red deer tourism

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

The 16 BEST Things to Do in Red Deer, Alberta (for 2024)

Disclaimer: this page may contain affiliate links. please review our full terms and conditions for more information and our privacy policy. note that any pricing, operating hours, or other such information provided below may have changed since initial publication..

Compiled by the Road Trip Alberta team

Last updated on January 4, 2024

For many Albertans, Red Deer best serves as a logical pitstop between Calgary and Edmonton , because it sits almost in the exact middle! For people who decide to dwell a bit longer – whether to dine at one of the great restaurants, explore the historic downtown, or find your way to the one-of-a-kind “Canyon Coaster” nearby – those longer visitors are often aptly rewarded. Because as Alberta’s fourth-largest city (and sometimes in a hot battle for third with Lethbridge ), there are a surprising number of really unique and great things to do in Red Deer.

The Best Things to Do in Red Deer

Walk around historic downtown.

First incorporated as a city in 1913, there’s a lot of history to take in when you’re in Red Deer. Walk around historic downtown and take in the architecture, war memorials, and other important sites that have shaped the city into what it is today.

Not sure where to begin? Thankfully, there are many self-guided walking tours that will help you learn about Red Deer’s dynamic heritage, including our favourite, “ The Ghost Collection Heritage Walking Tour .”

Visit Bower Ponds

Location: 4715 Fountain Dr

Bower Ponds is a lovely spot to spend a day, whether it’s for boating in summer or ice skating in winter. In summer, enjoy paddle boats, canoes, and kayaks for rent, while in winter, there are ice skates for rent as well as skating accessories such as helmets, skating aides, and more.

The ponds are tranquil and peaceful year-round, making them the perfect spot for a date, a family day out, or a solo wander. It’s one of the most popular things to Do in Red Deer, and it’s easy to see why!

Go to Heritage Ranch

Location: 6300 Cronquist Dr

Often called “The Jewel of Red Deer,” Heritage Ranch sits on 217 acres of beautiful land just outside of the city. You can visit the Westlake Grill for a meal, where everything from light snacks to a five-course dinner is served; it’s perfect for a romantic date, too, as you can even order custom chef-inspired meals for a special occasion.

The ranch also hosts a variety of experiences, including horse and carriage rides, ranch tracker games, and sleigh rides in the winter, while there are also great walking and biking trails to enjoy.

Check Out Gaetz Lakes Bird Sanctuary

Location: Entrance is at 45 Kerry Street at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre

Gaetz Lakes Bird Sanctuary is Alberta’s oldest federal migratory bird sanctuary and is a little slice of paradise right within the city limits of Red Deer. Perfect for bird watching, you can explore the protected land by walking the five kilometres of trails on your own or with one of the naturalists who works there.

You can also borrow binoculars, snowshoes, or an activity kit from the centre to help your experience be the best it can possibly be. And with over 122 hectares of land, you can expect tons of birds as well as a host of other native plants and animals to spot!

Visit Sunnybrook Farm Museum

Location: 2879 Botterill Crescent

Head to Sunnybrook Farm Museum , a fantastic living museum right in the heart of Red Deer that celebrates the history of Alberta farming! This early 20th-century farm shows what it was like to live and work in that era and even has costumed staff to teach you about farm life as an early pioneer.

Visit the log cabin, enjoy a wagon ride, feed the chickens, and so much more. It’s a perfect summer activity in Red Deer, especially for families.

Go to the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery

Location: 4525 47a Ave

If you’re after a bit of culture, make your way to the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery , where you’ll learn all about local history and take in a few art exhibitions, too. There’s also a fantastic roster of events that happen at the centre, including artist spotlights, day camps, interactive exhibits, storytime, educational talks, films, and so much more.

Take in the social history, art history, and contemporary art practice, all while celebrating the diversity of the city’s inhabitants over the years. It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Red Deer, especially if you want to get to know the city’s history and culture!

Sample the Best Breweries

Red Deer is home to some amazing breweries… in fact, there’s even a “ Red Deer Ale Trail ” that includes the likes of Belly Hop Brewing, Something Brewing, Sawback Brewing, Troubled Monk, Red Hart Brewing, and Craft Beer Commonwealth.

Sample the city’s best IPAs, stouts, lagers, and more at these fantastic breweries, all of which offer something unique. If you were unaware that Red Deer has such a vibrant brewing community… now’s your chance to try them all!

Relax and Grab a Coffee

Red Deer boasts a thriving coffee culture characterized by its local charm and community-oriented approach. The city’s coffee scene revolves around a variety of locally-owned cafes, like Dose Coffee , Café Séne and Cafe Vero, each offering a unique experience and showcasing a commitment to quality and freshness.

These establishments are more than just places to grab a cup of coffee; they are hubs of connection and creativity. Red Deer’s coffee culture is marked by its support for local artisans, its focus on community engagement through events and live performances, and its dedication to providing their regulars with a warm and welcoming environment.

Check out the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

Location: 4200 Queen Elizabeth II Hwy #102

A much-beloved museum in Red Deer, the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum is both educational and entertaining. With over 7,000 square feet to explore, the museum is extremely interactive; there’s a virtual multisport area, a wheelchair challenge, inflatable floor curling, and so much more.

Celebrating the diversity of sports, you’ll find information on everything and everyone, from the most well-known athletes to the lesser-known sports heroes. In fact, there are over 16,000 artifacts on display in the Hall of Fame! Perfect for sports enthusiasts, it’s well worth a visit when you’re in town.

Enjoy Discovery Canyon

Location: 3800 River Bend Dr

If you want to cool down on a hot summer’s day, look no further than Discovery Canyon . Operated by River Bend Golf and Recreation, Discovery Canyon is a seasonal waterpark that many consider a bit of a hidden gem in Alberta.

With a natural river-fed pool, a recreation area, a playground area, and lots of concessions, it’s an ideal spot to go as a family in warmer weather. Kids will love tube floating on the lazy river, playing in the wading pool and so much more.

Take to the Sky in a Hot Air Balloon

If you’ve ever wanted to try hot air ballooning, you’re in luck… Red Deer has an amazing hot air balloon company that allows you to see Central Alberta in a unique and memorable way! Air-Ristocrat Balloon Rides has been in operation since 2003 and runs seven days a week from May to October every year.

Even better? By 2024, they will have an accessible hot air balloon that is capable of holding a wheelchair so that everyone can be included in this magical experience.

Visit Canyon Ski Resort

Location: 38433 Range Rd 264

Take a drive outside of Red Deer to visit Canyon Ski Resort , where both summer and winter offer quite a lot to do. In winter, enjoy the terrain park, snow tube park, 23 runs, six lifts, and so much more. Perfect for families and for beginners, there’s something for every skier to love at Canyon Ski Resort.

And the fun doesn’t stop in summer… you have to try the Canyon Coaster, which is Alberta’s first and only alpine coaster! An amazing way to zip through the forest trails, you’ll use your own brake rider as you soar along over 1,300 metres of track. It’s an experience unlike any other.

Head to Historic Fort Normandeau

Location: 28054 45 Ave

Historic Fort Normandeau is one of the highest-rated things to do in Red Deer, and for good reason. Located along the Red Deer River, the fort is at the site of the historically important Red Deer River Crossing, which was the main point connecting Edmonton and Calgary before the railway was built in 1893.

Head to Fort Normandeau today to learn about that time in Red Deer’s history by way of permanent and temporary exhibitions, interpretive signs, events, courses, and much more. There’s an interpretive centre, a reconstruction of the fort, teepees, and many more areas to explore onsite.

Shop at Red Deer Market

Location: 100 College Blvd (Red Deer Polytechnic)

One of our favourite things to do in Red Deer is to shop at the farmers’ market, which happens every Saturday morning from the May Long weekend until Thanksgiving. This fantastic market has a lot on offer, including fresh produce, local goods, live entertainment, and so much more.

A social and cultural hub in the city, the Red Deer Market has a rich history of bringing people together over a cup of coffee and a shared love of community. Make sure to stop by if you’re in town on a Saturday!

Revel in Westerner Days

Head to Westerner Days for five days every July for one of the best things to do in Red Deer! This fair and exposition is the largest summer celebration in Central Alberta, as it really does have it all: live music and entertainment, a market, decorated vehicles, pony chuckwagon rides, midway rides, and tons of amazing food on offer.

Held in the heart of downtown Red Deer and perfect for families, this event usually attracts tens of thousands of people a year, so make sure to book well in advance if you want to visit Red Deer for Westerner Days.

Take in the Bowden SunMaze

Location: 34530 Range Rd 14

At the end of every summer, drive 30 minutes south of Red Deer to find Bowden SunMaze , a beautiful spot with over 100,000 sunflowers. Enjoy the sunflower mazes, take home some flowers and/or vegetables in the u-pick gardens, and plan for a stunning photoshoot amongst the rows of yellow blooms.

It’s a fantastic way to wind down summer and enjoy the countryside surrounding Red Deer.

Where to Eat in Red Deer

Thankfully, we have an entire guide to the best Red Deer restaurants , but here are a couple of our favourites in the city.

Location: 4930B 50 St

Always delicious and always interesting, Tribe uses innovative techniques and local, high-quality ingredients to create dishes that are one-of-a-kind.

Known for their excellent service and cozy atmosphere, enjoy meals that can be classified as “modern fusion” from around the world; their flatbreads are especially tantalizing (we love the Casablanca and the Copenhagen).

It’s All Greek to Me

Location: 3701 50 Ave

Looking for the best Greek food in Red Deer? Search no further! It’s All Greek to Me serves up classic Mediterranean food in a welcoming spot that’s beloved by locals and tourists alike.

Enjoy dishes such as souvlaki, skewers, meze, and moussaka as well as Greek ribs, Athenian prawns, roast lamb, and so much more.

Where to Stay in Red Deer

There are quite a few hotels in Red Deer, depending on your budget. Here are a couple of our top picks.

Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton Red Deer

Location: 128 Leva Ave

Found in the south of the city, the Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton Red Deer is a great place to stay in town.

With tons of amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible – think a fitness centre, business centre, pool, free breakfast, and more – the hotel is also one of the city’s newest and most modern.

Red Deer Resort and Casino

Location: 3310 50 Ave

The Red Deer Resort and Casino is a fantastic place to stay in the city; it offers comfortable rooms as well as a fun, entertaining vibe.

Enjoy the pool, fitness centre, lounge, and so much more, including the brand-new 38,000-square-foot casino and gaming area. Feeling fancy? Make sure to book one of the jacuzzi suites!

We listed a couple, but here are 14 more Red Deer Restaurants to eat at

If you like Red Deer, you’ll certainly love Lacombe. Be sure to check these 11 best things to do in Lacombe County

And, why not check out these 12 Cool Road Trips in Alberta ?

Dalene Heck is a co-founder of Road Trip Alberta. She was born in Edmonton, grew up in the Peace Country, and has ventured to almost every corner of Alberta and the world (she’s travelled to 60 countries)! She is a serial blogger, the CEO of HMI Marketing , co-creator of the Trip Chaser card game, a leukemia-slayer, and cat whisperer.

Related Posts

Sharing is caring!

Before Footer

We're here to help you plan your Alberta vacation with real, local advice!

• Destination Guides
• Route Guides
• Driving Advisories
• Alberta Driving Guide
• Alberta Weather
• Alberta itineraries

Play Alberta Road Trip Bingo!

We've created FOUR Alberta specific bingo games to make your road trip even MORE fun. Included are some insider tips on what to see and eat in the province!

*Which you will definitely feel if you miss out on our awesome local advice!

Our guides and itineraries will save you time, money, and heartache*.

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Must Do Canada

The Best Things to Do in Canada

11 of the Best Things to Do in Red Deer

January 4, 2022 By Maureen Spencer Leave a Comment

Sharing is caring!

Located at the halfway point between Calgary and Edmonton , there are lots of things to do in Red Deer. Located on the banks of the Red Deer River and serving as a center for the oil and natural gas industry, Red Deer is a bustling small city with a population of around 107,000 people.

Even though Red Deer isn’t really known as a tourist city, there are still quite a few things to do and see. Plus, it’s located close to the two biggest cities as well as one of Alberta’s most famous lakes.

In this travel guide, we’ll let you know what to do, where to eat, and more.

Table of Contents

How to Get to Red Deer

Because of its location between Calgary and Edmonton, Red Deer gets a lot of traffic, especially in ‘Gasoline Alley’, where drivers stop for fuel and the delicious donuts from the Donut Mill before continuing on The Queen Elizabeth II Highway skirting the city.

Although most people visiting Red Deer do so by private vehicle, the small city can also be reached by plane or by bus.

Getting to Red Deer By Car

Red Deer is a perfect place to stop over on your Alberta road trip . It is halfway between Calgary and Edmonton on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway (formerly Highway 2). It is about an hour and twenty minutes from either the Calgary or Edmonton international airports.

Getting to Red Deer By Bus

There are several bus lines servicing Red Deer from Calgary and Edmonton.

Red Arrow : Tickets cost $44 (approx) and the bus arrives at Holiday Inn in the North West area of the city.

Ebus : Tickets cost $44 (approx) and there are two stops. It arrives in the north hill area of Red Deer along 50th Ave and also goes to the terminal at Sorensen station in south Red Deer along 49th Ave.

The Canada Bus : Tickets cost $30 (approx) and it arrives at Tim Hortons om 6620 Orr Dr, Red Deer.

Cold Shot Bus Service : Tickets cost $35 (approx) and it arrives at 67th Street.

Exploring Banff?

If you are coming from Banff or wish to go directly to Banff from Red Deer, you can book a seat on the Rider Express for approximately $76. The trip takes about four and a half hours.

Getting to Red Deer by Plane

The Red Deer Regional Airport does not have scheduled airline service (as of June 2020). It serves charter flights and general aviation. The nearest International airports are in Calgary and Edmonton.

Getting to Red Deer by Train

There are no trains that visit Red Deer. The nearest rail connections are Edmonton, Banff, or Jasper connecting to either the ‘Rocky Mountaineer’ from Vancouver or ‘The Canadian’ which travels from Toronto to Vancouver .

Getting Around Red Deer

Buses are the only form of public transportation in Red Deer. Red Deer Transit provides bus service in the city.

There are a couple of taxi companies, however, which include Alberta Gold and Associated Cab, as well as Uber.

Things to Do in Red Deer

Red Deer might not be known as a tourist city, but there are still lots of things to do.

Bower Ponds

Bower Ponds is a year-round, must-do destination in Red Deer. It features a playground overlooking the Red Deer River, a serenity garden, and a natural amphitheater with a covered stage for summer concerts.

In the summer, you’ll find kayaks, paddle boats, canoes, and water balls, as well as some beautiful walking trails. In the winter, there is outdoor pond skating and tobogganing. You can hire your skates at the onsite pavilion which also has a cafe, a cozy fireside room, and a games room. There are picnic tables and an outdoor patio.

Canadian Finals Rodeo

If you’re planning to be in Red Deer from late October to early November, make sure that you don’t miss the world-class Canadian Finals Rodeo at Westerner Park. It’s a five-day rodeo event with events on and off-site that will have you kicking up your heels and shouting ‘Yeehaa’!

Heritage Ranch

Heritage Ranch is part of the Waskasoo Park system. Its equestrian center is open year-round and offers horse-drawn wagon rides, trail rides, and pony rides. There is also an on-site Westlake Grill restaurant and the trails near the ranch are a great spot for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

In the winter, the evening sleigh rides at Red Deer’s Heritage Ranch are one of Red Deer’s top attractions. You glide along in a horse-drawn sleigh wrapped up in a warm blanket through a forest decorated with thousands of twinkling lights. A not-to-be-missed experience for the romantics amongst us!

Kerry Wood Nature Centre & Gaetz Lakes Sanctary

The Kerry Wood Nature Centre is the gateway to Waskasoo Park and is a great place for a walk and wildlife viewing. It is a 300 acre, federally protected migratory bird sanctuary with five kilometers of trails, a bird blind, and viewing decks. There is an indoor visitor center that has interpretive nature displays and a bookstore.

In the winter months, you can rent a pair of snowshoes and go for a walk in the Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary directly behind the nature center. The sanctuary is a 122-hectare natural area in the heart of the city that is home to Alberta’s first federal migratory bird sanctuary and is a haven for wildlife year-round.

Alberta Sports Hall of Fame

If you are interested in sport, the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum should be at the top of your places to see in Red Deer. It is an interactive display of Alberta’s sporting history displayed in 6,000 square feet of space and contains over 7,000 artifacts of Alberta Sports history. There’s also an interactive hockey rink, baseball pitching field, and alpine skiing machine.

Canyon Ski Resort

Canyon Ski Resort is Alberta’s largest non-mountain ski resort. It has 80 acres of skiable terrain, 22 runs, and 6 lifts, including two chair lifts. There’s a snow tube park, a terrain park, equipment rentals, a ski school, and a ski lodge with a restaurant and lounge. You can go night skiing and night tubing at Canyon Ski Resort. On Sundays, they offer free family ski lessons with the purchase of a family ski pass. On Friday nights, the tube and dine package includes night snow tubing and dinner for two.

Cross Country Skiing

If you’d rather skip the downhill skiing but still enjoy the winter and some exercise, there’s nothing quite like cross-country skiing. There is an abundance of cross-country ski trails with more than 30 km of groomed ski trails within the city boundaries across Red Deer, which can be found at Heritage Ranch, Great Chief Park, Red Deer College, Barrett Park, and Riverbend.

Kraay Family Farm & The World-Famous Lacombe Corn Maze

The Kraay Family Farm in Lacombe is definitely worth a visit with over 40 attractions and amenities in addition to the world-famous corn maze. A few years ago they were entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for creating the world’s largest QR code as a maze design! how cool is that?

In addition, you’ll find tractor pulling, obstacle courses, playgrounds, bouncy pillows, a sunflower maze, buggy racing, pig races, kernel corn play boxes, animals to feed, lots of picnic tables to eat at, firepits, barbeques, tent-covered areas, a potato cannon, displays set up to take photos, outdoor games, and a tractor-pulled train ride.

If you’re lucky enough to be in Red Deer in August, check out ‘ Sunflower Days ’ throughout the whole month with blooming flowers that are great for those Instagram shots.

Discovery Canyon

This is a great place to spend a hot day. Discovery Canyon is a seasonal water park located along the Red Deer River and is open from June until the September long weekend. Rent or bring your own tube and have a blast gliding down the river. There is a natural river-fed water pool and a playground area. It’s also a great spot for a picnic.

Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery

While you’re in Red Deer, take a look at the exhibitions of rotating local and national art and history exhibits and take part in some of the interesting programs on offer at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery . Some of the exhibits include the finest collections of clothing and textiles in Western Canada, an extensive collection of First Nations and Inuit art, the military experiences of the local men and women, and the history of Red Deer, its surrounding districts, and broader Central Alberta.

There are more than 20 golf courses in and around Red Deer, so if you’re into golf, there are many courses to enjoy. One of the most popular options is the River Bend Golf and Recreation Area, which is home to over 420 acres of forested parkland. With an 18 hole, par 72 championship course, a 9 hole Mini-Links course, a large Driving Range with matt and grass tees, two pitching greens and a large putting green, and a first-class CPGA staffed Teaching Centre, this is a great place to tee up.

What to Eat and Drink in Red Deer

Red Deer is more than just delicious doughnuts on the highway as you pass through between Calgary and Edmonton. Red Deer is right in the heart of farm country, making it the perfect stop for a great food scene. Ross Street (50th Street) has the highest concentration of restaurants and cafes. However, listed below are a few of the more unique places for a meal in Red Deer.

Cronquist Tea House

Near Bower Ponds, the Red Deer Historical Society operates the historic Cronquist House. The Cronquist House is one of the few remaining buildings in Red Deer dating from the early 1900s when the district was settled. The 8-bedroom Victorian-style farmhouse with its wrap-around porch and Queen Anne tower was built in 1911 by Emmanuel Cronquist and was moved across the frozen Red Deer River in 1976, to the spot where it stands today. The cafe serves good home-style food in a historical, Victorian home setting, complete with China teacups and crockery.

Red Deer Farmers’ Markets

Apparently, there are more than 9,000 farms in the area which means the farmers’ markets in Red Deer are really good. At all the markets you can expect excellent local produce and market stalls selling local produce, tasty treats, craft beers and spirits, art, clothing, crafts, bison meat, toys, great coffee, and much more.

Saturday Mornings : The Red Deer Public Market at the SERVUS Arena in downtown Red Deer takes place every Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m from the May long weekend to Thanksgiving.

Wednesday afternoons : The Red Deer Downtown Farmers’ Market located on Little Gaetz Avenue runs every Wednesday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. starting in June and running through to October.

Friday afternoon : Sylvan Lake Farmers Market runs 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Railway Promenade NORTH Lot – the corner of 50th (Centennial) Street and 50th Ave, Sylvan Lake (across from CIBC and the Legion).

For more information on the markets, click here to visit Albertafarmersmarket.com .

Top 5 Restaurants in Red Deer

Unfortunately, we haven’t explored Red Deer enough to gather our own intel on restaurants, but according to TripAdvisor, these are the top 5.

Tribe is a contemporary restaurant with food inspired from around the world. Chef Terry and Chef Paul are active travelers and foodies with a love for rich intense flavors, fresh products, and spices but also understand that they live in Red Deer where the locals really enjoy comfort food.

At Tribe, you can expect a varied menu, ranging from shareable plates to large meals, with items such as lemon devilled eggs, gochujang chicken, aztec tomales, snappy dresser pizza, and mashed potato chocolate cake with penuche icing. Flirt a little, eat a little. drink a little.

Boulevard Restaurant & Lounge

Boulevard Restaurant & Lounge features contemporary Asian fusion cuisine as well as Canadian steaks that are aged and graded for maximum flavor and tenderness by Chopped Canada winner, Chef Pete Sok. With a family-friendly atmosphere, you can expect top-quality food such as filet mignon, Korean ribs, spicy shrimp penne, Indonesian laksa, and coconut lemongrass seafood stew.

It’s All Greek To Me

Opened in 1996 by Nick Sakkalis, It’s All Greek To Me offers authentic fresh, and delicious homemade Greek food served in a comfortable, intimate, and relaxed environment. Nick actually sold the restaurant to retire back in 2007 only to repurchase it in 2019 after realizing retirement wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Some of the menu items include saganaki opa, calamari, baked spaghetti, souvlaki, and more.

Glenn’s Restaurant & Gift Shop

Popular not only for food but also for tea, Glenn’s Restaurant & Gift Shop operates like an old-fashioned diner with some of the best food in town, including hearty breakfasts, country fried chicken, Ukrainian platters, burgers, chili, and their popular cinnamon buns.

The Canadian Brewhouse

This popular Canadian chain can be found across Canada but in Red Deer, it tops the charts as one of the top places to fill your belly. It’s also the best place to catch your favourite sports game while munching down on buffalo chicken pizza, fried pickles, Ukrainian perogies, tuna poke rice bowls, donairs, and more.

Weather in Red Deer

Like all of Alberta, Red Deer has four distinct seasons. The summers are incredibly hot and the winters are incredibly cold. There can also be significant rainfall in the spring and summer, so make sure to pack a raincoat. throughout the year in Red Deer. In summer, temperatures range from 23 degrees celsius to 8 degrees celsius. In the fall, temperatures range from 11 degrees celsius to -3 degrees celsius. In the winter, temperatures range from -5 degrees celsius to -16 degrees celsius, and in the spring, temperatures range from 15 degrees celsius to -2 degrees celsius.

Basically, like all of Canada, bring layers. However, in the summer, you can most likely enjoy your days in shorts and a T-shirt whereas, in the winter, you’ll definitely want to be prepared with a winter jacket, winter boots, gloves, toque, and possibly even some thermal underwear.

What’s Next?

There’s a good chance you’re not just visiting Red Deer while in Alberta. For more things to do in Alberta, check out these travel guides below.

• Things to Do in Edmonton
• Things to Do in Calgary
• Things to Do in the Alberta Badlands
• Day Trips from Calgary

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Please enter an answer in digits: 14 − 9 =

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

© 2022 Must Do Canada. All Rights Reserved.

Things to Do in Canada

• Privacy Policy
• Work With Us
• Get in Touch
• Facts about Canada
• Canadian Languages
• Canadian Money
• Canada Flags
• Best Canada Road Trips
• Best Road Trip Essentials
• Fall in Canada
• Travel Resources

Home » Travel Guides » Canada » 15 Best Things to Do in Red Deer (Alberta, Canada)

15 Best Things to Do in Red Deer (Alberta, Canada)

The third largest city in Alberta, Red Deer sits midway between Calgary and Edmonton amongst the rolling hills of the aspen parklands. The city is a major centre for oil distribution, as well as being a place that is filled with history and culture. In fact, in 2003 the Department of Canadian Heritage pegged it as the Cultural Capital of Canada

Red Deer has something for everyone, from indoor arts and entertainment to outdoor fun. Whether you are a lover of sports, nature, shopping or food, you will find plenty of things to keep you occupied while visiting the beautiful city. These are the 15 best things to do in Red Deer.

1. Surround yourself in nature

This can be done at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre; a nature centre that sits along the south bank of the Red Deer River. The area is open throughout the entire year, providing visitors with stunning scenery no matter what time of the year you visit.

One of the nature centre’s main draws is its five kilometre trail system that runs through a 118 hectare protected bird sanctuary. View migratory birds while strolling along the trail, or from its various viewing decks.

The Kerry Wood Nature Centre is also a hands-on centre that has exhibits showcasing the area’s natural history. There’s also a music garden that features numerous outdoor instruments where visitors can make some beautiful music together.

2. Go fishing

Or canoeing, ice skating, kayaking or cycling. There’s even a board game café at Bower Ponds; a recreation centre that sits along the Red Deer River.

Visit in the winter and lace up a pair of ice skates and skate on the frozen water, or hire a sled to pull the kids on. Come to the city in the summer and enjoy water sports like kayaking, canoeing or paddle boarding, or walk on the water in a water ball.

Don’t want to get wet? Then head to the board game café where there are over 225 games to enjoy, including classics like Battleship, Scrabble, Jenga, Trouble and Monopoly.

3. Wander around a fort

Fort Normandeau is more than just a fort. It’s also a part of the city’s rich cultural history and the birthplace of Red Deer as we know it today.

The fort was once the gateway between northern and southern Alberta, and was known as the safest spot to cross the river. In 1884, a stopping house was built, and one year later it was fortified by the 65th Mount Royal Rifles.

Today, Fort Normandeau is a park and an interpretive centre that offers exhibits on the natural and human history of the city. It also houses a boat launch that visitors can use as a starting point for canoeing along the river.

4. Learn about Alberta sports celebrities

Sports enthusiasts should not miss the chance to visit the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame to learn all about Alberta’s top sports celebrities. The museum was created by the Alberta Amateur Athletic Union in 1957, with its first inductees being boxers Charles Cheesman, Wilf Greaves and Hugh Sloan.

In 1997 the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum Society took over and made it was it is today. The museum is filled with sport’s archives. Including a poster of the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, limited edition prints of hockey great Wayne Gretzky and the 1995 Canada Winter Games Torch.

In addition to sports memorabilia, the museum also features interactive games, an ice and snow gallery, an art gallery and a gallery dedicated to hockey. There’s also, of course, the hall of fame gallery, which showcases the amazing teams and sports celebrities hailing from Alberta.

5. Stare at art

If you want to delve more into Red Deer’s history then head to the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery; locally known as the MAG. The MAG’s collection documents the history and culture of the city through textiles, archaeological artefacts, agricultural equipment and art by local artisans.

Wander around the gallery and stare at its permanent collection; Remarkable Red Deer: Stories from the Heart of the Parkland. The gallery also has special exhibitions that run throughout the year.

In addition to being a museum and art gallery, the MAG is also an education centre that offers programs for people of all ages. Bring the kids to have fun creating art on a Saturday afternoon, visit yourself on a Tuesday morning or check their schedule for an adult evening course with a local artist.

6. Meet farm animals

Meet chickens, goats, pigs, sheep, rabbits, donkeys and more at the Sunnybrook Farm Museum. You can also learn all about the evolution of rural life in Central Alberta at this four hectare historic farm and museum.

Go on a self-guided or guided tour of the city’s oldest farm and jump back to what life was like in Red Deer and the rest of Central Alberta between 1880 and 1950. See how pioneer families ran a farm, from working the fields to baking bread.

Staff at Sunnybrook Farm Museum even dress in period clothing to really make visitors feel like they are at a historic working farm. Don’t forget to check their schedule for special events like the ‘Ladies of Sunnybrook Farm Pie Sale’, ‘Fall Turkey Supper’ and ‘Pioneer Days Festival’.

7. Hit the slopes

Just nine kilometres east of Red Deer on the banks of the Red Deer River is the 32 hectare Canyon Ski Resort. Hit the slopes during the winter months and ski in one of Canada’s first ever ski resorts.

The resort is not located in the mountains, but in the hills, and was one of the first Canadian ski hills to use artificial snow-making equipment. In fact, the Canadian National Ski team has used Canyon Ski Resort for training since the 1960s.

The resort features 22 runs, 6 lift systems and a snow tube park, as well as boasting a snowboard terrain park. There’s also a lodge, a cafeteria, a cosy lounge and a pro shop.

8. Go to the rodeo

Not just any rodeo; but the famous Calgary Stampede. This 10-day festival takes place every year in nearby Calgary, and is a must for anyone visiting Red Deer in July.

The stampede started as an exhibition in 1886 and became a rodeo in 1916. Since then, it’s grown to be one of the largest stampedes in the world, attracting over one million people each year!

Today, the event is so large that it’s held in 12 different venues across Calgary and brings in big name talent like Tim McGraw, the Zac Brown Band, Garth Brooks and the Beach Boys. It features numerous events, including a parade, a derby, a midway, a market and, of course, a rodeo.

9. Head to the market

Red Deer’s first ever public market was started in 1906 where City Hall Park sits today. The Saturday morning market has rapidly grown since then.

The market opens every year on the May long weekend and runs right until Thanksgiving, and is a must for anyone visiting the city during these months. In fact, there’s no reasons not to go, and many things to draw anyone of any age there.

The Red Deer Market is filled with local venders selling everything from fresh produce to clothing. Walk around the outdoor market and devour mini-donuts, homemade sweets or locally made beef jerky, amongst other things.

10. Taste local beer

Troubled Monk is the Red Deer local craft brewery and distillery to visit if you want to taste delicious local craft beer. The brewery uses predominately locally grown malts to create some award-winning beers.

Visit the brewery’s taproom and enjoy some of its best beers, like Golden Gaetz Golden Ale, Pesky Pig Pale Ale, Brut of All Evil Brut IPA or Rebels Red Ale. Talk to the experts and learn all about how each beer is made, with or without a brewery tour.

Even non-beer drinkers can have a blast at the Troubled Monk, as they also make vodka and hard iced tea. They even brew ginger ale and root beer made with Alberta beet sugar.

11. Enjoy an event

Red Deer hosts many of them throughout the year, ranging from marathons to musical performances. But its signature annual events are the ones not to be missed to get into the spirit of the local community.

Of all of the city’s events, Centrefest is arguably the best of the best, which is a street performer festival. Buskers come from all over the globe to display their talent in front of event goers every year at the end of July.

No matter what age you are, there is a street performance that will catch your eye; be it a unicycle rider, a magician, a stilt walker or a clown. On top of that, there is a food, face painting, live music and more.

12. Walk along trails

McKenzie Trails Recreation Area is a trail system that’s located within Waskasoo Park in northeast Red Deer. The trails runs along the Red Deer River, lined with spruce trees and greenery.

Once the site of a sawmill, a gravel pit and a dump, today the recreation area is home to some lovely paved trails that offer visitors the chance to spend a day amongst nature. In fact, it’s a nesting area for Canada geese.

There are paved paths and picnic areas within the McKenzie Trails Recreation Area, as well as a canoe launch for canoeing along the river. The area is open every day from dawn until dusk and can be accessed from 55 Street.

13. Try your luck at a casino

There are two in the city; Cash Casino Red Deer and Jackpot Casino, with the latter being located right in downtown Red Deer. Both are a great place to spend some time if you want to try your luck at a casino.

Cash Casino Red Deer is a 24-hour casino that can be found in the northwest part of the city. It features over 500 slot machines, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and a poker room, in addition to many other tables.

Jackpot Casino is a lively place with over 300 slot machines, Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em, roulette, blackjack and baccarat. It’s also home to a lounge that serves delicious western and Asian cuisine.

14. Head to the mountains

No visit to Red Deer is complete without heading to the Banff National Park. This is the oldest national park in all of Canada and part of the spectacular Rocky Mountains.

The park is home to glaciers, ice fields, dense forests and stunning alpine landscapes, with access from the city being via Banff. Banff is the main commercial area of the national park and happens to be the second highest community in all of Alberta.

Here, visitors can go skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking and climbing. There are also many attractions in Banff, including the Banff Upper Hot Springs, Banff Park Museum and the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, which goes all the way to New Mexico!

15. Splash around

If you’re visiting in the summer with your kids, splash around at the Blue Grass Sod Farm Central Spray & Play. The waterpark can be found at the north end of Rotary Recreation Park in downtown Red Deer.

The waterpark is an area of fun that features a spray, splash and play area where you can cool off on a hot summer day. The entire place has a railway and river theme, focusing on the city’s rich history.

All of the water here is treated to ensure the safety of everyone that visits. Plus, there are picnic areas, seating areas and trails, as well as change room facilities.

15 Best Things to Do in Red Deer (Alberta, Canada):

• Surround yourself in nature
• Wander around a fort
• Learn about Alberta sports celebrities
• Stare at art
• Meet farm animals
• Hit the slopes
• Go to the rodeo
• Head to the market
• Taste local beer
• Enjoy an event
• Walk along trails
• Try your luck at a casino
• Head to the mountains
• Splash around

Explore Red Deer

Plan your trip to red deer: best of red deer tourism.

Essential Red Deer

Red Deer Is Great For

Central Alberta

See what's new and exciting in the cities and towns in our region., tourism red deer.

Tourism Red Deer coordinates tourism/event services and promotions, operates the year round Visitor Information Centre, publishes the Red Deer & Area Visitors Guide and other annual tourism publications.

Tourism Red Deer is responsible for leading the community’s tourism marketing and development. We provide leadership and collaboration amongst the hospitality and tourism industry of Red Deer and Area to generate stronger tourism product, experiences and economic success.

101 - 4200 Hwy 2 Red Deer, AB

(403) 346-0180, visit website.

• Free Parking
• Wheelchair Access
• Wifi Internet Access

Find Us Online

Let us help you get there

Located north bound on highway two (QEII) just north of the 32 Street Overpass.

THINGS TO DO

Accommodation

Food & Entertainment

Guided Tours

Meetings & Events

Natural Attraction

Outdoor Recreation

Self Guided Tours

Signature Events

Support Service

Tourism Marketing Partner

Transportation

Visitor Service

Buy our latest book now! 150 Unusual Things to See in Alberta is available online and in stores now.

Search our website

Wander Woman Travel Magazine

25 Fun Things to Do in Red Deer

Debbie Olsen

If you stop for fuel or food in Gasoline Alley on a road trip, you haven’t really seen the City of Red Deer. The fourth largest city in Alberta is filled with parks, trails and many unique attractions. Halfway between Calgary and Edmonton, Red Deer has all the amenities you’d expect to find in a major city and more. Population studies have shown that the city has one of the youngest populations in Canada. If you’ve come to Central Alberta for a conference, a tournament or a getaway, you’ll discover many wonderful things to do in Red Deer. Here are some of the best places to go and the best things to do to have fun in every season.

There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

Waskasoo Park

Red Deer is one of the greenest cities in Alberta thanks in large part to Waskasoo Park, a protected parkland that winds its way through the heart of the city. This park contains more than 110 kilometres of trails and is home to Alberta’s oldest federal migratory bird sanctuary, the Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary. More than 130 species of birds and 28 species of mammals have been spotted in the sanctuary.

Kerry Wood Nature Centre

Visting Kerry Wood Nature Centre should be at the top of your list of things to do in Red Deer if you are a nature lover. The nature centre is Central Alberta’s only year-round facility for nature interpretation and environmental education. It lies within Waskasoo Park at the entrance to the Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary. There’s a permanent exhibition gallery, a bookstore and a discovery centre. Onsite interpretive staff lead nature-related programming. You can choose from a variety of programs including adventures like a guided snowshoe tour or an interpretive river raft float down the Red Deer River. Kerry Wood Nature Centre showcases the works of local artists in the onsite Marjorie Wood Gallery. A nature playground is located near the centre. Admission is by donation.

Great Chief Park

Great Chief Park is a major recreation and sports area in Red Deer. There are two baseball diamonds, two fastball diamonds and a combined soccer/football field. In winter, the park is home to a speed skating oval that is used by athletes and is also open for public use. The Kiwanis Picnic Site is a great spot for a picnic and Great Chief trails connect with others in the Waskasoo Park System. There’s also an 8-hole pitch n’ putt, horseshoe pits and other facilities.

More Alberta Road Trip Fun: Read our post, 15 Fantastically Fun Things to do in Waterton.

Canyon Ski Resort

Canyon Ski Resort is the largest non-mountain downhill ski resort in Alberta. It was the host site of the alpine events of the 2019 Canada Winter Games. Just eight minutes east of the city, the resort has 28.6 hectares of skiable terrain with 20 runs, six lifts, lights for night skiing, a large ski school, equipment rentals, a cafeteria and a day lodge. A 164-metre vertical drop with terrain for novice, intermediate and advanced skiers makes downhill skiing one of the best things to do in Red Deer in winter.  The resort also has snow tubing facilities with dedicated runs and snow tube lifts.

Cross-country Skiing

Cross-country skiing is very popular in Red Deer and there are many places to enjoy it. There are more than  30 km of groomed cross country ski trails  inside the city. You’ll find most of the city’s ski trails in the Heritage Ranch/Great Chief Park area and the  Riverbend Golf and Recreation Area , which is the best cross country ski venue in Central Alberta. Red Deer’s Nordic ski  community hosts events throughout the year.

Golf Courses Near Red Deer

There are more than two dozen golf courses within an hour’s drive of the city. You should definitely check out Riverbend Golf Course right inside the city. The 18-hole championship course is located in an elbow of the Red Deer River and the scenery along the course is beautiful. There’s also a 9 hole mini-links course, a large driving range and 2 pitching greens. Riverbend has hosted the PGA of Alberta Championship three times.

Amazing Trails – Walk, Run Cycle or Skateboard

Going for a walk or a run is one of the things locals like to do in Red Deer. More than 100 km of walking trails connect dozens of green spaces and parks in the city. There are playgrounds, skating ponds, outdoor gyms and attractions to explore along the trails. There’s even a mountain bike park and a skate park. Checkout the trail map and go exploring. 

Heritage Ranch

There’s something incredibly romantic about a horse drawn carriage or sleigh ride. After-dark winter rides are particularly beautiful at Heritage Ranch where the sleigh takes guests through a landscape featuring more than 40,000 shimmering lights. Hot chocolate and warm blankets complete the experience or you can purchase a date night package that includes dinner at Westlake Grill. Younger visitors can enjoy a daytime horse drawn hay rides. The ranch holds a variety of seasonal activities and events and the restaurant is always top notch. There are walking trails and playgrounds all through the ranch.

Winter Fun in Alberta: Read our post, Jasper in Winter – 12 Stunning Photos.

Bower Ponds

Bower Ponds is one of the most popular recreation areas in Red Deer. In the summer, there are boat rentals and in the winter there are skate rentals. It’s a great place for a picnic in summer or a game of shinny hockey in winter. There’s an onsite concession area and a toboggan hill. Visiting Bower Ponds is one of the most popular things to do in Red Deer. If you want a more serious game of hockey, check out the other 73 skating rinks in the city.  

The Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery, or The MAG as it is known to locals, has rotating exhibits and interesting displays. You can learn about the history of this region, see some incredible art or make art of your own with one of their day programs. Admission is by donation.

Alberta Sports Hall of Fame Museum

You can learn all about the history of sports in Alberta and the most famous athletes at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum . The museum has fun interactive sports games to enjoy and great displays. Tourism Red Deer shares the building on the QE2, so it’s a good place to stop if you want information and brochures.

The Red Deer Collicutt Centre

The Collicutt Centre is a multi-use facility with an indoor swimming pool and wave pool, waterslides, workout facilities, indoor facilities for playing badminton or practicing your golf swing and more. If you’re looking for a place to go swimming or enjoy some indoor recreational activities in Red Deer, visiting the Collicutt Centre is a good thing to do.

Fort Normandeau

Before 1893 when the railway connected Edmonton and Calgary, the Red Deer River Crossing was the safest passage. A stopping house was built at the site and it was later fortified to become Fort Normandeau . You can visit the recreated fort and learn about the history of the fort and the Indigenous people who shaped this part of Alberta. The name Red Deer was actually a misunderstanding. Indigenous people called the river the Elk River. European visitors did not know what elk were, so they called it the Red Deer River – named for a species they were more familiar with.

Sunnybrook Farm Museum

In the heart of the city, Sunnybrook Farm Museum celebrates the history of farming in Alberta. It’s a great place to take younger children because there are farm animals and farm machinery to see. Educational programs, day camps and events happen at the farm.

Discovery Canyon

This seasonal city-operated water play park is fun for young children and the perfect place to cool off on a hot day. You can rent an inner tube and the kids can have fun floating down the little river. Picnic areas are nearby. Visiting Discovery Canyon is one of the best things to do in Red Deer with small children in summer.

Cronquist Tea House

The Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society operates a unique tea house near Bower Ponds. Cronquist House is a lovely spot for meetings, parties and weddings. It’s also a great place to enjoy lunch or afternoon tea. You can also tour the historic home and see period furnishings and historic photos.

Three Mile Bend Recreation Area & Off-Leash Park

If you travel with a fur baby, Three Mile Bend should be at the top of your list of things to do in Red Deer. This 55 hectare natural area has an off-leash dog park, canoe ponds, a boardwalk, a picnic area, a remote control car track and many trails.

Norwegian Laft Hus

The Norwegian Laft Hus is a small museum dedicated to the preservation and interpretion of the culture of Norwegian-Canadians. There are many beautiful artifacts on display inside the house. There is interpretive programming, arts and crafts classes and special events throughout the year.

Spray Parks & Playgrounds

Blue Grass Sod Farms Central Spray Park is the biggest spray park in the city. It is located at the northwest corner of the Rotary Recreation Park, which is also home to some fantastic playgrounds and picnic areas. There’s another spray park in Kin Kanyon, which is near 32 St. and 47A Ave. There’s a playground, firepits and picnic areas at Kin Kanyon too. Red Deer has a young population and you’ll find many other playgrounds throughout the city.

Red Deer Market

The Red Deer Market has been around for more than 50 years. This farmer’s market is the place to go if you want to buy farm fresh veggies and fruits as well as local handicrafts and other items. The market runs on Saturdays from May long weekend through Thanksgiving.

Red Deer Symphony Orchestra

If music and culture and culture top your list of things to do, you should take in a performance of the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra . Red Deer is one of the only cities of its size in Canada to boast a fully professional orchestra. The orchestra is deeply ingrained in the community. RDSO offers free community concerts, a free after school music enrichment program for elementary students, seats for students, open dress rehearsals and more.

Westerner Days & Other Festivals

Westerner Days  is the biggest annual festival in Red Deer. The event includes a parade with decorated floats and marching bands. There’s also an agricultural exposition and a mid-way as well as music and live concerts. Other big events include the Centrefest Street Performer’s Festival and the Festival of Trees Christmas celebration. There are many other festivals throughout the year. Red Deer is also home to Agri-trade , Western Canada’s largest agricultural trade show.

Canadian Finals Rodeo

Red Deer is centrally located and it’s surrounded by farms and agriculture. The city also has fantastic facilities for hosting large events. Those are some of the reasons Red Deer became the new hometown for the annual Canadian Finals Rodeo event. It’s one of the biggest rodeo events in Canada.

Indoor Play Areas

Red Deer has a number of businesses dedicated to indoor recreation. There are two bowling alleys, Heritage Lanes and Riverside Bowl. Treehouse Indoor Playground is a great place to take kids to burn off some energy. The play centre offers a parents date night package that includes free babysitting. Combat Archery Adventures offers combat archery, nerfwarz and laser tag. Lazerforce is another Red Deer business that offers laser tag.

Red Deer Breweries & Cocktail Spots

Stopping for a pint or a cocktail is a great thing to do when you’re in Red Deer. Troubled Monk is the best-known craft brewery in Red Deer. They have won awards for their beers and their craft sodas are delicious too. Other good craft breweries include Belly Hop Brewing, Red Hart Brewing and Sawback Brewing. If you just want to pick up some cans of local craft beer, Craft Beer Nation is the best craft beer shop in the city. If you’re looking for a great cocktail bar, Occam’s Razor is the place to go.

Where to Eat in Red Deer

There are many good restaurants in Red Deer, but it’s always fun to try something new. If you like tea, there’s no better place than Glenn’s Restaurant where they sell and serve 200 varieties. For unique casual fare, check out the Queen’s Diner , an authentic 1950’s diner with a great breakfast menu and delicious burgers. For a nice evening out, Boulevard Restaurant at the Holiday Inn has long been the top rated restaurant in the city. Chef Emmanuel has created a unique menu with tastes from near and far. For a great cup of coffee, you just can’t beat Dose Coffee .

Where to Stay in Red Deer

You’ve got options. There are a lot of great places to stay in Red Deer .

Looking for More fun Alberta Adventures? Read our post about Why You Should Visit Wayne, Alberta.

No Comments

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

100+ Things to Do in Calgary

Accommodations Overview

Hotel Packages

Plan Overview

Official Visitor Guide

Facebook Messenger

Deals Overview

Calgary Attractions Pass

Locals Overview

Best Things to Do Outdoors

Submit an rfp.

Ready to make Calgary the host for your next event?

Submit your RFP

Client Portal

Access to your secure Meetings & Conventions Calgary portal.

Login My Portal

Become a Local Champion

Help us bring Calgary's vision to life.

Partners Home

Sports Overview

Travel Trade Home

Tourism Red Deer

Be Our Guest

What's great.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Tourism Red Deer and Alberta Government excited about 2024 tourism season

The spring and summer tourism season is upon us here in Alberta, and there are many folks excited about what it can yield for the region and province.

That includes Jesse Smith, CEO at Tourism Red Deer, which hosted a town hall event this week in collaboration with Travel Alberta, Indigenous Tourism Alberta, Tourism Industry Association Alberta, and WestJet.

The theme of the town hall was ‘Cultivating Collaboration.’

“There are a lot of people working in the tourism sector or the visitor economy who have great ideas, and there are many operators, attractions and venues out there, so the question is how do we all work together to make sure that when people are in our community, everybody has the opportunity to benefit?” says Smith, who took over as CEO last summer.

“It was really great to see people at the town hall be so optimistic about where we’re going as a region. Seeing the commitment to collaboration is a really good feeling. Now, we need everyone to come together and make sure we’re promoting our region and all we have to offer. We need to be less humble about where we live and tell our story in a better way.”

Among other things, Smith notes upcoming events and attractions like the coaster at Canyon Ski Resort, the many kilometres of trails and the river valley within Red Deer, national softball competition coming to Blackfalds, and the National BMX Championship coming to town.

Tourism Red Deer also continues its work as a new ‘destination management organization.’

Additionally, Smith says they’d really like community members to let them know about events to add to their comprehensive calendar at visitreddeer.com.

Meantime, Alberta’s Minister of Tourism and Sport, Joseph Schow, recently helped observe National Tourism Week (April 15-19). Schow believes the province’s tourism industry could reach new heights this year.

“We are building upon the record year seen by our visitor economy in 2022, which resulted in $10.7 billion in visitor spending – up $600 million from 2019 levels. The most recent data from 2023 shows that we remain on the right track, especially when it comes to international tourism,” he said in a statement last week.

“In the first three quarters of 2023, international visitor spending has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, reaching $2.53 billion, compared to $2.28 billion in international visitor spending for all of 2019. This increase is also more than double the $1.24 billion in international spending that we saw in 2022.”

Two months ago, he notes, the UCP launched a long-term tourism strategy to chart a path for future growth. The goal is grow the visitor economy to one worth $25 billion in visitor spending by 2035.

In conversation with rdnewsNOW , Schow was asked about what the latest is on Alberta’s provincial parks, and how they factor into the tourism sector.

Parks are part of Forestry and Parks minister’s portfolio, but they do have a role to play in tourism, Schow explains.

“We need to be able to explore more of them in a responsible and sustainable way. With our tourism strategy, a large part of it is development within Alberta’s landscape which includes Crown land and parks, so that people can go out there, enjoy the pristine landscapes, hiking, fishing and kayaking, and do it in a responsible and sustainable way,” Schow says.

“Having a government-led and industry-informed strategy helps us get there, and better understand what local communities want to see. We’re not just imposing our strategy, we’re working collaboratively.”

In addition to a new camping reservation site which launched in February, recent years have seen the Opposition NDP call on the UCP to not close certain parks. There’s also been debate on whether to keep or scrap the Kananaskis Conservation Pass, but those are subjects for another day.

The minister believes too that attracting international travellers back to Alberta is key.

“The biggest piece of getting them back is our ability to develop new products in the province, and that’s a lot of what our strategy is based on — expanding what we already have. We also need WestJet’s help, as one of our flagship carriers, [and we need the] development of new direct flights into Alberta from international destinations,” says Schow, noting this has happened recently with South Korea and Japan.

“We [want more] flights from the U.K., Italy, France and Germany, and international travellers want more Alberta. They want more Alberta product. When we talk about the five pillars, that means [things such as] wanting more Indigenous tourism and more access to the mountains.”

The work with communities includes that of developing more made-in-Alberta product, he adds.

“We are grateful that airline partners like WestJet are expanding and we are grateful that entrepreneurs are developing products,” he says. “I think the sky’s the limit.”

More information about Alberta’s tourism strategy can be found here .

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the rdnewsNOW newsletter by visiting rdnewsNOW.com . You can also download the rdnewsNOW mobile app on Google Play and the Apple App Store for all the latest updates on this and other stories.

What's Trending

• Member Login
• Red Deer and Area
• Entertainment
• Community News
• Events Calendar
• Local Sports
• RDP Athletics
• Everything Lifestyle
• Business Profile
• Featured Content
• Ripley's Weird
• Your Life Unlimited
• Real Estate
• Contest Rules
• Advertise With Us
• Submission Guidelines
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Accessibility

• Explore Red Deer Our Story Communities Close by Seasons & Climate Live Cam Tourism Red Deer TV Partners Our Friends
• More Information
• Getting Here

Industry Hub

• Maps & Guides
• Current Deals
• Experiences Things To Do - All Winter Activities Summer Activities Arts, Culture & Heritage Attractions & Tours Indoor Fun Annual Events Spectator Sports Fitness & Wellness Shopping
• Dining Options Food Trucks Restaurants Cafes & Sweets Markets & U-Picks Breweries, Wineries & Distilleries Bars & Lounges
• Accommodations Hotels, Motels & Inns Campgrounds & Cabins
• Planning Information Getting Here Maps & Guides Events Current Deals Featured Itineraries Pet Friendly
• Seasons & Climate
• Communities Close By

Meeting & Event Planning

About Tourism Red Deer

Tourism Red Deer strives to be the collective voice of a strong and diverse tourism community and lead the development of authentic experiences. We drive destination development, create awareness and promote regional collaboration to enhance the visitor experience.

Tourism Red Deer drives destination development, creates awareness and promotes regional collaboration to enhance the visitor experience. Encourages positive and inclusive relationships between the region’s tourism industry, community leaders, active stakeholders, visitors and residents to ensure community engagement. Tourism Red Deer is a membership organization and operates under a fee-for-service agreement with The City of Red Deer (Tourism Joint Venture) and Red Deer County. Tourism Red Deer can connect you with new customers, assist with experience and itinerary development, expand your marketing reach, and provide access to industry resources to support business growth. As the official Destination Organization (DO), Tourism Red Deer is a strong advocate for ongoing development and promotion of its stakeholders.

Be the collective voice of a strong and diverse tourism community and lead the development of authentic experiences.

Tourism Red Deer drives destinations development, creates awareness and promotes regional collaboration to enhance the visitor experience.

Core Values

Leadership – Guide the tourism industry toward common goals Collaboration – Bring the tourism industry together to partner and drive success Creativity – Generate new and imaginative ways to engage the tourism industry and consumers

Search keywords