Disclaimer: This web page could include affiliate hyperlinks. Please evaluation our full Phrases and Situations for extra data and our Privateness Coverage. Be aware that any pricing, working hours, or different such data offered beneath could have modified since preliminary publication.
Compiled by the Street Journey Alberta staff
Final up to date on October 6, 2023
For a lot of Albertans, Crimson Deer finest serves as a logical pitstop between Calgary and Edmonton, as a result of it sits nearly within the actual center! For individuals who determine to dwell a bit longer – whether or not to dine at one of many nice eating places, discover the historic downtown, or discover your method 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 generally in a sizzling battle for third with Lethbridge), there are a stunning variety of actually distinctive and nice issues to do in Crimson Deer.
The Finest Issues to Do in Crimson Deer
Stroll Round Historic Downtown
First integrated as a metropolis in 1913, there’s lots of historical past to absorb while you’re in Crimson Deer. Stroll round historic downtown and take within the structure, conflict memorials, and different necessary websites which have formed town into what it’s at this time.
Undecided the place to start? Fortunately, there are a lot of self-guided strolling excursions that may assist 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 beautiful spot to spend a day, whether or not it’s for boating in summer season or ice skating in winter. In summer season, get pleasure from paddle boats, canoes, and kayaks for hire, whereas in winter, there are ice skates for hire in addition to skating equipment akin to helmets, skating aides, and extra.
The ponds are tranquil and peaceable year-round, making them the proper spot for a date, a household time out, or a solo wander. It’s one of the crucial common issues to Do in Crimson Deer, and it’s simple to see why!
Go to Heritage Ranch
Location: 6300 Cronquist Dr
Usually referred to as “The Jewel of Crimson Deer,” Heritage Ranch sits on 217 acres of gorgeous land simply exterior of town. You may go to the Westlake Grill for a meal, the place all the pieces from gentle snacks to a five-course dinner is served; it’s excellent for a romantic date, too, as you possibly can even order customized chef-inspired meals for a special day.
The ranch additionally hosts quite a lot 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 get pleasure from.
Examine Out Gaetz Lakes Chicken Sanctuary
Location: Entrance is at 45 Kerry Road on the Kerry Wooden Nature Centre
Gaetz Lakes Chicken Sanctuary is Alberta’s oldest federal migratory fowl sanctuary and is a little bit slice of paradise proper throughout the metropolis limits of Crimson Deer. Excellent for fowl watching, you possibly can 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 perfect it might probably probably be. And with over 122 hectares of land, you possibly can 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 unbelievable 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 prefer to stay and work in that period and even has costumed workers to show you about farm life as an early pioneer.
Go to the log cabin, get pleasure from 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
For those who’re after a little bit of tradition, make your method to the Crimson Deer Museum and Artwork Gallery, the place you’ll be taught all about native historical past and absorb a number of artwork exhibitions, too. There’s additionally a unbelievable roster of occasions that occur on the centre, together with artist spotlights, day camps, interactive reveals, storytime, academic talks, movies, and a lot extra.
Take within the social historical past, artwork historical past, and up to date artwork apply, all whereas celebrating the range of town’s inhabitants through the years. It’s positively probably the greatest issues to do in Crimson Deer, particularly if you wish to get to know town’s historical past and tradition!
Pattern the Finest 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 finest IPAs, stouts, lagers, and extra at these unbelievable breweries, all of which supply one thing distinctive. For those who have been unaware that Crimson Deer has such a vibrant brewing neighborhood… now’s your probability to attempt all of them!
Loosen up 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 quite a lot 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 neighborhood engagement by way of occasions and stay performances, and a dedication to offering their regulars with a heat and welcoming surroundings.
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 ground curling, and a lot extra.
Celebrating the range of sports activities, you’ll discover data on all the pieces 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! Excellent for sports activities fanatics, it’s properly price a go to while you’re on the town.
Take pleasure in Discovery Canyon
Location: 3800 River Bend Dr
If you wish to quiet 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 an excellent spot to go as a household in hotter climate. Children will love tube floating on the lazy river, taking part in within the wading pool and a lot extra.
Take to the Sky in a Sizzling Air Balloon
For those who’ve ever wished to attempt sizzling air ballooning, you’re in luck… Crimson Deer has an incredible sizzling air balloon firm that lets you see Central Alberta in a singular and memorable approach! Air-Ristocrat Balloon Rides has been in operation since 2003 and runs seven days every week from Might to October yearly.
Even higher? By 2024, they are going to 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 exterior of Crimson Deer to go to Canyon Ski Resort, the place each summer season and winter supply rather a lot to do. In winter, benefit from the terrain park, snow tube park, 23 runs, six lifts, and a lot extra. Excellent for households and for rookies, there’s one thing for each skier to like at Canyon Ski Resort.
And the enjoyable doesn’t cease in summer season… you need to attempt the Canyon Coaster, which is Alberta’s first and solely alpine coaster! An incredible method to zip by way of the forest trails, you’ll use your personal brake rider as you soar alongside over 1,300 metres of observe. It’s an expertise not like another.
Head to Historic Fort Normandeau
Location: 28054 45 Ave
Historic Fort Normandeau is without doubt one of the highest-rated issues to do in Crimson Deer, and for good motive. Situated alongside the Crimson Deer River, the fort is on the web site of the traditionally necessary Crimson Deer River Crossing, which was the primary level connecting Edmonton and Calgary earlier than the railway was inbuilt 1893.
Head to Fort Normandeau at this time to find out about that point in Crimson Deer’s historical past by means of everlasting and non permanent 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 Faculty Blvd (Crimson Deer Polytechnic)
One among our favorite issues to do in Crimson Deer is to buy on the farmers’ market, which occurs each Saturday morning from the Might Lengthy weekend till Thanksgiving. This unbelievable market has lots on supply, together with recent 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 folks collectively over a cup of espresso and a shared love of neighborhood. Be certain to cease by for those who’re on the town on a Saturday!
Experience Westerner Days
Head to Westerner Days for 5 days each July for probably the greatest issues to do in Crimson Deer! This honest and exposition is the most important summer season celebration in Central Alberta, because it actually does have all of it: stay music and leisure, a market, adorned autos, pony chuckwagon rides, halfway rides, and tons of fantastic meals on supply.
Held within the coronary heart of downtown Crimson Deer and excellent for households, this occasion often attracts tens of hundreds of individuals a yr, so be certain that to guide properly prematurely 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 ravishing 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 surprising photoshoot amongst the rows of yellow blooms.
It’s a unbelievable method 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 complete information to the finest Crimson Deer eating places, however listed here are a few our favourites within the metropolis.
Tribe
Location: 4930B 50 St
At all times scrumptious and at all times attention-grabbing, Tribe makes use of modern strategies and native, high-quality elements to create dishes which are one-of-a-kind.
Identified for his or her wonderful service and comfy environment, get pleasure from meals that may be categorised as “fashionable fusion” from around the globe; their flatbreads are particularly tantalizing (we love the Casablanca and the Copenhagen).
It’s All Greek to Me
Location: 3701 50 Ave
In search of the perfect Greek meals in Crimson Deer? Search no farther! It’s All Greek to Me serves up basic 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 number of motels in Crimson Deer, relying in your funds. 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 superb place to remain on the town.
With tons of facilities to make your keep as snug as attainable – suppose a health centre, enterprise centre, pool, free breakfast, and extra – the lodge can be one of many metropolis’s latest and most fashionable.
Crimson Deer Resort and On line casino
Location: 3310 50 Ave
The Crimson Deer Resort and On line casino is a unbelievable place to remain within the metropolis; it provides snug 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? Be certain to guide one of many jacuzzi suites!