Last updated July 28, 2023
This is the place to experience the untouched majesty of the wilderness in the natural areas found across Strathcona County. Experience a taste of culture through live music and art and take a bite out of local cuisine through food and drinks at some of Sherwood Park’s newest restaurants. If you’re looking for that special something, you’re going to find it at any of the shopping options available here.
Experience the wonder of nature
Elk Island National Park
Strathcona County is proud to be a part of the UNESCO Beaver Hills Biosphere, which provides access to open spaces, hiking trails, lakes, and campsites for all to enjoy. The Biosphere includes Elk Island National Park and other protected areas such as Ministik Bird Sanctuary, Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area, and Miquelon Lake Provincial Park. Beaver Hills Biosphere supports both boreal forest species and parkland species of mammals, amphibians and reptiles, and over 152 species of birds throughout its entire area. Also designated as a Dark Sky Preserve, this is an excellent spot for stargazing. Day or night, there’s always something to see.
Get Active at the Wilderness Centre
This four-season outdoor adventure centre is always a great pick for something to do! Ideal for a day trip, visitors can participate in hiking, disc golf, geocaching (GPS hikes). Camping, wildlife watching, nature trails, orienteering, and nature interpretation. If you’re participating in the Road Trip Adventure Game, this is a stop you want to make!
Live Music has returned to Strathcona County
The Qualico Patio Series at Festival Place takes place every Wednesday from July to August at 7:30 pm. Don’t worry if there’s bad weather; the performances move indoors. From September to June, the Café Series takes place with at least one-weekend evening performance each month. Check the Festival Place website to see who’s playing and to get tickets.
Check out Local Culture
Strathcona County is lucky to be home to so many distinguished artists. This means that art and culture are always on display, from public art installations to numerous galleries available to visit. Stop in at Gallery @501 to see the latest exhibit or swing by Loft Gallery for the latest of the Art Society of Strathcona County. Picture This! Framing and Gallery is also available to browse through. Learn all about Strathcona County and the history of the Strathcona County Museum and Archives area or take a walk through the open-air museum found at Sherwood Park’s Heritage Mile.
Enjoy a Taste of Local Cuisine
70 Acre
This locally owned and operated brewery and taproom is proud to be Strathcona County’s first – blending a century of farming and enthusiasm for locally brewed beer to provide an authentic field-to-glass taste. Stop by for a taste of the farm with their locally sourced ingredients! Offering a variety of beer styles that change seasonally along with a mouth-watering food menu, you’re sure to leave happy and planning when your next visit will be.
See more Sippin locations in Strathcona County here.
Bodega by Sabor
One of Sherwood Park’s newest restaurants, Bodega by Sabor has opened to wide acclaim. An offshoot of the popular Sabor restaurant line in Edmonton, this Spanish tapas restaurant has a seafood focus which is sure to delight each guest. Treat yourself to culinary delicacies ranging from bacon-wrapped dates to seafood paella and mushroom risotto. This is sure to be a defining moment of your trip to Sherwood Park; make sure you don’t miss it.
Remedy
Another new spot to add to your list, Remedy Café is now open at Centre in the Park for all your chai needs. This coffee spot is found in a great location within the heart of Sherwood Park and is found directly on the Prairie Walk. It’s the perfect spot to pick up a hot or cold beverage before taking a stroll around Broadmoor Lake. The ambiance of the café and its plentiful seating indoor and outdoor is also an excellent option for people looking to relax or spend time chatting.
Shop ’till you Drop
Strathcona County is lucky to have several farmers’ markets taking place throughout the week. Between the Baseline, Salisbury, Sherwood Park, and Ardrossan Farmers’ Markets, you can pick up all the locally sourced food you could want. The artisanal options available at each market are enough to make anyone turn their head and want to spend a little more time browsing through.
Strathcona County is also known for the fantastic greenhouses we have here. With several incredible options just a short drive outside of Sherwood Park, these are the places to go for your plant needs. Touring through all the local greenhouses is a great way to spend a day or even a weekend!
The Italian Centre has recently opened its flagship store at Emerald Hills in Sherwood Park. You don’t want to miss stopping here for the deli, bakery, or pizzeria options. Make sure to schedule enough time to have coffee at their in-house café, Spinelli’s. An excellent option for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a quick snack! It’s tough to pick only one pastry to have, so plan to take some to go.
If you’re looking to do a bit of retail therapy, spend more time browsing through all the retail options available at Emerald Hills, or head to the Sherwood Park Mall to satisfy that shopping itch. The available retailers in both areas mean you’ll find what you’re looking for. Don’t worry if some of your group doesn’t want to shop; you can spend time at the Cineplex movie theatre at the mall instead.
With all there is to do, you’ll need to stay the night…
With ten hotels within Sherwood Park, you can be sure to find the right option for you and your family. Whether enjoying a staycation or visiting the area, the options here are sure to have what you’re looking for. Enjoy easy access to shopping areas, recreation centres, or even natural areas such as Centennial Park. A complete listing of hotels exists in the Strathcona County Activity and Travel Guide with their available options, such as restaurants, pools, fitness centres, and whether they allow pets.
Strathcona County has something for everyone to experience. From outdoor adventures to experiencing local culture through art galleries and live music, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for here. With the wide selection of local cuisine from our local restaurants to the local treasures found in the Farmers Markets and Greenhouses, you’re going to need more than a day to experience Strathcona County. Adventure is calling your name in Strathcona County; you just have to find it.
As we get further into summer, make sure to look at the weekly itineraries for suggestions of things to do and local businesses to support here in Strathcona County.
There’s always something new to discover in Strathcona County, find your adventure at the link below 
Celebrate Sherwood Park and Strathcona County
Click here to read more on Strathcona County.
Need more Inspiration for your Trip? We’ve got you covered!
- Videos– Be inspired to travel East of Edmonton.
Take a Roadtrip and Play the Roadtrip Adventure Game!
Collect your sticker at Strathcona County Museum and Strathcona Wilderness Centre. Click here for rules and how to get started on your roadtrip adventure!
Need Help Planning your Trip?
- Call us at 1-888-632-8755 or email info@goeastofedmonton.com