Our Top Alberta Staycation Ideas
Planning a vacation doesn’t always mean leaving town. Sometimes, the best adventures can be found right in your own backyard. Here are some creative and exciting staycation ideas to help you explore and enjoy Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, and other parts of Alberta without breaking the bank.
What is a Staycation?
A staycation is a fun and cost-effective way to enjoy your vacation time without leaving your hometown or nearby areas. It’s all about exploring and experiencing your local surroundings as if you were a tourist. Not only does this save you a significant amount of money, but it also allows you to discover hidden gems in your community. Here are some top staycation ideas tailored for those in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, and surrounding areas.
How to Plan Your Staycation
Just like planning a trip away, you’ll need to pick a time for your staycation. Coordinate it with local events that interest you and your family. For example, plan your staycation around the Calgary Stampede in July or the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival in August.
- Choose Your Dates: Select dates that work for everyone and align with exciting local events.
- Budgeting: Add your monthly savings to your spending plan so you know exactly how much you can spend on your staycation.
- Family Input: Let each family member suggest activities they’d like to do. You could even pick a theme for the week, like “Adventure Week” or “Cultural Exploration.”
- Research Local Events: Check your city’s website or community bulletin boards for free or low-cost events, festivals, and activities.
16 Great Staycation Ideas in Alberta
Here are some of Money Mentors’ top picks for activities to include in your next staycation:
- Community Events
- Check Out the Local Music Scene
- Local Sporting Events
- Try New Restaurants
- Be a Guest for the Day
- Watch Movies or Read a Book
- Take a Course on Something You’re Interested In
- Go to the Nearest Lake for a Day
- Picnic at the Park
- Give Back to the Community
- Complete Home Maintenance Projects
- Check Out a Local Museum or Attraction
- Hire Housekeeping Services for a Week
- Go for a Bike Ride or Hike
- Contact Family and Friends
- Take Lots of Photos
Calgary and Edmonton are bustling with community events all year round. From local farmer’s markets to arts and crafts fairs, there’s always something happening. Check out events at your local community hall or library. In Calgary, the Lilac Festival is a must-visit, while Edmonton’s Ice on Whyte Festival offers a unique winter experience. In Red Deer, don’t miss the Westerner Days Fair & Exposition, and in Medicine Hat, check out the Spectrum Festival.
Calgary and Edmonton both boast vibrant music scenes. Whether you’re into rock, jazz, classical, or indie music, there’s something for everyone. Catch a concert at Calgary’s Jack Singer Concert Hall or Edmonton’s Winspear Centre, and in Medicine Hat, visit The Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre. Don’t forget to explore smaller venues like pubs and coffee shops for live local bands.
Support your local teams! In Calgary, cheer for the Calgary Flames at a hockey game or catch a football match with the Calgary Stampeders. In Edmonton, watch the Edmonton Oilers on the ice or the Edmonton Elks on the field. High school and university sports events are also great for affordable and exciting entertainment. In Red Deer, you can catch the Red Deer Rebels in action, and in Medicine Hat, cheer for the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Use your staycation to explore the culinary delights of your city. Each city’s food scene offers a variety of options, from fine dining to delicious street food at local markets. In Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, and Medicine Hat, you can try new dishes at popular restaurants or indulge in sweet treats at well-known bakeries. Alternatively, opt for convenience foods that take less time to prepare, allowing you more time to enjoy your city. Each city has its own unique eateries and hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
Treat yourself to a night in a local hotel. Many hotels in Calgary and Edmonton offer special staycation packages. Enjoy the amenities like pools and spas, and let the kids have a blast on the water slides. This can be a fun and luxurious break from the routine. In Red Deer and Medicine Hat, you can also find great hotel options for a relaxing stay.
Use part of your staycation to catch up on movies or books you’ve been wanting to enjoy. Create a cozy home theater experience with popcorn and comfy blankets or visit your local library for a quiet reading day. Calgary’s Calgary Public Library and Edmonton’s Edmonton Public Library are great places to start. In Red Deer, visit the Red Deer Public Library, and in Medicine Hat, check out the Medicine Hat Public Library.
Expand your knowledge by taking a course. Whether it’s a cooking class, art workshop, or a free online course on finance (like the ones offered by Money Mentors), learning something new can be incredibly rewarding.
While Alberta may not have an ocean, it has plenty of beautiful lakes. Spend a day at Sylvan Lake or Ghost Lake near Calgary, or head to Elk Island National Park near Edmonton for some outdoor fun. Enjoy swimming, kayaking, or just lounging by the water. In Red Deer, Sylvan Lake is nearby, and in Medicine Hat, Echo Dale Regional Park offers a great spot for a lakeside day.
Pack a picnic and head to one of your city’s beautiful parks. In Calgary, Prince’s Island Park is a great spot, while Edmonton’s Hawrelak Park offers lovely scenery and plenty of space to relax. In Red Deer, visit Bower Ponds, and in Medicine Hat, enjoy a picnic at Kin Coulee Park.
Spend some time volunteering. Whether it’s helping out at a local food bank, animal shelter, or community event, giving back can be a fulfilling way to spend your staycation. Check out opportunities with Volunteer Calgary, Volunteer Edmonton, Volunteer Central in Red Deer, and Medicine Hat Volunteers.
Use your staycation to tackle those home improvement projects that need more than a weekend. Whether it’s painting a room, organizing the garage, or starting a garden, you’ll feel accomplished by the end of your staycation.
Visit local museums and attractions to learn more about your community. The Glenbow Museum in Calgary and the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton are excellent places to start. These visits can be both educational and entertaining for all ages. In Red Deer, visit the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, and in Medicine Hat, explore the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre.
Take a break from housework by hiring a cleaning service for the week. This will free up your time to enjoy your staycation without worrying about chores.
Alberta has beautiful trails perfect for biking and hiking. Explore Fish Creek Provincial Park in Calgary or the River Valley trails in Edmonton. These outdoor activities are great for exercise and experiencing nature. In Red Deer, try the Waskasoo Park trails, and in Medicine Hat, explore the Police Point Park.
Use your staycation to reconnect with loved ones. Organize a visit, barbecue, or potluck with friends and family you haven’t seen in a while. It’s a wonderful way to catch up and create new memories.
Document your staycation by taking photos of local landmarks, landscapes, and everyday moments. This can be a fun way to see your city through a new lens and create lasting memories. Visit iconic spots like the Peace Bridge in Calgary, the Legislature Building in Edmonton, the Centennial Park in Red Deer, and the Saamis Tepee in Medicine Hat.
Enjoy your staycation and make the most of what Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, and surrounding areas have to offer. There’s no need to travel far to have a fantastic and memorable vacation!
Have questions?
Need more information or want to talk to an accredited financial counsellor for peace of mind? Let us help.
Call 1-888-294-0076 or book an appointment. It’s free for all Albertans.
