Are you looking for fun things to do in Lacombe, Alberta, with your family? We’ve got the perfect 2-day itinerary where you’ll explore the city of Lacombe and the surrounding towns.
Before visiting, I had never considered that there would be much to do in central Alberta, specifically around Lacombe. Born and raised in Calgary, I knew Lacombe County to be near Red Deer, having some good lakes (Sylvan Lake and Gull Lake) and some good camping spots, but that’s about it!
I am pleased to say that I discovered that Lacombe County was a massive surprise with such a great variety of activities to offer, and it is a great alternative to heading to the mountains!
Here is your detailed 2-day itinerary to visit Lacombe County with your family. This itinerary is for the summer, but some places can still be visited all year round.
✍️ Lacombe Regional Tourism invited Rowan from Rowan Explores for a family weekend in the area, and she’s sharing with us this amazing 2-day itinerary. we are incredibly grateful for all the places discovered through the itinerary their team prepared.
TABLE OF CONTENT
- Day 1: Exploring the City of Lacombe
- Abbey Center
- Lunch at Piccolos Pizza or Lokal Kitchen Express
- Shopping at Rose & Holly
- Hiking at Mary & Cliff Soper Natural Area
- Microtel Inn & Suite
- Dinner at Cilantro & Chive
- Evening Treat at Winnie's Ice Cream
- Day 2: Filled with Fun Things to Do in Lacombe
- How to Get Lacombe County
- What to Pack When Visiting Lacombe County in Central Alberta
- Final Thoughts: Things to Do in Lacombe
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Day 1: Exploring the City of Lacombe
Start your day off with family fun at the Abbey Centre.
Abbey Center
This 41,000 sq. ft. recreation center is amazing, and a full-day admission for a family is just $20! Begin your adventure at the outdoor dinosaur playground or the 3-story indoor play place (opens at 8 am).
Then, head to the outdoor aquatic center for public swimming that starts at 10 am on weekends. There’s a great shallow pool for small kids, a lazy river, huge water slides, diving boards, and a hot tub.
Lunch at Piccolos Pizza or Lokal Kitchen Express
Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, head for lunch at Piccolos Pizza or Lokal Kitchen Express, depending on your mood.
Both places offer takeout, and we loved the margarita pizza at Piccolos and the Korean-inspired dishes at Lokal. There’s a fantastic pirate ship playground and splash park just down the road from Piccolos, which would be a great place to eat lunch.
Shopping at Rose & Holly
Do a little shopping at Rose & Holly, two 2-minutes from Piccolos and right next to Lokal Kitchen Express. Rose & Holly is a women-owned shop and the perfect place to find gifts and goodies.
It’s full of locally sourced and handcrafted products from all over Alberta. The store hosts a variety of workshops for all ages and supports a different charity each month.
Best of all, they have kittens to play with while you shop, so good luck leaving!!
Hiking at Mary & Cliff Soper Natural Area
Spend the afternoon hiking or biking at the 25-acre Mary & Cliff Soper Natural Area. Just a 5-minute drive from Rose & Holly, you’ll find this amazing nature preservation with lush trails.
Unlike the trails in the mountains, you won’t find maps for this on AllTrails! It felt like we were discovering somewhere completely new, so make sure you take a photo of the map at the trailhead and, as always, leave no trace.
The Sopers donated the land of the Mary & Cliff Soper Natural Area in early 2017. Cliff, a Lacombe County Councilor from 2001-2013, was passionate about the environment and about creating natural spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Microtel Inn & Suite
Hotel Check-in. If you stay at the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Blackfalds, it’s a quick 6-minute drive from the hiking trails. Unload your vehicle and then freshen up before heading to dinner.
Dinner at Cilantro & Chive
Dinner at Cilantro & Chive in Lacombe. Just 11 minutes from the hotel in Blackfalds, Cilantro & Chive is a great place to have a meal after a busy day. It’s family-friendly, the food is great, and they have a huge selection of craft beers… alcohol-free ones too! I couldn’t resist the smash burger!
Evening Treat at Winnie’s Ice Cream
Head for dessert at Winnie’s Ice Cream in Lacombe. Their waffle cone was divine, and they had two dairy-free options and their other selection.
Day 2: Filled with Fun Things to Do in Lacombe
Milly Oak Cafe
Enjoy breakfast at Milly Oak Cafe in Lacombe or at your hotel. During our visit, we had lunch at Milly Oak, and I can’t wait to return! The cookies were absolutely delicious, as were the salads and sandwiches. The breakfast menu looks incredible and crave-worthy!
Billyco Junction U-Pick Garden Farm
Visit the U-pick garden farm Billyco Junction to stock up on their organic produce and other local products. Billyco Junction is just 10 minutes from the Town of Lacombe and is open 7 am-8 pm daily from late June until September 20.
We toured their impressive farm and saw where everything grows and the many things you can pick. They are not certified organic farms, but they use all organic farming practices, and I was in awe (and heaven).
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.
Make sure to check their Instagram for updates.
Ellis Bird Farm
1Have lunch and partake in bird watching at the Ellis Bird Farm. The Ellis Bird Farm is located just 11 minutes East of Blackfalds. The Ellis family settled at this location in 1905, and in the 1950s, the farm was transformed into a bird sanctuary and paved the path for bluebird conservation efforts.
Today, the Bird Farm is a quiet spot dedicated to preserving and enjoying the natural environment, with special research and study into cavity-nesting birds, including the Mountain Bluebird.
The Ellis Bird Farm hosts workshops, programs for kids, and outdoor Yoga classes throughout the summer. Our daughter first spotted the impressive nature playground, which we were at for about an hour. A Red Seal Chef operates the cafe at Ellis Bird Farm and is open 10-5, and we loved the Jerk Chicken Wrap the best!
NOVA Chemicals Community Nature Trail
Take an interpretive nature walk at the NOVA Chemicals Community Nature Trail. The land of the NOVA Chemicals Community Nature Trail has never been tilled for agricultural use, and vegetation includes native grasses, willow, bush, poplar, and aspen stands.
The area also supports wetlands and has natural drainage channels to Jones Creek. The boardwalks were great for kids, and it was stroller accessible!
Deep Roots Garlic Farm
Visit a local food co-op to stock up on local goodies and organic garlic at Deep Roots Garlic Farm. Open Sunday through Wednesday. Deep Roots has a lot to offer. With a pre-booked appointment, we could tour their 4.5-acre farm and meet their animals.
Our daughter fell in love with the lambs!
The farm uses regenerative practices to maintain the integrity of the soil, and they are a year-round farm store offering mustard, herb blends, jams, pickled goods, in-season fruit, herbs and produce, free range eggs, meat and sausage, cheese, freshly baked sourdough bread, and desserts, along with gift ideas and other treats to bring home and share!
Be sure to have a cooler and ice packs to transport your groceries home safely!
How to Get Lacombe County
Lacombe County is located in Central Alberta. The City of Lacombe, The Town of Blackfalds, and many smaller towns are within the County of Lacombe. It’s a perfect family getaway in Alberta.
It’s halfway between Calgary and Edmonton. It’s a 1-hour drive from the Edmonton International Airport and a 1.5-hour drive from the Calgary International Airport. If you’re flying, you should rent a car or a campervan directly from Calgary Airport or Edmonton Airport and drive to the city of Lacombe.
Where to stay in Lacombe, Alberta
The Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Blackfalds is great for families. It has modern rooms, a hot tub, a sauna, a fitness center, free parking, and a complimentary hot breakfast! This is a great home base for your adventures.
I recommend it if you plan to visit the places in the itinerary below. Lacombe County has various B&Bs and other regional hotels if you want something different.
What to Pack When Visiting Lacombe County in Central Alberta
Here is a list of a few things to pack when visiting Lacombe County in the summertime.
- Sun hat
- Swimsuit & towel
- Sunscreen & bug spray
- Water bottle
- Day pack
- Snacks
- Hammock
- Cooler with ice (to transport food back to your home!)
- Shoes (for farm visits and hiking)
- A nice outfit to wear to dinner
Final Thoughts: Things to Do in Lacombe
Lacombe, Alberta has many things to do, from picking your own fruits to hiking and discovering local cuisine. You’ll love to have a weekend in Central Alberta. If you are looking for more adventures or information, visit Lacombe County website.
We hope you found this post helpful and inspiring!
