Set in the centre of Alberta’s energy and agricultural heartland, Strathcona County is a thriving, successful, and vibrant community of over 100,000 rural and urban residents. Only a 10-minute drive from the capital city of Edmonton, you will find Strathcona County–Sherwood Park offers endless opportunities for adventure right at your doorstep!
EXPLORE HISTORY & CULTURE
Begin your adventures in Sherwood Park at the Strathcona County Museum and Archives, which showcases rotating exhibits portraying the county’s natural and human history. Explore special exhibits, children’s programs and an Indigenous peoples’ display. The museum is located at the corner of Wye Road and Ash Street. Visit Centre in the Park, where the Community Centre is a year-round hub for events and cultural activities. Amenities include the library, the Gallery@501 art gallery, indoor event spaces, and outdoor plazas 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 annual Qualico Patio Series.
GOLF AT ITS FINEST
Right in the heart of Sherwood Park you can visit the beautifully landscaped, 27-acre Broadmoor Lake Park to enjoy summer and winter recreational activities. Just next door is the stunning Broadmoor Public Golf Course – a top-rated 18-hole course complete with challenging holes and scenic views. In fact, there are seven golf courses in Strathcona County, including the Jack Nicklaus signature course at Northern Bear Golf Club, which is the host of the ATB Classic on the PGA Tour Americas circuit.
COOL OFF
Explore sports and leisure at Millennium Place, a versatile facility off Broadmoor Boulevard. With top-notch amenities and activities for all ages, it’s the ultimate destination for active fun and relaxation. Around Strathcona County, you can find several spray parks to cool off in the summer. Find a list of locations on the Strathcona County website.
ADVENTURES IN THE BIOSPHERE
A stand-out feature for this area and Alberta is the UNESCO Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve. The Biosphere boasts a variety of exceptional outdoor attractions, including Elk Island National Park, the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, and the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Recreation Area. With more than 170 km of multi-use trails, this area provides numerous outdoor activities throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy unique experiences with the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve and the Beaver Hills Biodiversity Trail. The Strathcona Wilderness Centre is open year-round and provides camping, trails, picnics, and disc golf. The Ministik Bird Sanctuary, situated in the southeast corner of Strathcona County, is dedicated to protecting endangered bird species and wildlife. The Sherwood Park Natural Area, located off Range Road 231, is a beautiful part of Strathcona County to explore.
CAMPING & GLAMPING
Elk Island Retreat offers luxurious glamping options like yurts, cozy cabins, and beautiful geo-domes. Explore Elk Island National Park for camping and hiking,– get there early to avoid the crowds, or visit the park on a weekday (learn more on page 24). Half Moon Lake Resort is a popular spot for RV and tent camping. New in 2023 was the opening of their outdoor pool for campers’ use. Consider Kawtikh RV Retreat on Hastings Lake for your next lakeside getaway!
SIP EAT STAY – SHERWOOD PARK
SIP LOCAL
Expl
ore the selection of local breweries in Sherwood Park for a refreshing drink following your outdoor excursions. Whether you want to relax and recharge or dive right into the brewery scene, the choice is yours. 70 Acre Brew Co. has recently expanded its outdoor seating area, while Manual Labour Beer Co. is another popular choice. Both breweries have already been recognized and awarded for the exceptional quality of their beer. For those who appreciate spirits, there are several distilleries such as Grey Dog Distilling and Hawke Prohibition. Barr Estates Winery provides educational tasting tours that allow visitors to discover the intricacies of their wine-making process–it’s a cool experience! (pictured above)
DELECTABLE DINING
Treat yourself to the delicious cuisine of Strathcona County, where a vast array of restaurants are ready to satisfy your every craving. With options like La Patrona for Mexican cuisine or That BBQ Place for southern-style barbeque, the hardest part will be choosing which restaurant to try first. Don’t forget to visit Bodega Tapas Bar for both delicious food and an Instagram-worthy aesthetic. Newly opened in 2024 is L’OCA Quality Market, which is home to two new restaurants, Pyro and Oro.
UNIQUE BOUTIQUES
If you prefer boutique shopping over food and adventures, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! Sherwood Park has plenty of options for you to check out. Interior Matters is locally owned and offers unique home design items, Real Spirit Women’s Boutique has boho-chic fashion, and Country Chic in Sherwood Park Mall features over 50 local handmade vendors. Get creative by visiting them to craft your own DIY signs or plan a sign-making gathering! If you’re looking for big-brand stores, head over to the Emerald Hills Shopping Centre.
STAY
Sherwood Park offers a selection of 10 exceptional hotels, perfect for travellers seeking a comfortable stay. Enjoy the hotel pool at Sandman or dine at the Hampton Inn’s restaurant – there’s something for everyone. Book now at the Ramada by Wyndham in Sherwood Park for complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, and a convenient location.
Stay in the loop with Strathcona County’s weekly blog at strathcona.ca/weekends. Discover the latest events, attractions, dining, and shopping options.
FARM FRESH MARKETS & MORE
Choose from three fantastic outdoor Farmers’ Markets in Sherwood Park. The Sherwood Park Farmers’ Market is held outdoors during the summer months from 3-7pm in Emerald Hills on Wednesdays, and held indoors in the same area from October to May. The Salisbury Greenhouse Market operates on Thursdays from 4-7 pm throughout the year. The Baseline Market takes place on Wednesdays from 4-7:30 pm at the Home Depot parking lot from June to September. Don’t forget to check out the Wholly Handmade Shopping Extravaganzas and Nosh Food Fests, showcasing local producers. Visit the Ardrossan Farmers’ Market in the hamlet of Ardrossan, just off Highway 16, for fresh produce and baking every Tuesday from 4:30-7:30 pm in the summer. Discover unique farm culinary experiences at Bar oa Farms in north Strathcona County, and nearby, enjoy family fun adventures at the Keato Meadow Corn Maze opening in mid-August.
TAKE A DAY TO EXPERIENCE ALBERTA
Experience Alberta offers a road map of stops and activities to do just that. Their curated self-driving tours originate in the Edmonton region with recommended destinations, activities and local tips to fill your day. Choose to take a self-driving tour, join a guided experience, or have a trip curated just for you.
Enjoy 3 Roadside Stand Tours in 2024
May 8 (Hwy 14 South Cooking Lake area)
August 18 (Alberta Open Farm Days)
September 1 (North of 16/Josephburg area)
Stop and shop local East of Edmonton, where the locals are always ready with a friendly greeting. These day trips include local vendors for you to meet and support on your day trip. Think of it as a farmers’ market where you drive from one booth or in this case one driveway to the next. Remember to bring along a cooler on this road trip. You will be glad you did. A unique shopping and countryside drive packed into three different tour destinations.
Open Farm Days on August 17, the Chicks and Chaps and Bar oa Farms welcome you as an Alberta Open Farm Days host location. 35 minutes East of Edmonton you are welcome to not only enjoy an afternoon in the country but to learn more about where your food comes from.
MAJOR EVENTS IN 2024
July 12-13 SHERWOOD PARK RAVENWOOD MUSIC FESTIVAL
Check out this festival where music comes alive!
July 14 STRATHCONA COUNTY BIKING LIKE A VIKING
Try a new Birkie Experience in the Beaver Hills Biosphere!
July 20-21 SHERWOOD PARK HIGHLAND GATHERING
The event consists of piping and drumming competitions, massed band performances, Highland Dance competitions, and Scottish heavy games. There will also be children’s activities, food trucks, beer gardens, community market with local makers and Scottish Clan booths, and a family Ceilidh.
Aug 18 STRATHCONA COUNTY ROADSIDE STAND TOURS
Stop and shop local East of Edmonton. These day trips include local vendors for you to meet and support on your day trip. A unique shopping and countryside drive packed into these different tour destinations.
Aug 24-25 STRATHCONA COUNTY WESTERN CANADIAN ANTIQUE TRACTOR PULL & SHOW
Strathcona County – Threshing Demos, kids’ fun zone and more!
Sep 8 SHERWOOD PARK SAVOUR STRATHCONA
Savour Strathcona is an annual celebration of local food and art. The event features Strathcona County independent restaurants and food trucks with sample sizes of their wares available for purchase. Visit the art market brought to you by Gallery@501 and purchase unique creations from local artists.
Your adventure awaits! Experience Alberta today.
Play the Roadtrip Adventure Game here. Stop into the Strathcona County Museum and the Strathcona Wilderness Centre to collect your sticker and scan to win this summer!
