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 are pulled in every different direction lately, then this curated list of free things to do in Lethbridge was written especially for you.
Free Activities in Lethbridge
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. Learn More about Disc Golf Below!
Hiking & Biking Trails
Lethbridge is full of different trails throughout the city, especially in the coulee. To get started, check out the options outlined on the AllTrails app, there is a large variety for all levels of activity. Pick one, strap on your hiking boots or grab your bike, and explore the ecosystem throughout. Keep an eye out for wildlife (especially snakes), and always be sure to bring lots of water.
See the Solar System Models
The Lethbridge Astronomy Society has brought the solar system down to our level with a scaled model - find statues representing the planets throughout Lethbridge and beyond! Start downtown where the sun is and follow the map to find them all.
See Turtles at Elizabeth Hall Wetlands
It’s something you may not expect to find in Lethbridge - but head down to the Elizabeth Hall Wetlands to see an abundance of Western Painted Turtles. 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, there are many who reside there! Every spring, when the ponds thaw and warm weather returns, so do the turtles. There’s a viewing platform on the northeast side of the wetlands so you can admire them sunning themselves.
Helen Schuler Nature Centre
The Helen Schuler Nature Centre is located on a 200-acre nature preservation park 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 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 where visitors can learn about prairie plants and discover the diversity of Southern Alberta's grasslands while taking in beautiful views of the river valley.
Find the “Thing”
Somewhat hidden in the Lethbridge River Valley is a 10-foot-tall structure which has been appropriately named the “Thing”. It’s a rugged structure, made up entirely of junk found in the valley, and has been around for many years. There’s been talk of the city removing the structure, but locals have been very vocal to keep it. You can find the “Thing” by parking in the University of Lethbridge campus parking lot and following the path down to the river valley. Keep your eyes out for it!
Admire the Art Exhibits at Casa
The Gallery at Casa exhibits fine art and craft 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. Not only is the art in the Gallery notable, it is worthwhile to take a walk around the Casa building itself and see all that it offers with art and music classes, wood working, photography studios for rent, etc.
U of L Art Gallery
Contrary to popular belief, and unknown to even many residents, there are two art galleries at the University of Lethbridge open to all visitors and free to check out. The Hess Gallery is located on the 6th floor of the Fine Arts Building, just behind the main stairwell, and the Christou Gallery is located on Level 9, under the U of L Library. The vision driving these exhibitions is to generate deeply meaningful engagement with art in order to spark contemplation, learning, and dialogue amongst a diverse group of people.
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 also for 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 a popular activity for locals in the summer months is to beat the heat by floating down it on 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 ensure to follow proper water safety suggestions, including wearing a life jacket, having a float plan in place, and making sure to set up transportation back to the original vehicle at your 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.
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 - 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 exploring or a family picnic! Grab a blanket, some sandwiches and snacks, and find a seat under some shady trees or at a picnic table. Connect to nature and to each other while hanging out in Henderson Park, Indian Battle Park, Legacy Park, Nicholas Sheran, or some other parks found in the city.
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 the plethora of activities and free events that the centre regularly holds! Admission to the new Bunka Centre is where visitors can participate in Culture Wednesdays for a variety of fun cultural activities. Additionally, on Thursdays, visitors can see a traditional tea ceremony performed as well as learn about the history and tradition of this ancient Japanese ceremony. Lovers of sumo can also cheer on their favourite rikishi, or sumo wrestler, every Sunday at Nikka Yuko in the Bunka Centre without an entrance fee.
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, or you can also just browse and enjoy the colourful goods on display! Fresh local vegetables, baked goods, and artisan crafts can all be found at Lethbridge’s Farmers Markets. Starting in June, the big Farmer’s Market is at the Lethbridge District and Exhibition grounds every Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm. And on Wednesdays starting in July, there’s an outdoor Farmer’s Market located in the new 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 would be at Indian Battle Park, however, the best place to get the ultimate bridge selfie would be to get higher up on the coulee to maximize the angle. 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 iconic in Lethbridge and makes for a great photo op!
Live Music at PURE Casino
PURE Casino is Lethbridge’s only casino and is 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.
Take a Walking Tour Via Driftscape
Lethbridge has some fascinating history, public art, and attractions to discover. Tourism Lethbridge has utilized an app called Driftscape to make learning more about the city easily accessible for everyone with free self-guided tours all around the city. You can do them by foot, on a bike, and in our car! The best news? Not only does this collaboration provide further insight into Lethbridge, but there are also tours available that expand beyond the city! See the Ale Trailand Canada's Food Tour to explore more of Southern Alberta for free.
Head to Park Lake
Grab a picnic, your swim trunks and a towel, and head out for an afternoon of fun and sun at 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: It’s also a prime spot for northern lights watching during the winter months with very little light pollution.
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’s spray park is relatively new but is the largest spray park in the city. The spray park 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!
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 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!