Day Trips

Edmonton’s Day Trip Treasures

Edmonton, Alberta – Day trips are your ticket to ride for fun times in and around Edmonton.

Head north and do the Art Drive in neighbouring Sturgeon County for a firsthand experience of the creative process at an artisans’ home studio. Veer south to the Leduc #1 National Historic Site, home to Alberta’s first major oil discovery. Or change direction and travel east or west.

But no matter where your vacation compass points to, there’s a perfect short excursion on Edmonton’s doorstep.

If you heed the call to go west, visit the Town with the Painted Past – otherwise known as neighbouring Stony Plain – or journey east to Lamont County, the Church Capital of North America.

Using Edmonton as your base camp a multitude of unique one-day excursions await, with friendly faces and warm hospitality whichever way you turn. Day trippers will quickly find out that there is much to do when they’re out and about.

Which way to go? Well, it’s as simple as what type of twist you want to add to your holiday agenda.

If you’re looking for something a little bit different with a bit of fun, proceed north to The Great Prairie Corn Maze – just east of Bon Accord – where acres of corn are transformed into an awesome ‘a-maze-ing’ adventure of fun. And while you’re getting that northern exposure, plan to take in the annual International Children’s Festival in St. Albert where a world of wonderful times and performances put children front and centre. But don’t leave yet. St. Albert is also home to western Canada’s largest farmers’ market where more than 200 vendors offer a variety of fresh, bountiful selections – held every Saturday from July to September.
 
Still undecided on which way to go? History buffs should consider the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village – just 25 kilometres east of Edmonton – with more than 30 historic buildings, a fully functioning grain elevator, and costumed role players portraying Ukrainian pioneers.

Or capture nature’s majestic beauty at the Devonian Botanic Garden, just 30 minutes from downtown Edmonton. Feeling a little bit country? Then check out the Country Soul Stroll every July, a self-guided driving tour where you can kick back and get the real feel of country life.

But this day-tripping travel guide is just beginning. Here’s a lowdown by region of the above choices and so much more.

North

The communities of Bon Accord, Gibbons, Legal, Morinville, Redwater, St. Albert and Sturgeon County await for the day tripper who comes this way. This is where you’ll find Sturgeon’s Art Drive and art lovers will want also want to take in the ArtWalk – held monthly from May through August – hosted by St. Albert’s galleries. Late spring sees the International Children’s Festival come alive in St. Albert, a city where you can also trace the footsteps of French Canadian settlers – a trail that also includes Morinville and Legal, the latter being Canada’s capital of French murals.

The Great Prairie Corn Maze, meanwhile, is also included in these communities on Edmonton’s northern outskirts. And for a little Christmas fun consider the annual Morinville Christmas Festival, which gets bigger and bigger every year and includes a breakfast with Santa.

South

Drive south and Beaumont, Calmar, Devon, Leduc, Leduc County and Millet lie ahead. The Leduc #1 National Historic Site along with the Canadian Petroleum Discovery Centre can be found here, with the Discovery Centre and its tours just 15 minutes away from Edmonton. And after learning about good old ‘black gold’ ponder the possibility of panning for real gold at the best gold panning site in Alberta, by the Devon Bridge on Highway 60.

While in Devon see some of Mother Nature’s great creations at the Devonian Botanic Garden, established in 1959 by the University of Alberta. It consists of an authentic Japanese Garden, attractive floral gardens, collections of native and alpine plants, and ecological reserves, and is situated within an attractive rolling landscape of pine trees and wetlands. Or take in a town fair at Calmar or the murals depicting its history, while Beaumont, which began as a French colony, still maintains a French feel. And don’t forget Millet, also known as the Prettiest Little Town in Alberta.

East

Travel east and Fort Saskatchewan and Lamont County as well as Strathcona County will shortly draw near. Golfers will want to head to Strathcona County, home to Northern Bear, a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course while others will certainly want to head to the U-pick farms. Both the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village and Lamont County, the Church Capital of North America, can be found when you take your day trips east of Edmonton. Also, keep a look out for Mundare, home to the world’s largest sausage and the Village of Andrew, home to the world’s largest mallard duck.

West

Go west day tripper, and find Entwistle, Parkland County, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain and Wabamun. From Wabamun Lake Provincial Park to Stony Plain’s 27-plus murals created by Canadian artists to depict the town’s history – the reason it’s known as the Town with the Painted Past – heading west offers a variety of choices for the outdoor enthusiast. And for something just a little bit different, there’s Stony Plain’s annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering or Spruce Grove’s Street Performers Festival.

Edmonton Tourism
A Division of Edmonton Economic Development Corporation
For more information visit www.edmonton.com.