Alberta is where the Rocky Mountains meet the endless prairies, where dinosaurs rub shoulders with cowboys, and where oil fuels boundless energy. With five national parks, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the world's largest rodeo and spectacular northern lights, Alberta offers life-changing experiences. Here are the 20 must-do experiences.
To explore further, see our provinces and territories guide and our Discover Alberta article. The unique landscapes of this region are also covered in our Canadian geography guide. Canada's wildlife and wilderness is equally remarkable here. You can also explore Top 20 — colombie britannique.html and Top 20 — saskatchewan.html.
Two of the world's most photographed lakes. Their unreal turquoise colour comes from glacial rock flour suspended in the water. Moraine Lake, in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, appeared on Canada's twenty-dollar bill (1969 and 1979 issues). Lake Louise is named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, daughter of Queen Victoria. Since 2026, personal vehicles are banned at Moraine Lake — shuttle is mandatory.
Canada's first national park, established November 25, 1885 — and the world's third. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Banff covers 6,641 km² of mountain terrain with glaciers, forests and emerald lakes. It's Canada's most visited national park with 4.29 million visitors in 2023-24. The park was born from the discovery of hot springs by Canadian Pacific Railway workers in 1883.
The largest national park in the Rockies (11,228 km²) and Highway 93N — named the "Drive of a Lifetime" by National Geographic. This 232 km drive between Lake Louise and Jasper passes glaciers, waterfalls and majestic peaks. Jasper is the second-largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world. The Columbia Icefield's waters flow to three oceans: Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific.
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Banff National Park, created in 1885, is Canada's first national park and the world's third. Its creation is linked to the discovery of natural hot springs by Canadian Pacific Railway workers — the railroad that united Canada from coast to coast.
A glass-bottomed walkway 400 metres long perched 280 metres above the Sunwapta Valley floor. The Columbia Icefield is the largest in the North American Rockies. Massive Ice Explorer vehicles drive you directly onto the Athabasca Glacier. The walkway features fossils dating back millions of years.
Combined with Montana's Glacier National Park in 1932 to form the world's first International Peace Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site (1995), it's one of the few places where the Rockies meet the prairies directly. Upper Waterton Lake is the deepest lake in the Canadian Rockies (150 m). The Prince of Wales Hotel, perched on a bluff, offers a breathtaking view.
Billed as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth," the Stampede is Canada's highest-grossing festival — $721 million in economic impact in 2025. Nearly 1.5 million visitors in 10 days for world-class rodeo, chuckwagon races, concerts (A$AP Rocky and Alanis Morissette in 2026), a midway and nightly fireworks. Free pancake breakfasts are served across Calgary during the event!
Canada's only museum dedicated exclusively to palaeontology. Over 160,000 fossil specimens, 800+ on permanent display, including 40+ mounted dinosaur skeletons. Drumheller is the "Dinosaur Capital of the World," home to the world's largest T. rex statue (26 m). The surrounding Badlands, sculpted 13,000 years ago, offer a Mars-like landscape of hoodoos and multi-coloured cliffs.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site (1981) and National Historic Site. For over 6,000 years, Plains peoples (Niitsitapi / Blackfoot) hunted bison by driving herds over the cliff edge. Bone deposits at the base reach 10 metres deep. The interpretive centre, built into seven levels of sandstone cliff, is an architectural masterpiece.
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The name Head-Smashed-In comes from a Blackfoot legend: a young man wanted to watch the bison fall from below the cliff and was crushed beneath the animals. Alberta's Badlands contain some of the world's richest dinosaur fossil deposits — over 40 species have been discovered there.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site (2019) home to the largest collection of Indigenous rock art on the Great Plains of North America. Thousands of rock paintings and carvings, some dating to 1050 BCE. To the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Nation), the site is "Aisinai'pi" — "the place where images are written." A unique hoodoo landscape along the Milk River valley.
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site (1979) and one of the richest dinosaur fossil beds in the world. Over 40 dinosaur species and 500+ ancient life species discovered here, dating back 75 million years. The badlands landscape with hoodoos and coulees is spectacular. Guided bus tours take you into the restricted-access natural preserve.
All the beauty of Banff with fewer crowds and lower costs. Kananaskis Country includes 5 provincial parks and stunning alpine scenery. Canmore's Nordic Centre was built for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, and Nakiska hosted alpine skiing events. The Kananaskis Nordic Spa (2019) and the Ha Ling Peak scramble round out the offerings.
A Mars-like landscape sculpted over 13,000 years by glacial erosion. Cliffs of burgundy, grey and ochre rise among hoodoos (sandstone fairy chimneys). Horseshoe Canyon (3.9 km, family-friendly, 16 km from Drumheller), the Hoodoo Trail and Horse Thief Canyon offer accessible hikes through one of the world's richest fossil regions.
Banff Upper Hot Springs, at 1,585 m elevation, is Canada's highest outdoor hot pool — their discovery in 1883 led to the creation of the national park. Miette Hot Springs in Jasper are the hottest in the Canadian Rockies: water emerges at 54°C and is cooled to 40°C for the pool. Flow rate: 800 litres per minute.
A cornerstone of bison conservation in Canada. The park is home to ~400 plains bison and ~300 wood bison — North America's largest land mammal (up to 900 kg). It's the fully fenced national park with the highest density of ungulates in Canada. A designated Dark Sky Preserve, just 35 minutes from Edmonton — perfect for a day trip.
Alberta has some of the world's best dark sky preserves. Jasper National Park is the second-largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world (11,000+ km²) — and the largest with a town inside its boundaries. The annual Jasper Dark Sky Festival every October draws astronomers and enthusiasts. Cypress Hills is Alberta's first dark sky preserve.
Alberta's position (49-60°N) makes it one of the best regions in Canada for auroras. The Rockies and lakes provide dream backdrops for photography. Solar Cycle 25 (peak 2024-2025) continues to produce elevated activity in 2026. Top spots: Wood Buffalo (zero light pollution), Jasper (Old Fort Point, Maligne Lake), Elk Island (35 min from Edmonton) and Lake Minnewanka in Banff.
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Oil was discovered in Alberta in 1947 at Leduc, transforming the province's economy and making Canada a major world energy producer. Alberta is known for its vast cattle ranches that make Canada one of the world's leading beef producers.
North America's largest shopping mall: 5.3 million sq ft (larger than Vatican City!). Holder of multiple Guinness World Records: largest indoor amusement park (Galaxyland), largest indoor wave pool (12.5 million litres), largest indoor lake, tallest indoor permanent bungee tower (30 m). With 800+ stores, 100+ restaurants and 9 attractions, it's a city within a city — 32 million visitors per year.
Edmonton is the "Festival City." The Edmonton International Fringe (Aug. 13-23, 2026) is North America's largest Fringe Theatre festival — 223 productions, 40 venues, 1,600+ artists from 9+ countries. Artists set their prices and keep 100% of sales. K-Days (July 17-26, 2026) draws 700,000-800,000 visitors with rides, concerts and Indigenous programming.
Canada's first and only interprovincial park (Alberta-Saskatchewan). The Cypress Hills are the highest point between the Rockies and Labrador. Having escaped glaciation, it's a "biological island" with unique plant species found nowhere else on the prairies. Alberta's first Dark Sky Preserve. Elevation: 1,468 m — higher than the town of Banff!
Alberta produces over 40% of Canada's beef. The Cowboy Trail (Highway 22) winds 700 km through the foothills, past working ranches and western landscapes. Guest ranches offer the authentic experience: cattle drives, branding, horseback riding and AAA Alberta beef meals. Branding season (late May-June) is a community event where neighbours help each other.
For the citizenship test: Alberta became a province in 1905. Edmonton is the capital — gateway to the north and centre of the oil and gas industry. Oil was discovered at Leduc in 1947. Banff (1885) is Canada's first national park. Alberta has five national parks. The North-West Mounted Police founded Fort Calgary and Fort MacLeod. Wayne Gretzky played for the Edmonton Oilers (1979-1988), winning four Stanley Cups. Check our provinces and territories guide to review the essential facts.