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Four Fantastic Reasons to Visit Alberta and Saskatchewan This Summer!

Last week we highlighted some of our spring and summer BC tours and now we’re moving eastward to our neighbours Alberta and Saskatchewan. Both provinces come alive in the summer with lots of things to see and do, but we’ve chosen four reasons we think you should plan a visit. 

Go Museum Hopping in Saskatoon

We bet you didn’t know that Saskatoon boasts some of Canada’s most interesting and diverse museums all in one place! You can go back in time at The Western Development Museum which depicts over 100 years of Saskatchewan history and features a remarkable re-creation of a 1910 city street. Or reconnect with the history of the local indigenous people at Wanuskewin Heritage Park which showcases 6,000 years of First Nations history including 19 archeological sites and a buffalo jump. Learn about some of the original immigrants to the prairies at The Ukrainian Museum of Canada which offers a diverse collection of artifacts including linens, tools, books, photographs, documents, and other treasures collected from the first, second and third waves of Ukrainian immigrants to Canada. If modern art is more your speed, Remai Modern is a spectacular art gallery supported by local philanthropist Ellen Remai who donated $30 million towards the gallery’s construction and also donated her $20 million collection of Picasso linocuts.

See these museums and so much more on our Surprising Saskatchewan tour this June. We first offered this itinerary as a Mystery Tour in 2015 and by the end of those tours, many people declared that they had no idea there was so much to see in Saskatchewan. With a mix of well-known attractions and hidden gems, as well as some unique historic hotels, you’ll never look at Saskatchewan the same way again!

Surprising Saskatchewan – June 20, 2022 – 8 Days
Itinerary from BC Interior | Vancouver Island | Lower Mainland

Wanuskewin Heritage Park is just one of several outstanding museums in Saskatoon

Experience the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth at the Calgary Stampede

Pull on your jeans and boots, don your cowboy hat, and get ready for a yee-haw good time at the annual Calgary Stampede! The Stampede Rodeo features the world’s best competitors and animals, but there are so many other things to see and do at the ten-day festival. Wander through the barns to view the prize-winning animals or thrill to the rides of the midway. Learn about the cultures of the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai, Tsuut’ina and Stoney Nakoda First Nations in the Elbow River Camp. Watch some of the greatest country and western musical artists in the world or dance the night away at Nashville North. With nonstop live entertainment throughout the day and night, there are so many ways to experience the Calgary Stampede!

If you want to enjoy a VIP Stampede experience, join us on our Calgary Stampede tour this July. We have included reserved seats to the premier Stampede events including the kick-off parade, the exciting afternoon rodeo, and the spectacular evening of chuckwagon races, stage show, and fireworks. We’ll take care of everything, so you can relax and enjoy!

Calgary Stampede – July 6, 2022 – 6 Days / July 7, 2022 – 5 Days
Itinerary from BC Interior | Vancouver Island | Lower Mainland

Cowboys at the Calgary Stampede Rodeo

Take in a Show at the Badlands Amphitheatre

Arguably one of the most beautiful outdoor theatres in the world is the 2500 seat Badlands Amphitheatre in Drumheller, Alberta. This natural amphitheatre is surrounded by spectacular scenery and provides an incredible setting for live theatre shows, concerts, opera, fireworks, and outdoor movies. With several performers already announced for 2022, including The Bare Naked Ladies and Tom Cochrane, there is something for everyone! One of the most famous productions, celebrating its 27th year in 2022, is the Badlands Passion Play. What better place to see the story of Jesus than outdoors in the beautiful badlands.

If you’d like to experience the Badlands Passion Play and four other fantastic shows at venues around Alberta, join us for Summer Theatre in Alberta this July. By a happy coincidence, the Passion Play overlaps with the opening of the renowned Calgary Stampede this year, so we have also included a day at the Stampede, including the Grand Parade, Chuckwagon Races, and Stage Show. Add the cablecar up Kicking Horse Mountain, Radium Hot Springs, and Royal Tyrrell Museum and you have a wonderful summer getaway.

Summer Theatre in Alberta – July 4, 2022 – 8 Days / July 5, 2022 – 7 Days 
Itinerary from BC Interior | Vancouver Island | Lower Mainland

The Badlands Amphitheatre is a beautiful place to see a live show

Go Back in Time on the Cowboy Trail

Along the foothills of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains is a narrow band of mixed forests and grasslands known for its moderate climate, a wide variety of wildlife species and broad ecological diversity. This first attracted First Nations peoples to the area hundreds of years ago, followed by ranching families who transformed the rolling grasslands into cattle country. Ranching and the cowboy life are still very much part of the lifestyle of this region and is still evident in the art, history, food, hospitality, and culture. Highway #22, nicknamed the Cowboy Trail, traverses these foothills from Cardston and Waterton Lakes National Park in the south to Mayerthrope in the north. The 700 km route makes for a beautiful fall road trip. The transition to fall comes early in this area, painting the hillsides around the idyllic lakes with spectacular coloured foliage in late August and early September. Don’t miss this amazing Canadian road trip!

If you’d like to explore this historic route, join us on Waterton Lakes & Cowboy Trail tour in early September. During this tour, we’ll visit several historic attractions including the Bar U Ranch, Remington Carriage Museum, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Fort Macleod, and Frank Slide. We’ll also visit Waterton Lakes National Park, one of Canada’s less-visited national parks, which features rugged mountains rising from a stark prairie, surrounding a beautiful lake. Add to this a cruise on Waterton Lake, the dramatic beauty of Kananaskis and Crowsnest Pass, relaxing Fairmont Hot Springs, and you have a lovely autumn adventure.

Waterton Lakes & Cowboy Trail – Sept 13, 2022 – 7 Days/ Sept 14, 2022 – 6 Days
Itinerary from BC Interior | Vancouver Island 

Waterton Lakes National Park is beautiful in the fall

Find Out More

For more information about any of the tours mentioned here, see the links included or contact us. 

 

Photo Credits:
Wanuskewin: Travel Saskatchewan
Calgary Stampede: Calgary Stampede/Travel Alberta
Badlands Amphitheatre: Canadian Badlands Passion Play/Travel Alberta
Waterton Lakes: Andrew Penner/Travel Alberta