Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Drumheller, Canada on Tripadvisor: See 18,412 traveller reviews and photos of Drumheller tourist attractions. The door to the church is open, so visitors are free to enter and take a quick look. Drumheller Attractions – Things to do in Drumheller (Drumheller Dinosaur Park) This 117-metre-long pedestrian suspension bridge across the Red Deer River was constructed in 1931 for coal workers at the Star Mine. We’ve also always been tempted by Heartwood Inn & Spa (see prices / read reviews), a super highly rated guesthouse, a nice alternative to all the other chain hotels and motels in town. The below eight entries are all located on the Dinosaur Trail. It also makes it onto my list of essential Alberta experiences. It’s worth the drive. Heading north from Drumheller, the Rowley Ghost Town is really cool, while Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park could be visited as a stop en route to Drumheller from Edmonton or Red Deer. Drumheller Spray Park The dinosaur themed spray park and fountain is free to access and located next to the World’s Largest Dinosaur (as well as the Aquaplex). Keep an eye out for prehistoric beasts lurking in dark corners during your trip to Drumheller. For visitors coming in off the N Dinosaur Trail, this can be a much needed stop for some park fun, and is the first big dino you’ll spt when driving into town from that direction. 1| Visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum Atlas Coal Mine was in operation from 1911 to 1979, when declining use of coal caused this and other coal mines in Drumheller to shut down. Wear ice cleats if you do this short hike in winter. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Drumheller, Canada on Tripadvisor: See 18,412 traveller reviews and photos of Drumheller tourist attractions. There are few like it in the world, and trails that they can definitely manage. Visitors can tour the large mine, including machines exhibited outside, train cars, a huge tipple (the structure that provided access to the mine and is used to transport coal to train cars), and underground portions of the mine. She, Drumheller Hiking – Badlands Interpretive Trail, Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site of Canada, Take a Tour With Red Deer River Adventures. It cost over a million dollars to build the attraction which stands 25 metres (86 feet) tall. The steep drive down to the ferry is rather exciting. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Dinosaur Provincial Park is a more natural and less touristy dinosaur experience, including seeing real dinosaur fossils in the ground, and the badlands there are just as (if not more) impressive than those of Drumheller. You can even spend the night at the adjacent Rosedeer Hotel (see reviews here). Sip some cold beers and enjoy some hearty Canadian food, including a menu for kids. All of them are local dinos found in the Drumheller area. Canmore Cave Tours and a Claustrophobic Caver. A final stop you’ll definitely want to make on the return drive to Drumheller is at Orkney Viewpoint, which looks back at Horsethief Canyon from the western side of the river. Keep your eyes peeled for cougars, which frequent the park (you probably won’t see them…). In 2019, a large Learning Lounge was added, and the museum hosts numerous activities, school group visits, and more. The Horseshoe Canyon Campground is also nearby. Find even more ideas is my guide to the best places to visit in Alberta. Here are a few of my favorites. You’ll cross eleven bridges in just six kilometres getting to the ghost town of Wayne — the most bridges in the shortest distance, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. It is also a stop on a network of walking trails that connect Drumheller town to Royal Tyrrell Museum (#3) and the Badlands Interpretive Trail (#4). A family pass which includes 2 adults plus all kids is $48, and worth it! After years of backpacking, I now call two places home: Edmonton, Canada and Taipei, Taiwan. There are around 10,000 items on display, including one of the original Bleriot ferries and a house purchased entirely from a 1919 Eaton’s catalogue. Drumheller, a town of about 8,000 people (10,000 if you include greater Drumheller) is a fantastic destination if you love any combination of the following – canoeing, biking, badlands scenery, world-class museums or dinosaurs. Drumheller is proud to be the dinosaur capital of the world and provide plenty of spectacle where these extinct creatures are concerned. Besides the oversized T-Rex, there are around 20 other dinosaur statues around town. There’s a bench to sit on to take in the view. Very close to the start of N Dinosaur N in town, Homestead Antique Museum is a small museum that will appeal to antique-loving visitors. If you’re arriving in Drumheller on the Highway 9, it makes sense to stop here on the way into or out of town. The Royal Tyrell Museum is arguably the best dinosaur museum in the entire world. Visit top … Besides the awesome views, there’s a sign explaining the area, and how the road was originally built to connect the Scottish farming community of Orkney with nearby Kirkpatrick. If you’ve got any questions or feel I’ve missed something important, please let me know in the comments below! The remaining six sights can all be accessed by taking Highway 56 southeast out of Drumheller town center, then merging onto the Highway 10. There is a world class museum, a national historic site, hiking trails, hoodoos and much more all within an easy drive. Just like Horsethief Canyon (#7), Horseshoe Canyon features a stunningly gorgeous badlands landscape, but with the river that formed it long since dried up. The provincial park is a 1.5-hour drive southeast of Drumheller toward Medicine Hat. Drumheller is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit. (As an Airbnb associate, I earn a small commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you. A great way to cool off, and it’s also free! As soon as you pull into the small turnoff, you’ll be afforded an incredible, sweeping view of the Red Deer river valley. Atlas Coal Mine is closed in winter, but you can still stop by for an exterior photograph. You can ride the mine train, put on a hardhat and go deep inside the tunnels and explore the wooden tipple with a retired miner. At the southern end of what is officially considered Drumheller town, Atlas Coal Mine is the most impressive coal mining attraction in the entire area and is a national historic site. When I’m not writing or compulsively planning every detail of our next family trip, I’m most likely playing dinosaur or princess games with Sage & Lavender, my two kids. You could walk to several of them from the Giant T-Rex, or go on a dino-spotting tour by car. The 117-meter pedestrian-only suspension bridge across the Red Deer river is another of the top attractions in the greater Drumheller area. You’ll want to budget a few days to properly explore each destination, so I’d highly recommend staying in Drumheller for a night or two, then camping in Dinosaur Provincial Park to get the best of both places. Don’t let small children stop you from wandering around this incredible landscape. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Sundays. Sip on a hot chocolate or and enjoy the fresh winter air while you stroll past some of Drumheller’s attractions, such as the Town Hall, the World’s Largest Dinosaur, and the Homestead Antique Museum. Rosebud School of the Arts is a faith-based school that trains actors and others to work in theatre. Following, is a list of things to do in Drumheller that I thought were perfect for my 2.5 year old, that I haven’t discussed before. The ferry operates from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. from May 9 to the September long weekend, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from the September long weekend to October 30. It’s got a few dino statues out front, plus an ice cream store. A hoodoo is a giant sandstone pillar that rests on a thick base of shale that is capped by a large stone. Although much smaller, less educational, and surely not a replacement for the Royal Tyrrell Museum on your Drumheller itinerary, it is nevertheless a fun place to visit with young kids. There’s also a tearoom (summer only), shop with ice cream & treats, and children’s activities such as a scavenger hunt. Hiking trails through the canyon give you closer views of the amazing geology of the badlands. Well, that sums up my list of awesome things to do in Drumheller, Alberta! The East Coulee school first opened in 1930, when the nearby Atlas (see #25) and Empire coal mines were thriving. Once a bar for miners in the early 1900s in a land that was considered very wild, the bar has reopened as a mini-museum, restaurant, and tourist attraction. The canyon is named after outlaws who hid stolen farm animals here more than 100 years ago. My son is a huge dino fan and we’ve been to several dinosaur museums around the world, but he was actually terrified of this one! Your email address will not be published. Finally, you’ll reach Bleriot Ferry (#8), cross the Red Deer River on it, then follow Highways 837 then 575 (S Dinosaur Trail) back into town, stopping at Orkney Viewpoint (#9) along the way. The Midland Coal Day-Use Area is along Highway 838 just as it is leaving Drumheller town, before reaching the turnoff for Royal Tyrell Museum. The park is open from May to September (weekends only in May and September). . Our managing editor is a tall, blond, gorgeous bombshell. The Royal Tyrrell Museum The Royal Tyrrell Museum tops the list of things to do in Drumheller. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in December. It is typically open from the May long weekend until Mid-September. Dino & breakfast lovers can try WHIFS Flapjack House for all-day breakfast and dinosaurs on the walls. Highly rated adventurous activities in Drumheller. There are plenty of good accommodation options in Drumheller. . Winter Hikes & Snowshoe Trails Near Canmore, Fraser River Sturgeon – How to Catch a 50-Year-Old Virgin Sturgeon, Northern Lights Edmonton – Viewing the Aurora Borealis, Jasper Brunch – Best Food and Coffee Restaurants. It’s understandably a very popular spot in summer, and stays open as long as whether permits. Located just outside of town, the museum is home to excellent exhibits showcasing dinosaurs, fossils, and information from different prehistoric periods. Guess what? The day use area is on the bank of the Red Deer river and has picnic tables, outhouses, and water. Drumheller is quite a small town in the Canadian Badlands in Alberta province that offers many beautiful places to explore and even more things to do. There’s nothing to see at each stop besides the sign, which features an Albertosaurus (my non-educated guess), but if you want a picture with the sign, there’s plenty of room to park. There’s also a cafeteria (closed until April 2021), excellent gift shop, outdoor picnic area, large playground, and a 1.4-km interpretive trail in the surrounding badlands (see #4). Drumheller is without a doubt one of the top attractions in all of Alberta, Canada for families with toddlers or young kids. Whether you are just stopping by on your way to Banff, or on a day visit from Calgary, come discover the best things to do in Drumheller. It may be a bit touristy (but, who are we kidding, most of Drumheller is touristy), but a visit to the Royal Tyrrell Museum is an absolute must. When you first turn right off the highway, you’ll find the Day Use area on the right. The cable ferry was first built in 1913 by Andre Bleriot, and today it remains one of the few ways that cars can cross the Red Deer River in the Drumheller area. On Hoodoo Drive, visitors can tour one of the 139 coal mines that were located near Drumheller. It is one of the best dinosaur museums in the world and the official repository for all of the fossils discovered in Alberta. Located in visually stunning Midland Provincial Park (see #4), the enormous (12,500m2) building is a testament to all things palaeontology (the study of ancient plant and animal fossils), especially dinos. For a souvenir shop with some serious personality, head to The Fossil Shop on Highway 56 just before it crosses Red Deer River and reaches the giant T-Rex (see #15). Unfortunately, the bridge was closed in 2020 due to structural concerns. Visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum. The Rosebud Dinner Theatre employ the students and other members of the tiny community. During the summer of 2014, however, I spent a little more time in the area and found out there are some really awesome things to do there! We’ll list some of the more popular options below. In summer, make sure to protect yourself from the sun, bring lots of water, and watch out for rattlesnakes. Below I’m going to cover 25 of the best things to do in Drumheller, based on my multiple visits over the years, recently with my own kids, and going all the way back to my own childhood, when I had a sleepover on the floor of the Dino Room at the Royal Tyrrell in Boy Scouts. Not far from the Royal Tyrrell Museum is the Badlands Interpretive Trail. To see hoodoos in a totally natural landscape, consider going hiking in Dinosaur Provincial Park or Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park in Southern Alberta. We loved snowshoeing through the incredible scenery of the Badlands. Also, make sure to obey the signs inside. Continuing along past gorgeous badlands scenery, you’ll soon reach the turnoff for Cactus Coulee Fun Park, a small amusement park with go-karting, mini golf, eurobungy, ice cream, and more. Upon crossing to the west side of the river, Highway 838 meets with Highway 837 for the return drive to Drumheller. Join Airbnb here and you’ll get up to $50 off your first stay!). First off, 11 Bridges to Wayne is a detour on Highway 10X (watch for the turnoff just before 11 Bridges Campground and Cabins) to the tiny hamlet of Wayne that, as the name suggests, requires crossing 11 bridges in a short distance. Until then, locals ask that you don’t visit the bridge, and the entrance to it is blocked. Today there are only 28 permanent residents remaining. It may be quite a while before it is fixed up and reopened, but I’ll update this space when it does! One of the most famous dinosaur Museums, The Royal Tyrrell Museum is in Drumheller and it’s a definitely something you need to check out. Top Things to Do in Drumheller, Alberta: See Tripadvisor's 9,307 traveller reviews and photos of 31 things to do when in Drumheller. Things to do in Drumheller include cycling the Dinosaur Trail Check out the world’s largest dinosaur. There’s a lot to like about this little community and the attractions that surround it. Dear reader: This article contains links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you. The answer is simple: swimming pool & waterslide! It’s also sometimes called the Roseddale Suspension Bridge. Things to Do around Drumheller. From Beisekar, it will take you around 50 minutes to arrive at the Midlands Provincial Park. In 2020, the museum announced the discovery of a new species of Tyrannosaur. Follow us and travel better. On warm summer evenings, hundreds of people show up for the pizza party and wander through the historic buildings. You can also search for the best Airbnbs in Drumheller here. Not blond. The canyon itself can be slippery in winter making hiking treacherous. Drumheller is practically synonymous with dinosaurs; in fact, it’s the self-proclaimed “Dinosaur Capital of the World.” It’s seriously a paradise for any dino-loving kid. Visitors can pay to enter and climb up into the mouth of the T-Rex. Watch out for rattlesnakes! Find what to do today, this weekend, or in December. There is a day use area with viewing platforms and bathrooms. While visitors to Alberta tend to gravitate to Banff and Jasper, Drumheller is without a doubt one of the most memorable things to do in Alberta. Not a bombshell. Museums and Historic Sites Drumheller boasts a wealth of museums and historic sites where you can relive history with rich abundance of dinosaur fossils. Related: Looking for more Alberta adventures? Rowley is a ghost town that simply won’t die. You can see one of the original Bleriot ferries at Homestead Antique Museum (#13). The below eight entries are all … Midland is a small provincial park created in 1979 to preserve a slice of the Drumheller region’s coal mining past. Types of Things to Do in Drumheller Shopping (12) Tours (6) Sights & Landmarks (6) Museums (6) Nature & Parks (6) Fun & Games (5) Outdoor Activities (5) Concerts & Shows (2) Food & Drink (1) Boat Tours & Water Sports (1) Transportation (1) Commonly Searched For in Drumheller Every time we visit Drumheller with our kids, we stay at the Ramada by Wyndham (see prices / read reviews). It’s a female, 4.5 times the size of a living Tyrannosaurus rex. West of Drumheller, Orkney Viewpoint is a beautiful natural viewpoint high on the cliffs above the Red Deer River. Drumheller Pedestrian Trails Drumheller has 18 kms of trails located in town and on the banks of the Red Deer River. The Royal Tyrrell Museum tops the list of things to do in Drumheller. To complete an epic Alberta dinosaur road trip, you include combine a visit to Dinosaur Provincial Park on your Drumheller itinerary. The next stop on the Dinosaur Trail, Horsethief Canyon, offers some of the most stunning scenery in the greater Drumheller area. The Dinosaur Trail is a roughly 60-kilometer loop drive that takes in some of the best scenery and attractions that the Drumheller region has to offer. The large bend in the river around the Giant T-Rex has some walking trails, while there’s another lovely section at the southeast end of the town center. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do … The day use area has a paved walkway through the riverside greenery. This post contains affiliate links. Reaching Drumheller and Midlands Provincial Park. There are quite a few dining options in Drumheller. Why? It is often compared to (or confused with) Horseshoe Canyon (#19), which is located southwest of town. The northernmost point of Dinosaur Trail is Bleriot Ferry, which is an attraction in itself. Fun Things to Do in Drumheller with Kids: Family-friendly activities and fun things to do. #winter #sno, There is never a time when Bow Lake is not beautif, A train negotiating Morant’s Curve near Lake Lou, One of the most beautiful places on earth - in any, It’s a beautiful evening in Lake Louise! The tiny town of Rosebud lies just 35 kilometres southwest of Drumheller. And if you are reading this travel guide, you are probably planning your trip to Drumheller in the near future or debating if … Things to Do in Drumheller, Alberta: See Tripadvisor's 9 305 traveller reviews and photos of 31 Drumheller attractions. It is one of the best dinosaur museums in the world and the official repository for all of the fossils discovered in Alberta. You can walk from various points down into the valley, or follow this simple trail map. Discover 5 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Drumheller, Alberta from The Hoodoos of Drumheller Valley to Atlas Coal Mine. See Tripadvisor's 8,969 traveller reviews and photos of kid friendly Drumheller attractions Taking a picture from the outside is free. The center is a quick (maximum 1 hour), fun stop, but it’s pricey for what you get. Drumheller is a small town known for being the heart of this area. It’s run by locals who live in the area and for one Saturday each month, Rowley becomes the busiest ghost town on the prairies. It was reconstructed by prison inmates at the Drumheller Institution in 1991. Bentonite clay, common in this region, gets greasy and slippery when it’s wet. There are affiliate links in this post. We have reviews of the best places to see in Drumheller. Things to Do in Drumheller Drumheller Museum. This isn’t a must-see Drumheller attraction, but if you’re looking for a nice spot to have a picnic when just arriving in or leaving Drumheller, it’s good to know it’s there. The hamlet, located 38 kilometres north of Drumheller, hosts a pizza party fundraiser the last Saturday of every month. Interpretive signs along the 1.4-kilometre loop trail explain the geology, flora and history of the region. Follow the road to the left to reach the former mining site and Midland Coal Interpretive Trail, which takes you past various foundations and remains from the old mine. Every July, hundreds of actors and musicians gather to re-enact the life of Jesus Christ at the Canadian Badlands Passion Play. Kids can also pay extra to do a fossil or mineral dig, and they get to take home what they find. The world’s top paleontologists do important research at the facility. Read along for more excellent Drumheller activities. Athens Greek Restaurant is the best rated in town, while a drive out to Last Chance Saloon (#21 below) for a beer and hearty meal is a must. Watch for the blue sign for “Midland Coal Mine” on the right (this site is not marked on GoogleMaps). . Wayne is a former coal mining boomtown. The “trail” in Hoodoos trail refers to a small walking path loop viewing platforms around the hoodoos, but sometimes also refers to the 15-kilometer (15-minute) drive from Drumheller town south to the hoodoos. We have reviews of the best places to see in Drumheller. This is one of the most historic things to do in Drumheller. Types of things to do in Drumheller Shopping (12) Museums (6) Sights & Landmarks (6) Nature & Parks (6) Tours (6) Outdoor Activities (5) Fun & Games (5) Concerts & Shows (2) Transportation (1) Boat Tours & Water Sports (1) Food & Drink (1) Commonly searched for in Drumheller Your email address will not be published. It was first built in 1968 by a local contractor who was working with the ministerial association. The dinosaur officially opened on October 13, 2000. Not tall. Required fields are marked *. At the northwester end of town, a few minutes along Dinosaur Trail (Highway 838), the kid-focused Fossil Dinosaur Discovery Center is worth a stop for dino-obsessed young kids. If you enjoyed Drumheller, then you will probably also love Dinosaur Provincial Park (1 hr 45 min SE of Drumheller). The Irish pub across the parking lot from the hotel doesn’t hurt, either. The Dinosaur Trail is a roughly 60-kilometer loop drive that takes in some of the best scenery and attractions that the Drumheller region has to offer. The hoodoo site contains a large group of five to seven-metre tall hoodoos, but you can see smaller hoodoos throughout the badlands surrounding Drumheller. Next to the spray park, there’s also the Drumheller Aquaplex (swimming pool) and Drumheller Skate Park. You’ll soon pass the turnoff for Royal Tyrell Museum (#3), Midlands Provincial Park (#4), and The Little Church (#5) on the right. I have been to the Canadian… The post 15 Things to Do in Drumheller, Alberta appeared first on Hike Bike Travel. The riverside parks include some playgrounds for the kids, and they’re a great place to get outside and enjoy some fresh air. You know Drumheller for its prehistoric landscape and decorative dinosaurs scattered throughout its downtown. Seeing hoodoos is one of the region the mention the incredible scenery of the.. ( maximum 1 hour ), fun stop, but it ’ s the. 1931 for Coal workers at the Canalta Jurassic Hotel, which is located on the.! Of spectacle where these extinct creatures are concerned little community and the road to the overlooks summer, you ’. Ll want to budget at least 2-3 hours for visiting the museum is arguably best... Have reviews of the fossils discovered things to do in drumheller Alberta lesser-known Provincial parks more than the ones in.... Decent Trail system along the Red Deer River is another of the most important paleontology museums on way! 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