If you’re looking for your next family vacation destination, you’ll have to put Lacombe, Alberta on your radar. “Lacombe is really quaint with lots of history,” says General Manager Owner of Best Western Plus Lacombe Inn & Suites, Jacquie Corkery, “This place gives you a feel something way bigger than what it is.” Hidden gems are around every corner, from going on runs on the Trans-Canadian Trail, to swimming or kayaking Gull Lake, (the first provincial lake in Alberta), to catching a fish at the World’s Largest Fishing Lure – here’s your family-friendly guide to Lacombe, Alberta.
Tollers Bistro is only a short walk from your Best Western Plus Lacombe Inn & Suites, so no need to pile the kids into the car for breakfast. Tollers is named after the owners’ Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, “Toller” for short, one of the few dog breeds that originated in Canada. Breakfast at Tollers isn’t complete without freshly-made donuts. Though many are on rotation, there’s always Cream-Filled Donuts, Cinnamon Twists, and PB&J Bismarks. Kids can dine like kings and queens with the Kids Waffles and Kids Eggs Benedicts.
Did you know that Lacombe, Alberta is Alberta’s Mural Capital? The murals can be attributed to one artist: Tim Giles, who moved to Lacombe in 2003 and painted all the murals from 2004 -2013. The Lacombe & District Historical Society provided historic photographs that he based his murals on. One such mural, “The Early Years on Nanton Street”, is located on Nanton Street and shows daily life in the 1920s and 1930s. This is a perfect excuse to take the kids for a post-breakfast walk, and a great photo opportunity, too.
The World’s Largest Fishing Lure is found right in Lacombe, Alberta. Not only is it Guinness World Record Certified, it’s painted with Len Thompson’s most popular pattern, the Yellow & Red Five of Diamonds®. Len Thompson is the local lure producer, with approximately 55 million lures having been produced since 1929. As a way to celebrate their 90 years in business, they decided to secure the world record for the fishing lure. The location of The World’s Largest Fishing Lure is right at Len Thompson Pond. It’s stocked with rainbow trout frequently, so bring bait and reel in fish with the kiddos.
Like many of the farms in the area, the Kraay Family Farm has been farming since 1981; they opened up their farm to the public 24 years ago. There’s over 40+ fun-filled, kid-friendly activities and attractions, including: the Bubble Bin, Sunflower Patch, Tractor Pull, and Corn Maze. “We’re really excited to share our farm with our guests,” says Rachel Kraay. “We truly enjoy seeing people having fun learning and playing on the farm. That’s why we do this; we want to see people come back to the farm, enjoy their time here, and get a taste of farm life.”
At family-operated Koornneef Farms, you and the kids can grab a bucket of five pounds of strawberries for only $35. U-Pick strawberries and raspberries abound, and it’s fascinating to learn that the family only purchased 7 acres of bare land in 2020 and has brought it to the blooming acres of strawberry fields it is today. The farm is open seasonally, so check their website to see operating hours during the year.
Cilantro and Chive is an award-winning restaurant on 50 St. that’s perfect for the whole family. The Korean Cauliflower Bites will take you by surprise, and their soda selection is fun for everyone. The signature dish is actually their rotational monthly burger. Each month, a guest chef picks a monthly burger for guests to taste. Cilantro and Chive has given back over $130,000 to local charities and organizations, “one EPIC burger at a time”, and this month’s burger did not disappoint. The Arnold’s Pickle Chicken Mac, created in collaboration with Chef Arnold Foster, was a decadent concoction of breaded chicken breast, frickles (deep fried pickles) and macaroni covered in housemade cheese sauce on a garlic buttered brioche bun.
With suites that can fit up to a family of six, there is more than enough room for you and the kiddos during your stay at Best Western Plus Lacombe Inn & Suites. A hotel room upgrade can even get you a fireplace and bunk beds, and many of the rooms are also pet-friendly. Best Western Plus Lacombe Inn & Suites offers complimentary breakfast to fuel you up before splashing in the heated swimming pool with a waterslide for more family-packed action.
View this post on Instagram
From wildlife to city life, there’s plenty of room to roam in Canada. Find more Canadian travel inspiration at Travel Zone | Adventure Across Canada. Explore past the coastline to the turquoise waters of national parks and discover rich, urban centres when you stay with Best Western® Resorts & Hotels Canada.