Where to Take Your Family in Alberta, Canada

Canada is a vast country with so much to offer. With seemingly untouched natural beauty scattered throughout a bustling city, tourist attractions and cosmopolitan atmospheres peppered in, your family will have to significantly narrow down the options.

Outdoorsy families rejoice, as Alberta is a haven for all things nature and adventure. Nestled in the Western region of Canada, Alberta possesses desert badlands and prairies, rich forests, glacier parks and more than 600 lakes — all surrounded by epic rock-covered mountains, resort towns and endless opportunities for dining, shopping and sightseeing.

On the beach, Alberta, Canada. Photo: Alan Gignoux | Dreamstime.com

Hike, camp, bike and adventure from the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, glaciers in the Columbia Icefields and the Waterton Glacier International Peace Park. Treat yourselves to an upscale stay at The Fairmount Banff Springs with easy access to all the luxury and upscale charm Alberta has to offer.

Within the province of Alberta, Banff boasts outdoor adventure and beauty for miles. Take the family on the Banff Gondola, seeing the sites along a fun and nail-biting ride. From the top of Sulphur Mountain in the completely enclosed gondola, a family of four can experience the Canadian Rockies with an unparalleled view.

Stay inland and take the water-loving family out on a Banff Lake Cruise. Take to the water exploring Lake Minnewanka on the hour-long ride showcasing Banff’s impressive mountain ranges and diverse wildlife with a bit of folklore thrown in by your guide.

© Zoya Yuzvak | Dreamstime.com

Located in the Rocky Mountains, Canada’s oldest park, Banff National Park, boasts crystal-clear waters from Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake and Lake Louise — all glacier-fed lakes encompassed by striking snow-peaked mountains. Stay in any one of the gorgeous resorts available in each region along an extended stay or take a trip to Jasper National Park just a two-hour drive away.

Make your way east to Calgary and have some old-fashioned family fun. Between its rich oil-industry history, wild rodeo roots and modern metropolis, the cosmopolitan city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, proves to be a top destination for families.

With a history steeped in rodeos and corrals, Calgary Stampede is a must-visit destination. Plan your visit during the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, July 6–15, and experience First Nation culture, chuck wagon races and, of course, the rodeo.