Even though Red Deer isn’t known as a tourist destination, there are plenty of things to do and see. It’s also close to Alberta’s two largest cities and one of the province’s most famous lakes. We’ll tell you what to do in Red Deer, like Heritage Ranch, Kraay Family Farm Discovery Canyon, and more, in this travel guide.
Red Deer City: A Great Place To Live!
Red Deer is a city in Alberta, Canada, located halfway between Calgary and Edmonton. Key industries in this city include health care, retail trade, construction, oil and gas, hospitality, manufacturing, and education. It is bounded by Red Deer County and shares a border with Lacombe County. The city is situated in aspen parkland, a rolling hill region along the Red Deer River.
This city, known as one of Canada’s most entrepreneurial cities, competes with other large cities in Alberta and Western Canada. Other advantages of living in Red Deer include proximity to major transportation routes, the Red Deer Regional Airport, readily available land for sale or lease, and low tax rates.
It’s a fantastic place to live! Red Deer has many affordable and safe neighborhoods. And there are some fantastic activities and events going on that people of all ages can participate in. If you’re looking for a nice place to raise your children, there are many good schools.
Attractions And Things To Do In Red Deer
Bower Ponds
Bower Ponds is a must-see attraction in Red Deer all year. It includes a playground with a view of the Red Deer River, a tranquil garden, and a natural amphitheater with a covered stage for summer concerts.
In the summer, there are kayaks, paddle boats, canoes, and water balls available, as well as some lovely walking trails. Outdoor pond skating and tobogganing are available in the winter. You can rent skates from the pavilion on-site, which also has a cafe, a cozy fireside room, and a games room. Picnic tables and an outdoor patio are available.
Canadian Finals Rodeo
If you’re in Red Deer between late October and early November, don’t miss the world-class Canadian Finals Rodeo at Westerner Park. It’s a five-day rodeo with on-site and off-site events that will have you kicking up your heels and shouting ‘Yeehaa!’
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Heritage Ranch
The Waskasoo Park system includes Heritage Ranch. Its year-round equestrian center offers horse-drawn wagon rides, trail rides, and pony rides. There is also a Westlake Grill restaurant on-site, and the trails near the ranch are ideal for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Evening sleigh rides at Red Deer’s Heritage Ranch are one of the city’s most popular winter activities. You ride through a forest decorated with thousands of twinkling lights in a horse-drawn sleigh wrapped in a warm blanket. A must-do experience for the romantics among us!
Kerry Wood Nature Centre And Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary
The Kerry Wood Nature Centre serves as the entrance to Waskasoo Park and is an excellent location for a walk and wildlife viewing. It is a federally protected migratory bird sanctuary of 300 acres with five kilometers of trails, a bird blind, and viewing decks. An indoor visitor center with interpretive nature displays and a bookstore is available.
During the winter, you can rent snowshoes and go for a walk in the Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary, which is directly behind the nature center. The sanctuary is a 122-hectare natural area in the heart of the city that houses Alberta’s first federal migratory bird sanctuary and serves as a year-round haven for wildlife.
Alberta Sports Hall of Fame
If you enjoy sports, the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum should be at the top of your list of things to do in Red Deer. It is a 6,000-square-foot interactive display of Alberta’s sporting history that houses over 7,000 artifacts from the province’s history. An interactive hockey rink, baseball pitching field, and alpine skiing machine are also available.
Canyon Ski Resort
Canyon Ski Resort is the largest non-mountain ski resort in Alberta. There are 80 acres of skiable terrain, 22 runs, and 6 lifts, two of which are chair lifts. A snow tube park, terrain park, equipment rentals, a ski school, and a ski lodge with a restaurant and lounge are all available. Canyon Ski Resort offers night skiing and night tubing. On Sundays, free family ski lessons are available with the purchase of a family ski pass. The tube and dine package on Friday nights include night snow tubing and dinner for two.
Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing is ideal if you want to avoid downhill skiing but still enjoy the winter and get some exercise. There are over 30 kilometers of groomed cross-country ski trails within the city limits of Red Deer, which can be found at Heritage Ranch, Great Chief Park, Red Deer College, Barrett Park, and Riverbend.
Kraay Family Farm And World-Famous Corn Maze
In addition to the world-famous corn maze, the Kraay Family Farm in Lacombe has over 40 attractions and amenities. They were inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records a few years ago for creating the world’s largest QR code as a maze design! How awesome is that?
Tractor pulling, obstacle courses, playgrounds, bouncy pillows, a sunflower maze, buggy racing, pig races, kernel corn play boxes, animals to feed, plenty of picnic tables to eat at, firepits, barbeques, tent-covered areas, a potato cannon, photo opportunities, outdoor games, and a tractor-pulled train ride are also available in Kraay Family Farm.
If you happen to be in Red Deer in August, look for ‘Sunflower Days,’ which run throughout the month and feature blooming flowers perfect for Instagram.
Discovery Canyon
This is a great place to cool off on a hot day. Discovery Canyon is a seasonal water park located along the Red Deer River. Discovery Canyon is open from June to the long weekend in September. Rent a tube or bring your own and float down the river. A natural river-fed water pool and a playground are available. Discovery Canyon is also an excellent location for a picnic.
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Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery
While in Red Deer, check out the rotating local and national art and history exhibits and participate in some of the interesting programs available at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery. Some of the exhibits include one of Western Canada’s finest collections of clothing and textiles, an extensive collection of First Nations and Inuit art, the military experiences of local men and women, and the history of this city, its surrounding districts, and Central Alberta as a whole.
Getting Around
Red Deer’s only mode of public transportation is buses. Red Deer Transit operates a bus system in the city. However, there are a few taxi companies, including Alberta Gold and Associated Cab, as well as Uber.
Is It Safe To Travel To Red Deer?
Our best data suggests that this area is generally safe. There are no travel advisories or warnings for Canada as of October 7, 2019; take standard security precautions.
The Best Time To Visit
July is the busiest month for tourism in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, followed by June and August. Hotel and flight prices will be highest during these months, but you can save if you book well in advance. In December, tourists are unlikely to visit Red Deer. Those who are willing to visit during these times will most likely find it to be the least expensive month.
Weather In Red Deer, Alberta
Red Deer, like the rest of Alberta, has four distinct seasons. Summers are extremely hot, and winters are extremely cold. In the spring and summer, there may be significant rainfall, so bring a raincoat. Red Deer is open all year. Temperatures in the summer range from 23 to 8 degrees Celsius. Temperatures in the fall range from 11 degrees Celsius to -3 degrees Celsius. Temperatures in the winter range from -5 to -16 degrees Celsius, while temperatures in the spring range from 15 to -2 degrees Celsius.
Bring layers, just like the rest of Canada. In the summer, you can probably get away with wearing shorts and a T-shirt, whereas in the winter, you’ll need a winter jacket, winter boots, gloves, a toque, and possibly some thermal underwear.
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