Issue link: http://read.canadatravelguides.ca/i/809166
Prairie to tour the newly-minted Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum, which chroni- cles the work done to preserve the world's largest hornbill dinosaur bonebed. MUST SEE, MUST DO The resource town of Grande Cache, northwest of Edmonton, is a rugged former forestry and coal-mining community ringed by a dozen massive peaks. Largely undeveloped, the town is a fantastic jumping-off spot to explore nearby Willmore Wilderness Park. This 4,600 sq. km. (1,840 sq. mi.) park aff ords a rugged backcountry experience that is popular with ATV enthusiasts, travellers on horseback and extreme athletes. 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 off ers high-calibre, family-friendly theatre and music to more than 35,000 visitors a year. Many visitors stroll 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 fi rst musical ride in Canada was held in the town in 1876. Modelled after British Army cavalry drills, the musical ride features 36 riders perform- ing intricate moves. The 30-minute shows are held four times daily from July to September ( www.nwmpmuseum.com). SCENIC DRIVES Icefi elds Parkway: Ranked one of the most scenic drives in Canada, Hwy 93 from Jasper to Lake Louise, is a 237-km (147-mi.) stretch that zips past dozens of waterfalls, glaciers, emerald lakes and rocky gorges. A gateway to the Alaska Highway, the town of Jasper is a portal to nearby destinations such as Athabasca and Sunwapta falls, Miette Hot Springs and Maligne Lake ( www. icefi eldsparkway.com). UNESCO Trail: It's no day trip, but this classic trek is worth the several weeks it takes to properly travel the 1,900-km (1,181-mi.) north-south corridor. From the southern tip of Alberta at stunning Waterton Lakes to Wood Buff alo National Park in the remote north, road trippers pass through a diverse range of terrain including alpine, parkland, boreal forests and sections of the badlands. Cowboy Trail: Western Heritage takes the spotlight along this scenic Hwy 22 drive through the foothills of the Rockies between Pincher Creek and Mayerthorpe. Highlights of the 700-km (435-mi.) route include Bar U Ranch National Historic Site and historic Cochrane Ranch ( www. thecowboytrail.com). FAMILY FUN Families shouldn't miss the World Waterpark at West Edmonton Mall, the Calgary Zoo's Penguin Plunge or The Brainasium outdoor centre/slide at the TELUS Spark Centre. Kids fl ock to the Tropical Pyramid at the Muttart Conservatory. The Great Canadian Barn Dance at Hillspring features campfi res, music and food ( www.gcbd.ca), while the Innisfail Discovery Wildlife Park is a 90-acre zoo housing more than 40 species of orphaned animals including bears, wolves and lions ( www.discoverywild lifepark.com). The Royal Tyrrell Museum off ers a Jurassic joyride; also the chance to climb into the belly of the World's Largest Dinosaur in Drumheller in the Canadian Badlands. Star Trek buff s should stop at the town of Vulcan for its otherworldly visitor centre and annual Vul-Con festival, a living tribute to the popular Star Trek TV series. PARK PICK ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE Immerse yourself in nine authentic Aboriginal cultures at this former fur-trading post along the confl uence of the mighty North Saskatchewan and Clearwater rivers, where 200 years of fur trade heritage have been brought to life. Play traditional Blackfoot games or cook bannock (unleavened bread) using just a stick and an open campfi re. Tap your toes in harmony with a local drummer or dancer, or learn to make an authentic Native dream catcher. Bed down for the night in a teepee or Métis trapper's tent under a canopy of stars. Step into the wide-bottomed York boats built to navigate the northern trading routes, or check out the authentic Red River carts that brought Métis settlers West across Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Two interpretive trails wind past remains of the Hudson's Bay Company and North West Company, rival fur- trading forts established in 1799. Relive the adventures of British- Canadian explorer David Thompson, who helped chart a huge portion of northwestern North America on a quest to fi nd a passage to the Pacifi c ( www.parkscanada.gc.ca/rocky mountainhouse). National Parks and Historic Sites: www.parkscanada.gc.ca 1-888-773-8888 STEPHEN AVENUE, CALGARY • TRAVEL AB/GERARD YUNKER AB 73