The Best Weekend Getaways from Edmonton for Jet Lag-Free Escapes
A crying baby or drawn-out layover can turn any weekend getaway from pure bliss to “$#@&%!”
Luckily, we don’t have to deal with that in Edmonton. With dreamy lakes, magical hotels, and old-world towns close by, we can easily escape the daily hustle without grabbing a plane ticket.
Curious about the retreats we’re raving about? You’ll find them below, along with handy tips to keep the road rage or travel blues at bay.
Getaways in Edmonton
Fantasyland Hotel
– From fantasyland_hotel
Address: West Edmonton Mall, 17700 87 Ave NW
Contact Details: +1 800-737-3783
Check-in: 4 pm
Check-out: 11 am
If there were awards for places living up to their names, Fantasyland Hotel would be a top contender. With themes that span Polynesian, Roman, outer space, and even dinosaurs, it’s truly a hotel for your wildest and cutest fantasies.
Plus, it’s a smack dab in the middle of West Edmonton Mall. That means it’s within reach of other Edmonton tourist magnets, like Galaxyland and World Waterpark!
| Tip: The nearest parking areas to the hotel are entrances 52, 54, and 56. |
Fairmont Hotel Macdonald
– From luxegetaways
Address: 10065 100 St NW
Contact Details: (780) 424-5181
Check-in: 3 pm
Check-out: 12 pm
Since 1915, the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald has been Edmonton’s hit spot for posh and polished escapades. Here, guests can revel in exquisite rooms boasting sweeping river valley panoramas and live-cooked brunch in the historic Empire Ballroom.
For the active souls, the 2-story Health Club will get you huffing and puffing with its squash court and saline pool. You can also take it easy by meandering through the gardens or pampering yourself with a massage that’ll remove knots and blues.
| Tip: The hotel is dog-friendly, but prepare to pay additional fees. |
Getaways Outside of Edmonton
Elk Island National Park
– From smookbrown_photography
Address: 54401 Range Rd 203, Fort Saskatchewan
Distance from Edmonton: 38 mins
Contact Details: (780) 922-5790
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 9 am to 6 pm
- Sat to Sun – 9 am to 8 pm
Elk Island National Park is only a 36-minute drive from Edmonton, but it feels like worlds away. The aspen forests and sprawling wetlands were breathtaking during our trip, but it was the elk, bison, and wolf sightings that dropped our jaws.
We topped off the experience with a picnic at Astotin Lake, framed by island trails and shallow waters. Fortunately, the northern lights put on a show that night—a fitting but not shocking finale, considering the park is a designated dark sky preserve.
| Tips: You won’t find gas stations at the park, so bring a full tank. Moreover, don’t forget your anti-bug spray, especially during April to November. |
Sylvan Lake
– From visitsylvanlake
Address: Sylvan Lake
Distance from Edmonton: 1 hr and 53 mins
As a lakeside community, Sylvan Lake is buzzing with water fun year-round. In the summer, paddleboarders (paddle boarding edmonton) and jet skiers rule the waters, while winter brings out ice-fishing enthusiasts and polar bear dippers.
For a family outing, Sylvan Lake Park is a solid destination, thanks to its scenic hiking trails and a world of picnic spots by the water. You might even spot coyotes, bald eagles, and black bears from afar while appreciating the silence and eating BBQ.
| Tip: The lakeside area fills up fast in summer. Aim to get there by mid-morning to get a good parking spot. |
Cold Lake
– From visitcoldlake
Address: Cold Lake
Distance from Edmonton: 3 hrs and 20 mins
Cold Lake is a dream for kayaking or swimming in peace, with only birds for background noise. Kinosoo Beach is an ideal first stop, known for its 3-block stretch of fine sand and popular floating docks.
But if you’re looking to mix things up, head over to Cold Lake Park. It’s a sun-soaked, low-traffic spot for power boating and canoeing, with a zipline that gives you a bird’s-eye view of the lake.
| Tip: Bring your fishing gear. The water here is packed with walleye, northern pike, and more. |
Lac La Biche
– From sandradalley
Address: Lac La Biche
Distance from Edmonton: 2 hrs and 31 mins
The 2.5-hour trek to Lac La Biche felt like a breeze once we hit the Lakeland Canoe Circuit. This backcountry route led us deep into nature, paddling across Jackson, Kinnaird, Blackett, and McGuffin Lakes.
Landing a few massive northern pike and walleye at Popular Point didn’t hurt either. But to sweeten the deal, we had to explore the Lac La Biche Museum, marveling at its centerpiece—a 14-foot ship—alongside exhibits of cultural artifacts and animals.
| Tip: Start your trip by heading to the Lac La Biche Tourist Information Center. There, you can learn about the best places to crash, dine, swim, etc. |
Lacombe
– From cityoflacombe
Address: Lacombe
Distance from Edmonton: 1 hr and 26 mins
Lacombe, the “Mural Capital of Alberta,” has downtown alleys popping with pieces flaunting the city’s rich history. It also boasts the Lacombe Blacksmith Shop Museum, where you’ll see blacksmithing like it’s 1902!
Ellis Nature Center, formerly Ellis Bird Farm, adds to Lacombe’s trendiness. This picturesque spot for native birds and pollinators has flowery panoramas, warblers, and bluebirds in spades.
| Tip: Familiarize yourself with the town’s best camping sites. |
Pigeon Lake Provincial Park
– From adventurochelle
Address: 15072 Township Rd 470
Distance from Edmonton: 1 hr and 11 mins
Contact Details: (780) 586-2644
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 11 am to 7 pm
- Fri to Sat – 9 am to 9 pm
- Sun – 9 am to 8 pm
Last summer would’ve been a total flop if we hadn’t camped at Pigeon Lake Provincial Park. Just an hour from downtown Edmonton, this spot rekindled our love for nature with its blend of beach and forest views.
The 10-kilometer trail was the cherry on top, with smooth paths that winded through the forest and ran along the shoreline. And those views? Pure eye candy, with the lake being the ultimate head-turner.
| Tip: You can take your boat here. There are loads of well-maintained launches around. |
Red Deer
– From tourismreddeer
Address: Red Deer
Distance from Edmonton: 1 hr and 47 mins
Red Deer might be a small town, but it’s big on weekend escapes. First on the list? Bower Ponds, where you can enjoy a natural amphitheater, easygoing paddle zones, and smooth ice-skating rinks come winter.
There’s also the Sunnybrook Farm Museum, a local treasure that takes visitors straight to the early 1900s. As you stroll, historic log homes and costumed actors will up the immersion levels, while cuddly farm animals add that extra slice of rural charm.
| Tip: If you’re visiting in July, swing by Red Deer’s annual Westerner Days. It has rodeos, carnival rides, and more! |
Athabasca County
– From junkyardgemini
Address: Athabasca County
Distance from Edmonton: 2 hr and 5 mins
For bird lovers, a weekend in Athabasca County is as good as it gets. Calling Lake Provincial Park has marshlands that attract flocks of great blue herons and white pelicans, and you can do a bit of fishing (fishing edmonton) on the side.
Cross-country skiing at Long Lake Provincial Park or tackling the 160-km Athabasca Landing Trail should also be on your bucket list. But if you prefer the slow life, head to the Athabasca River Front for a lazy afternoon picnic or a quiet evening walk by the water.
| Tip: Head to the Athabasca River Rats Festival in summer for a taste of live music and local food! |
Wabamun Lake Provincial Park
– From chickakoo
Address: Township Rd 531A
Distance from Edmonton: 50 mins
Contact Details: (780) 892-2702
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 9 pm
Sure, it may sound predictable, but no Sunny Edmonton summer is complete without a stop at Wabamun Lake Provincial Park. The shallows are warm, and with walleye and pike aplenty, we always end up with big ones.
The lakefront playground is another hit, keeping our kids entertained all afternoon and tiring them early—a massive win for us. We also never have to stress over fire pits and drinking water; the campsites have several, and they don’t cost a fortune.
| Tip: Don’t forget your water gear; the lake is fantastic for paddleboarding and kayaking. |
Jurassic Forest
– From jurassicforest
Address: 23210 Township Road 564 #2, Gibbons
Distance from Edmonton: 42 mins
Contact Details: (780) 470-2446
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 6 pm
Jurassic Forest’s animatronics had our kids equal parts thrilled and terrified. The highlight, though, was winding through the old-growth forest, where we bumped into scaly giants brought to life by motion sensors.
We’ll also hand it to the Active Learning Park, as it kept our little explorers from turning into little nuisances. This dino-themed playground had them racing around and digging for “fossils” like real paleontologists.
| Tip: Pack bug repellent. You’ll deal with a lot of mosquitoes here. |
Lamont County
– From mountainlakephotography_ab
Address: Lamont County
Distance from Edmonton: 1 hr and 6 mins
Dubbed the “Church Capital of North America,” Lamont County has its share of eye-catching architecture. One standout is the Lamont United Church, with its classic 19th-century British style, stained glass, and striking angled buttresses.
The county also hosts Canada’s oldest Ukrainian agricultural community, best experienced at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. There, you can immerse yourself in Ukrainian traditions, from savory foods to lively folk music.
| Tip: Be sure to check for any road closures, especially if you’re planning a winter visit. |
Vegreville
– From love2live.live2love
Address: Vegreville
Distance from Edmonton: 1 hr and 14 mins
Only an hour’s drive from Edmonton, Vegreville offers cultural sites and outdoor experiences without a long haul. To start, the town is home to the world’s largest Pysanka, a Ukrainian Easter egg that has likely popped up on your IG feed a thousand times.
Furthermore, you can challenge yourself at the 9-hole mini golf course of Pysanka Putt-Putt. After you’ve sunk your last putt, take a carefree float on Elks Pond that’s just 3 minutes away from the course!
| Tip: Check the town’s events calendar to make the most of your visit. |
Wainwright
– From albertanfox
Address: Wainwright
Distance from Edmonton: 2 hrs and 14 mins
After hearing our history buffs drone on about Wainwright, we finally decided to see what all the fuss was about—and they were right! From the charming 1925 Memorial Clock Tower to Canada’s second-longest train trestle, this town drips with the good old days.
Beyond that, we enjoyed Wainwright’s wildlife, which shouldn’t be a surprise since it’s also the Buffalo Capital of Canada. The 10-foot Buffalo Statue at 1303 10 St. and herds grazing in the Bud Cotton Buffalo Paddock, made it crystal clear.
| Tip: The best spot to stay is Ramada by Wyndham Wainwright. It has spacious rooms and wallet-friendly prices! |