

Other spots to make the list include Canmore, Sylvan Lake, Cochrane, Okotoks, Devon, Rocky Mountain House, and High River.

You can find the full list online.