We spent May long weekend in Drumheller and it was awesome! Not only was it a great first camping weekend of the season, it was also the first time we had visited in 7 years and the perfect place to go because Finn is obsessed with dinosaurs these days! Whether you’re taking a day trip or spending a few a day in Drumheller here are a few ideas!
15 Things To Do With Kids In Drumheller
See Dinosaur bones at the Royal Tyrrell Museum
One of the most famous dinosaur Museums, The Royal Tyrrell Museum is in Drumheller and it’s a definitely something you need to check out. A family pass which includes 2 adults plus all kids is $48, and worth it!
Visit the Spray Park
A great way to cool off, and it’s also free! There is plenty of picnic tables and green space to picnic as well as food trucks on site serving mini doughnuts and fresh squeezed lemonade. You will find it in the same area as the Worlds Largest Dinosaur.
Climb the Worlds Largest Dinosaur
It’s only 106 stairs to the top and a great view of Drumheller. It can fill up pretty fast midday so check it out when it first opens.
Visit Cactus Coulees Fun Park
Drive a Go-Kart, play a game of mini golf, and jump on the eurobungy! If the kids aren’t tall enough to drive their own Go-Kart, there are double ones available. This is definitely a splurge and for 4 adults and 3 kids, we spend well over $100.
Visit a small church
It’s really small, like only 6 people can fit in it small but the story behind it is cool and the kids loved it. This is more a tradition for us every time we visit Drumheller, but a definite must visit especially if it’s your first time.
Search for clamshells at New Castle Beach
Yes, there is a beach in Drumheller, and it’s actually not too bad. Located in the middle of Drumheller the beach is on the Red Deer River. You definitely need to bring a blanket or chairs to sit on but it’s worth a visit and the kids had a blast wading in the water and digging for clamshells.
Take a ride on the Bleriot Ferry
It free, and there is a beaver that follows the ferry back and forth. The ride across the river is fun and the kids loved it! Once you get off you can drive a few minutes and you’ll come to a scenic spot which is breathtaking! If you’re looking for a long drive, follow the road and it will eventually bring you to Drumheller (like over an hour for sure). If you’re looking to get back to Drumheller quicker taking the ferry back is the only way.
Explore Atlas Coal Mine
A piece of Alberta’s heritage the kids loved exploring the mining machinery. With many exhibits to check out and trails to walk there are also other tours and experiences that you can add on. Kids under 5 are free for general admission.
Visit the HooDoos
Don’t forget to wear good shoes because anything else is not easy (or safe) to climb in. The kids are begging to go back to Drumheller just to go back to the Hoodoos again.
Walk on a suspension bridge
Take a walk on the wild side and walk across the Rosedale Suspension Bridge! There are picnic tables there as well to enjoy a nice picnic too! When you’re on the other side there are also trails and place to explore.
Go for Ice Cream at Jo’Jo’s Haberdashery
The drive here is beautiful and the kids had fun counting how many bridges we crossed. Serving Foothills Icecream fresh squeezed lemonade, and while you’re there shop the eclectic wares.
Explore Fossil World Discovery Centre
See the animatronic dinosaurs, play on the indoor play structure, colour a dinosaur picture, go mining for gems and digging for fossils. A family pass for general admission is $30, and mining for gems and digging for fossils is extra. We purchased the mining for gems because it was cheaper and we knew the kids would have more fun looking for gems.
Check out the playgrounds
There are a few around Drumheller but our favourite was the Palaeo Playground one at the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Best of all it’s outside of the museum so its free to go to.
Hike at Horseshoe Canyon
A great way to see more of the badlands and an easier hike than horsethief canyon if you’re not as experienced. Even if you don’t want to so the hike, the scenic area is also a great place to just check out!
Cinnamon Buns from The General Store
Grab a latte and one of their cinnamon buns with caramel sauce. Best enjoyed sitting on their porch savouring every bite and watching the people walk by.
There are so many things to do in Drumheller that even our 4 days there were not enough! Stay tuned for reviews on some of the places that we visited and also be sure to check out Just Another Edmonton Mommy on YouTube for tours on many of these places!