Top 5 Day Trips Around Lacombe

Want to take time away but you’re under a time constraint? Here are a few places you can go for the day or longer that are nice for vacations or a day trip and won’t interfere with that dreadful time limit.

1. Alberta Sports Hall of Fame – Red Deer – 20 minutes south of Lacombe on Highway 2 is the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.A whole day can be spent at the museum, anything from virtual and interactive sports such as football, hockey, soccer and basketball.  For the golfers and wall climbers, there are areas for you. For those interested in history of sports, their Sports Hall of Fame is a must see as well as the artefact of the month.Red Deer is hosting the 2019 Canada Winter Games and the bid was sent to the committee by mini-chuck wagon. This wagon is resting in the hall and you can always stop and ask about the upcoming winter games.  Also on the Olympic game side of things is the team outfit worn by Lyndon Rush at the 2014 Sochi games. In the exhibits you can learn all about the evolution of the sport of Golf, Canoe Polo, Roller Derby, Swimming, Rhythmic Gymnastics and plenty more.

   Take time to check out the Paralympic and Disability Sports. See how sporting equipment can be modified.
   http://ashfm.ca/

   This is a fun filled day for the whole family.  Should you decide to make a weekend trip out of this event here is a link to a local campground.
   http://www.reddeerlionscampground.com/

   The campground is open from 1 May to 30 September.  Campground amenities include 138 – 30 amp full and semi-serviced sites including 12 new 50 amp deluxe RV sites.  Conveniently local in the park are washrooms, showers and laundry facilities.

   Recreation opportunities include playgrounds, direct access to the Trans-Canada Trail and the Red Deer River.  There is an amphitheater for interpretive programs offered by Kerry Wood Nature Centre.  Firewood and tokens are available from the campground office.

2. Gull Lake Center – Open year round, this conference and resource center is close the shores of Gull Lake and yet within minutes of Lacombe. Great place for office meetings and team building, you would enjoy activities from wall climbing, low ropes course and archery. You can retire for the day and sit in front of their large outdoor fire. http://gulllakecentre.ca/http://www.lacombetourism.com/camping-accommodations/campgrounds/gull-lake-centre/If you are planning an overnighter you can pitch your tent or settle your trailer in Wilsons Beach Campground.
   http://www.lacombetourism.com/camping-accommodations/campgrounds/wilsons-beach-campground/
   
3. Ellis Bird Farm – Open from May and running all summer this working farm is also a non-profit organization. The main focus of the farm is the conservation of Tree Swallows, Mountain Bluebirds, and other nesting birds. You can see their outdoor collection of bluebird nest boxes, walk their bluebird trails, take in their wonderful gardens and make a final stop at the Ellis Café.  Admission to the Bird Farm is by donation.
   http://www.ellisbirdfarm.ca/To stay overnight you are a short drive away from Ol MacDonalds Resort where you can camp or rent a cabin.
   http://www.olmacdonalds.com/directions.html
   
4. Summerland Leisure Park – If you have golfers in the family this park is a good weekend getaway. Minutes away from Bentley and Lacombe weekend markets. They have a driving range for the adults as well as a great 18 hole mini golf park. If you want to try out the beach across the road you can turn this daytrip into a weekend and enjoy their RV grounds. Their RV park is open from May 1 to September 30^th. http://www.summerlandleisurepark.com/local-amenities-attractions/
   
5. Reynolds Museum – Home of Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame
   The museum is one of Alberta’s Provincial Historical sites located in Wetaskawin. Here you will see all kinds of motorized vehicles from over the years. Tours of the grounds can be taken in chauffeur-driven vintage vehicles. Sitting on 233 acres of farm land there is so much to see.They offer many different workshops that will entertain the whole family and you can find these by using this link to the workshop page of their website. https://atms.alberta.ca/reynolds/default.aspxTo make this an overnight trip you can stop by the Wetaskawin Lions Campground where they have beautiful clean and treed lots. The kids will stay occupied with the horse show pits, arcade basketball courts and fish pond.
   http://e-clubhouse.org/sites/wetaskiwinab/page-8.php

Tell us which of these day trips you would like to make & which are your favourites that aren’t listed in the comments below!

– Sue Sage