Summer is one of the best times to explore Alberta; temperatures are mild, and there are many activities to enjoy. Whether you want to spend your day exploring the great outdoors or taking in an exhibition at a museum, there’s always plenty to see and do. Keep reading to learn about all the fun things you can spend your free time doing in Alberta this summer.
Visit a Casino
Beating the heat while playing your favorite table games is an excellent way to keep yourself entertained during the dog days of summer. Luckily, Alberta has several casinos to choose from with the Grey Eagle Resort in Calgary and the River Cree Resort and Casino in Edmonton being among the best. In addition to playing your favorite casino games, you can also enjoy lounging by the pool or grabbing a bite to eat at the casinos’ restaurants.
If you don’t feel like traveling to a casino, visiting one online is also a great option on those hot days when you’d rather relax at home. If you enjoy games like baccarat, craps, blackjack, and Texas Hold’em poker, visiting an online live casino during your downtime may be worth your while. Online casinos have evolved over the past several years and now offer an experience that rivals land-based casinos, with live dealers shuffling and dealing cards whilst interacting with players.
Wander Around River Valley
Alberta has so many outdoor activities to enjoy, making it difficult to select just a few. However, you won’t want to miss River Valley, which is the largest urban parkland in North America. With 7,400 hectares of land, it’s 22 times as big as Central Park in New York City. The impressive valley is situated along the North Saskatchewan River and is home to 11 lakes and 22 ravines. You can explore its 160km of trails or have a picnic in one of its 20 major parks. There’s also plenty of space for biking, running, and hiking. The park’s wildlife includes deer, coyotes, porcupines, skunks, rabbits, muskrats, and beavers.
Explore the Past at Dinosaur Provincial Park
If you want to journey back into the past, Dinosaur Provincial Park is one of the best ways to do so. As you’re looking out on the park, it may be hard for you to believe that dinosaurs once roamed freely in the area. However, once you start exploring, you’ll get to see all of the history uncovered in this environment. While visiting the park, you’ll see what a dig site looks like and view the bones of the duck-billed dinosaur that is still partially buried. The park isn’t only about looking at fossils; you can also hike the trails with one of the self-guided tours. And that’s not all – you can also rent canoes and kayaks to explore the Red Deer River and see the park from a different perspective.
Fort Edmonton Park
While you’re exploring River Valley, be sure to visit the historically-themed Fort Edmonton Park. The park invites you on a walking tour 150 years into the past. You’ll get to explore the pioneer years of 1885, 1905, and 1920, with actors bringing the history to life. There are many things to see at the park as you explore the fort’s elaborate reconstruction and see how people lived between 1846 and 1929. You can also catch a ride on one of the original streetcars or the steam train. If you work up an appetite during your visit, you can stay for a Murder Mystery event set in 1949 Edmonton while enjoying a meal. The adventures are endless, so you’re sure to have a good time.
Elk Island National Park
If you’re a nature lover, you won’t want to miss Elk Island National Park. Whether you want to relax and watch wildlife or paddle around Astotin Lake, there’s much to do. The park is only a 45-minute drive from Edmonton, making it a perfect day trip or weekend escape. You can hike its 80 km of trails, with the 3.7km Lakeview Trail being a must if you want to take a panoramic view of Astotin. At night, the park is a perfect spot for stargazing. With so much to do or see, one visit probably won’t be enough.