The experiences you can have in Lethbridge are as unique and varied as the geography. Take a horse-drawn wagon tour past coulees and cottonwoods, enjoy green tea in a Japanese garden, or hold a tiny owl in the palm of your hand. For more trip inspiration, check out our top 10 things to do in Lethbridge this summer.
Partnership Disclosure: Tourism Lethbridge, Alberta Parks, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, Fort Whoop-Up, Alberta Birds of Prey Centre, and Coutts Centre for Western Canadian Heritage hosted us, but all words and opinions are my own.
Table of Contents
1. Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden (Corner of 9th Ave S &, Mayor Magrath Dr S)
| Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, Lethbridge |
Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is a peaceful oasis in the heart of Lethbridge. More than a garden, Nikka Yuko celebrates Japanese culture and hosts several fun events all summer. Take a guided tour (free with admission), try on a summer kimono (extra charge but excellent photo opportunity), watch Japanese dancing or drumming, or enjoy green tea and Okinawan donuts in the garden. See the events calendar for more events at Nikka Yuko!
To see why we visit the garden every year, please read our story: Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, Lethbridge.
2. Henderson Lake Park (1103 31a St S)
| 2019 Dragon Boat Festival at Henderson Lake, Lethbridge |
Henderson Lake Park is the perfect place to learn to paddle or fish. Only non motorized boats can use the 24-hectare manmade lake. If you don’t have a boat or SUP, you can walk the 2.5 km trail around the lake, picnic, play at the playground, or visit the Demonstration and Rose Gardens and Canada 150 Maple Grove (free).
3. Henderson Pool (2710 Parkside Dr S)
| Henderson Pool, Lethbridge Image credit: Calgary Playground Review |
Henderson Pool is a family favorite. This awesome outdoor pool has two waterslides, a spray park, diving board, drop slide, climbing wall, and grassy seating area. Your kids won’t wanna leave! For more information, please read Calgary Playground Review | Henderson Outdoor Pool – Lethbridge.
4. Fort Whoop-Up (200 Indian Battle Rd S)
Fort Whoop-Up takes you back in time to the buffalo robe and illegal whiskey trading days. Begin your visit with a short film for context, then explore the replica fort. Buttons on the walls of most rooms play audio recordings about what life was like in Lethbridge from the mid-1860s to the early 1890s. Highlights of our visit included writing with a quill, making rope, and taking a horse drawn wagon tour of Indian Battle Park.
5. Indian Battle Park (Indian Battle Road S)
| Rattlesnake playground structure at Indian Battle Park, Lethbridge |
Indian Battle Park: Photograph the High Level Bridge, hike the trails, play at the playground, have a picnic at Baroness Picnic Shelter, or check out nearby Helen Schuler Nature Centre and Fort Whoop-Up.
6. Helen Schuler Nature Centre (300 Indian Battle Rd S)
Helen Schuler Nature Centre is a beautiful facility in the Old Man River Valley with cool exhibits and high quality programming guaranteed to get all ages interested in nature. Sign up for Kids Programs here or go on a nature walk. Coulee Climb Trail is our favorite – it offers a great view of the High Level Bridge.
7. Alberta Birds of Prey Nature Centre (2124 16 Ave, Coaldale)
| Meeting Basil, a 6 year old burrowing owl at Alberta Birds of Prey Nature Centre, Coaldale |
Alberta Birds of Prey Nature Centre, Canada’s largest birds of prey facility, plays an important role in rehabilitating injured raptors (owls, hawks, eagles) and returning them to the wild. 90% of the rescued birds are released, but those that cannot fend for themselves are kept for education purposes. There are about 70 permanent resident birds. The centre also breeds endangered burrowing owls. Our favorite things to do there were: meet the owls, walk the nature trails, and watch a flight demonstration. Passionate staff answered all our questions about the amazing birds at the centre. We learned a lot and had so much fun! Located 15 minutes from Lethbridge in Coaldale.
8. Galt Museum (502 1 St S)
| An interactive exhibit at the Galt Museum, Lethbridge Image credit: Matt Bailey |
Galt Museum is a great place to learn more about Alberta’s history, especially after visiting Fort Whoop-Up. Save time to explore the gardens outside!
9. Saturday Farmer’s Market at Exhibition Park (3401 Parkside Dr S)
| Saturday Farmer’s Market, Lethbridge Image credit: Exhibition Park Lethbridge |
Saturday Farmer’s Market at Exhibition Park is every Saturday from June 8 – October 12, 2024, 8 am to 1 pm. With over 60 vendors, the market is your one stop shop for “crafts, fresh fruit and vegetables, home made baking, art work, handmade clothing, and much more.” Free admission and free parking!
10. Lethbridge Corn Maze (104051 Range Rd 224)
| Lethbridge Corn Maze’s 2016 Design: The Toonie Image credit: Lethbridge Corn Maze |
Lethbridge Corn Maze has four fun corn mazes, a petting zoo, cow train (each car looks like a milk cow), giant slide, play centre, and more. Open May until late October, weather permitting, but the corn maze doesn’t open until late summer.
Bonus: Cor Van Raay YMCA at ATB Centre (74 Mauretania Rd W #140)
Image credit: Lethbridge YMCA
The Cor Van Raay YMCA just opened earlier this year and boasts an aquatics centre, fitness centre, field house and gymnasiums. 256,000 square feet of fun!
Where to Stay
Park Lake Provincial Park makes a good base camp for exploring Lethbridge only 18 minutes north of the city. Bird watch (we saw lots of pelicans!), paddle, fish, walk the nature trails, or visit the beach and playground. If you reserve in advance, you can camp lakeside!
Coast Lethbridge Hotel & Conference Centre (Expedia affiliate link) is an eco-certified hotel with a pool and hot tub, great onsite dining, a gym, and business centre. 2 minute drive / 10 minute walk to Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden.
Getting Here
Lethbridge is located two hours southeast of Calgary.
For a pretty picnic spot near Nanton (halfway to Lethbridge), stop at Coutts Centre for Western Canadian Heritage; they’re open to the public on Sundays. With 18 lovingly tended heritage gardens and restored historic building, the centre is a popular wedding venue. Don’t miss the annual Arts Festival in July with live performances and Shakespeare in the Garden. For more special event dates, including Open Farm Days, visit Coutts Centre Events.
For More Information
For more information on fun things to do in Lethbridge, visit Tourism Lethbridge.
More Southern Alberta Destinations
- Why you should visit Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park
- Fun things to do in Medicine Hat
- Summer Fun in Cypress Hills Provincial Park
- A fun weekend in Beauvais Lake Provincial Park
- Camping in Castle Provincial Park
