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Compiled by the Street Journey Alberta workforce
Final up to date on September 4, 2023
Ask any Albertan the place to indulge your want for #LakeLife, and Sylvan Lake will likely be one of many first talked about (it made our listing of finest lakes in Alberta)! Not solely does it have a horny seashore, but it surely additionally has rather a lot occurring for a comparatively small city. Between suntanning periods, you possibly can pattern some glorious craft beer, take pleasure in an array of water sports activities, and eat very effectively! Learn on for our suggestions of the most effective issues to do in Sylvan Lake, after which add this city as an important cease in your subsequent central Alberta street journey itinerary.
Issues to Know
Learn how to Get There
Sylvan Lake is a small city situated in Central Alberta. Conveniently discovered between each Edmonton and Calgary, it is just about an hour and a half drive from both metropolis. The city is discovered on the precise Sylvan Lake from which it will get its identify.
Straddling the boundary between Crimson Deer County and Lacombe County, Sylvan Lake is 25 kilometres west of the town of Crimson Deer.
Sylvan Lake Climate
Fortunately, there are lots of very nice months on the lake; from late Might till late September, you’ll typically discover sunny, heat climate. Due to its location in Central Alberta, you’ll typically discover very temperate, comfy days, even within the hottest months of July and August; count on a mean excessive of twenty-two°C and a mean low of 10°C in these months.
Spring and autumn are often cloudy and chilly, whereas winter – often labeled as late November, December, January, and February – is kind of chilly. In January, the coldest month, you possibly can count on a mean excessive of -6°C and a mean low of -16°C.
Greatest Issues to Do in Sylvan Lake
Go to the Seashore
Certainly, if you happen to’re in Sylvan Lake within the hotter months, it’s a must to spend a while on the seashore. With a grass park, strolling trails, a seashore boardwalk, beachside outlets, a marina, a ship launch, picnic tables, and wilder pure areas, there’s rather a lot to do and see on the seashore; in reality, you’ll most likely end up visiting time and again, as all roads appear to result in the water. It’s the right spot to orient your self once you’re in downtown Sylvan Lake! With a shallow shoreline, there are additionally sandy seashore areas close to Lakeshore Drive and 50 Road, which make these spots excellent for households.
Plan for no less than half a day on the seashore, particularly if you happen to carry a picnic, plan on doing any water sports activities, or need to go to a number of the strolling trails. If you wish to stroll from one finish of the seashore to the opposite, it takes roughly one hour.
Take a Stroll Alongside the Boardwalk
Strolling alongside the Sylvan Lake Boardwalk might be the second hottest factor to do right here, subsequent to going to the seashore. It’s the right spot for an early morning stroll or a night stroll to catch the sundown. The paved boardwalk runs alongside the water, providing attractive views of the lake and with loads of benches alongside the way in which it’s an ideal spot for having fun with an ice cream. If you wish to stroll the entire thing it is going to take you about an hour.
Get a Selfie on the Lighthouse
Have you ever actually been to Sylvan Lake if you happen to haven’t taken a selfie on the iconic lighthouse on the town?! After the unique lighthouse needed to be demolished on account of its deteriorating state, the city’s new lighthouse was unveiled in 2016.
Modelled after the well-known lighthouse in Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia, Sylvan Lake’s lighthouse is maybe its most recognizable landmark. Ensure that to stroll alongside the boardwalk and snap a photograph with it whilst you’re on the town… It’s essentially the most quintessentially Sylvan Lake factor you are able to do.
Get pleasure from Water Sports activities on the Lake
You’re visiting a lake… so why not reap the benefits of the water? Fortunately, Sylvan Lake has an abundance of water sports activities to strive, whether or not that’s scuba diving, kayaking, paddle boarding, boating, seadooing, and a lot extra. And since the lake is so shallow close to the shore, newbies can really feel additional assured in the event that they’re attempting out a kayak or paddleboard for the primary time.
Solar Sport Recreation is a superb alternative relating to boat, seadoo, kayak, and paddleboard leases in Sylvan Lake, whereas Aqua-Nuts Diving in close by Rocky Mountain Home can set you up with cold-water dive gear.
Browse the Sylvan Lake Farmers Market
Location: 5104 Lakeshore Drive
Discovered proper by the lighthouse is the Sylvan Lake Farmers Market, and it’s a beautiful factor to do on a Friday night. Open each Friday from Might to September (be certain that to test their web site for precise dates), you’ll discover a plethora of native meals and crafts. It’s the right place to discover a memento! Select from gadgets corresponding to jewelry, jams, recent greens, woodwork, flowers, honey, pet merchandise, wines, and extra.
Additionally, preserve a watch out for different upcoming occasions such because the Yuletide Market (often in November) in addition to the Winterfest Market (often in February).
Make a Splash at Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash
Location: 5104 Lakeshore Drive
Situated on the West Finish of Lakeshore Drive, the Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash is a must-visit in case you have little ones (youngsters aged six and up). Discovered subsequent to the well-known lighthouse – see above – it makes for a handy and really enjoyable cease in your go to!
This open-water aquatic park is ideal to burn off a ton of vitality whereas additionally having a good time; youngsters will love the outsized trampoline, 15-foot tower, wiggle bridge, slide, trapeze swing, climbing wall, and a lot extra. Good to know: Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash offers life jackets and there are lifeguards on obligation.
Style Sylvan Star Cheese
Location: 39008 Vary Rd 10, Crimson Deer County
A go to to Sylvan Lake wouldn’t be full with no cease at Sylvan Star Cheese. This well-known cheesemaker – six generations robust now – has been producing a number of the prime Dutch gouda in all of Canada for a lot of, a few years.
You’ll must drive a bit of bit east of city to go to, but it surely’s undoubtedly price it; made with native elements, their cheese is available in such an incredible array of flavours that you might have a troublesome time selecting which of them to carry dwelling!
Pattern Some Craft Beer
For those who love craft beer, you’ll love the truth that there are two breweries in Sylvan Lake, each of that are price a go to!
Snake Lake Brewing
Location: 26 Industrial Dr
Impressed by Sylvan Lake’s historical past, Snake Lake Brewing has all kinds of beers on provide, from crisp lagers to wealthy stouts. With an awesome lineup of core beers, they’ve a steadily rotating number of seasonal beers on faucet, too.
With a incredible community-focused vibe, an arsenal of scrumptious beer, and even stay music, it’s no surprise Snake Lake Brewing has an enormous fan base.
2nd Wind Brewery and Eatery
Location: 5003 Lakeshore Dr #170
Head to 2nd Wind Brewery and Eatery for incredible beers and engaging meals, together with many specials all through the week. This family-friendly atmosphere has loads of house to unfold out in addition to numerous video games and actions to maintain you entertained.
With a superb patio to take pleasure in within the hotter months, we love the burgers, the environment, and, in fact, the chilly beer.
Catch a Baseball Recreation
After a day on the seashore, how about catching a baseball sport on the brand-new state-of-the-art stadium for the Sylvan Lake Gulls. The season runs from Might by October, and the workforce is a part of the WCBL which has gamers and groups from throughout Canada and america. It’s numerous enjoyable, particularly on the theme nights. So get your tickets and cheer on the Gulls!
Strive Axe Throwing
For those who’re searching for one thing enjoyable to do, head to Wooden Shed Axe Throwing. Actually, it’s been rated the primary group exercise for issues to do in Sylvan Lake. It’s excellent for big teams and events and for households (youngsters 10 and up). There are eight lanes for throwing, and the workforce at Wooden Shed will educate you the way to unleash that lumberjack inside. The best half is that the targets are all digitally projected, so there are totally different video games and challenges to combine it up.
Go {Golfing}
For those who like to golf, you’re in luck; there are three golf programs right here! Try the Sylvan Lake Golf and Nation Membership, the Meadowlands Golf Membership at Sylvan Lake, or the Lakewood Golf Resort (which is simply barely out of city).
All three golf programs boast stunning views, difficult greens, and well-groomed fairways. And once you’re achieved {golfing} for the day, all three even have eating places and/or lounges to calm down in!
Strive Lakeside Go-Karts and Mini Golf
Location: 5324 Lakeshore Drive
Discovered on Lakeshore Drive, make your approach to Lakeside Go-Karts and Mini Golf for an excellent enjoyable exercise whilst you’re in Sylvan Lake. This seasonal spot is right for these with youngsters, however let’s face it… All of us love a spherical of mini golf once in a while!
There are additionally bumper automobiles and kiddie karts accessible, so it truly is nice for all the household. For these searching for outside actions whereas on the town, that is the place to be.
Benefit from the Sylvan Lake Nightlife
For such a small city, there’s loads to do within the night! You’ll discover tons of restaurant and bar choices on Lakeshore Drive; operating parallel to the seashore, it means you’ll typically have a gorgeous view of the lake whilst you wine and dine.
One in all our favorite spots is Bukwildz, as they’ve stay music, tasty meals, and an award-winning Caesar cocktail on the menu. Different nightlife choices embody Fireplace Restaurant and Lounge, Chief’s Pub and Eatery, The Driftwood, Hazzard County Bar and Grill, and Solar of a Seashore (which we point out intimately under). Some locations even keep open till 2 a.m. For those who’re searching for a celebration, you’re certain to seek out one in Sylvan Lake.
Sylvan Lake Festivals
As a well-liked vacationer spot in addition to an awesome day journey from cities like Crimson Deer, Edmonton, and Calgary, Sylvan Lake has some incredible festivals on provide. There’s CulinART in September, the place you possibly can pattern all kinds of native bites, drinks, artwork, and music, in addition to Mild Up the Lake in December, the place you possibly can have breakfast with Santa, watch the Santa Claus Parade, and luxuriate in seeing the lake being lit up with fireworks.
Summer season brings numerous festivities as effectively, with music, artwork, and sports activities being celebrated nearly weekly. Ensure that to remain abreast of all the festivals and occasions in Sylvan Lake right here.
The place to Eat
There are fairly a number of decisions of the place to eat on the town. Listed here are three of our favourites, however if you’d like extra choices, try our submit on the finest eating places in Sylvan Lake.
Solar of a Seashore
For those who’re searching for an awesome patio and a superb environment to match, Solar of a Seashore is the Sylvan Lake restaurant for you.
You’ll discover a ton of beloved dishes on the menu, together with burgers, fish and chips, pizza, tacos, and extra, alongside an extended listing of starters. This beach-themed restaurant is thought for its pleasant service, tasty meals, and total enjoyable vibe.
Lokal Kitchen
Whereas many of the meals on the menu at Lokal Kitchen is Korean-inspired, there are a variety of incredible Canadian dishes, too.
Widespread with each vacationers and locals alike, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner; strive the genuine barbecue, bibimbap, and Korean fried rooster for a scrumptious meal.
Lago Pizza and Pasta
Within the temper for Italian meals once you’re in Sylvan Lake? Head to Lago Pizza and Pasta, the place you’re certain to get a number of the better of, effectively, pizza and pasta!
Whereas there are gadgets corresponding to rooster tenders, poutine, and wraps discovered on the menu, we love the ingenious pizzas and the mouthwatering pasta. It’s clear why that is typically thought-about the most effective eating places on the town.
Massive Moo Ice Cream
Ice cream and a seashore go hand in hand, so head to Massive Moo Ice Cream and get your self a scrumptious deal with. This family-owned and operated ice cream parlour has been serving ice cream in Sylvan Lake for over thirty years. They’re identified for his or her “Outrageous” Ice Cream Sandwiches. Our favorite? The ‘Salted Caramel Bliss’. It’s vanilla ice cream in between two salted caramel chocolate chunk cookies and plenty of goodies on prime. A bit of recommendation: Chances are you’ll need to begin with dessert earlier than your meal. However in case you’re nonetheless hungry they do have burgers and fries and such right here too.
The place to Keep in Sylvan Lake, Alberta
Inns
Greatest Western Plus Chateau Inn Sylvan Lake
Location: 5027 Lakeshore Drive
Keep within the comfy and conveniently situated Greatest Western Plus Chateau Inn Sylvan Lake. Whether or not you’re on the town for just one evening or are staying for some time, it’s a incredible choice relating to lodges in Sylvan Lake. Discovered on the banks of the lake, facilities embody plush bedding, an indoor pool and sizzling tub, a health centre, free breakfast, and extra.
Prairie Moon Inn Sylvan Lake
Location: 13 Beju Ind. Drive
One other terrific choice, the Prairie Moon Inn Sylvan Lake gives a pool, sizzling tub, and waterslide, a health centre, complimentary breakfast, and extra, together with some rooms with jacuzzi tubs. Situated within the japanese a part of city, it’s an ideal location for exploring Sylvan Lake, strolling to the seashore, and so forth.
Tenting
Jarvis Bay Provincial Park
Fortunately, now we have a whole submit devoted to tenting in Sylvan Lake, however certainly one of our favorite spots to camp on the town is Jarvis Bay Provincial Park. With an enormous campground – boasting 193 campsites, to be precise – Jarvis Bay Provincial Park campground is likely one of the finest spots for tenting in Sylvan Lake.
There are areas for tents, trailers, and RVs, and all websites have 30 amp energy. There may be additionally an ice cream store, a camper provide retailer, a potable water fill station, flush bogs, hearth pits, showers, and glorious entry to the city of Sylvan Lake, in addition to the remainder of the provincial park.