Page 64 - Travel Guide to Canada 2019
P. 64
AB
62
4,307,110
Edmonton
www.travelalberta.com
Calgary International Airport,
18.4 km (11 mi.) from downtown
Edmonton International Airport,
30 km (19 mi.) from downtown
Alberta
PEACE BRIDGE, CALGARY • SHUTTERSTOCK/EB ADVENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY
Urban Art, Backdropped by the Rocky Mountains to the west and
great swaths of prairie to the east, Alberta is fi rst and
foremost an outdoor lover’s paradise. Five of Canada’s
Alpine Vistas and national parks are found in Alberta, beckoning
travellers year-round with a myriad of recreational
Cowboy Trails off erings such as skiing, boating and hiking—along
with more esoteric pursuits such as ice walking,
caving and skijoring (dog-assisted Nordic skiing).
BY SUSAN MATE
Urban escape artists fl ock to Alberta’s celebrates all things cowboy and rodeo early downtown in October to similar recognition.
two largest cities, Edmonton and Calgary, each July. Edmonton K-Days follows up with The biggest urban centres, Edmonton
for retail therapy, gourmet dining, rustic spas a tribute to northern Alberta’s Klondike and Calgary, are cosmopolitan cities, while
and shopping at North America’s largest heritage, while dozens of other festivals smaller cities including Red Deer, Grande
shopping and entertainment complex, across the province celebrate Alberta’s unique Prairie, Fort McMurray, Medicine Hat,
West Edmonton Mall. pockets of regional pride—think perogies in Lethbridge and Airdrie serve as important
Alberta is blessed with a diverse heritage Vegreville, or beef jerky in Longview. An regional hubs for shopping, government,
that encompasses First Nations history, acclaimed new Central Library in Calgary’s tourism and agriculture/industry.
pioneer spirit and a rich immigrant culture revitalized East Village opened last fall and Alberta’s dining scene is innovative and
that draws New Canadians from all parts of is an architectural marvel. Edmonton’s fi ercely local, emphasizing Rocky Mountain
the globe. The annual Calgary Stampede renewed Royal Alberta Museum opened Cuisine such as game, fi sh and world-famous
