48 HOURS IN STETTLER
There is so much to do in and around Stettler that sometimes it feels like you won’t be able to get to it all in one weekend. You can’t, but here is a few of our local favourites that you should visit even if you only have a short period of time.
FRIDAY EVENING
Upon arriving in Stettler, take your time to get acquainted with the town. Here are some great ways to get acquainted with the town or spend some time outdoors.
West Stettler Park is the perfect location to serve as a hub for your adventures. West Stettler offers a tranquility bringing an inner peace you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else. Walking and biking trails, including up the side of “Mount Stettler”, a playground for the kids, and catch and release fishing in the pond; the park is relaxing and deemed a “must stop” for every family at some point during a trip.
Located on the east side of Stettler, this sanctuary is often home to several species of waterfowl year round. The sanctuary offers a scenic view while watching the birds frolic and play. From here meander across the tracks to visit Main Street and bask in the historical character of the community and unique shops offering everything you could imagine and more.
Get a Historical Walking Tour brochure to learn more about Stettler’s past while exploring downtown. Take a break and enjoy the laid back coffee shops and quaint cafes dotting the street. If you’re looking for a bit more of a relaxing evening, stop by the Jewel Theatre to see what is playing.
SATURDAY
Spend your Saturday exploring the history of Stettler. Check out some of our favourite ways to take in the history and unique personality of our town!
Begin your day at the Stettler Town and Country Museum, Alberta’s 5th largest pioneer museum, displaying over one million artifacts. The onsite curators informative and host a feature exhibit each year allowing this historic village to tell the story of Stettler’s history with information from the early 1900’s to the present.
Visit the old courthouse where the last man hanged in Alberta, Robert Raymond Cook, was arraigned; read tales of history offered through newspaper collections, cemetery books, original photos and family and personal stories. Add to that the preservation of eleven historical buildings on 10 acres of land, your morning will be filled with wonder. You will need a good two hours to make your way through the various buildings and displays.
After lunch, take some time at the P&H Elevator, one of the last remaining elevator/feedmill complexes in Alberta. Virtually every farmer in the Stettler area has used the services provided by the mill at one time or another and the historical society is continually upgrading it back to its original working order. With the refinished wooden walls and floor and the displays offering a glimpse into how the elevator handled thousands of tons of grain over its years, the tour guides were more than excited to explain every detail of the workings of this once great machine.
All aboard! You won’t want to miss a trip back in time with Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions! Staff will be equipped all dressed in burgundy vests and black caps. You will be afforded the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the professional performances of various performers throughout a season. Many musical renditions are accompanied by the passengers on the car. Enjoy some time in the Open Air Coach, taking in the grandeur that is the Alberta Prairies.
Once you are welcomed to the Village of Big Valley, it’s time explore! Once a major railway town, you will find the historic remains of the Canadian Northern Railway Hall of Fame. Stroll the shops along Jimmy Jock Boardwalk, check out the 1914 restored jail house, and climb to the top of the hill where St. Edmunds Anglican Church is found. This beautiful blue church built in 1916 makes for an exquisite backdrop to the village below.
Not to be out done, spend some time at McAlister’s Garage relishing in the display of vintage cars, trucks and machinery, just like my dad used to drive. The Creation Science Museum and Tool Museum rounds out the trip before returning back to Stettler.
SUNDAY
One of the best ways to wind down from your adventure is to enjoy Stettler’s natural beauty. Here is what we recommend to end off your time with us.
To round out your trip to the Stettler region, visit the Village of Donalda, home of North America’s Largest Oil Lamp Collection and the 42 foot high replica overlooking the remarkable Willow Canyon. Spend some time in the museum itself with the impressive display of oil lamps, some dating back as far as the 1600’s. The collection was started with the donation of over 650 lamps.
Stretch your legs with a hike along Willow Canyon and get an up close and personal look at the badlands. The trail is about ¾ of a mile long and overlooks the location of the bi-annual summer drive-in movies. Benches and picnic tables were offered in locations along the way. Make a stop along Main Street for a treat before taking in the scenic drive home.