The modest city of Lethbridge sits in the southern part of Alberta, an important link in the highway system connecting this province to Montana, British Columbia to the west and Saskatchewan to the east. Lethbridge isn’t an urban center to rival Calgary or Edmonton, but spread along the Oldman River Valley there are pleasant parks within easy reach and a range of visitor facilities making this a convenient place to break any trip through the region.

Should you have time to rest your weary head in Lethbridge, stop at some of the area’s attractions to round out your Southern Alberta experience. Get some local lore and art at the Sir Alexander Galt Museum before moving on to the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, rated by some as one of the continent’s best. For more wide open spaces, stretch out your legs on a walk through Lethbridge Nature Reserve. Clock some serious outdoor hours at Waterton Lakes National Park, less than 100 miles southeast of Lethbridge. Mountains rise up above sparkling lakes, casting a rugged reflection on the lovely expanse of this park, located along the north side of Glacier National Park across the US border.

Also within easy reach from Lethbridge is the historic Blackfoot hunting spot, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. Hear the story behind this heritage-listed site before voyaging on north. Dedicated history buffs won’t want to miss a tour of Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park, southeast of Lethbridge close to the Montana border.

Lethbridge is 135 miles from Calgary and 318 miles south of Edmonton.