Are you looking for some of the best Central Alberta’s attractions to enjoy a summer day with the kids?
There are so many fun things to do in Central Alberta, where you can find the perfect mix of natural beauty, outdoor fun, charming small towns, and hands-on experiences.
In this one-day itinerary, you’ll:
- Visit Kraay Family Farm, where children can interact with friendly animals and learn about farm life,
- Enjoy the vibrant downtown of Lacombe, with historical landmarks, murals, and unique shops
✍️ Lacombe Regional Tourism invited us for a summer family day in the area, and we’re sharing our detailed itinerary and the best things to do in Central Alberta with you! Note that all opinions and words are our own.
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How to Get to Lacombe in Central Alberta
Lacombe is located in central Alberta, about:
- 25 kilometers north of Red Deer
- 120 kilometers south of Edmonton.
- 175 kilometers north of Calgary
It’s a great place for a family weekend in the summer, but even in the wintertime.
Directions to Lacombe, Alberta
To get to Lacombe, take Highway 2 (the Queen Elizabeth II Highway) and exit onto Highway 12, which will take you directly into the heart of Lacombe. The drive from both Calgary and Edmonton takes approximately 1.5 hours, making it an easily accessible destination for a day trip or weekend getaway in Alberta.
📖 TL;DR? Here is a recap of our summer day with the best Central Alberta attractions.
Start your day with a visit to Kraay Family Farm. Spent a few hours there. Then, head to downtown Lacombe. Start by visiting the “Heart of Lacombe.” Next, stop by The Loft in Nowco Home Hardware. It’s a new charming gift shop filled with unique items and local crafts. Then, step back in time at the Lacombe Museum. You can learn about the area’s rich history and see fascinating artifacts. Finally, you can go on a self-guided mural tour using the brochure available at the museum.
Morning at Kraay Family Farm
Start your day with a visit at Kraay Family Farm. The farm opens at 10h00AM, so if you’re driving from Calgary or Edmonton (like we did), try to leave at around 8h-8h30 to be there for the opening because they are SO much to do at Kraay Family Farm that you’ll want to be there for hours.
There are more than 50 different attractions on the site, so lots of options.
Here is how we spent our time at the farm:
We arrived at 10h00, got our tickets and the kids headed directly to the big jumping pillow trampolines. Ohh… Do they love this thing. When we visited Iceland last April, we found that many of the local public kids’ playgrounds had jumping pillows, and the kids spent so much time on them.
Then, it was time for a game of mini-golf before spending way too much time at the Rubber Duck Races. I don’t know why, but the kids loved it and didn’t want to leave.
We also spent a lot of time in the Barnyard Twister. It was pretty cool. I went on it a little, but spinny things are not for me. I learned my lesson last summer at Waldameer Amusement Park in Erie, Pennsylvania (USA). But it didn’t seem to bother the kids at all.
The bubble bin was another hit. We were able to make some huge bubbles.
After a quick snack and water break, we were ready for a hill slide race. We had to carry our tube up the hill and race down. My oldest son won!
We did use some of our Punch Card Vouchers for a few rounds at the Paintball Shooting Range. My oldest son had a friend’s birthday party at a paintball place near Cochrane, so he was hooked.
We had a quick hot dog lunch (and ice cream—and iced coffee for me) before finishing our visit in the corn maze and paddling my boys up the roller coaster (which was so much fun and great workout).
As you can see, there is so much to do at Kraay Family Farm. I recommend planning for at least a good 3 to 4 hours.
Afternoon in Downtown Lacombe
After a morning on the farm, it’s time to discover the City of Lacombe. If it’s a hot summer day, you can stop at the Lacombe Spray Park first to cool off and remove a coast of dirt 😉
Then, head to downtown Lacombe. If you feel like it, you can easily walk from the spray park to Main Street, or you can park on one of the many free parking spots in town. The kids were a bit tired, so we just parked closer.
Start by visiting the “Heart of Lacombe.” It’s a unique heart-shaped structure located at the Memorial Centre. Take pictures and let the kids play around this iconic landmark.
Next, stop by The Loft in Nowco Home Hardware. It’s a new charming gift shop filled with unique items and local crafts. It’s located on the upper level of the Nowco Home Hardware.
We had fun trying on some hats!
Then, step back in time at the Lacombe Museum. You can learn about the area’s rich history and see fascinating artifacts. The museum’s historic Flatiron Building is beautiful.
Finally, you can go on a self-guided murals tour using the brochure available at the museum. As you stroll through the charming streets, you can admire the vibrant murals depicting Lacombe’s heritage and culture.
Also, during your time in downtown Lacombe, follow the painted heart trail. My boys loved spotting the colorful hearts when we crossed streets.
More Fun Things to Do in Central Alberta
If you have more time in Central Alberta around the City of Lacombe, here are a few more fun things to do with the kids:
DNA Gardens
DNA Gardens is a beautiful U-Pick fruit orchard. They have more than 19 varieties of Saskatoons and 10 different kinds of fruit. We visited earlier this year and the Saskatoons were not ready yet, but we got to taste a few different types of pies.
And I also tasted some of the fruit wines from Our Roots Winery.
Billyco Junction U-Pick Garden Farm
For a fun and tasty experience, head to Billyco Junction U-Pick Garden Farm. Billyco Junction is just 10 minutes from the City of Lacombe.
You can pick honeyberries, strawberries, golden raspberries, sea buckthorn, romance (tart) cherries, currants, gooseberries, Saskatoon berries, and raspberries too! You can also pick potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, almost everything you can imagine. This year, they are starting a U-pick flower area with various flowers.
Ellis Bird Farm
If your family loves nature and birdwatching, you’ll enjoy a visit to Ellis Bird Farm. This unique attraction is dedicated to the conservation and appreciation of birds and their habitats, especially the bluebird.
The Ellis Bird Farm hosts workshops, programs for kids, and outdoor Yoga classes throughout the summer.
Final Thoughts: Things to Do in Central Alberta with Kids
Central Alberta is a fantastic destination for families seeking outdoor adventures, educational experiences, and small-town charm, starting with the delightful Kraay Family Farm in the morning and transitioning to the charming downtown area of Lacombe in the afternoon.
Beyond Lacombe, Central Alberta offers a wealth of additional attractions for families to explore. The DNA Gardens, with their fruit orchard and wine tasting. The Billyco Junction U-Pick Garden Farm allows families to immerse themselves in the joy of harvesting fresh produce. At the same time, the Ellis Bird Farm offers a unique opportunity to observe and learn about various bird species.
Have you ever been to Central Alberta?
