You’ll discover the small city of Lacombe (inhabitants 11,000) in central Alberta, half manner between Calgary and Edmonton. It’s a brief drive off of Freeway 2, and solely 25 minutes north of Pink Deer. I as soon as biked via Lacombe from the Ellis Fowl Farm however not as soon as have I a lot as stopped. Perhaps that’s you too, however I’m hoping I can change that now that I’ve spent a couple of days within the Lacombe space, mountain climbing, consuming and buying. Whereas I will not be the native knowledgeable, I’m going to share a few of my fabulous Lacombe finds.
Lacombe is house to quite a few lakes, together with three massive ones throughout the metropolis limits, a good looking pure space, plenty of regionally owned companies and eating places filled with pleasure for his or her group and as of fall 2022, Alberta’s Brewery of the 12 months winner, Blindman Brewing.
Come see what you are able to do indoors and out in late winter in Lacombe. This off-the-beaten path city has lots to supply nature lovers, customers, foodies, and beer connoisseurs. In case you’re on Instagram, try my reel on Lacombe.
Location map of issues to do in Lacombe and close by
- Click on on the three dots within the prime proper hand nook (that don’t fairly type a triangle) to e-mail a duplicate of the map.
Go for a hike within the Lacombe area
Lacombe Lake trails in Kuhnen Park
Kuhnen Park, situated simply 12-minutes east of Lacombe, is house to six.3 km of nature trails, due to a land donation to Lacombe County in 2014 by Frank and Rosalie Kuhne.
The park is a perfect vacation spot for household outings as the paths are straightforward with solely minor elevation adjustments. You gained’t get misplaced both as there may be actually signage at each intersection. Carry your canine too, however preserve it leashed.
The paths weave via the woods, in the end to Lacombe Lake when you’re so inclined. You can too choose up the Trans-Canada path from one of many trails in Kuhnen Park. Permit one to 2 hours, relying on how bold you’re feeling.
Elizabeth Lake
Earlier than my in a single day go to to Lacombe, I didn’t admire that there have been three main lakes inside Lacombe’s metropolis limits together with Barnett, Cranna, and Elizabeth. As you may see on the map under, all of them have perimeter trails, although they don’t essentially loop the complete manner round all of the lakes.
I set out on a wintry Saturday to stroll from the car parking zone beside Cranna Lake again to the car parking zone by way of the loop path that goes a lot of the manner round Elizabeth Lake. What I found was a beautiful stroll of about 3 km in complete, with virtually all of it useless flat and simple. Alongside the loop, I loved sections that felt far faraway from town – the place all you might see was bulrushes, timber, and the lake. At different instances, it was apparent I used to be in a metropolis, however nonetheless the strolling was nice.
I appreciated the myriad of interpretive indicators I noticed mentioning the varieties of geese you may see and a few details about them. I additionally found many items of train tools that the general public is inspired to make use of, together with bars, a sit-up equipment, a leg elevate set-up, and others.
Once I completed the Elizabeth Lake path, I pulled out my telephone to get instructions again to the Cranna Lake car parking zone. Because it was early on a Saturday, there wasn’t a lot site visitors on Rosedale and Montrose Streets, however my wager is that most individuals would favor to retrace their steps on a car-free path. All in all, it’s an exquisite path that may be hiked year-round.
J.J. Collett Pure Space
Situated quarter-hour north of Lacombe, the J.J. Collett Space will attraction to nature lovers who’re in search of a simple day hike or cross-country ski in winter. Discover a mess of loops, by no means retracing your steps on over 18 km of maintained trails winding via the 635-acre pure space. Uncover wetlands, meadows, combined forest, and even grasslands, stopping on a bench or in a gazebo to catch your breath or get pleasure from a picnic.
The realm is free to go to, although they’ll gratefully settle for donations. Your canine is welcome on a leash, however don’t overlook to select up after them.
Get pleasure from a specialty espresso or gentle lunch at Anna Maria’s Cafe
Anna Maria’s Cafe, situated within the Lacombe Memorial Centre, is a superb selection when you’re in downtown Lacombe and also you’re in search of specialty coffees and teas, a sandwich, bowl of soup, or baked good. The sunny area with plenty of home windows and excessive ceilings, additionally gives dwell music on a Monday -Wednesday-Friday foundation from 11 AM to 1 PM. There’s free parking and it’s straightforward to seek out.
Fill up on baked items at Completely Gluten-Free Bakery
Completely Gluten Free Bakery is a household run enterprise, partially born of necessity from what I can see. Husband and spouse group, Joe and Valerie Van Gelderen are the mother and father of 9 kids, seven of whom have celiac illness. In case you’ve ever tried cooking even a couple of days with out gluten, you may admire simply how troublesome that’s.
I arrived on the bakery, situated in a non-descript constructing, to seek out it buzzing inside. Individuals have been going out and in in numbers I actually wouldn’t have imagined. That is one well-liked retailer!
Not solely does the bakery promote gluten free flour and baking provides, however 9 varieties of gluten free bread, cookies, baked items of all types, pizza crusts, scorching canine buns in addition to a great deal of able to cook dinner meals. In response to their web site, their “pizzas are recognized round Central Alberta for being the BEST gluten free pizza there may be.”
Different meals you should buy – and plenty of are frozen, embrace hen ranch paninis, hen pot pie, lasagna, pasta, quiche, Stella’s perogies and ravioli, in addition to soups. In addition they provide ship twice a month to Calgary and Edmonton.
I’m not gluten delicate, however I purchased some pecan squares to attempt – and each my husband and myself agreed that they have been scrumptious.
Get pleasure from a craft beer and tacos at Blindman Brewing
I’m not going to lie and inform you I’m a beer connoisseur or that I’m going seeking breweries on my travels. However I’ll say that I used to be impressed by the heat of the workers who served me, and I completely loved the vibe of the Blindman Brewing taproom on a Friday evening. Along with gobbling down three superbly offered and completely scrumptious tacos, I also can inform you that the Espresso Stout, one among 4 beers I attempted is lip-smacking good. Additionally on their menu are favourites like nachos, tortilla chips, and quesadillas.
Want another excuse to go to Blindman Brewing in Lacombe – named for the close by Blindman River? Within the fall of 2022, it took house Alberta’s Brewery of the 12 months award, beating out greater than 60 breweries. It additionally gained Finest in Present for its 24-2 Brett Inventory Ale. You’ll discover plenty of beer on faucet, and fridges crammed with a wide array of beers so you may combine, match, and go.
Eat at Milly Oak Cafe in Lacombe
The Milly Oak Café is known as in honour of two inspirational individuals in proprietor Derek Layden’s life – his grandmother Mildred and highschool culinary teacher, Mr. Oak. The cafe opened in October 2021 and what an incredible addition to the Lacombe meals scene it’s.
Milly Oak is an excellent spot full of excellent smells, pleasant individuals, scrumptious pastries, and better of all in my books – an all-day breakfast menu. As soon as a month (on completely different days) additionally they provide a excessive tea and a 5-course dinner from someplace all over the world. Try their web site so you may benefit from these month-to-month culinary occasions.
I had the pleasure of consuming lunch – eggs benedict and a facet of bacon with essentially the most scrumptious facet of potatoes ever. With a ebook to maintain me firm, I sat again and savoured each mouthful, whereas glancing across the busy restaurant. It regarded like plenty of individuals have been nipping in to select up a pastry and occasional, whereas these round me all regarded contented.
Try regionally run shops in Lacombe
Reds Supply for Sports activities
Vivacious proprietor Tammy Derowin is one half of the “two bossy redheads” that opened Reds Supply for Sports activities in 2016 after lamenting the very fact there was nowhere to purchase sports activities tools in Lacombe. Nicely there positive is now.
She and her husband now have two shops in Lacombe with one, Reds Supply for Sports activities Bike Store, centered on all issues bike associated together with an enormous collection of bikes, bike clothes and kit, in addition to providing bike tuning and ski tuning in season.
I visited their retailer on fiftieth Ave in Lacombe and was blown away by the stock they carried throughout a variety of sports activities. You’ll discover group sports activities lined right here like hockey (the hockey part is run by two ladies concerned within the sport), basketball, lacrosse, swim group, baseball…you title it. The there are the footwear – which you will get expertly match by one among their half time employees who can be an ultramarathon runner. You’ll additionally discover clothes together with the Patagonia line because it’s Tammy’s private favorite.
In case you stroll into Reds Supply for Sports activities, I doubt you’ll get out with out discovering one thing you want. And in summer season, it’s value visiting so you will get one of the best view of Lacombe from their rooftop area.
HometownMarket.ca
HometownMarket.ca, owned by native entrepreneur Kim Kay, has been in its area for a few yr, after beginning off with a Christmas popup retailer that was very profitable. Kim obtained the concept after seeing loads of generic souvenirs that didn’t converse to her or the area. This retailer is in enterprise to have fun and construct group pleasure for all of the small locations that make up the central Alberta hall. To that finish, you’ll see them at locations just like the Gull Lake farmers market in the summertime.
Stroll into the shop and also you’ll see Kim’s design aesthetic at work. She hones in on Alberta and the prairies and recreates the Alberta flag components in a enjoyable, hip manner. Look for many ball caps, enjoyable socks, group mugs, hoodies together with loads of regionally made merchandise. Don’t miss an opportunity to pop into this retailer and present some love for the group.
Hannas Seeds & Backyard Centre
I used to be driving via Lacombe when the signal exterior of Hannas Seeds & Backyard Centre caught my eye. As a passionate backyard, I’m excited come March for planning what I wish to develop within the coming months. I made a decision to make a fast cease and see what they needed to provide.
There are many reward objects however what I actually favored was the seed part. They provided so many types of hard-to-get greens, together with their very own well-priced, bulk model of backyard seed. There have been wildflower seeds galore together with backyard instruments and grower provides – so all the pieces it’s essential get began. This place is a treasure and it’s exhausting to not get carried away with loading up on seeds, and stuff you assume you’ll want within the coming months.
You’ll additionally discover an incredible collection of chicken, bat and girl bug homes together with pet meals and wild chicken seed.
ONA Cafe and Bakery
Situated on fiftieth Avenue, one among Lacombe’s major buying streets, ONA Cafe and Bakery, is a prime spot for a cease. I solely picked up a loaf of their scrumptious artisanal bread, nevertheless it’s the kind of place I’d be comfortable to linger for an hour or extra over a latte and one among their mouth-watering baked items. In addition they provide some gourmand meals and drinks, so likelihood is excessive you gained’t stroll away empty-handed.
The place to remain in Lacombe, Alberta
In Lacombe I stayed on the Finest Western Plus Lacombe, a really comfy resort only a 4-minute drive from the downtown. My room had a fridge, microwave, LED tv and a really comfy mattress with good pillows. Whereas I didn’t benefit from it, there may be an indoor pool and waterslide, must you be touring with your loved ones.
A breakfast is included with the value of your keep. That they had all the pieces from pancakes to sausages to eggs, yogurt parfait, muffins, juice – a big choice by anybody’s requirements. And dealing that day was one of many friendliest wait workers I’ve ever encountered. You couldn’t assist however smile as she tried to assist everybody who got here into the restaurant.
Thanks to Lacombe Regional Tourism for internet hosting my keep. As at all times, all ideas and opinions are mine alone.
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