Fall is the perfect time to explore some of the quaint small towns that are just a road trip away from Calgary. The weather is cooling down, the leaves are starting to turn and there are fewer tourists and crowds.
Hop in your car and within an hour or two you can be in magical small towns that have historic buildings, interesting attractions and stunning natural scenery.
If you're looking for charming small towns near Calgary that are perfect for a day trip or even an overnight stay, these spots are worth taking a road trip to.
Torrington
Driving Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes from Calgary
Why You Need To Go: About an hour northeast of Calgary lies the small hamlet of Torrington. The town's claim to fame is the World Famous Gopher Hole Museum, a quirky attraction that features dozens of stuffed gophers dressed like humans and posed in various scenes.
Once you've checked out the museum, swing by Kirk's Alpaca Farm to spend some time with adorable live animals. You can pat and feed the furry alpacas on the farm, have a picnic on the patio and peruse the shop for clothing made from alpaca yarn.
Waterton
Driving Time: 3 hours and 10 minutes
Why You Need To Go: If you don't mind a bit of a drive, Waterton is well worth the trek. Also known as Waterton Park, this small hamlet sits on a gorgeous lake close to the Montana border. It's surrounded by mountains that are crisscrossed with hiking trails.
One of the must-see sights near Waterton is Red Rock Canyon. It gets its name from the gorgeous crimson-hued rocks that have a crystal-clear river running through them.
Another beautiful spot to check out in Waterton is the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel. Styled like a grand chalet, it offers panoramic views of Upper Waterton Lake from the elegant dining room and guest rooms.
Cochrane
Driving time: 30 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Cochrane is just a 30-minute drive from Calgary, but it feels a world away from the busy city streets. It has a charming downtown with historic buildings, boutique shops and inviting restaurants that offer small-town vibes.
At the center of town is the 120-year-old Rockyview Hotel, which looks like it's straight out of an old Western movie. You can hit up the saloon (a.k.a.Texas Gate Bar & Grill) in the hotel for beers and a bite to eat.
Cochrane also has a golf course, a historical museum and a beautiful day spa. Animal lovers can also visit the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary to see rescued wolfdogs.
Bowden
Driving time: 1 hour
Why You Need To Go: Bowden may be tiny, but it has a huge draw in the late summer and early fall months. The Bowden Sun Maze at Eagle Creek Farms is a spectacular sunflower maze that every Calgarian should visit at least once in their life.
The best time to visit the Sun Maze is from mid-August to early September when the sunflowers are at peak bloom. The maze opens at 11am every day and stays open late in the early Fall for sunset strolls. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $7.50 for students aged five to 17 years old. Kids four and under get in for free.
Drumheller
Driving time: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Want to visit an ethereal place that feels like another planet? Make your way to Drumheller about an hour and a half northeast of Calgary. Here you'll find an arid canyon filled with hoodoo rock formations and a museum packed with dinosaur bones.
Your first stop in Drumheller should be the Royal Tyrrell Museum to see fossils of the dinosaurs that used to roam this land. Then you can do some roaming yourself along canyon trails. You can also visit the old Atlas Coal Mine to learn about the human history of the area.
If you're hungry after all that exploring, visit Bernie & The Boys for the massive Mammoth Burger that wouldn't be out of place in a wild food challenge.
Canmore
Driving time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Once the leaves start to turn, you'd be hard-pressed to find a prettier spot to soak up all those Fall colours than Canmore. Located halfway between Banff and Calgary, this mountain town is spectacularly scenic.
If Canmore looks slightly familiar, that may be because this small Alberta town was in The Last of Us. Actors Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal gave it major props for its beauty and charm.
The town has plenty of shops, restaurants and bars to explore. However, you'll also want to set out on some of the hiking trails that take you over beautiful bridges and along riverbanks.
Nanton
Driving time: 1 hour
Why You Need To Go: Nanton is one of those adorable small towns that makes you feel like all is right in the world. It's the kind of place where you can while away the hours shopping for antiques, sipping coffee at cute cafes and soaking up some history.
One of the main attractions in town is the Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre. The site features two huge grain elevators that date back to 1929. Other must-visit spots in Nanton include the Nanton Candy Store and the gorgeous gardens at the Coutts Centre.
Okotoks
Driving Time: 40 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Situated on the Sheep River, Okotoks has it all — great restaurants, pretty parks, interesting art galleries and a lovely golf course. Plus, it's only a 40-minute drive from downtown Calgary.
If you've never been to Okotoks before, one of the first things you should check out is the Okotoks Erratic, also known as the Big Rock. This natural Alberta wonder was once part of a a mountain, but made its way to its present-day spot via a landslide and shifting glacial ice.
Okotoks also has several hiking trails nearby that are perfect for a bike ride or a stroll on a sunny Fall day.
