Edmonton 
Fill your summer staycation in St. Albert, or your weekend trip to St. Albert, with these family-friendly and sun-filled activities. Kick-off the start to summer by partaking in Canada Day festivities, then get to the water, get to the shops, and get to the patios!
Between the Perron District, Downtown St. Albert, and the famous St. Albert Farmer’s Market, are several options for local shopping and dining. And between the Sturgeon River, the Red Willow Trail System, and Big Lake, there are numerous chances for outdoor recreation and adventure.
Here are some of the best ways to enjoy the city of St. Albert this summer:
**For St. Albert events happening during the weekends, see Things to do this weekend in Edmonton.**
Canada Day Celebrations
Celebrate Canada Day with fun festivities and activities. Grand fireworks will be lit at Meadowview Ball Diamonds.
Hit the Pool & Spray Park
The first summer activity on your mind might be to get out into the water on one of St. Albert’s hot days. Lucky for residents, there are a couple of ways to do so: if you’re out with the family or smaller kids, the Woodlands Water Play Park is an exciting place for everyone to dip their toes; and if you’re looking for a swim, the Grosvenor Outdoor Pool is open by reservation only for the summer!
- Grosvenor Outdoor Pool, 1 Grenfell Ave, St. Albert, AB T8N 0X6
- Woodlands Water Play Park, 165 Sturgeon Rd
Canoeing and Kayaking
The Sturgeon River is a perfect and thus popular canoe and kayak river and runs conveniently through the centre of St. Albert from Big Lake. There is a small public boat launch in Riel Recreation Park as well as on the north side of the river off Mission Avenue. If you don’t own your own boats, that’s no problem! Edmonton and St. Albert both have canoe or kayak rental shops.
- Fusion World Corp. St. Albert, AB
- Edmonton Canoe , Located in Spruce Grove, AB.
- CanoeHeads Located in Edmonton, AB
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Rock N’ August
Stay tuned in early July to hear the latest announcement for St. Albert’s annual Rock N’ August! The festival of music and cars occurs at various venues all around the city. The festival hosts several concerts, and after a little music, you can walk rows upon rows of classic cars all shined up for display or taste the food trucks and enjoy the beer tent.
St. Albert Farmer’s Market
The incredibly popular St. Albert Farmer’s Market is a great way to support local, see the city of St. Albert, and meet a variety of crafters, creators, farmers, and producers. It runs from June to October each year in downtown St. Albert and offers a free park-and-ride shuttle service from the St. Albert Centre Exchange.
From: June 12 – October 9
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History and Heritage Walks
Spend an afternoon exploring and getting to know the history and heritage of St. Albert through the city’s Founder’s Walk, or a Historical Walking Tour. The Founder’s Walk takes you to a few St. Albert landmarks like the clock tower, the Healing Garden, Father Lacombe Chapel, and the Grain Elevator Park. Otherwise, you can create your own path past the many preserved historical areas of the city.
Picnic in the Park
St. Albert is home to over 100 parks, so finding a good picnic spot shouldn’t be a challenge, and these larger town parks are always a safe bet: Coal Mine, Grey Nuns White Spruce Park, Kingswood, Lacombe Lake, Lions, or Rotary Park. To fuel your picnic, head to the St. Albert Farmer’s Market, or one of these tasty local dining spots:
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St. Albert Botanic Park
Some of the most beautiful walking trails in St. Albert are within the Botanic Park. The parks is home to many gorgeous gardens which are separated by the Entrance, the East Park, the West Park, and their Trial Garden. Along your walks you’ll encounter various trees and shrubs, a garden dedicated to shade, roses and lilies of all kinds, dahlias, peonies, and so much more.
Address: 265 Sturgeon Road
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Birding and the Boardwalk at Big Lake
Big Lake is within the Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park and is where you can head to get in birdwatching or relaxing walks around the scenic and large lake. The lake itself is quite shallow and is a popular spot to canoe or kayak; this could be a perfect way to get up close and personal with the lake’s rich bird population. But to birdwatch on foot, you can take to the John E. Poole Boardwalk that has interpretive signs throughout.
Big Lake Environment Support Society (BLESS)
Bike or Hike the Red Willow Trails
If you want to take to the trails and see the city at the same time, the Red Willow Trail System can take you all over St. Albert! You can explore the Big Lake and Grey Nuns White Spruce Park areas, all the way to Red Willow Park, Grandin, Kingswood, Inglewood, Deer Ridge, or Erin Ridge North. As you plan out your route, you can decide to travel through the neighbourhoods, along the outskirts of St. Albert, or straight through downtown along the Sturgeon River valley.
Shop the Perron District
St. Albert’s Perron District is home to several local boutique shops and dining spots, and is in the beautiful downtown area on the river bank. It is pedestrian friendly so whether you’re just window shopping or looking for something specific, it will be a great way to stretch your legs- especially if you dine at one of the area’s pubs or restaurants.
Patios!
In downtown St. Albert and beyond are several pretty patios where you can soak up the sun, dine in the cool shade, or just relax with a drink after a day of shopping.
- Earl’s, 10 McKenney Ave Unit 300
- Original Joe’s, 5 Giroux Rd #520
- Jack’s Burger Shack, 15 Perron St #130
- Cerdo tacos & tequila, 15 Perron St #150
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St. Albert Grain Elevator Park & Train Station
St. Albert’s Pool Grain Elevator underwent a major restoration in 1991: it now looks as though the elevator could still be operational. Grain elevators are a major part of Alberta’s history and development as a province, so the tours offered here are an interesting look into this part of our past. The heritage site is a great place to visit, a great place for photos, and can keep the kids interested in learning over the summer break.
Golfing
The rural setting surrounding St. Albert and the abundance of rolling hills and valleys in the area make it a wonderful golfing destination. To practice your swing, you can head to the Lone Spruce Driving Range at the north end of Ray Gibbons Drive. Just outside of St. Albert are the scenic greens of Sandpiper Golf & Country Club, Cattail Crossing, and the Sturgeon Valley Golf & Country Club. And across the highway in Edmonton’s city limits, are the Glendale Golf & Country Club and Twin Willows Golf Club, still just a short drive from St. Albert.
- Lone Spruce Driving Range, 25522 Secondary Hwy, 633 Villeneuve Rd, St. Albert
- Sandpiper Golf & Country Club, 26029 Meadowview Dr., Sturgeon County
- Cattail Crossing, 24427 Township Rd 542, Sturgeon County
- Sturgeon Valley Golf & Country Club, 25114 Sturgeon Rd, Sturgeon County
Skateboard, Rollerblade, or Scooter
St. Albert’s Woodlands Skate Park received some recent upgrades and renovations over the past year. Grab your scooter, rollerblades, or skateboard, and make a day of practicing on the new handrails, bowls, pipes, curbs, or ramps. The Park is surrounded by new greenspace and landscaping as well for those who prefer to spectate.
Address: 165 Sturgeon Rd.
St. Albert’s Dog Parks
If you’re looking for a place where you can spend some quality time with your best friend, St. Albert has several dog parks and designated off-leash areas. Dodger Dog Park and Lacombe Lake Dog Park are the larger off-leash areas, but there are also a number of smaller designated off-leash areas throughout St. Albert’s neighbourhoods. Many boarded community rinks also serve as off-leash areas in the spring and summer.
Fishing
The Sturgeon River, which runs through the centre of town and into Big Lake, offers plenty of fishing fun, but you can also take to the stocked Lacombe Lake or Grandin Pond. There is a great spot to fish off of Rotary Park as well as a dock and boat launch if you’d prefer to fish from your canoe.
Lois Hole Enjoy Centre
Enjoy the outdoors while also enjoying some AC. Whether you’re looking for a great place to eat, a place to shop for your garden, or a place to grocery shop, the Lois Hole Enjoy Centre has it all. You can easily spend an entire day browsing the flowers and greenhouse section, the supermarket filled with local goodies below, the housewares, and the unique home and garden décor. End your day at the Centre’s café or Glasshouse Kitchen.
Address: 101 Riel Dr, St. Albert
Self-Guided Art Walk
There is public art popping up in all sorts of St. Albert locations, and they’re made easy-to-find with the city’s Art Tour Map. The tour begins where Green Grove Drive meets Sir Winston Churchill Avenue. From there, you’ll walk through downtown, Millennium Park, across the Sturgeon, and to more public displays at Red Willow Park. You’ll get to see the sculptures, abstract work, murals, decorative yet functional installments, and architecture that make St. Albert stand out.
