Alberta, City by City
Ten guides covering Alberta — the Canadian Rockies corridor, the two major cities, and the southern and northern regions beyond — each written three ways: budget, family and luxury, with honest costs, gear lists and a map. For the province-wide picture, start with the Alberta travel guide.
Overview
Canadian Rockies
Banff
Banff travel guide: the Banff Gondola, Lake Minnewanka and hot springs — budget hostels, family pacing, luxury castle hotels, costs and a map.
June–September for hiking and warm weather; December–March for skiing
Lake Louise
Lake Louise travel guide: the iconic turquoise lake, Moraine Lake and the Chateau — budget hostels, family pacing, luxury stays, costs and a map.
June–September for the lake at its most turquoise; December–March for skiing
Jasper
Jasper travel guide: the Columbia Icefield, Maligne Lake and dark-sky stargazing — budget, family and luxury tips, real costs and a map.
June–September for hiking and the Icefields Parkway; October for the Dark Sky Festival
Southern Alberta
Calgary
Calgary travel guide: the Calgary Stampede, Calgary Tower and gateway to the Rockies — budget, family and luxury tips, real costs and a map.
June–September for warm weather; July specifically for the Calgary Stampede
Lethbridge
Lethbridge travel guide: the High Level Bridge, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden and river valley coulees — budget, family and luxury tips, plus a map.
May–September for the coulees and gardens; year-round for indoor attractions and nearby Waterton access
Brooks
Brooks travel guide: gateway to Dinosaur Provincial Park's UNESCO badlands, the Brooks Aqueduct and prairie irrigation history — costs, tips, a map.
May–September for Dinosaur Provincial Park and outdoor exploring; avoid peak midday heat in July–August
Edmonton & Central Alberta
Northern Alberta
Fort McMurray
Fort McMurray travel guide: the Oil Sands Discovery Centre, northern lights viewing and boreal wilderness — budget, family tips, costs and a map.
June–August for warm-weather outdoor activities; September–March for northern lights viewing
Grande Prairie
Grande Prairie travel guide: Muskoseepi Park, the Peace River Country and northern lights viewing — budget, family tips, real costs and a map.
June–August for Muskoseepi Park and outdoor activities; September–March for northern lights viewing