Strathcona County
LET NATURE BE YOUR GUIDE INSHERWOOD PARK & STRATHCONA COUNTY
Set in the centre of Alberta's energy and agricultural heartland, Strathcona County is a thriving, successful and vibrant community of over 98,000 residents. Strathcona County is comprised of the bustling urban area of Sherwood Park
and a large adjacent rural area of parkland, farms, peaceful acreages, and smaller hamlets.
ROADTRIP ADVENTURES
View our interactive map and get started on your trip along Highway 16!
- See the Roadtrip Game Sticker Stations
- Events along this Route
- Deals & Offers
- Recommended Businesses
HIGHLIGHTS
Festival Place
A vibrant multi-use centre for the arts – hosts over 100 professional performances and summer’s Qualico Patio Series each year.
Visitor Information
Sherwood Park & District Chamber of Commerce
100 Ordze Ave (Off Wye Road).
Open weekdays, year-round 780-464-0801
Accommodations
Broadmoor Lake Park
Beautifully landscaped, 27 acre park just next door is the stunning Broadmoor Public Golf Course.
Strathcona County Attractions & Events
Set in the centre of Alberta’s energy and agricultural heartland, Strathcona County is a thriving, successful and vibrant community of over 98,000 rural and urban residents. Only a 10-minute drive from the capital city of Edmonton, you will find Sherwood Park, the heart of Strathcona County - bustling with unique shopping and dining selections for you to choose from.
If you desire rural recreational retreats, farms, wide-open nature and smaller hamlets, Strathcona County provides you with great many country getaway options. Whatever you choose to experience, #YOUCAN in Strathcona County.
Sherwood Park’s Heritage Mile is a street that has heritage buildings dating back to a time before Sherwood Park even existed. Walk, bicycle, jog or drive “the mile” and see the historical 1920 Smeltzer House Centre for the Arts and Culture, Monument Park, Smyth Farm, and more from the Broadmoor Boulevard traffic circle to Main Boulevard in Sherwood Park.
The Strathcona County Museum and Archives in Sherwood Park is a showcase of rotating exhibits that portray the County’s natural and human history. Explore special exhibits, old RCMP jail cells, and an indigenous display. Opening this summer is a new attraction located just south of Sherwood Park–The Mennonite Heritage Farm will showcase Mennonite heritage and agrarian culture.
Visit Centre in the Park where the Community Centre is a year-round hub for events, cultural and learning activities. It includes the library, Gallery@501 art gallery, indoor event spaces and outdoor plazas, located on Festival Lane, just off Sherwood Drive. Within walking distance, Festival Place – a vibrant multi-use centre for the arts, hosts over 100 professional performances and summer’s Qualico Patio Series each year. Millennium Place is a multi-purpose recreation facility located off Broadmoor Boulevard and offers family and sports activities for all ages.
Start the summer with the festivities at Sherwood Park’s Canada Day Festival and Parade. Take in Savour Strathcona County, a celebration of local independent food, art, and entertainment in July. Also in July is the 2nd annual Ravenwood Experience. Enjoy this outdoor music festival at Broadmoor Lake Park showcasing a broad spectrum of Indie-folk music that is family-focused with artisans, kids’ zone and food trucks. Also in the second year and in July, enjoy all things Celtic at the Sherwood Park Highland Gathering and Games. For event updates visit the Strathcona County community events calendar.
ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS
in Strathcona CountyEat Shop Stay
Sherwood Park boasts 10 major shopping plazas located along Broadmoor Boulevard, Highway 16 (Emerald Hills), Baseline Road, Sherwood Drive, and Wye Road. Wednesdays, year-round you can take in the Sherwood Park Farmers’ Market in the parking lot of Festival Place in the summer, and inside the Community Centre for the winter. With over 10 top brands of hotels, Sherwood Park is the place to stay when travelling the area.
No matter your preferences, there is plenty for you to explore and check out within the county.
Food
- Try Confetti Sweets with their delicious Oscar-worthy cookies
- Say ‘hola’ to you new favourite tacos from Mexico Lindo
- Or send your taste buds to Italy at Café Celeste or Pasta Pantry
- Enjoy some fine southern barbeque at That BBQ Place
Drinks
- 70 Acre Co is new, but has already hit the ground running with its superb brews
- Have you heard of rhumb before? You’ve got to try it from Grey Dog Distilling
- Known for its Moose Milk, Elk Island Spirits Co has many great products!
- Hawke Prohibition Distillery is an award-winning distillery with a full line of spirits
- How does a tasty caramel apple cider sound from Fox Hills Cidery?
- Visit Strathcona County’s only Alberta cottage winery – Barr Estate Winery – where you can purchase high-quality fruit wine and see how it’s made during a tour of the winery.
Shopping
- Shop local boutiques like Revolution Boutique, Real Spirit Apparel, & Max and Maud
- Find options for everyone at Sherwood Park Mall
- Fox and Willow and Country and Bloom both have unique décor
- Sherwood Park Bookworm has your next great read
Like farmers' markets and supporting local? Sherwood Park is market central! With three occurring markets, you’re bound to be well-stocked after a visit! Plus, the Ardrossan Farmers' Market is a great way to support local and stock up on fresh food, pet supplies, and gifts! Stop by Tuesdays from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm. You can also check out the Baseline Road and Emerald Hills markets on Wednesday afternoons till early evening.
View Strathcona County's Activity Guide
Rural Strathcona County Attractions & Events
There are eight rural Hamlets throughout Strathcona County including Antler Lake, Hastings Lake, Josephburg, Collingwood Cove, Ardrossan, Half Moon Lake, North Cooking Lake, and South Cooking Lake. The hamlet of Ardrossan, located just off Highway 16 is home to the Ardrossan Farmers Market. Get your fresh produce and baking every Tuesday during the summer. Take the whole family to the popular Ardrossan’s Old Fashioned Picnic & Parade in June. Stop at South Cooking Lake for Trail Days in August.
The hamlet of Josephburg, located north of Hwy 16 on Hwy 830, has an active Josephburg Agricultural Society (JAS) which produces the County’s largest livestock event, the Country Classic, with Horse and Beef shows that see more than 100 youth and their families attend from all over western Canada. JAS also hosts a popular dinner concert series called Josephburg Presents. Recording artists and performers grace the stage of the Moyer Recreation Centre over the winter months to sell-out crowds. Christmas in the Heartland is the community’s welcome to winter, taking place in November. With eight unique venues steeped in tradition, this driving tour celebrates the holidays with festival markets featuring artisans and crafters, sleigh rides, entertainment, ice carvings, nativity displays, and activities at community halls and churches in north Strathcona County. Visit Christmas in the Country markets and family activities on December 5th across the southern part of Strathcona County.
Mark your calendar for the Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival in February.
Outdoors
The Strathcona Wilderness Centre is a four season outdoor adventure centre, located 16 km east of Sherwood Park and open daily year-round. Go yurt camping at Elk Island Retreat, stay in an oTENTik at Elk Island National Park, or enjoy RV and tent camping at lakeside campgrounds in Strathcona County. Swing your clubs at any of the eight golf courses in the County.
A standout feature for this area and for Alberta is the UNESCO Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve. Take your pick of major outdoor attractions: Elk Island National Park, the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, or Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Recreation Area with over 170 km of summer and winter multi-use trails. A portion of Strathcona County includes the beautiful Sherwood Park Natural Area, off Range Road 231. Located at the southeast corner of Strathcona County is the Ministik Bird Sanctuary, protecting many threatened species of birds and wildlife. This sanctuary is also a destination for snowmobilers as the TriCounty Snowmobile Club grooms and maintains over 50 km of trails.
You’re never too far away from urban amenities while feeling at home amidst the beautiful parkland, lakes and wilderness throughout the county.