Things to do in Alberta

Best Things to do in Alberta

Planning a trip and wondering about the top things to do in Alberta? From historic landmarks to modern experiences, the city offers something for every traveller, making it a perfect getaway in 2026.

With over 81 activities in Alberta, there is plenty to explore. Visit some of the most popular tourist attractions in , including iconic sites, vibrant neighbourhoods and cultural hubs. Whether you’re exploring bustling markets, sampling local delicacies or relaxing at scenic spots, every corner has something new to discover.

With experiences starting at INR 598, it’s never been easier to plan your perfect trip. Make the most of your visit to Alberta in January and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Top Things to do in Alberta for a Truly Memorable Escape

About Alberta

Alberta is the pefect place for outdoor enthusiasts. Mountains rise above the horizon, lakes shine in different shades of blue, and open prairies stretch as far as you can see. You can hike in the Rockies, walk along canyon edges, or just drive through wide country roads that never seem to end.

The province is also about history and everyday culture. Some of the well-known Alberta tourist attractions include Banff and Jasper National Parks, the dinosaur sites in Drumheller, and the busy centres of Calgary and Edmonton. Each stop gives you a different view of Alberta, whether it’s wild landscapes, small-town traditions, or city festivals.

From winter skiing to summer trails, northern lights to quiet lake days, there are plenty of things to do in Alberta that fit every season.

Unique Experiences

Calgary: Columbia Icefield Adventure, Skywalk and Peyto Lake Tour

You can ride out onto the Athabasca Glacier in a massive Ice Explorer vehicle, step onto ancient ice, and feel the crunch under your boots. Then, walk across the glass-floored Skywalk that hangs over Sunwapta Valley. Standing here feels like being on the edge of the world, and it’s one of the most unforgettable Things to do in Alberta.

• Where: Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park
• Pricing: From about INR 7,800 per person
• Timing: Tours typically last 10 to 11 hours, with multiple slots from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM
• When to Visit: May to October, when the glacier access roads are open

Banff Gondola and Mountain Boardwalk Experience

You can take a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain and step out to panoramic views across six mountain ranges. A wooden boardwalk stretches along the ridge, leading you to an old weather station. This is easily among the top 10 things to do in Alberta.

• Where: Banff, Sulphur Mountain base station
• Pricing: From INR 4,800 per person
• Timing: About 2 hours; gondola runs daily from 9:10 AM to 7:30 PM in summer, shorter hours in winter
• When to Visit: All year, with clear skies giving the most dramatic views

Horseback Ride through Banff’s Bow Valley

You could saddle up and follow quiet forest trails along the Bow River, with the mountains rising around you. Riding here is slow, steady, and a grounding experience that connects you to the land in a way cars and buses never will. For anyone searching for real activities in the Rockies, this is it. It’s one of those Things to do in Alberta you’ll talk about long after.

• Where: Banff stables, near Bow River
• Pricing: From INR 6,800 per person
• Timing: Rides run around 1 hours depending on the option, with start times from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• When to Visit: May to October, when the trails are clear and the horses are on season

Top Attractions

Banff National Park

Banff National Park is the crown jewel of the Rockies. You can walk along Lake Louise, paddle a canoe on emerald water, or take a hike into the alpine meadows where wildflowers grow thick. With glaciers, peaks, and wildlife all close at hand, it stands tall among the most famous alberta tourist attractions. Spending time here is one of the most unforgettable things to do in Alberta.

• Where: Banff, Alberta
• Pricing: Park entry is around INR 750 per person
• Timing: Open daily, 24 hours (services run 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM in summer, shorter in winter)
• When to Visit: June to September for hiking and lakes, December to March for skiing

Jasper National Park

North of Banff, Jasper National Park offers a quieter take on the Rockies. You can take the Icefields Parkway drive, spot wildlife along Maligne Lake, or walk the canyon trails shaped by water over centuries. For many travellers, it ranks high among the best things to do in Alberta, because it feels wild and untouched. Adding Jasper to your trip is one of the essential things to do in Alberta if you want both peace and grandeur.

• Where: Jasper, Alberta
• Pricing: Park entry is around INR 750 per person
• Timing: Open daily, 24 hours (visitor services run 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
• When to Visit: June to September for lakes and trails, November to March for skiing and northern lights

Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology

If you’re curious about the prehistoric side of the province, the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller takes you back millions of years. It houses one of the world’s best collections of dinosaur fossils, set right in the Badlands where many were discovered. It’s both fun and educational, making it one of the more family-friendly things to do in Alberta, and easily one of the most remarkable alberta tourist attractions.

• Where: Drumheller, Alberta
• Pricing: Around INR 1,300 per person
• Timing: Daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM (summer), 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (winter)
• When to Visit: All year, with summer offering extended hours

Sightseeing Tours

Sulphur Mountain Highline Trek in Banff

You could enjoy a guided hike to the incredible Sulphur Mountain. In just a short time, you’re standing on the ridge, sweeping mountain views stretching out around you. The walkway along the summit leads to old weather stations and quiet observation decks. Soaking it in from this height is one of the simplest and most scenic things to do in Alberta.

• Where: Banff
• Pricing: It starts from INR 19,200
• Timing: Tour starts from 8:00 AM; lasts about 6 hours and 30 minutes
• When to Visit: All year, though visibility and light are clearest in summer

Calgary City Tour

You might take a slower stretch in Calgary and join a guided drive around town. You’ll pass historic districts, curved skylines, and stroll along Stephen Avenue’s historic pedestrian walk, which is full of character, cafés, and stories carved in sandstone. It’s one of the gentler Alberta tourist attractions that helps you see the heartbeat behind the hustle.

• Where: Starts in downtown Calgary
• Pricing: It starts from INR 17,300 per person
• Timing: Typically 3 hours; starts at 2:00 PM
• When to Visit: All year, especially relaxed in spring and fall when the light is soft

Day Trips

Lake Louise, Moraine Lake & Icefields Parkway Full-Day Tour

You could pick a slow, scenic drive that threads Banff’s finest lakes and glaciers into one unforgettable day. Start early, head first to Lake Louise, take in the blue-green water and glacier walls, then pause at the views around Moraine Lake and the Icefields Parkway. This tour lasts around nine hours. It’s one of those things to do in Alberta that stays with you long after you head home.

• Where: Usually departs from Banff or nearby towns
• Pricing: It starts from INR 1,50,000 per group (up to 13)
• Timing: Starts about 8:00 AM (8 hours and 30 minutes approx.)
• When to Visit: June through September, when access roads are open and views are clear

Banff, Lake Louise & Yoho National Park Day Trip

If you want a day packed with variety, you could explore Banff town, roll on to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, and even cross into Yoho National Park to see emerald-tinted lakes, waterfalls, and natural rock bridges. It’s a full panorama of sky and stone, one of those classic things to do in Alberta.

• Where: Pickup from Calgary, Canmore, or Banff
• Pricing: It starts from INR 1,21,100 per group (up to 11)
• Timing: Tour starts from 7:00 AM (8 to 9 hours)
• When to Visit: Summer and early autumn, when mountains and lakes are at their brightest

Boat Tours

Lake Minnewanka Cruise

You can take a short cruise on Lake Minnewanka and see the Rockies from the water. The ride lasts about an hour and shows you open valleys, mountain slopes, and quiet forest edges. It is one of the calmer Things to do in Alberta, offering a good break between hikes and drives.

• Where: Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park
• Pricing: It starts from INR 5,000 per person
• Timing: Tour slots available from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, each lasting 1 hour
• When to Visit: May to October, when the lake is open for boats

Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island

This cruise takes you across Maligne Lake to Spirit Island, a small point of land surrounded by high peaks. The trip lasts about 90 minutes and gives you time to step out for photos before heading back. It is one of the most popular alberta tourist attractions and often called one of the unique things to do in Alberta because of the views. Adding this to your trip is one of the best things to do in Alberta if you want to see a classic Rocky Mountain lake.

• Where: Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park
• Pricing: It starts from INR 7,700 per person
• Timing: Tours run several times a day from 9:00 AM onwards; each lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes
• When to Visit: June to early October, when the lake is accessible

Getting Around

Travelling through Alberta is simple once you know your options.

• In the cities, buses and light rail make it easy to get around without needing a car. For shorter distances, walking and cycling are good choices, especially in towns like Banff or Jasper where the streets are compact and easy to follow.
• If you want to reach the national parks or mountain lakes, hiring a car is often the best option. It gives you the freedom to stop at lookouts or smaller trails that don’t appear on public routes. Many of the most memorable things to do in Alberta sit in places you reach only by driving.
• Longer distances between cities are well covered by trains and coaches. These rides give you time to rest and take in the wide landscapes out the window. For travellers keen to tick off the top 10 things to do in Alberta, trains and buses help connect big stops like Calgary, Edmonton, Banff, and Jasper.
• Exploring this way makes it easier to enjoy both the big and small Alberta tourist attractions. Whether you’re on a bus through the prairies or behind the wheel on the Icefields Parkway, even the journey itself becomes one of the many rewarding things to do in Alberta.

Traveller Tips

• Pack layers no matter when you visit. Alberta’s weather can flip, ranging from cool mountain mornings to warm afternoons, or sudden breezes at lake edges. Dressing in layers keeps you ready for every moment.
• Plan at least one slow day. Some of the best things to do in Alberta unfold in the quiet places, such as sipping coffee by a turquoise lake, pausing before a glacier, or hiking through a forest where the only sound is your own breath.
• Carry some cash along with your card. Some local stalls, park entrances, and roadside food trucks still prefer cash. It smooths the experience and lets you connect more easily.
• Remember winter brings magic. Some things to do in Alberta in winter like frozen lake walks, quiet wildlife spots, or shorter hikes feel like your own private world.
• Everywhere you go, be it the active trails in Banff, dinosaur sites in Drumheller, or quiet evenings in small towns, you’ll find new layers in what things to do in Alberta can be.