Summer is the perfect time to hit the road and discover new and interesting places with the family! Whether it be for a weekend getaway, or just for a day trip, Lacombe County offers up a wide range of experiences and activities just a short drive south of Edmonton. Choose from fun family activities, exciting events, outdoor adventures, or culinary experiences for every age and interest. It’s all waiting for you to discover on the Lacombe Regional Tourism website!
With multiple playgrounds in town and one of the best outdoor pools in the province, the Town of Blackfalds is the perfect family destination. McKay Ranch Outdoor Aquatic Centre offers multiple pools, waterslides, and an interactive spray park, making it well worth the 1-hour drive and $20 family admission for an afternoon of fun in the sun. Cap off your visit with a visit to the adjacent Dinosaur Playground, or bring your bikes and test your skills at the all-levels friendly Vesta Energy Bike Skills Park right across the street!
Another popular swimming spot in the area is Gull Lake, with the white sand and warm shallow water at Sandy Point Beach perfectly suited to even the youngest swimmers. As campers, we love that we can head out on Friday night after work and have the trailer parked among the trees at Brewer’s Campground before it is dark. With less time spent getting to the campsite, we have more time to spend at the beaches and biking through the campground trails.
Speaking of camping, the Alix Lake Campground is truly a hidden gem. This small campground on the shores of Alix Lake offers 11 powered sites, a sanded beach area, playground, and shower house. While there, we also encourage you to stop into the Village of Alix to savour the largest cinnamon buns in the region at Sweet Crumbs Cakery! We promise it is worth the stop.
Also worth the stop in the area is the Ellis Bird Farm. This nature centre is a haven for birds and wildlife, with hundreds of birdhouses situated along its beautiful walking paths. In the summer months, they offer tours, conservation talks and fun workshops like birdhouse making.
In the late summer and fall, there’s no better place to spend the day with family and friends than Kraay Family Farm! What started as just a corn maze, has now grown into a large-scale attraction with over 40 activities to see and do on the farm. There’s something to please everyone between the 15 acres of mazes, jumping pillows, train rides, cart races, carnival-style games, playground, miniature golf and a petting zoo filled with adorable farm animals. Pack a picnic, or enjoy some of the on-site treats like freshly popped kettle corn!
And for another great farm experience, you’ll also want to add Billyco Junction Ltd. to your list. Here you can pick your own fruits, vegetables, and berries straight from the field. Popular products include honeyberries, strawberries, raspberries and Saskatoon berries ready for picking between July and August.
Choose to head out spur of the moment to take advantage of the warm weather, or plan your adventures around one of the exciting events happening this summer and fall. Local favourites you won’t want to miss include Blackfalds Days, Lacombe Days, Bentley Fair & Rodeo Days, and the Lacombe Culture & Harvest Festival.
Visit the Lacombe Regional Tourism website to explore all the attractions, food, shopping and events in the area. Head out for the day, or make a weekend of it by booking a stay at one of the local B&B’s, hotels, or campgrounds. Either way, you’ll have fun making new memories and discoveries!
Lacombe Regional Tourism:
Website: www.lacombetourism.com
