Need an escape from the city but don’t want to travel far? Great, here are nine things to do less than an hour’s drive outside Edmonton.
We know fuel prices can be a strain on the wallet at times, so the closer, the better — we get it!
From a stunning sprawling garden to a massive insect statue, here are some great things to do just outside of Edmonton.
Elk Island National Park
Time from Edmonton: Approximately 40 minutes
Get in your vehicle and take a short drive east of Edmonton to visit Elk Island National Park. There you will find yourself surrounded by lakes, towering trees, and the odd bison sighting. It’s a neat place! How lucky are we to have a national park so close to the city? So get your nature on and do a hike or two while you are out there.
Time from Edmonton: Various nearby locations
It’s just about impossible to beat the taste of fresh fruit straight off the tree or bush in the summertime. Typically, prime berry harvesting season runs from July until about mid-August, so be sure to mark your calendar for the prime time to get out there and fill a few pails!
Edmonton Corn Maze
Time from Edmonton: Approximately 30 minutes
Each new season brings a different design to the Edmonton Corn Maze, promising a new challenge for visitors for the past two decades. Get ready for its opening date, pegged for the end of July!
Jurassic Forest
Time from Edmonton: Approximately 40 minutes
Have you ever wanted to feel like you are in Jurassic Park? If so, Jurassic Forest near Gibbons is the place to be. You come face-to-face with prehistoric creatures like Stegosaurus and Triceratops throughout a two-kilometre trek on boardwalks. It can also be explored year-round, so you can see what a dinosaur would look like in the winter.
Now THAT is a big hunk of meat. The World’s Largest Ukrainian Sausage was built in recognition of Stawnichy Meat Processing by the Stawnichy family. Clocking in at nearly 13 feet tall and weighing six tons, it’s hard to miss.
Alberta Railway Museum
Time from Edmonton: Approximately 30 minutes
It’s the largest railway museum in the province and the third-largest in Canada. It features more than 75 cars and locomotives, as well as archives of railway history, and offers rides on vintage trains and speeders. However, it is only open on weekends.
U of A Botanic Garden
Time from Edmonton: Approximately 40 minutes
Gorgeous year-round, the University of Alberta Botanic Garden is the perfect spot for a picnic, walk, or to get some photos for the gram. Located in Parkland County, it’s just a few kilometres north of Devon. It’s a short distance for the huge reward of beautiful green space, and one of the best things to do just outside of Edmonton.
Strathcona Wilderness Centre
Time from Edmonton: Approximately 40 minutes
The Strathcona Wilderness Centre is a beautiful spot, so lace up your hiking shoes and get ready for an adventure through the forest and grass. With plenty of wildlife and nature to enjoy, it’s a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city to serenity and calm.
Check out a massive dragonfly statue
Time from Edmonton: Approximately 40 minutes
Located near Wabamun Lake, this dragonfly is 30 feet long, and its wings are about the same length. Thank goodness it can’t take flight — that would be terrifying! When you are done checking it out, you may as well take a dip in Wabamun and relax — you are there anyway!
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