In search of things to do, things to see, and things to explore this May long weekend? The Lacombe Region is packed with an amazing line up of options!
Below you can click on a category and it will drop down to list more about exactly what you want to learn about! To make your long weekend a breeze, we have broken this posting into sections so that you can get the kiddos fed in a hurry, re-caffeinate on the go, or find a new spot to add to your list of stops! Enjoy some fun in the sun, go camping, grab a hotel, or stop by that event!
To do: snag some photos of your weekend and share them with us for a chance to be featured on our socials! Tag us and use the hashtag #visitlacomberegion #lacomberegionaltourism
- Instagram: @lacombe_tourism
- Facebook: @lacomberegionaltourism
Having a great May long starts with just knowing what is out there. Often times, this can be a daunting task on top of your list of regular weekday routines to plan an entire trip without spending a tonne of energy researching.
We hope this helps minimize your search of things to do, and things to see, and spots waiting to be discovered this May!
Stay awhile:
Hotels:
~ Travelodge by Wyndham Lacombe
~ Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham
~ Blackfalds Motor Inn
~ Alix Inn
Campgrounds:
~ Michener Park Campground
~ Watapi Campground
~ Town of Bentley: Bentley Municipal Campground
~ Brewers & Lakeview Overnight Camping
~ Burbank Park Campground
~ Gilby Hall & Campground
~ Village of Alix: Alix Lake Campground
~ Village of Clive: Clive Municipal Campground
~ Town of Eckville: Eckville Municipal Campground
Your food guide:
Full menu spots:
Date Night:
Sunny Day Outing Ideas:
Day Trip:
Golfing
Tee off this weekend and enjoy a round of golf! A great way to spend the day, an afternoon, or stay awhile!
Summerland RV Park & Mini Golf
Haunted Lakes Golf Course
Gull Lake Golf Course
The Nursery Golf & Country Club
Treat yourself
Enjoy a little pampering and reset! Where to start:
Rose Beauty Company: Modern hair salon with small town appeal! All your hair care & beauty needs. Located in the Town of Eckville.
While you’re in Eckville: visit Total Health, Your one-stop shop for health, wellness, and balance!
Innervate Massage : Book a Therapeutic Deep Tissue, Corrective Massage Therapy. Located in the City of Lacombe.
While you’re in the City of Lacombe: go for a visit to shop at Healthfitters. The hub for all things healthy!
Shopping trips
The Lacombe Region is filled with shops to explore! Visit the “Our Communities” tab to find out where to visit!
* Please be sure to check ahead if you plan to visit, as some places hours may vary over long weekends!
Types of trips you can consider that will take you on a road trip hopping through our communities:
Boutique Shopping & Gifts
City of Lacombe
~ The Loft: found within NOWCO Home Hardware. The perfect spot to get the cabin ready for Summer, and while you’re there head upstairs to the second level! Here you will find all kinds of goodies for gifts, treating yourself, and a little of this n’ that in the mix!
~ Boujee Boho Market & Spa: Where you can find “feel good” products and gifts in Beauty, Bath & Body, Natural Health, Style and Home Decor.
~ Elite Bridal & Fashion Boutique: update the Spring and Summer wardrobe, find that special event dress, or grab a pair of Berkins for the May long to treat yourself
~ Hometown Market: Make a statement with a new hat, t-shirt, or hoodie that tells a story within the designs! Find cups, mugs, stickers, decals, and more!
~ Oodles of Chocolates: Stop by the shop and browse the chocolates, a great gift for the foodies out there! Smores are a must on a long weekend of course, which means you will need some chocolate!
~ Dutchess Flower Company: Add some green to the interior of your cabin, and add a hanging plant to the RV! Here you can also find beautiful florals for gifting to that special someone, plant pots, home decor plant themed works, and more!
~ Hannas Seeds: Another spot to find great indoor and outdoor plants for beautifying that space and making it more than just your long weekend getaway, but a home away from home! Here you can also find indoor and outdoor décor that make for great gifts,
Town of Bentley
~ Cabin-ish Custom Woodworks: Add a new deck chair to the cabin, or to take along on the road camping! Find a new birdhouse, a home and yard décor creation, or add a potato bin to the pantry for easy cooking access!
~ Merry’s Mercantile: carrying quality home décor, furniture, antiques, women’s fashions and more just for you! Now open 7 days a week, and new in store: retro candy, and hard to find one (US/UK).
~ Koda’s Kountry: another great spot to find old fashioned candies, novelty items, T-shirts, hoodies, giftware, trinkets, jewelry, gems, and knick-knacks.
~ Rusted Rack Boutique: specializes in bringing in quality, name brand, new and pre-owned items to Central Alberta.
~ Queen Bea Clothing Marketplace: here you can find unique women’s Clothing, featuring the beautiful natural fibres of bamboo, cotton, linen, & hemp. This shop is also celebrating their 10 year anniversary this May long!
~ Earthy Accents: Please note this location is closed May 17th to the 21st! Visit this shop after the 21st for full service floral designs and unique arrangements.
Town of Eckville
~ Block Creek Mercantile: here you can find a sandwich shop served with a side of local makers, vendors and artisans.
~ Raven’s Trove: Carrying both handmade & natural items – along with a bit of everything in-between.
County of Lacombe
~ Gull Lake Honey Company: this locations has not only a on-farm store, but a artisan gift shop that is also open year round!
~ Deep Roots Farm: visit this farm store that is packed full of items from local farmers and vendors.
Town of Blackfalds
~ Rose & Holly: where you can find locally sourced, hand crafted products from all over Alberta, showcasing over 100 artisans and makers. This shop is a low key, come as you are vibe!
Thrift Shopping & Antiquing
*please ensure you visit these locations according to their hours posted or call ahead!
~ Visit the Village of Alix and head to the Village Shoppe for all things second hand and find something new-to-you!
~ For even more thrifting adventures, visit the Hamlet of Mirror and head to the Mirror Market for more hidden gems and treasures.
In the City of Lacombe you can find a range of shops like Second Glance Books 2.0, with Jack and Jane right nearby, Building Blocks Thrift Store, and Castaways. Head to visit And Everything Nice Antiques for antiques and collectibles, and Timeworn Charm for a blend of old and new.
~ In the Town of Bentley you can find Rusted Rack Boutique that specializes in bringing in quality, name brand, new and pre-owned items to Central Alberta.
~ Finally, in the Town of Eckville find a new-to-you book at Stacey’s Happy Place, and grab a coffee to pair with it.
Go wandering:
Choose a trail or path to enjoy! The sounds of nature are just a few steps away!
If you are out in the Village of Alix this weekend be sure to do a loop of the Alix Lake Nature Trail!
Enjoy a stroll between communities using the Bentley to Gull Lake Trail.
Walk the trails in the City of Lacombe: Cranna Lake, Elizabeth Lake, and Barnett Lake
Take the TransCanada Trail, connecting the City of Lacombe to the Town of Blackfalds. Be sure to do a loop of Lacombe Lake!
Find Mary & Cliff Soper Natural Area just East of the Town of Blackfalds.
Head North of the City of Lacombe to visit JJ Collett Natural Area, about 12 minutes out into the Lacombe County.
Kuhnen Natural Trail & Kuhnen Park: located South of the Village of Alix, with 65 acres of forested land offers lookout points onto the river valley and a trail that leads down to the water.
Book a outing:
Did you know you could book a guided excursion? A great way to explore!
County Waters Kayaking
Book time on the water paddling with County Waters Kayaking!
Gull Lake Fishing Charters
Guided trips available starting May 15th with Gull Lake Fishing Charters.
Self-guided:
Experiences you can choose to do anytime that work with your schedule!
Mural tour
Take a self guided walking tour of the murals in Lacombe! Visit the Lacombe Museum website for full details.
Kayakomat
Book with Kayakomat at one of their locations! Kayaking or paddle boarding available.
Special Events:
Things to visit:
Mirror Maydays
Click to expand image!
May 17th at 7pm: Krankup Karaoke at the Railway Pub
May 17th – 20th
- Cruise the Hamlet to find Community Wide Garage Sales
- Food Trucks
- Mirror Slow Pitch Tournament
Pop-up store
Stop by a new pop-up bakery location, called Eddie and Alli’s – just around the corner of the Oodles of Chocolates location this Friday and Saturday!
Markets:
Lacombe Farmers Market: Thursdays
City of Lacombe: the first Lacombe Farmers Market kicks off Thursday Michener Park 3pm – 6pm
Bentley Farmers’ Market: Saturdays
Town of Bentley will have their first Bentley Farmers’ Market this Saturday 2pm – 4pm
Outdoor fun:
Canyon Coaster
Mark your calendars! Our Canyon Coaster is reopening for the season, and we’re kicking things off with a bang!
Ellis Nature Centre May 20th
We are officially open for the 2024 season on May 20 and want to celebrate with all of you. Our site will be open 8am-6pm, the cafe is open 10am-4pm, and we have several activities happening. Check out the poster below for all the details and mark your calendars now!
Group Walk
You are all invited to the Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk
- Location: Alix Lake Nature Trail
- Meet: Alix Lake Campground
- When: May 18, 2024 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Maybe longer.
- All are welcome, you do not have to be a RDRN member to attend.
- Bring your binoculars,* camera/phone, bug spray and sunscreen. Some trails are on rough terrain. Distances vary, but may be up to 5kms. Carry water and an energy snack. Wear sturdy hiking footwear, dress in layers and carry rain gear and a hat as required by conditions. Let Chris know if you have any potential medical issues.
Lacombe Museum
Join the Lacombe Museum Saturday May 18th for our 2024 season of Historic Downtown Walking Tours!
Meet at the Michener House Garden each Saturday at 4:00 to explore the history of downtown with one of our tour guides.
Tour themes include: Mural Tour, Historic Building Tour, Intrigue on the Prairies, and Hidden Histories.
Gear up for fun!
Shop Equipment:
~ Reds Source for Sports: your go to spot for sporting goods, bikes, active-wear, and footwear. We have a large selection of retail sports gear, equipment, and clothing.
~ Reds Bike Shop: find this shop over by Burman University area! Here you can find high-quality bikes, cycling gear, and more. Snap a photo of you and your new bike, and it may just get featured on their socials!
~ NOWCO Home Hardware: find the tools you need to have on hand while travelling and on the go this May long. Check out the seasonal section while in store!
~ 5024 General Store: In-store you can find the latest trends in skateboards and fashion, and a full service espresso bar.
~ Bentley Cycle Inc.: specializing in recumbent trikes, comfort cruisers, mountain bikes and more! You can also find gear for your biking adventures here!
*Bonus: if you have never been upstairs at their location, the second floor is home to The Weekender by Bentley Cycle Inc. You can find women’s apparel, jewellery, and spring wear here!
RV service:
~ Sunrise RV Parts and Service: a stationary shop where anyone can bring in their motor homes, fifth wheels, travel trailers, horse trailers or even tent trailers to be serviced! The business is known for putting customer satisfaction first, while getting quality work done. Located in the City of Lacombe.
All that’s left: enjoying a great long weekend!
