Alberta

So you have decided to visit Alberta. Good choice! Alberta is a province located in Canada next to British Columbia to the west, and Saskatchewan to the east. Like the above picture shows, Alberta has some amazing beauty to enjoy year round! If you are arriving by car, you will either end up in the city of Calgary, or the city of Edmonton. Either one is a great city to visit, with lively downtown bars, clubs, and shopping malls, along with beautiful walking trails. Of course, both cities also have world class golf courses as well. Many people will associate Calgary with the Calgary Stampede, which takes place every July. It is dubbed, "The Greatest Show on Earth!" There are so many different events to take in; bull riding, horse racing, rides, games and of course, the food! Who can forget the amazing selection of food! You will never go hungry here! People may also be familiar with Calgary being the host city for the 1988 Winter Olympics. Many of the venues are still in use today. Edmonton is known for the West Edmonton Mall which at one time, was considered the biggest mall in the world. They have an amazing waterpark, amusement park, ice rink, and a whole host of amazing stores to shop at! Edmonton also has great clubs, bars and restaurants to check out! Tired of the city? Looking for something amazing? Something different? Drive an hour east of Calgary, and you'll enjoy the stunning views and vistas of the Rocky Mountains.

There are many different lakes, hiking trails, campgrounds, and sightseeing opportunities everywhere! Drive a bit further east and you will arrive at the town of Canmore Alberta. Canmore is a bustling mountain town with plenty of shopping, restaurants, and hotels to satisfy every type of traveler. There are plenty of easy hiking and walking trails around Canmore for every ability. Still wanting something a bit more rugged? Head a bit further, and you will arrive in Banff National Park, which is Canada's oldest and very first National Park. Take in the sites of downtown Banff, hop on a gondola and take in the sights at the top of Sulphur Mountain, enjoy some dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory, or rest your head on a comfortable bed at one of the many hotels around Banff. Still looking for more? Look no further! Head about an hour east of Banff to the beautiful Lake Louise. Here you can walk along the lake and take in the amazing mountain views, marvel at the amazing Fairmont Lake Louise Hotel, and maybe even enjoy a leisurely canoe ride on the lake. Or why not go even further down the trail and hike your way up to Lake Agnes and the Lake Agnes Tea House. This quaint little tea house offers a variety of snacks, and teas. There is also another tea house a little further called the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House. Again, this is another quaint little tea house that offers different snacks and teas for hikers. As well as Lake Louise, don't forget to check out Moraine Lake which is a 14km drive from Lake Louise. It also offers stunning mountain views, and offers many different hiking trails.

If you really want some stunning mountain views, drive the Icefields Parkway which will take you north to Jasper National Park which also offers amazing views like the Columbia Glacier, and the historic Saskatchewan River Crossing. Jasper also offers great shopping, amazing hikes, and great hotels! The Icefields Parkway has been dubbed "One of the Most scenic Drives in the World." It definitely doesn't take much to see why! The views are incredible! Also, along the way don't forget to stop at Peyto Lake, The Crowfoot Glacier, Athabasca Falls, and all of the scenic stops along the way!

Hopefully you are feeling inspired to take a trip to Alberta someday!