5 of the most unique towns and areas to visit near Calgary

From a town with a serious Star Trek obsession to one known for its dinosaur attractions, Alberta has some pretty unique places to visit just a short drive from Calgary.

Whether you’re planning a quick day trip or looking for somewhere new to explore on your next weekend getaway, these five places offer something a little different from your usual Alberta road trip.

Vulcan

If you’re a Star Trek fan, Vulcan is definitely worth checking out. While the town was originally named after the Roman god of fire, the town has leaned into its connection to the sci-fi franchise, with a replica starship, a statue of Spock, and other space-themed attractions. It’s about an hour and a half from Calgary, making it a pretty unique day trip option.

Drumheller

Drumheller is one of the most unique towns in the province, and for good reason. The town is right in the middle of the Badlands, surrounded by unusual rock formations and dinosaur attractions. You can visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum, check out the hoodoos, or snap a photo with the World’s Largest Dinosaur.

Nanton

Located about an hour south of Calgary, Nanton is a small town that doesn’t seem out of the ordinary, but it has a pretty interesting claim to fame. It’s home to the Bomber Command Museum of Canada, where visitors can check out historic aircraft and view a plane that is one of 17 left in the world.

Crowsnest Pass

Crowsnest Pass is worth a visit if you’re looking for a mountain getaway with some history behind it. One of the area’s best-known attractions is the Frank Slide, where a massive rockslide buried part of the mining town of Frank in 1903. You can see the rocky landscape for yourself and learn more about what happened at the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre.

Diamond Valley

You don’t have to drive far from Calgary to find a town that’s a little different from the usual day trip spots. Diamond Valley, formed when Black Diamond and Turner Valley amalgamated, is less than an hour from the city and offers local shops, small-town charm, and plenty of foothills scenery nearby.

Have you been to any of these unique spots? Let us know in the comments below.