Issue link: http://read.canadatravelguides.ca/i/1471704
AB 47 head north to the town of Wembley—24 km (15 mi.) west of Grande Prairie—to tour the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum, which chronicles the work done to preserve the world's largest hornbill dinosaur bonebed. MUST SEE, MUST DO Pilot to Bombardier! Hop aboard an open-air biplane at Reynolds-Alberta Museum for a bird's-eye view of the prairies around Camrose and Wetaskiwin. You can also tour the museum's many heritage transportation vehicles such as cars, industrial machines and airplanes (www.reynoldsmuseum.ca). Nestled into the lush coulees of the Rosebud River Valley, the abandoned railway town of Rosebud was overtaken by a group of faith- based artists three decades ago. They created a thriving professional theatre school and arts centre that offers high-calibre, family- friendly theatre and music. Many tourists stroll along the hamlet's two streets, which are spattered with funky art shops and galleries (www.rosebudtheatre.com). Historic Fort Macleod, in southern Alberta, is the birthplace of the North-West Mounted Police—now the RCMP. The first musical ride in Canada was held in the town in 1876. Modelled after British Army cavalry drills, the musical ride is held daily in July and August (www.nwmpmuseum.com). SCENIC DRIVES Crowsnest Highway: This historic route stretches from Fort Macleod in the province's far south to the town of Coleman, where the province's coal-mining heritage was born. Travellers should not miss the jaw-dropping boulder fields lining the highway to the town of Frank, where 82 million metric tonnes of rock crashed down from the mines at Turtle Mountain and buried the town. A visit to the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre tells the story of the nighttime tragedy. Deh Cho Trail: The best of northern Alberta is found along this 758-km (471-mi.) journey northwest of Edmonton to High Level. It offers vast tracts of stunning wilderness with countless lakes and rivers; the boreal forests, parkland and wetlands are teeming with wildlife including rare birds. Explore old fur trade posts at historic sites such as Fort Vermilion, or cross Alberta's longest vehicle suspension bridge over the Peace River at Dunvegan. Cowboy Trail: Western heritage takes the spotlight along this scenic Highway 22 drive through the foothills of the Rockies between Pincher Creek and Mayerthorpe. Highlights of the route include Bar U Ranch National Historic Site and historic Cochrane RancheHouse (www.thecowboytrail.com). FAMILY FUN Don't miss the World Waterpark at West Edmonton Mall, the Calgary Zoo's Penguin Plunge or The Brainasium outdoor playground at the TELUS Spark Science Centre. Kids enjoy the Tropical Pyramid at the Muttart Conservatory. The Great Canadian Barn Dance at Hillspring features campfires, music and food (www.gcbd.ca), while the Innisfail Discovery Wildlife Park is a 36 ha (90 acre) zoo housing more than 30 species of orphaned animals including bears, wolves and lions (www.discoverywildlife park.com). The Royal Tyrrell Museum offers a Jurassic joyride; also the chance to climb into the belly of the World's Largest Dinosaur in Drumheller in the Canadian Badlands. ESTABLISHED AS A PROVINCE IN 1905, ALBERTA WAS NAMED AFTER A DAUGHTER OF THEN-QUEEN VICTORIA—PRINCESS LOUISE CAROLINE ALBERTA. Quick Fact SNOWDAYS FESTIVAL, BANFF • SHUTTERSTOCK/SHAWN.CCF National Parks and Historic Sites: www.parkscanada.gc.ca 1-888-773-8888 Park Pick JASPER NATIONAL PARK Extending over 11,000 sq. km (4,247 sq. mi.), it is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies and part of UNESCO's Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage site. Travellers come to Alberta for its Rocky Mountain vibe and to travel the glacier-lined Icefields Parkway. Situated between Jasper and Lake Louise, the epic 237-km (147-mi.) drive offers excellent wildlife viewing opportu- nities and breathtaking year-round recreation. Ringed by towering glaciers, the park is home to the Columbia Icefield, where you can climb into the belly of the glacier and take specially- designed vehicles right onto it. Other must-sees include the historic Miette Hot Springs, the string of postcard- worthy lakes such as Peyto Lake and Bow Lake, and the Glacier Skywalk overlooking the icefield (www.parks canada.gc.ca/jasper).