Five Things Not to Miss in Lethbridge

September 15, 2018 · 4 min. read

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Written by Paula Worthington.

It's hard to pick just five great attractions in a city made for exploring. For too long, Lethbridge has been seen as a "drive through" city, but in recent years, it has confidently put itself on the map as a destination in its own right.

Here are five not-to-miss attractions on your next visit to Lethbridge:

Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden

This beautiful Japanese-style garden is an oasis in the city. It was established during Canada's Centennial in 1967, to recognize the contributions made by citizens of Japanese ancestry to the community of Lethbridge. Learn about Japanese culture and design, walk the garden and visit the pavilion, which hosts traditional tea ceremonies and other events. The first and last hour of operation each day is a serene time to get the garden to yourself.

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Downtown Shopping

Park the car and explore a ton of boutiques, shops and cafés in downtown Lethbridge. Grab a coffee and a sandwich at the Stoketown Café and Cure, then head up the block to the Drunken, a fun clothing boutique with retro-punk-rockabilly feel. Old meets contemporary at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery, which offers educational courses, exhibits and an art shop. The Roundtable Board Gamerie is a great place to relax and play when you're ready for a break.

High Level Bridge, River Valley and Galt Museum

Probably Lethbridge's most famous view, the High Level Bridge is the longest and highest trestle bridge in the world. You'll get a great view of it from the Galt Museum, where you can explore the city and region's history through a number of rotating exhibits. If you're active, you can explore the river valley on its numerous walking trails, or head into the valley for a round of golf at Paradise Canyon Golf Course or take the family to the Everygreen Golf Centre, where everyone in the family can swing a club or ride a go-kart.

World-Class Art

The University of Lethbridge Art Gallery is home to a diverse range of exhibits, thanks to its huge permanent collection. You can appreciate great Canadian works like indigenous art from Bill Reid, or globe trot and see works from world-famous artists like Matisse and Picasso. In downtown Lethbridge, the The Southern Alberta Art Gallery (SAAG) and CASA are home to incredible contemporary exhibits.

The Lethbridge Culinary Scene

Similar to Lethbridge's international art scene, you can globetrot with the city's restaurant scene as well. Mocha Cabana works with farmers to incorporate local ingredients on the menu. Ask for a seat on their al fresco patio. For a southern flavour, pick up a plate of tacos and Mexican soda at the family-run Tacos Made in Mexico. The Telegraph Tap House, a cozy and eclectic pub housed in a historic building, (Lethbridge's original telegraph office) has a hearty international menu and plenty of local craft and Belgian beers on tap. Dig into burgers and poutine at the Owl Acoustic Lounge a, known for its cocktails and great live music scene.