Although Fort McMurray is most famous as an Alberta Oil Sands city, as well as for the devastating forest fires of 2016 that caused the entire city to be evacuated, there is so much more to this northern Alberta city.
Whether you enjoy the outdoors and nature with a walk down Birchwood Trails, or a great round of golf at Miskanaw Golf Club, or if you prefer indoor entertainment at places like Points North Gallery, Aim High Park, or Mr. E’s Solve-It-Tutorium, Fort McMurray will have you bustling from sunup to sundown.
AND when the night falls, head out of town to catch Northern Lights, the mesmerizing displays of light that appear in the night time northern skies, usually during clear evenings from October to March.
Nature and Outdoors/Farms
Birchwood Trails
Birchwood Trails is a trail system that is over 130 km long. It is great for walking, hiking, cross-country skiing, or even inline skating. This trail system is a combination of asphalt, gravel, and natural trails.
Con Creek Valley
Year Round
Snye Park
This beautiful public location is connected to Snye River, which is a great locations for canoeing and kayaking. Snye Park also has two beach volleyball courts, and is adjacent to a public soccer field as well as a playground. Website
Snye Point Boat Launch
Year Round
Gregoire Lake Provincial Park
Camp out at night, enjoy the beach, and other water activities like power boating, wind surfing, hike the trails, go snow mobiling, cross country Skiing, try your hand at ice fishing and more at the park! Website
Hwy 881, Fort McMurray
Year Round
J. Howard Pew Memorial Family Park
A great public park for the entire family to enjoy. Home of Waterways Waterpark, a family friendly spray park that opened in 2017.
J. Howard Pew Memorial Family Park, Fort McMurray, Ab
Year Round
Dunvegan Gardens
Dunvegan Gardens is so much more than just an awesome place to get shrubs and plants to make a garden great. It is also a family friendly place for a good time. Check out their 10-acre corn maze which has a different image, always timely and significant, each year. Every year Dunvegan Gardens always provides a plethora of different community events for people to enjoy from creating a Christmas Village each year to a community Easter Egg Hunt.
128 Garden Lane, Fort McMurray
MacDonald Island Park
MacDonald Island Park is Canada’s largest community recreation, leisure, and social centre. It is home to the Suncor Community Leisure Centre, Miskanaw Golf Club, and Shell Place. Nestled amidst the natural beauty of the surrounding boreal forest and rivers, MacDonald Island Park seeks to deliver excellence to all its users.
1 C. A. Knight Way, Fort McMurray
Year Round
Varies
Miskanaw Golf Club
Surrounded by boreal forest, Miskanaw Golf Club is one of the premier golf courses in Alberta. What was originally intended to be no more than 3 holes and a driving range ended up being an entire 18 hole course, and a beautiful one at that.
1 C. A. Knight Way, Fort McMurray
Seasonal: May through October, weather permitting
$105.00 (including cart) and under
Fort McMurray Golf Club
Carved out of the Borealis Forest and nestled along the banks of the Athabasca river, the Fort McMurray Golf Club is one of the best golf courses in Alberta. There are valleys and creek beds, large greens, and majestic beauty throughout the entire course.
1 Real Martin Dr, Fort McMurray
Seasonal; May through October, weather permitting
$92.00 and under (not including cart)
RotaryLinks @ Wood Buffalo Golf Club
3000 Snow Eagle Dr, Fort McMurray
Expected to open July 2018
Giants of Mining
Giants of Mining is a beautiful place to visit. It is full of history, and a great way to view industry equipment up close and personal. The focus is on the old way of mining the tar sands and is especially interesting for those with no real knowledge of the oil and gas industry.
45 km north of Fort McMurray on Highway 63
Year Round
Free
Vista Ridge All Seasons Park
In the winter there is the ski hill, with trails, 60 ski-able acres, a 5 lane tube park, 6 lifts, and a variety of difficulties. In the summer visit the Vista Ridge Aerial Adventure Park and Mini-Putt for a family friendly adventure.
1 Spruce Valley Dr, Fort McMurray
Year Round
Varies
Aboriginal Interpretive Trail
between C.A. Knight Way and the Athabasca and Clearwater rivers
Year Round
Free
Phoenix Heli-Flight
Phoenix Heli-Flight offers tours of Fort McMurray and the oilsands in first-class, modern helicopters. A neat way to experience Fort McMurray.
1001 Saline Creek Parkway, Fort McMurray
Year Round
$689.00 and up
McMurray Aviation
Tour Fort McMurray and area by air, in one of McMurray Aviation’s 12 different airplanes. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the area and all it has to offer.
Fort McMurray Airport
Year Round
$262.50 and up
Museums
Oil Sands Discovery Centre
The Oil Sands Discovery Centre in Fort McMurray is where you can learn about Athabasca Oil Sands. The Centre is an educational facility committed to increasing public awareness and knowledge about the oil sands. People can learn about the history, science, and technology of the oil sands.
515 MacKenzie Blvd, Fort McMurray
Year Round
$29.00 and under
Fort McMurray Heritage Shipyard
8405 Prairie Loop Blvd, Fort McMurray
Seasonal
Donations appreciated
Fort McMurray Heritage Village
Heritage Village is a collection of buildings, some dating back a century, that help visitors experience a different aspect of Fort McMurray’s past. Walk through history and explore the stories of those who came before. It is a vibrant and captivating destination.
1 Tolen Dr, Fort McMurray
Year Round
Donations appreciated
Fort McMurray Marine Park Museum
This is a new attraction within Fort McMurray Heritage Village. IT is a great place to learn about the history of ships, barges, and trains within the area.
1 Tolen Dr, Fort McMurray
Year Round
$11.50
Points North Gallery
The Points North Gallery is a space for original Canadian art and high quality artisan gifts. Over two dozen Canadian artists with a focus on both local and regional art are represented. The gallery space is always changing, with artists coming and and demonstrations being done on a regular basis.
10015 Centennial Drive, Fort McMurray
Year Round
Free
Amusement Parks/Indoor Playgrounds
Aim High Park
A trampoline park, indoor playground, and virtual reality arcade all in one. This is a fun filled destination for people of all ages to explore and discover their inner child.
8219-8223 Manning Ave, Fort McMurray
Year Round
$35.00 and under
Fort City Play World
Fort City Play World strives to provide each child with the opportunity to experience the positive impact of play by providing a safe, clean, and fun atmosphere. There are slides, things to climb on, a balance bridge, and more.
235 Macalpine Crescent, Fort McMurray
Year Round
$15.75 and under
Mr. E’s Solve-It-Torium
Website
10216 Centennial Dr, Fort McMurray
Year Round
$28.00/person
Trapped Fort McMurray
Trapped is one of the biggest real life room escape games in North America. Trapped brings fantasies and movie scenarios into real life. Each room is specially crafted to make sure even the smallest detail is taken care of. These escape rooms will bring participants an unforgettable experience.
9906A Franklin Ave, Fort McMurray
Year Round
$28.00/person
Live Theatre and Concert Venues
Keyano Theatre
Keyano Theatre is a great theater with comfortable seats. It is part of the Keyano College and there are a variety of performances held throughout the year.
Website
8115 Franklin Ave, Fort McMurray
Varies
Varies
Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts
The Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts was created as a major instructional space for the Fort McMurray Catholic School District, as part of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s continuing support, the Centre is a cultural hub open for community use.
Website
230 Powder Dr, Fort McMurray
Varies
Varies
Annual Festivals
WinterPlay
The WinterPlay Festival is an annual celebration in The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. There are ice sculptures, fireworks, local entertainment, hockey, a talent show, and more at this family friendly event.
Syne Park, Fort McMurray
February 16-18, 2018
Donations accepted
Summer’s End
Borealis Park
Metis Fest
Metis Fest is one of the biggest festivals of the year in Fort McMurray. With live bands performing Metis folk songs, demonstrations of trapper tools, a model trappers cabin, bannock, fried Pickerel, jig dancers, and more, there is plenty of culture and fun for everyone.
Website
McMurray Metis Grounds
Taste of Fort McMurray
A wonderful way to showcase the many amazing restaurants and talented chefs Fort McMurray and area has to offer. The Food Festival has many opportunities for the community to enjoy Fort Mac’s vast culinary arts. There is also great entertainment and a full on summer festival experience for all who attend.
Website