Calgary is the welcome mat to the Rockies and the charming mountain towns nested within, but there’s a whole lot to see in Alberta. The province is home to lakeside villages, historic small towns, and even the dinosaur capital of the world.
In one road trip, you can go from dramatic mountain peaks to vast canyons. It’s the beauty of Alberta, and quaint small towns around the province are the perfect gateways to discovering some of the best the province has to offer.
If you need a little help making your 2025 travel list, we’ve got you. We turned to locals, asking what the best small towns in Alberta to visit are. Responses flooded the Narcity Canada Facebook page, shining light on beautiful little communities all over the province.
From cozy mountain towns to waterfront communities — locals gave some solid recommendations.
Waterton
A few people shouted out this unique village just three hours away from Calgary, tucked away in Waterton Lakes National Park. The charming town is filled with family shops and an unexpected liveliness for how tiny it is. There are restaurants, cozy stays, and retail stores here, all surrounded by the jaw-dropping beauty of the park.
As the name suggests, being out on the water is a key part of a trip here. There are boat cruises and guided kayaking tours that will take you out onto the sparkling lake. On land, you’ll find horseback riding tours and hiking trails that will lead you into the lush nature of the area. There’s also a designated dark sky preserve here and interpretive nighttime tours that will level up your stargazing.
There’s no shortage of things to do in this little town, so if you like a vacation on the move, go here.
Canmore
Canmore isn’t exactly a hidden gem, but it is a more low-key option than the nearby bustling tourist hot spot of Banff. It’s just an hour outside of Calgary, making it the perfect spot to escape for a weekend and soak in the beauty of the mountains.
You might recognize the iconic peaks of Three Sisters Mountain, which overlooks the town of Canmore, creating a picture-perfect scene.
The Main Street here is lined with storefronts, from cafes to little boutiques to check out while on a trip. A walk down the lane will fulfill all your mountain-town dreams with its twinkling lights and classic scenery.
Beyond the little downtown area is the pristine nature of the Rockies and all the adventure that comes along with it. You already know what that means— hiking, camping, skiing, snowshoeing, and whatever other heart-pumping activity you could want.
While there’s basically endless beauty to explore in this area, Grassi Lakes Trail is a go-to near Canmore. The relatively short hike takes you to a bright emerald lake nestled in the thick forest beneath the mountains.
Lacombe
This might technically be a city, but as soon as you arrive you’ll feel like small-town vibes. The historic buildings lining the streets of the downtown area help add to the atmosphere, along with the cozy cafes and local shops.
About two hours from Calgary, Lacombe is set in central Alberta, where jagged mountain peaks are off in the distance and rolling countryside meets a prairie landscape.
The historic town is actually known as « Albetra’s Mural Capital » with colourful paintings covering buildings. Walking around downtown you’ll pass by six Designated Provincial Historic Buildings and murals showcasing some of the history of the town. Scenes from as far back as the 1890s are painted here, making you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Drumheller
Set in the Canadian Badlands, Drumheller is perhaps the most unique small town on this list. You’ll be greeted by a dry terrain here where dinosaurs used to roam.
This town is known as the Dinosaur Capital of the World, with over 1,000 fossils on display and a towering T-Rex in town that’s actually the World’s Largest Dinosaur. The Royal Tyrrell Museum is here, and where you can go to explore dinosaur exhibits and fossils.
Believe it or not, that’s just one part of what makes this town special. Just outside of town, you’ll find the Hoodoos Trail, which will get you face-to-face with the unique pillars of sandstone that the town is famed for. There are tons of other trails here too, taking you past breathtaking canyons and through the incredible scenery of the badlands. It’s an escape in every way possible, and well worth the hour-and-a-half drive from Calgary.
High River
This little town is famous for being the backdrop to the CBC series Heartland, which is why you’ll often see people pictured in front of the iconic Maggie’s Diner. Other popular series are also filmed here, like Fargo and The Last of Us. It’s easy to see why the town is used in many productions because it’s small-town charm at its finest.
It’s just outside of Calgary, about 45 minutes from downtown, so makes for a good day-trip spot if you want a mini getaway. Although it’s close to the city it feels like a breath of fresh air, with lots of parks, local businesses and the beautiful Highwood River.
Rowley
If you’re up for a trip with a slightly eerie twist, Rowley delivers. The little village is near Drumheller, and famous for its spine-chilling vibe.
While 500 people used to call this place home back in the 1920s, today only 12 people live here and it’s known as a ghost town, according to Travel Alberta. The old-school buildings in the historical village are reminiscent of a different time and add to the allure of this place. There’s a church, bank, and even a saloon — which all look like they’re frozen in time.
Whether you believe in the haunting stories or not, this is a cool place to explore for the day.
If you need an escape from the city this year, you know where to go now!
Source: Narcity – Read More
