23 Free Things to Do in Lethbridge
23 Free Things to Do in Lethbridge
As spring turns to summer and our city begins to burst with activity, you may be wondering how you will not only spend your valuable free time, but also the sacred dollars in your piggy bank. Lucky for you, the best things in life are free! And if your wallet and bank account have pulled in every different direction lately, then this curated list of free things to do in Lethbridge was written especially for you.
Disc Golf
Looking for a way to get your steps in and have an immensely fun afternoon? There are four wonderful disc golf courses in the city, and all you need to do is bring your frisbee. Our suggestion: head west to Nicholas Sheran Park to take part in a round of disc golf at Canada’s longest course! The first hole is found south of the Parks Maintenance Depot and parking lot on McMaster Boulevard, along with a course map. You can also download the course map and find all the rules here!
See the Solar System Models
The Lethbridge Astronomy Society has brought the solar system down to earth with a locally scaled model. You can find statues representing the planets throughout Lethbridge and the surrounding area! Start downtown where the sun is and follow the map to find them all.
Hiking & Biking Trails
Lethbridge is full of hiking and biking trails, especially in the coulees. To get started, check out the options outlined on the AllTrails website. No matter your activity level there is a trail for everyone. After you pick one, strap on your hiking boots or grab your bike, you have a full ecosystem to explore! Keep an eye out for wildlife (especially snakes), and always be sure to bring lots of water.
See Turtles at Elizabeth Hall Wetlands
They're an animal you may not expect to find in Lethbridge, but Western Painted Turtles can be found in abundance throughout the Elizabeth Hall Wetlands. The turtles are native to the Milk River basin, and while the folks at the nearby Helen Schuler Nature Centre aren’t exactly sure how they got to this specific spot, many make these wetlands their home. Every spring, when the ponds thaw and the warm weather returns, so do the turtles. There’s even a viewing platform on the northeast side of the wetlands where you can admire them sunning themselves.
Helen Schuler Nature Centre
The Helen Schuler Nature Centre is located on a 200-acre nature reserve in the Oldman River Valley. The upgraded facility is accessible to the public for free (donations are encouraged). Enjoy the main exhibit gallery that includes various displays teaching about the habitats and animals found in the river valley. Visitors can also interact with residents of the facility, like Taco-Charlie (a Tiger Salamander) and Davey (a Gopher Snake). Other perks include a community art gallery and a living roof. This roof has multiple species of flora and fauna native to Southern Alberta. Here, visitors can learn about prairie plants and discover the diversity of our very own grasslands. As a bonus, the roof also offers a spectacular view of the High Level Bridge!
Admire the Art Exhibits at Casa
The Gallery at Casa exhibits fine arts and crafts from all over Southern Alberta! With free admission, the gallery spaces at Casa are wide open for visitors to explore. In addition to regular exhibits, there are also film screenings and speakers throughout the year, so be sure to keep an eye on their event calendar. It's not just the gallery that boasts incredible art, however. Every wall around the Casa building displays art from local artists. And if you want to become an artist yourself, you need only sign up for one of Casa's various classes. Their amazing programming offers everything from the classic music and art classes to the rarer wood working and pottery. Once you've learned some new skills, feel free to make use of Casa's rentable studio space.
U of L Art Gallery
Contrary to popular belief—and unknown to many residents—there are two art galleries at the University of Lethbridge. Both are open to all visitors and free to check out. The first is the Hess Gallery, located on the 6th floor of the Fine Arts Building, just behind the main stairwell. The second is the Christou Gallery, located on Level 9, under the U of L Library. These exhibitions are meant to generate deep and meaningful engagement with art in order to spark contemplation, learning, and dialogue amongst a diverse group of people. A visit to either definitely won't disappoint!
Live Music with Upside Downtown Concerts
Lethbridge may be small, but our music game is strong. Running every Thursday in July and August, the Allied Arts Council in Lethbridge puts on free concerts featuring local musicians. With both band covers and original pieces performed, these concerts are the perfect way to get groovy with some of your favourite tunes while finding a couple new gems at the same time. Simply head to Rotary Square at Casa from 5:00pm–7:00pm to celebrate Lethbridge's local talent!
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Window-Shop in Downtown
Downtown Lethbridge is a fun mix of old buildings, trendy clothing, local coffee shops, and more. A stroll downtown can inspire ideas for future gifts and current fun! The Populess Co., BLOOMdiggity, and Splurge & Co. are just some of the locally-owned stores that not only have great wares inside but also have unique window displays to admire as you peruse all that downtown Lethbridge has to offer. Don’t forget to head to Festival Square to see if any events are on!
Float Down the Oldman River
The Oldman River is a defining feature in the city of Lethbridge, and locals looking to beat the summer heat often choose to float down it via canoes, floaties, kayaks, and more. The most common route is to set off from a parking lot underneath Highway 3. Following the river all the way to Pavan Park on the north side of Lethbridge can take approximately 3 hours, depending on the flow and current. If participating in this activity, please follow proper water safety suggestions. These include wearing a life jacket, having a float plan in place, and setting up transportation to deliver you to your original entry point.
Botterill Bottom Park
Botterill Bottom Mountain Bike Park is an adrenaline-pumping and heart-racing mountain bike park full of jumps and moguls. Located just below the southeast side of Whoop-Up Bridge, the park is open year-round and free to use for any enthusiast.
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Get a “Lethbridge Presents” Pass
On your next visit to any Chinook Arch Regional library, inquire about the “Lethbridge Presents” pass that will allow you to visit a number of Lethbridge attractions for free, including SAAG, Galt Museum & Archives, and more. Some “reservations” for tickets put people into a monthly draw for them, whereas others are placed on hold, just like a library book! See this page for more details.
Take a Picnic to One of Lethbridge’s Great Parks
The city of Lethbridge maintains 130 parks and natural areas, so there is no shortage of green space to enjoy. With beautiful walking paths, mature trees, large lakes, and playgrounds for the kids, the amazing parks in Lethbridge are perfect for a family picnic! Grab a blanket, some sandwiches and snacks, and find a seat under a tree or at a picnic table. Connect to nature and chat with your friends and family while hanging out in Henderson Park, Indian Battle Park, Legacy Park, Nicholas Sheran Park, or many more.
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Astronomy Observation Sessions
From October thru February, the Lethbridge Astronomy Society holds free public observing sessions on the last Saturday of the month. Starting at 7:30 pm (weather permitting), visitors will learn how to navigate via the constellations, stars and planets. The observatory will also bring out its binoculars and telescopes for people to check out! Also, keep an eye out on their Facebook page for special events (such as eclipses or meteor showers) when they will hold meetups.
Nikka Yuko (Bunka Centre) Events
Known for its impressive gardens, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is one of the main attractions in Lethbridge. What most do not know however, is that the the Bunka Centre regularly holds a plethora of free activities and events! Those looking to engage in and learn more about Japanese culture should check out Culture Wednesdays for a variety of fun activities. Additionally, on Thursdays, visitors can see a traditional tea ceremony performed and learn about the history of this ancient Japanese ceremony. Lovers of sumo can also cheer on their favourite rikishi, or sumo wrestler, every Sunday. With so many free activities, we can't think of a reason not to visit Nikka Yuko!
Experience Shakespeare in the Park
Hear ye hear ye! Each summer the Lethbridge Shakespeare Performance Society gifts our city with a new production. From Katherine's tragic taming to Hamlet's endless pondering, these shows have had Lethbridge residents laughing, crying, and puzzling alongside their actors for years. We have all likely read Shakespeare, but we cannot say to have truly experienced it until we've seen it in its original form: on the stage. Admission to each performance is free with an optional donation after it ends, so the choice is yours: to go or not to go, that is the question.
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Browse the Farmer’s Markets
Enjoy local goods and help support Lethbridge’s small businesses and nearby farms by doing your weekly shopping at the farmer’s markets. But even if you're looking to save, simply browsing the colourful goods on display can be just as fun! Fresh local vegetables, baked goods, and artisan crafts can all be found at Lethbridge’s Farmers Markets. Starting in June, the main farmer’s market runs every Saturday in the Agri-food Hub. And starting in July, a secondary market runs every Wednesday in Festival Square. For all information and dates, click here.
Spruce up Your Profile Photos With Some Iconic Selfies
The High Level Bridge is a defining feature in the Lethbridge cityscape and a can’t-miss photo opportunity. The easiest place to get a good shot of your face in front of the bridge is Indian Battle Park. But if you're looking for the best place to get the ultimate bridge selfie we recommend heading higher up the coulee to maximize your angles. There are scenic benches positioned at ideal spots for bridge viewing throughout the city, such as off the Bull Trail parking lot in west Lethbridge or behind the Galt Museum. While you’re at the museum, don’t miss the train wheel sculpture called A Departure, which is also an iconic Lethbridge location that makes for a great photo op!
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Live Music at PURE Casino
PURE Casino is Lethbridge’s only casino and the go-to place for poker, slots, black jack, and all the other types of typical casino fare. But every weekend, they also bring in live music with no cover charge! Take in some local and out-of-town bands in a casual environment with a side of gambling if you like to imbibe.
Head to Park Lake
Grab a picnic, your swim trunks, and a towel before heading out for an afternoon of fun in the sun at the nearby Park Lake Provincial Park. It’s a popular spot amongst locals as there are plenty of large spaces for family gatherings or to just stretch out for a simple day at the beach. Want to camp? You can do that too! Insider tip: Park Lake is a prime spot for watching the northern lights during the winter, thanks to its low levels of light pollution.
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Splash It Up at Legacy Park or Nicholas Sheran
Beat the heat in the hot summer months with a trip to a splash park! Lethbridge has two opportunities to frolic in the sprays from May to September: Gyro Spray Park Park and Legacy Park. Gyro Spray Park is located on the west side of Lethbridge behind Nicholas Sheran Leisure Centre, and has a large expanse of various nozzles and sprays to entertain the kiddos for hours. There is a big green space with plenty of trees allowing for shade to put your picnic blankets down underneath when you need a break from the rays.
Legacy Park houses the largest spray park in the city. It is sectioned off into three zones aimed at different ages and stages. There is also a plaza with tables, benches, lounge chairs, and a grassed area with shade sails. Conveniently there are restrooms and change rooms right nearby in the Pavillion and also a concession for a quick snack.
Free Events at Festival Square
There’s always something going on at Festival Square and Casa, especially during the summer months. Events such as Lethbridge Pride, World Music Day, Centric Music Fest and much more are held in Festival Square. Keep an eye on their calendar to see what’s coming up!
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Sled Down the Sugar Bowl
Save this one for winter (or for a random summer snowstorm—they happen)! If there’s a fresh snowfall, it’s guaranteed that you’ll find some neighbours with their kiddos sledding up a storm at the Sugar Bowl. It is THE spot in Lethbridge for sledding! Located on the south side of town, just off Scenic Drive, it’s always a fun thing to do if the conditions permit.
Don't forget to share your adventures all around Lethbridge with photos on social media with #ExploreLethrbridge! We might even ask to feature your photo on our website!