Top 10 Things To Do In Camrose

Jennifer FilipCamrose, Camrose County, Highway 13, Roadtrip Adventures, Shopping, Summer Adventures

Camrose is a vibrant growing city nestled in the heart of Alberta with a population of over 18,000 people. With exciting opportunities, arts, sports and recreation, and numerous festivals and events; there’s always a reason to discover Camrose every season!

Major Events in 2024

Big Valley Jamboree August 1 – 4. Western Canadaโ€™s premier country music festival, hosting country musicโ€™s top recording artists. The event kicks off with a parade downtown Camrose, and features live rodeo, mid-way fun, a trade show, on-site camping, and top tier live music.

 

1. Bill Fowler Visitor Information Centre

Make your first stop at the Bill Fowler Visitor Information Centre. Check out the 27-foot long hand-built replica of a Viking longship. The carved brick wall on the outside west entrance โ€“ the Bill Fowler Nature Mural entitled โ€œLife Around the Lakeโ€, depicts images from nature around Mirror Lake. 5402 – 48 Ave, Camrose, AB.

Mirror Lake Express
This popular little train, 92 feet long and carrying 24 passengers, was beautifully crafted by a resident of Camrose. It is truly an amazing work of art! Plan to be in Camrose on a Tuesday or Thursday evening during the summer months, enjoy a delicious ice-cream, and take a leisurely train ride along the picturesque shores of Mirror Lake.

Get acquainted with our past
Twenty educational and historic points of interest depicting the development stages of Camrose, are strategically placed along the 3 km walking paths surrounding the beautiful reflective Mirror
Lake.

2. Arts, Theatre and Entertainment

The Bailey Theatre
The Bailey Theatre is Albertaโ€™s oldest historic performing arts theatre alive with music and performance. The Theatre boasts an intimate stage with historic brick wall feature, as well as state-of-the-art theatre lighting, sound and rigging options. Main floor seating can be arranged to accommodate standard theatre seating, or configured for dining. The gracefully curved balcony adds an additional five rows of fixed seating, perfect for popular performances. The lower floor has a green room where you can see and hear all the action on stage, plus a full-sized rehearsal hall. 5041 – 50 Street, Camrose. Call their box office to arrange a tour at 780-672-5510 or visit www.baileytheatre.com for a full list of performances.

The Peter & Jean Lougheed Performing Arts Centre
Located on the grounds of the beautiful, historic Augustana Campus University of Alberta, The Arts Centre is no traditional theatre. Keeping sustainability in mind, the facility is home to the largest integrated photo voltaic array in Canada and the first Theatre in North America to employ only LED lighting: on stage, in the dressing rooms, throughout the interior, and on the facility exterior. The Cargill Main Theatre with its 572 comfortable seats on two sloped floors, is suitable for full scale musical dance performance productions. The Mayer Community Room can be theatre style or cabaret style performances specializing in promoting artistic excellence at its best.
4501 – 50 Street, Camrose. Ph. 780-679-1153. Visit The Peter & Jean Lougheed Performing Arts Centre for complete show listings

Camrose Resort Casino Hotel
The Camrose Resort Casino – a first-class gaming facility -offers 200 slot machines, 12 gaming tables, a poker room, and regularly features live entertainment, so plan enough time to play the tables, and then take in one of the many tribute/dinner theatre shows.
Ph. 1-888-784-8441 or visit www.camroseresortcasino.com

3. Museums & History

Camrose Heritage Railway Museum
If you like Museums, we have two splendid sites, The Heritage Railway Station and Park: Anything Trains! Wander inside the 1911 3rd-class station and tap-out a Morse code message on the telegraph key, or have an authentic Victorian tea party in the marvelous King George room. The outside grounds are spectacular with the bunkhouse, historical pictures and colourful gardens with old-fashioned heritage flowers. The Railway Garden, complete with model buildings and trains, is surrounded by glorious roses.
4407 – 47 Avenue, Camrose. Ph. 780-672-3099 www.canadiannorthern.ca

Meeting Creek
Here you will discover a perfect environment for naturalists, bikers/hikers, artists, photographers, kids and historians. Besides taking advantage of getting back to nature, you’ll visit a 1913 Heritage Railway Station and a 1917 Heritage Grain Elevator (indoor areas by appointment only). Location: 5002 – 50 St, Meeting Creek, AB Ph. 780-672-3099 www.canadiannorthern.ca

4. Parks and Trails

Check out the many trails and pathways in Camrose this summer.

Mirror Lake Park
The starting point of 38 km of paved/shale walking trails that wind gracefully through the Stoney Creek Valley and the central part of the city, presenting outstanding natural settings for picnics with the family, cycling, or long walks with your best friend.

Jubilee Park
Only a short distance from downtown Camrose and the Peter & Jean Lougheed Performing Arts Centre, this scenic green space is the perfect spot for your next family gathering. Enjoy the extensive walking trails, upgraded playground for the kids or try out the outdoor exercise equipment. If youโ€™re looking for more group fun, try your hand at disc golf.


Photo by linda-hoang.com

5. Shopping

Historic Downtown Camrose
The historical downtown district of Camrose is a place that you don’t just visit, you experience it. Downtown Camrose has done a wonderful job of restoring historic commercial buildings and period houses. While these buildings now have new duties, their original use is not forgotten. They have exterior plaques that tell of their part in the history of downtown Camrose. These buildings are now being used to house unique boutiques and specialty retailers that offer everything from clothing stores for all ages, to home dรฉcor, furniture (old and new), specialty dining, and craft stores and much more.

Buckskins Emporium
Just a short 10 minute drive northeast of Camrose, this hidden gem carries adult and kids clothing, home dรฉcor, seasonal decorations, jewelery, body pampering products, kitchen and bath, specialty snacks, steel farm toysโ€ฆ and so much more!
19453 Twp Road 474 Ph. 780-672-0953 Buckskins Emporium

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6. Explore More in the County

Cherry Lane Bed & Breakfast
Only 20 minutes from the City of Camrose in Camrose County is Cherry Lane Bed & Breakfast. This beautifully renovated historic home consisting of three themed rooms, each with a private ensuite. Features a cafรฉ and gift shop, RV camping, events and catering. A full service destination for rest, relaxation and reconnecting.19312, Township Rd 440, Camrose County.
Ph: 780-678-9368 cherrylanebb.com

Telegraph Park
Discover a hidden gem! A tranquil back drop to Hay Lakes, Telegraph Park boasts superb picnic, playground and camping facilities; amphitheatre, stocked trout pond and newest addition – a handmade dog wheel. Hike along winding trails or enjoin fishing for brown and rainbow trout. East off Highway 21 onto 617, 2km east of Hay Lakes
Ph: 780-878-3200 villageofhaylakes.com

Pleasure Island Fish Pond
Camrose & District Fish and Game Association recently completed a 2,112 foot walk, complete with two bridges around Pleasure Island Fish Pond. Families are welcome to sit awhile, take in the scenic viewpoints, or stroll with their pets to catch various birding activities at 30 birdhouses along the path. Take Highway 13 east of Camrose for 3 km, turn south onto Range Road 195 for 1/2 mile. Pond is on the east side of the road.

Camrose County Nature Conservation Centre
After mining 500,000 cubic metres of gravel, Camrose County reclaimed this depleted pit and transformed it into a natural fish pond. It’s all here – swimming, non-motorized boating, scuba diving, fishing, nature walks, bird watching, fire pits, picnics, or just laying around in the sun. A full family experience! Day camping only. Travel 14.5 km east of Camrose on Hwy 13, then south 8.5 km on Green Grove Road (Rg Rd 185). Ph. 780-672-4446ย  county.camrose.ab.ca

7. Golf

Double Dam Golf Course
Set in a beautiful valley surrounded by lush trees and wide open fields Double Dam Golf Course is the perfect place to spend time in the outdoors. East on Highway 13. Turn South onto High way 56. After about 18.5 km turn East onto Highway 609. Follow this paved highway about 11 km to Double Dam Golf Course on the South side. Ph. 780-375-2154ย  doubledamgolfcourse.com

Silver Creek Golf Course & Campground
Hwy 21 south. A family owned and operated 27-hole golf course complimented with over 200 serviced camping sites. The course is great for all levels of competitors. From the down home atmosphere, the staff at Silver Creek are committed to providing you with a memorable golf and camping experience. Ph. 780-855-3982 ย silvercreekgolfcourse.com

Whistle Stop Golf & Campground
Whistle Stop Golf and Campground, only 2 kilometres from Camrose, offers more than just golf! In addition to our 18-hole course and driving range, there is a campground and a licensed Restaurant clubhouse. “The Station” is a full service banquet facility that seats up to 65 guests. Catering is available for all occasions in the off season from October to April. With many great golf courses in the area, the 64 site campground is perfect for your extended stay golf vacation. For reservations call 780-672-6490 or visit www.whistlestopgolf.com

Camrose Golf Course
Have you time for a game? This well established 18-hole course is tucked right in the city so it is easy to get to. With three holes interplaying with Mirror Lake you may find yourself having to compete with the deer and trumpeter swans for access to the greens, but the course is so peacefully stunning that your wait will seem worthwhile. Established in 1922, the Camrose Golf Course is a City of Camrose owned and operated, 18-hole public course. The course provides all amenities required by both the recreational golfer and the golfer seeking additional challenges to their game. 5105-66 Street, Camrose Ph: 780-672-2691 ย camrose.ca/golf

8. Breweries and Distilleries

Back 40 Distillery
Back 40 Distillery proudly crafts fine vodkas and liqueurs from locally sourced sugar beets from Taber, AB!
4701 – 36 St, Camrose 780-271-2826 OR 780-983-5167 ย Back40Distillery.com

Norsemen Brewing Company
When it’s time to unwind, simplicity is beautiful. Beer taps. A bar. A brewery. All in the same room. Discover what makes the fresh craft-brewed beer so special. This is beer you can’t find anywhere else. The brew pub will make you want to come back again and again.
6505 – 48 Avenue (Norsemen Inn). Ph. 780-672-9171 ย NorsemenInn.com

Battle River Brewery
Battle River Brewery is a craft brewery that brews high quality beer using simple ingredients.
4720A – 37 St., Camrose 780-781-3715 www.battleriverbrewery.ca

Detention Brewing
A family owned craft brewery located in the former Rosalind School in Rosalind, Alberta.
Ph. 780-781-8562ย  DetentionBrewing.ca

True North Cider
Locally crafted cider, made from 100% Canadian grown apples. Visit their tasting room Fridays and Saturdays.
3843 โ€“ 44 Ave. Camrose Ph. 780-781-6497 www.truenorthcider.com

Old Prospector Distilling
The vodka with the gold flakes. Locally crafted, small batch vodka.
4810 โ€“ 41 St., Camrose Ph. 780-686-2281 www.oldprospectordistilling.com

9. Markets and More

The Camrose region hosts several markets; some year-round and some outdoors (seasonal):

โ€ข Camrose Saturday Market open Saturdays year-round at Duggan Mall
โ€ข Rose City Market open Thursdays year-round at Duggan Mall and new for 2023 Tuesdays the seasonal Summer Outdoor Market
โ€ข The Mirror Lake Outdoor Farmers Market operates seasonally by Mirror Lake on Tuesdays
โ€ข Bashaw Farmers Market Seasonally on Fridays
โ€ข Miquelon Lake Famers Market takes place Seasonally on Fridays and Saturdays

10. Sweets and Eats

The Sweeterie
Offering a great selection of candy, cookies, cakes and of course donuts! Enjoy your treats on the outdoor patio.
4812 โ€“ 48 St., Camrose Ph 780-373-CAKE (2253)ย  TheSweeterie.ca

Fox & Fable
The place to gather with friends. Grab a drink, lunch, a book or choose from over 200 board games. 5017 โ€“ 50 St., Camrose Ph 587-386-0099 FoxandFable.ca

The Borough
Located in the heart of downtown Camrose, youโ€™ll experience historical century home dining.
4812-49 St., Camrose Ph 780-672-3294 www.boroughbistro.com

The Marrow

A Unique Dining Experience Nestled in The Historic Feedmill.
Marrow. Restaurant & Lounge offers a dining experience unlike any other in Camrose with it’s combination of warm hospitality, vintage ambiance, and carefully curated menu.80-673-1181

4919-47 street,ย  780-673-1181

https://www.marrowrestaurant.com/

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Come Explore Camrose located only one hour Southeast of Edmonton where youโ€™re sure to find more than 10 great things to see and do!

Play the Roadtrip Adventure Game here. Stop into the Camrose Visitor centre and Cherry Lane B & B to collect your sticker and scan to win this summer!

Plan your Camrose trip today, visit www.ExploreCamrose.com