Explore Downtown Lethbridge

Downtown Lethbridge is a lively, vibrant area that truly has something for everyone. The hub of Southern Alberta, the downtown core boasts some of the best shopping, dining, nightlife, arts and culture, events, and attractions in the entire province. No matter how many times you visit, visiting Lethbridge’s downtown, and especially its 600 businesses, means that there’s always something new and exciting to discover.

History

Found on the traditional land of the Niitsitapi people (also known as Blackfoot), Lethbridge was originally named Sik-Ooh-Kotoki, meaning “black rock”; this was because of the abundance of coal in the area. Coal mines were opened in the 1870s, and the town was officially named Lethbridge after North Western Coal’s first president, William Lethbridge, in 1884. The following year, The Alberta Railway and Coal Company opened the region’s first rail line, ultimately boosting the local economy and attracting more settlers.

By 1906, Lethbridge was incorporated as a city, and a few years later the High Level Bridge was completed, solidifying Lethbridge as a major rail hub. It was also around this time that agriculture surpassed coal as the primary industry in the region. 

Today, Lethbridge is home to over 105,000 people, and the city and surrounding area welcome hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. A huge part of the draw is the energetic cultural scene of downtown Lethbridge, where you’ll find a wonderful blend of art, history, cuisine, music, shopping, and so much more.

Getting Here

Downtown Lethbridge is often defined by Highway 3 to the north, Stafford Drive S to the east, 6 Ave S to the south, and Indian Battle Park to the west. Lethbridge Transit provides public bus service throughout the downtown area, with numerous routes available. There are also several ride-share and taxi options in the city.

There are over 1,900 public parking spaces in Downtown Lethbridge. You can pay for downtown parking at the parking kiosks using Visa, Mastercard, coins, prepaid parking cards (purchased at City Hall), debit tap (select locations), or by downloading the Flowbird parking app on your mobile phone. 

Downtown Lethbridge is a very walkable area, with wheelchair accessibility throughout.

When to Go

Downtown Lethbridge is fantastic in every season! No matter what time of year you visit, there is always something happening in the city, especially when it comes to seasonal events. Most restaurants, shops, and attractions are open seven days a week, although we always recommend checking a specific destination’s opening hours before visiting. Entertainment venues are especially busy on weekends but also host a lot of weekday events.

In summer, enjoy city festivals, nearby golf courses, public gardens, and more, while the colder months bring opportunities for ice skating and holiday fun. Make sure to check out our events calendar for everything that’s happening in Downtown Lethbridge throughout the year.

What's in Downtown Lethbridge

Downtown Lethbridge is home to a few hotels, all of which give you access to hundreds of local businesses within walking distance. When it comes to shopping, you’ll find numerous stores selling clothing, books, music, home goods, art, sporting equipment, and more. Many shops are found near the Galt Gardens - a good spot to orient yourself in Downtown Lethbridge - and Park Place Shopping Centre, where you have over 100 shops to choose from.

With more than 50 food and drink establishments in Downtown Lethbridge, sampling the local culinary scene is also one of the best things to do in the area. From casual dining to pubs and lounges to coffee shops to ethnic cuisine, you’ll never run out of new flavours to try. Also check out the entertainment venues, including Yates Memorial & Sterndale Bennett Theatre, New West Theatre, and Festival Square, all of which are hotspots in town for music, theatre, dance productions, and more.

Things to Do

Shop and eat your way through Downtown Lethbridge, but don’t forget about all of the must-see sights, too! The Southern Alberta Art Gallery features some of the most groundbreaking artists in Alberta, and, as the exhibits rotate quarterly, there’s always something new to see. The Galt Museum and Archives is home to over 17,000 artifacts and showcases a multitude of travelling exhibits throughout the year; you’ll find walking trails and gardens on the grounds, too.

Festival Square is another popular spot in Downtown Lethbridge. In the warmer months, enjoy live music, markets, and festivals such as Foodie Fest, Centric Music Fest, and more. The square has an ice skating rink in winter; keep your eyes peeled for special ice hockey time slots and themed skate events.

Finally, choose from one of many walking tours of Downtown Lethbridge, including those found on the Driftscape app. Art lovers will also enjoy spotting all of the public art in Downtown Lethbridge, all of which can be found on this interactive map.