Known as the “Dinosaur Capital of the World”, Drumheller is a hotspot for palaeontology enthusiasts and showcases fascinating fossils in engaging museums, while the city centre is dotted with dinosaur statues. Set in the otherworldly Red Deer Valley, Drumheller also has a rich coal mining history and features fascinating geological structures in the Alberta Badlands.
Things to do in Drumheller
You’d be remiss visiting Drumheller and not experiencing its Dinosaur-focused attractions, such as the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology. This nationally-recognised museum houses over 130,000 dinosaur fossils, including a mounted Tyrannosaurus rex, Albertosaurus, Stegosaurus and Triceratops. Afterwards, wander through the sprawling Midland Provincial Park, where you can hike or participate in geocaching competitions.
Are you visiting Drumheller with your family? Take the kids to the Fossil World Discovery Center, where they can interact with animatronic dinosaurs and see more than 1,000 fossils. Don’t miss seeing the World's Largest Dinosaur, a 26-metre-tall model of a Tyrannosaurus rex that has a viewing deck looking through its mouth.
Discover the region’s coal mining past at the Atlas Coal Mine, where you can see a preserved wooden tipple, ride a traditional coal mining train and take a guided tour through mine tunnels. Outdoor travellers will enjoy hiking through the unique geological formations within Hoodoos Trail, home to sandstone pillars with rock caps.
You’ll get some of the best Red Deer River views from Star Mine Suspension Bridge, which was built in 1931 and runs across the river for 117 metres. Afterwards, visit the Homestead Antique Museum to admire vintage furniture, vehicles and homewares. There’s even a scavenger hunt for the kids.
Getting around Drumheller
Drumheller is connected to surrounding cities via multiple highways, with the city of Calgary about 1.5 hours’ drive away. The centre of Drumheller is easily explored on foot or bicycle, while a hire car is best for venturing further afield.