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Compiled by the Street Journey Alberta workforce
Final up to date on October 6, 2023
For a lot of Albertans, Crimson Deer greatest serves as a logical pitstop between Calgary and Edmonton, as a result of it sits nearly within the precise center! For individuals who resolve to dwell a bit longer – whether or not to dine at one of many nice eating places, discover the historic downtown, or discover your option to the one-of-a-kind “Canyon Coaster” close by – these longer guests are sometimes aptly rewarded. As a result of as Alberta’s fourth-largest metropolis (and typically in a sizzling battle for third with Lethbridge), there are a shocking variety of actually distinctive and nice issues to do in Crimson Deer.
The Greatest Issues to Do in Crimson Deer
Stroll Round Historic Downtown
First integrated as a metropolis in 1913, there’s quite a lot of historical past to soak up if you’re in Crimson Deer. Stroll round historic downtown and take within the structure, warfare memorials, and different vital websites which have formed town into what it’s at present.
Unsure the place to start? Fortunately, there are numerous self-guided strolling excursions that may enable you to find out about Crimson Deer’s dynamic heritage, together with our favorite, “The Ghost Assortment Heritage Strolling Tour.”
Go to Bower Ponds
Location: 4715 Fountain Dr
Bower Ponds is a stunning spot to spend a day, whether or not it’s for boating in summer season or ice skating in winter. In summer season, take pleasure in paddle boats, canoes, and kayaks for lease, whereas in winter, there are ice skates for lease in addition to skating equipment akin to helmets, skating aides, and extra.
The ponds are tranquil and peaceable year-round, making them the right spot for a date, a household day trip, or a solo wander. It’s one of the crucial well-liked issues to Do in Crimson Deer, and it’s simple to see why!
Go to Heritage Ranch
Location: 6300 Cronquist Dr
Typically known as “The Jewel of Crimson Deer,” Heritage Ranch sits on 217 acres of gorgeous land simply outdoors of town. You’ll be able to go to the Westlake Grill for a meal, the place the whole lot from mild snacks to a five-course dinner is served; it’s excellent for a romantic date, too, as you may even order customized chef-inspired meals for an important day.
The ranch additionally hosts a wide range of experiences, together with horse and carriage rides, ranch tracker video games, and sleigh rides within the winter, whereas there are additionally nice strolling and biking trails to take pleasure in.
Examine Out Gaetz Lakes Hen Sanctuary
Location: Entrance is at 45 Kerry Avenue on the Kerry Wooden Nature Centre
Gaetz Lakes Hen Sanctuary is Alberta’s oldest federal migratory fowl sanctuary and is somewhat slice of paradise proper inside the metropolis limits of Crimson Deer. Good for fowl watching, you may discover the protected land by strolling the 5 kilometres of trails by yourself or with one of many naturalists who works there.
You too can borrow binoculars, snowshoes, or an exercise package from the centre to assist your expertise be the very best it may well presumably be. And with over 122 hectares of land, you may anticipate tons of birds in addition to a bunch of different native crops and animals to identify!
Go to Sunnybrook Farm Museum
Location: 2879 Botterill Crescent
Head to Sunnybrook Farm Museum, a improbable residing museum proper within the coronary heart of Crimson Deer that celebrates the historical past of Alberta farming! This early Twentieth-century farm exhibits what it was wish to stay and work in that period and even has costumed employees to show you about farm life as an early pioneer.
Go to the log cabin, take pleasure in a wagon trip, feed the chickens, and a lot extra. It’s an ideal summer season exercise in Crimson Deer, particularly for households.
Go to the Crimson Deer Museum + Artwork Gallery
Location: 4525 47a Ave
In the event you’re after a little bit of tradition, make your option to the Crimson Deer Museum and Artwork Gallery, the place you’ll be taught all about native historical past and soak up a couple of artwork exhibitions, too. There’s additionally a improbable roster of occasions that occur on the centre, together with artist spotlights, day camps, interactive displays, storytime, academic talks, movies, and a lot extra.
Take within the social historical past, artwork historical past, and modern artwork observe, all whereas celebrating the variety of town’s inhabitants over time. It’s positively among the finest issues to do in Crimson Deer, particularly if you wish to get to know town’s historical past and tradition!
Pattern the Greatest Breweries
Crimson Deer is house to some wonderful breweries… actually, there’s even a “Crimson Deer Ale Path” that features the likes of Stomach Hop Brewing, One thing Brewing, Sawback Brewing, Troubled Monk, Crimson Hart Brewing, and Craft Beer Commonwealth.
Pattern town’s greatest IPAs, stouts, lagers, and extra at these improbable breweries, all of which provide one thing distinctive. In the event you had been unaware that Crimson Deer has such a vibrant brewing group… now’s your likelihood to strive all of them!
Calm down and Seize a Espresso
Crimson Deer boasts a thriving espresso tradition characterised by its native attraction and community-oriented method. The town’s espresso scene revolves round a wide range of locally-owned cafes, like Dose Espresso, Café Séne and Cafe Vero, every providing a singular expertise and showcasing a dedication to high quality and freshness.
These institutions are extra than simply locations to seize a cup of espresso; they’re hubs of connection and creativity. Crimson Deer’s espresso tradition is marked by its help for native artisans, concentrate on group engagement via occasions and stay performances, and a dedication to offering their regulars with a heat and welcoming setting.
Try the Alberta Sports activities Corridor of Fame and Museum
Location: 4200 Queen Elizabeth II Hwy #102
A much-beloved museum in Crimson Deer, the Alberta Sports activities Corridor of Fame and Museum is each academic and entertaining. With over 7,000 sq. ft to discover, the museum is extraordinarily interactive; there’s a digital multisport space, a wheelchair problem, inflatable flooring curling, and a lot extra.
Celebrating the variety of sports activities, you’ll discover data on the whole lot and everybody, from probably the most well-known athletes to the lesser-known sports activities heroes. In reality, there are over 16,000 artifacts on show within the Corridor of Fame! Good for sports activities fanatics, it’s properly price a go to if you’re on the town.
Take pleasure in Discovery Canyon
Location: 3800 River Bend Dr
If you wish to calm down on a sizzling summer season’s day, look no additional than Discovery Canyon. Operated by River Bend Golf and Recreation, Discovery Canyon is a seasonal waterpark that many take into account a little bit of a hidden gem in Alberta.
With a pure river-fed pool, a recreation space, a playground space, and many concessions, it’s a super spot to go as a household in hotter climate. Children will love tube floating on the lazy river, enjoying within the wading pool and a lot extra.
Take to the Sky in a Sizzling Air Balloon
In the event you’ve ever wished to strive sizzling air ballooning, you’re in luck… Crimson Deer has a tremendous sizzling air balloon firm that permits you to see Central Alberta in a singular and memorable means! Air-Ristocrat Balloon Rides has been in operation since 2003 and runs seven days every week from Could to October yearly.
Even higher? By 2024, they’ll have an accessible sizzling air balloon that’s able to holding a wheelchair so that everybody may be included on this magical expertise.
Go to Canyon Ski Resort
Location: 38433 Vary Rd 264
Take a drive outdoors of Crimson Deer to go to Canyon Ski Resort, the place each summer season and winter provide rather a lot to do. In winter, benefit from the terrain park, snow tube park, 23 runs, six lifts, and a lot extra. Good for households and for learners, there’s one thing for each skier to like at Canyon Ski Resort.
And the enjoyable doesn’t cease in summer season… you must strive the Canyon Coaster, which is Alberta’s first and solely alpine coaster! An incredible option to zip via the forest trails, you’ll use your individual brake rider as you soar alongside over 1,300 metres of monitor. It’s an expertise in contrast to some other.
Head to Historic Fort Normandeau
Location: 28054 45 Ave
Historic Fort Normandeau is likely one of the highest-rated issues to do in Crimson Deer, and for good purpose. Positioned alongside the Crimson Deer River, the fort is on the website of the traditionally vital Crimson Deer River Crossing, which was the principle level connecting Edmonton and Calgary earlier than the railway was inbuilt 1893.
Head to Fort Normandeau at present to find out about that point in Crimson Deer’s historical past by means of everlasting and short-term exhibitions, interpretive indicators, occasions, programs, and way more. There’s an interpretive centre, a reconstruction of the fort, teepees, and lots of extra areas to discover onsite.
Store at Crimson Deer Market
Location: 100 School Blvd (Crimson Deer Polytechnic)
Certainly one of our favorite issues to do in Crimson Deer is to buy on the farmers’ market, which occurs each Saturday morning from the Could Lengthy weekend till Thanksgiving. This improbable market has quite a bit on provide, together with contemporary produce, native items, stay leisure, and a lot extra.
A social and cultural hub within the metropolis, the Crimson Deer Market has a wealthy historical past of bringing individuals collectively over a cup of espresso and a shared love of group. Make sure that to cease by in case you’re on the town on a Saturday!
Experience Westerner Days
Head to Westerner Days for 5 days each July for among the finest issues to do in Crimson Deer! This honest and exposition is the biggest summer season celebration in Central Alberta, because it actually does have all of it: stay music and leisure, a market, embellished autos, pony chuckwagon rides, halfway rides, and tons of fantastic meals on provide.
Held within the coronary heart of downtown Crimson Deer and ideal for households, this occasion normally attracts tens of hundreds of individuals a yr, so make certain to ebook properly upfront if you wish to go to Crimson Deer for Westerner Days.
Take within the Bowden SunMaze
Location: 34530 Vary Rd 14
On the finish of each summer season, drive half-hour south of Crimson Deer to seek out Bowden SunMaze, a gorgeous spot with over 100,000 sunflowers. Benefit from the sunflower mazes, take house some flowers and/or greens within the u-pick gardens, and plan for a shocking photoshoot amongst the rows of yellow blooms.
It’s a improbable option to wind down summer season and benefit from the countryside surrounding Crimson Deer.
The place to Eat in Crimson Deer
Fortunately, we’ve got a whole information to the greatest Crimson Deer eating places, however listed below are a few our favourites within the metropolis.
Tribe
Location: 4930B 50 St
All the time scrumptious and at all times fascinating, Tribe makes use of progressive methods and native, high-quality elements to create dishes which might be one-of-a-kind.
Recognized for his or her wonderful service and comfortable ambiance, take pleasure in meals that may be labeled as “trendy fusion” from all over the world; their flatbreads are particularly tantalizing (we love the Casablanca and the Copenhagen).
It’s All Greek to Me
Location: 3701 50 Ave
On the lookout for the very best Greek meals in Crimson Deer? Search no farther! It’s All Greek to Me serves up traditional Mediterranean meals in a welcoming spot that’s beloved by locals and vacationers alike.
Take pleasure in dishes akin to souvlaki, skewers, meze, and moussaka in addition to Greek ribs, Athenian prawns, roast lamb, and a lot extra.
The place to Keep in Crimson Deer
There are fairly a couple of inns in Crimson Deer, relying in your price range. Listed below are a few our prime picks.
Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton Crimson Deer
Location: 128 Leva Ave
Discovered within the south of town, the Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton Crimson Deer is a good place to remain on the town.
With tons of facilities to make your keep as comfy as attainable – suppose a health centre, enterprise centre, pool, free breakfast, and extra – the lodge can also be one of many metropolis’s latest and most trendy.
Crimson Deer Resort and On line casino
Location: 3310 50 Ave
The Crimson Deer Resort and On line casino is a improbable place to remain within the metropolis; it provides comfy rooms in addition to a enjoyable, entertaining vibe.
Benefit from the pool, health centre, lounge, and a lot extra, together with the brand-new 38,000-square-foot on line casino and gaming space. Feeling fancy? Make sure that to ebook one of many jacuzzi suites!