Alberta is best known for Banff National Park and its incredible Rocky Mountains, but there’s much more to the province. From Edmonton to Calgary, there are tons of things to do, see and try.
Here’s how to spend 48 hours in Alberta. Save room, you’ll be stuffed after a weekend of dining out in the province.
48 Hours in Alberta, Canada
Friday Afternoon
Fly into the capital of Alberta, Edmonton, and check into the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald. It’s a stunning hotel overlooking the North Saskatchewan River and the many parks that sit on its banks. The hotel is also right on the edge of downtown, so it’s easy to walk more places–though it gets quite cold in the winter, naturally.
Edmonton is bursting with so many wonderful restaurants and bars, so you’ll want to do some homework before making dinner plans. Try Bündok for incredible drinks and fare.
Saturday
Wake up early and visit PIP for breakfast. The tiny restaurant serves up some incredible drinks and food–the mushroom toast is to die for. After a hearty start, head to Strathcona Distillery for one of the most unique distillery tours you can find. Taste a few of the liquors–especially the barrel-aged gin.
After that, have a transfer pick you up for a drive to Jasper where you can check into the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. It’s a stunning hotel with so much to do. From the incredible fitness center and spa to the night sky preserve, you’ll find endless ways to pass the time there.
There’s also skiing, ice skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter. The small town of Jasper is also fun to visit.
Sunday Morning
Enjoy one last morning of outdoor adventure frolicking before checking out and departing the lodge. Go for an early morning ski run or two, hit the mountain bike trails or go for a swim in the pool. Make the drive to Calgary, passing the Columbia Ice Fields along the way, and catch a late flight or spend one more night in Banff.
