This city of roughly 14,000 people, just over an hour south of Edmonton along Highway 2, is your one-stop shop for an unforgettable day trip! With its quirky charm, you’ll wonder why you didn’t visit sooner.
1) Get the inside scoop on the city at the Lacombe Flatiron Building
Alberta’s oldest flatiron building (and only one of two in the province), this Edwardian gem was built in 1903 and for many years served as the local branch of the Merchants Bank of Commerce and later the Bank of Montreal. Today, it’s home to the Lacombe Regional Tourism office; step inside to learn about local attractions and amenities, as well as to browse their gift shop, which offers a wide array of local goods. You can also learn about the history of Lacombe with exhibits by the Lacombe and District Historical Society.
2) Step back in time with a Mural Tour
With over 30 large-scale murals on display, it’s no wonder that Lacombe is dubbed the Mural Capital of Alberta. These paintings, created by local artists, showcase the history and culture of Lacombe across over 130 years. With a self-guided tour, you can take a walk through history while exploring the city’s beautiful, historic downtown, many of whose buildings date to the early 1900s.
3) Find your next summer read at Second Glance Books
This locally-owned bookstore on 46 St. sells gently-used, well-loved books from every genre and for every age. Get lost in the shelves and find yourself on a journey to your new favourite book. Bring old books with you to exchange for store credit, and check their Facebook page for upcoming sales and promotions.
4) Reel in the big one at the World’s Largest Fishing Lure
Visible from Highway 2A, this 40-foot long, 9.5-foot wide metal lure, painted in a lucky five-of-diamonds pattern, was erected in 2019. Its title is no joke: the lure holds the official Guiness World Record for Largest Fishing Lure, and is a whopping 25 feet longer than the previous record-holder in West, Texas. The lure stands on the shores of Len Thompson Pond, a trout pond that is stocked annually and that makes for a great afternoon of fishing with the family.
5) Explore a giant corn maze at Kraay Family Farm
You won’t have to worry about running out of things to do at Kraay Family Farm: they offer over 40 activities for families to enjoy, from a barnyard and pumpkin patch to mini golf and giant billiards. However, the biggest draw (literally) is the corn maze. The massive maze is divided into sections, and usually takes between 60-90 minutes to complete; the design of the maze is updated every year. In 2012, the corn maze even became the Guiness World Record holder for largest QR code, at 29,000 square metres. This year’s maze design celebrates the centennial of the discovery of insulin. You can buy tickets and season passes online or at the gate.
