🌞 Just Moved to Alberta? Here Are 13 Must-Do Summer Adventures! 🏔️🎡🦖

Welcome to wild rose country! If you’re new to Alberta and wondering what to do with your first sunny summer here — don't worry, we’ve got you. Whether you love the outdoors, enjoy sightseeing, or just want to experience something uniquely "Alberta," this list is packed with adventures you’ll want to check off.

Let’s dive into 13 things you absolutely need to do during your first summer in Alberta:

1. 🎉 Experience the Calgary Stampede

You can’t live in Alberta and not go to the Calgary Stampede at least once. It’s known as “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” for a reason. Think: rodeos, concerts, outrageous Midway food (deep-fried everything), celebrity sightings, and more pancakes than you thought possible.

Pro tip: Practice your “Yahoo!” now.

2. 🏞️ Visit Moraine Lake

This place doesn’t look real — but it is. With its vibrant blue water and towering peaks, Moraine Lake in Banff National Park is the definition of a bucket-list view. It’s also Instagram gold. Want to level it up? Rent a canoe and paddle through paradise.

3. 🛍️ Get Lost in West Edmonton Mall

This isn’t just a mall — it’s a city within a city. West Edmonton Mall is packed with stuff to do: roller coasters, waterpark, mini golf, ice skating, bowling, shopping (of course), and even a hotel with themed rooms. If malls had theme parks, this would be it.

4. 🐾 Explore the Zoos in Edmonton or Calgary

Take a walk on the wild side. Alberta has two amazing zoos — one in Edmonton and one in Calgary — that are perfect for summer visits with the family (or just yourself, no shame). Great way to meet the locals… of the animal kind.

5. 🌊 See the Famous Peyto Lake

Just north of Lake Louise, Peyto Lake is shaped kind of like a fox (you’ll see what we mean). Its neon-blue water looks like something out of a fantasy film. A short hike takes you to a panoramic lookout that’s 100% worth the walk.

6. 🦕 Wander Through Drumheller

Dino lovers, rejoice! Head to Drumheller, hike among the hoodoos, and explore the epic Royal Tyrrell Museum, home to some of the largest dinosaur fossils in the world. Plus, the badlands landscape looks like you’re on another planet.

7. 🧊 Marvel at the Columbia Icefield

Located in the heart of the Rockies, the Columbia Icefield is massive — and you can actually walk on it. Take a guided tour onto the glacier or hit the glass-bottom Skywalk for jaw-dropping views. Nature flexes hard here.

8. 🏰 Stop by the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

A castle in the mountains? Yep. The Fairmont Banff Springs is iconic, romantic, and full of old-school luxury. Even if you don’t stay the night, it’s worth wandering through like royalty. Bonus points if you spot a ghost — it’s famously haunted!

9. 📸 Snap a Pic at Lake Louise

You’ve seen it online — now see it in real life. Lake Louise is as photogenic as it gets with glacier-fed waters so blue they look fake. It’s nestled right beside the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, which is worth popping into even if just for a coffee and the view.

10. 🧪 Geek Out at the Royal Alberta Museum

In Edmonton? Take a break from the sun and explore the Royal Alberta Museum. From Indigenous history to dinosaurs, bugs, and rocks, it’s fascinating, family-friendly, and beautifully curated.

11. 🌳 Chill Out at the Alberta Legislature Grounds

When the weather’s nice, head to the Leg Grounds in Edmonton. You’ve got gorgeous architecture, fountains, plenty of green space, and some of the best picnic spots in the city. It’s where locals go to soak up summer.

12. 🗼 Take in the Views from the Calgary Tower

Want a full view of the city (and then some)? Head to the Calgary Tower, step onto the glass floor if you dare, and snap some panoramic pics. On a clear day, you can see the Rockies in the distance — chef’s kiss.

13. 🌊 Feel the Power at Athabasca Falls

Tucked in Jasper National Park, Athabasca Falls is pure nature drama. The turquoise water comes straight from the Columbia Icefield and crashes down through narrow rock canyons. It’s a short walk from the road and wildly beautiful.

🧭 Final Thoughts

Alberta has no shortage of adventure, especially in the summer. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a nature buff, or just here for the snacks and scenic selfies — this province delivers.

So get out there, explore a bit, and don’t forget your sunscreen.
Welcome to Alberta. You’re gonna love it here.