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Mix up your road trip plans with some unique (and massive) roadside sights in southern Alberta.
Vulcan Tourism
There are many within a day’s trip from Calgary, too! These attractions are often visible from the highway and are easy to spot. But surrounding each roadside attraction are more things to see and do, local cultures to explore, and all the local food to taste.
And if you plan your day trip carefully, you can make time for more than one giant roadside attraction. Some of these locations are designated as the largest of their kind in the world!
Vulcan: Star Trek Starship Enterprise
Southeastern Alberta is a major tourist destination for Trekkies from all over the world. This is thanks to the town of Vulcan leaning fully into their similar namesake from the sci-fi franchise. The major draw for Star Trek fans, and many road-trippers in general, is the giant replica of the USS Enterprise. And, major fans will take note of the annual Star Trek Convention in Vulcan held each summer. The local Visitor’s Centre, or Trek Station, is open seasonally from spring to mid-September. You can visit the Starship Enterprise monument any time of year and take a walk around Vulcan to uncover all the smaller nods to the franchise.
- Nearby attractions: Vulcan Museum and Archives, Aspen Crossing Train Excursions, the odes to Star Trek around Vulcan
- Local food: walk along Centre Street in Vulcan for options like the New Club Café, J&T Family Restaurant, Mama’s Pizza, or Amy’s Chinese Restaurant
Location: 100 Service Rd, Vulcan (Directions)
Drumheller: World’s Largest T-Rex
The dinosaur theme you notice right away in Drumheller is there for good reason. Paleontologists have uncovered one of the world’s largest collections of fossils and bones from the riverbed and badlands surrounding the town. The Royal Tyrrell Museum houses this collection, and is within Midland Provincial Park on the northwest side of Drumheller. Step inside the museum to see authentic and massive dinosaur bones, and continue your journey into town to see the World’s Largest T-Rex replica. You can view the dinosaur from below, or take a walk up ‘Tyra’ to see Drumheller from above. A riverside trail connects this tourism centre to other parts of town.
- Nearby attractions: Royal Tyrell Museum, Midland Provincial Park, the Red Deer River, Horsetheif Canyon, Horseshoe Canyon, Barney’s Adventure Park, Drumheller Hoodoos
- Local food: from Tyra, you can walk or bike to places like Bernie & the Boys, Canadian Pizza Unlimited, or Heller Good Sandwiches.
Location: 60 1 Ave W, Drumheller (Directions)
Drumheller Hoodoos
This roadside attraction certainly deserves its own spot on the list. The Drumheller Hoodoos are a unique geological formation that can be found in seemingly random spots around Alberta (Banff, Sundance Provincial Park). The area is located beside the highway with a large parking lot. Large staircases lead you up and around the hoodoo formations, and to different viewing platforms. They stand tall and imposing, but at the same time appear quite delicate, and they are fragile. For this reason, it is important to stay on the marked trails around the hoodoos.
Nearby attractions: the town of Wayne, the East Coulee Museum, and the Atlas Mine Historical Site
Local food: The Last Chance Saloon in Wayne, the Asteroid Crater in Rosedale for snacks, and several more options at the intersection of Highways 9 and 10 in Drumheller.
Location: 15-minutes southeast of Drumheller on Highway AB-10 (Directions)
Okotoks: Erratic or The Big Rock
The Okotoks Erratic, or ‘Big Rock,’ is special thanks to its overall size and amazing age. The erratic is a result of glacial movement from up to 30,000 years ago. The mega-rock is 16,500 tonnes heavy, 9 m tall, 41 m long, and 18 m wide. In addition to the geological history behind the rock, the rock has a cultural significance for the Blackfoot people. An interpretive trail leads up to and around the erratic. The Okotoks Erratic is a designated Provincial Historic Site.
Nearby attractions: Diamond Valley Friendship Trail, Okotoks Museum & Archives, the Sheep River, the Saskatoon Farm
Local food: the southwest corner of Okotoks is the closest area to the erratic; choose from places like Bravo Pizza, the Pizzaberg Café, the Heartland Café & Restaurant, or In Cahoots Bar & Grill
Location: AB-7, Black Diamond (Directions)
Hanna: Giant Geese
Hanna, located on the north side of Highway 9 in southeastern Alberta, is also surrounded by wetlands. Nearby Provincial Parks make for great birding locations thanks to the landscapes in this part of Alberta.
Additionally, the Michichi Creek Boardwalk Trail and area will also have an abundance of birds to watch for or photograph.
As an ode to the fowl who call Hanna and the wetlands home, the town created two resident geese with one of each statue on either side of town. These statues could also be interpreted as a symbol for all of Canada!
Nearby attractions: Fox Lake Campground, Little Fish Lake Provincial Park, the ghost town of Rowley, Starland Recreation Area
Location: 217 Palliser Trail, and 400 Pioneer Trail, Hanna (Directions)
Trochu: World’s Largest Golf Tee
Your first question about the World’s Largest Golf Tee in Trochu is probably about how it came to be. In 2009, ATB Financial ran a video-submission contest for towns around Alberta. The first prize would be the claim to the World’s Largest Golf Tee. Trochu won first prize, and the golf tee still stands proudly on the Trochu Golf & Country Club grounds at just under 12.2m! And at that size, you certainly don’t need to be a golfer to get a good look at the giant tee. It stands beside Highway 21.
Nearby attractions: Trochu Arboretum, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park, Horsethief Canyon
Local food: Red Bird Diner, The Lazy Susan, Peking Café
Location: Highway 21, Trochu (Directions)
Lacombe: World’s Largest Fishing Lure
Don’t miss Lacombe’s signature roadside attraction – the World’s Largest Fishing Lure.
A recent addition to Alberta’s array of roadside attractions, the immense lure proudly stands as a testament to the region’s fishing tradition. Erected in 2019 by the local fishing shop Len Thompson, it successfully claimed the title from the previous Guinness World Record holders, offering a unique and colourful backdrop for your photographs.
Nearby attractions: Aspen Beach Provincial Park, Lacombe Blacksmith Shop Museum, Kuhnen Natural Area, JJ Collett Natural Area
Local food (all in Lacombe): ONA Cafe + Bakery, Leto’s Steakhouse & Bar, Lacombe Bar and Steakhouse, Cilantro and Chive, Brunch Glory
Location: Len Thompson Dr, Lacombe (Directions)
Brooks: Historic Aqueduct
The town of Brooks is about 2 hours east of Calgary on Highway 1. Plus, the Brooks Aqueduct is about halfway between the town and Lake Newell. The aqueduct is a designated Provincial Historic Site, which is free to visit. The outdoor area includes a picnic spot and a trail to follow beside the defunct aqueduct. The irrigation system was an important water source for farmers in the area during the first half of the 20th century.
Nearby attractions: Tillebrook Provincial Park, Kinbrook Island Provincial Park, Brooks Corn Maze, the Brooks & District Museum, Dinosaur Provincial Park, White Barn Fun Farm
Local food: Wasana Thai Restaurant, Bad Company Bar & Grill, Indian PanFlame, Asian Garden Restaurant
Location: 142 Range Road, Newell County (Directions)
Lethbridge: Viaduct
The viaduct in Lethbridge may be what first comes to mind when thinking of the southern Alberta city. The viaduct, also known as the city’s High Level Bridge, is the longest and highest trestle bridge in the entire world. The engineering marvel is over 110 years old and is still in use: Canadian Pacific Railway cars cross the bridge every day. The bridge is easy to access from Highway AB-3 and crosses a busy Lethbridge Park. The Helen Schuler Nature Centre and Indian Battle Park are scenic areas to explore any time of year.
Nearby attractions: Fort Whoop-Up, the Oldman River Valley, Peenaquim Park, Park Lake Provincial Park
Local food: options closer to the bridge include the Italian Table, Streetside Eatery, Bread Milk & Honey Café, and Eat More
Location: West end of 3 Ave. S and Scenic Dr., Lethbridge (Directions)
Taber: Giant Corn Stalk
This one may come as no surprise to those from Alberta, as Taber is considered the corn capital of the province and Western Canada. Besides trying the corn from Taber, you can also experience the top crop’s importance with a visit to the fall corn maze or the summer Cornfest. And you can stop by the giant corn stalk for photo ops! The nearly 11m corn stalk stands outside the Taber Community Centre with shiny gold corn and bright green leaves.
Nearby attractions: Farmers’ Market (until mid-September) and Christmas Market (through December), Oldman River (north side of town), Gem of the West Museum (Coaldale), Stafford Lake Resort
Local food: El Taco Loco, Rancho Viejo Mexican Restaurant, A-1 Pizza, Indian Pan Flame
Location: 4712 50 St, Taber (Directions)
