The Best Spots in Alberta for Neurodivergent Travellers of All Ages

Trailing your fingers through the crisp water of a glacier-fed mountain lake. Feeling the nooks and crannies of a fossil reproduction. Enjoying live music from a cozy spot tucked away from the crowd.

Travel brings new sights, smells, sounds and crowds. And while those elements are often amazing, they can become overstimulating. For neurodivergent travellers, including kids and adults on the autism spectrum, finding sensory-inclusive experiences and gems away from the crowds can elevate the entire trip.

Alberta road trips: Exploring on your own terms

On an Alberta road trip, you can pick a destination and let the day unfold organically, change your itinerary on the fly to match your energy level, or go deep in the research to craft your perfect journey. Each of the following destinations offers a picturesque drive with great payoff.

Highly whimsical dioramas

If the World Famous Gopher Hole Museum sounds kind of weird, it’s because it is. The volunteer-run museum is packed with dozens of taxidermied gophers designed to tell stories of rural Alberta. Think tiny rodents working inside a miniscule library or going camping.

The best bet for beating the crowds is the last hour of the day on weekends, or Monday to Wednesday during the summer months when they’re open daily. You can also call ahead to ask about booking private time to view and the staff will do their best to accommodate.

The best time to see dinosaurs

The Royal Tyrrell Museum is packed with dinosaur fossils and reproductions of the many prehistoric creatures who once lived in Alberta. The new Learning Lounge allows visitors to enjoy interactive experiences and hands-on activities about Albertosaurus—Canada’s first known carnivorous dinosaur.

The beloved dinosaur museum in Drumheller is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the summer. To avoid crowds, plan your visit for around 5 or 6 p.m. on weekdays. There’s lots to see, do and eat in Dinosaur Valley during the day, too.

Otherworldly landscapes

Dinosaur Provincial Park is the kind of place that will make you forget where in the world you are. The striking geological formations of the Canadian Badlands make it an unbeatable photo op and an immersive place for a hike. (Note that, despite the presence of fossils in both, Dinosaur Provincial Park is not near the Royal Tyrrell Museum. They’re about 170 km (105 mi) apart.)

Drive or stroll the beautiful Public Scenic Loop Road to enjoy the Badlands views and interpretive fossil displays. Come prepared with the right gear for hot weather and minimal shade if you’re going to play outside.

Neurodiverse-friendly adventures in the Canadian Rockies

Rocky Mountain Adaptive was born out of one of the best moments in founder Jamie McCulloch’s life: the weekend he finally got to teach his sister Claire to ski. “She was smiling and beaming, and then for me personally, I was like, ‘Wow, this is the greatest thing I've ever done.’”

He’s been trying to chase that triumphant feeling ever since. McCulloch created Rocky Mountain Adaptive to bring the exhilaration of sports to neurodiverse travellers like Claire.

A fully custom paddling experience

Every experience with Rocky Mountain Adaptive is completely tailored to the individual traveller’s interests and motivations. Some of their most popular activities are paddlesports, including stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing and kayaking, says McCulloch.

“One of the great sensory things with kayaking is the sensation of dragging your hand in a cold mountain lake as you're just cruising along,” says McCulloch. “It takes very little resistance of the paddle face in the water to create self-propulsion and independence within the sport. And you get a tangible output for an action that you create.”

Just a short paddle is enough to get visitors in view of a stunning waterfall on a serene lake. Plus, you’re encircled by the Rocky Mountains the whole time.

Hiking and biking personalized to each traveller

For travellers interested in hiking, McCulloch’s team will curate a hike geared to their interests. That could mean conquering a full-day hike, learning the names of local peaks on a short mountain stroll and anything in between.

And for aspiring cyclists, Rocky Mountain Adaptive will craft guided biking excursions that run the range from flat paths at a gentle pace to mountain biking. Their biking experiences can be enjoyed on two wheels or adaptive bikes.

More to explore nearby

Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk: Listen to your feet patter along the wooden boardwalk on this relaxed route through Canmore. Keep an ear out for local birds and watch for deer and other wildlife.

Spray Valley Provincial Park: This provincial park is off the radar compared to its heavy-hitting neighbour, Banff National Park. There's big payoff at the Spray Lakes View Point and Day Use Area. Bring a picnic for the lake and walk the rocky beach. McCulloch recommends the Chester Lake trailhead for a hike great for a range of skills.

Icefields Parkway: If you have more time, drive the scenic highway between Lake Louise and Jasper. The Icefields Parkway brings you past glaciers, powerful waterfalls, turquoise lakes and seemingly endless mountains. The Peyto Lake Viewpoint is one of many iconic stops en route to Jasper.

Calgary: Craft beer in a low-key, welcoming environment

On the fourth Tuesday of every month from 6 to 9 p.m., NeuroNights takes place at cozy local brewery, Cabin Brewing. The goal is to provide a welcoming spot for adults 18 and up to enjoy a night out with friends or to meet some new people in a sensory-friendly environment. There’s no RSVP needed and all are welcome.

On NeuroNights, the music and lights are dimmed, the capacity is limited to reduce crowds, and a streamlined menu with images is available to help guests order more comfortably. A designated breakaway area allows for a quiet moment, or you can dig into board games and adult colouring books.

More to explore nearby

Vivo Recreation Centre: Vivo’s warm-water pool has sensory-friendly times Monday to Thursday between 1–3 p.m., where lighting and music are lowered and capacity reduced by half.

TELUS Spark Science Centre: For budding scientists of all ages, there’s loads to experience, including indoor and outdoor play spaces, hands-on exhibits, a robot dog and more. Sensory bags are available for guests to borrow. Weekdays and the earliest opening hours tend to be less busy.

We Rock the Spectrum: Welcoming to kids of all strengths and abilities, this sensory-inclusive indoor play place is bound to get their wiggles out.

Medicine Hat: Sensory-inclusive arts & culture

The city of Medicine Hat is the gateway to the iconic landscapes of the Canadian Badlands. The Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre is part museum, art gallery and music venue, with sensory-friendliness built in at multiple levels.

The Esplanade’s museum offers a walk through the history of Medicine Hat, tactile exhibits, a scavenger hunt for kids and more. Live music is on year-round, and the Esplanade’s theatre has a cozy space for guests to step away from the crowd while still enjoying the show.

The Esplanade has committed to creating an inclusive environment by working with nonprofit KultureCity to train their team about diverse sensory needs, create a visual walkthrough of the space, offer sensory bags and more.

KultureCity’s co-founder Julian Maha says, when you’re at a Certified Sensory Inclusive Venue, “You are in a space that understands you, that’s going to embrace you for the totality of who you are.”

More to explore nearby

Red Rock Coulee: These gargantuan, reddish sandstone rocks were formed in prehistoric seas. You might just spot fossilized shells, plants, or bones on their surface. Plus, wildlife may make an appearance (white-tailed jack rabbits, mule deer, lizards and more)!

Cypress Hills Provincial Park: Enjoy a sandy beach, paddling on Elkwater Lake, signing out a nature exploration pack at the visitor centre, or watching mountain bikers enjoy the trails.

Medalta in the Historic Clay District: This National Historic Site explores the rich history of pottery and the clay industry and its impact on Medicine Hat. Explore the museum and gift shop or even register for a 1-day immersive clay experience.

Edmonton: Urban adventures with a neurodivergent lens

Inside four glass pyramids of the Muttart Conservatory in Edmonton’s river valley, immerse yourself into a collection of more than 700 plants. The lush botanical gardens are equal parts relaxing and refreshing. In the feature pyramid, expect to find vibrant flowers and foliage sculpted into themed topiaries.

The Muttart Conservatory is another KultureCity-certified location and has a social story to help guests plan their visits. The Muttart tends to be quieter on weekdays than weekends.

More to explore nearby

Royal Alberta Museum: This beautiful museum explores the history and nature of Alberta and Canada. Regular programming includes tactile learning experiences like petting a beaver pelt or feeling an animal skull. Sensory bags are available to borrow.

Alberta Aviation Museum: A must-visit for fans of aircraft. The museum’s collection of 30+ aircraft are housed in a historic Second World War hangar. Browse the museum’s social story to learn what to expect from a visit.

The Neurospicy Market: A recurring market made especially for and by neurodivergent adults, the event allows for browsing of creative, neurodiverse vendors in a relaxed environment.