Working in the Alberta area as a locum professional can be a rewarding experience. There are many different medical jobs Canada has to offer for both locals and people who are looking to move to the area. If you’re currently focusing on a health care staffing position in Alberta and need some downtime to unwind or spend time with family, let’s take a look at some of our favourite activities.
1. Visit the Rocky Mountains
The Canadian Rocky Mountains were originally created over 100 million years ago, when an ocean basin was closed off and North America shifted to the west. The view of the Rocky Mountains from Alberta is picturesque any time of year. In the warmer months, wildflowers and wildlife are in full abundance. There are also plenty of activities and places to explore. Well known for the crystal-clear lakes nearby, like Lake Louise, you can take a canoe or kayak out on the water when it’s warm enough.
There are more than 2,000 different glaciers located in the Canadian Rockies. The Athabasca Glacier and the Columbia Ice Field are two of the most popular places to check out. Jasper National Park is also a great stop. This is also home to a ton of wildlife as well as some great hiking trails where you can get your steps in.
2. Go to the Calgary Stampede
A 10-day event that takes place once every year, the Calgary Stampede is a rodeo and festival that is held in Alberta, Canada. More than one million people stop by the event each year, with many traveling from all over Canada and the United States to check out the fun. Concerts, shows, performances, a parade and even a midway are all part of the Calgary Stampede. It takes thousands of people to plan and run this event, which has become a favourite of Alberta locals.
The Calgary Stampede Parade kicks off the event each year. It’s the first event, and each year features a new parade marshal. Past marshals have included Kevin Costner, astronaut Jeremy Hansen, William Shatner and even Micky and Minnie Mouse. Don’t forget to visit the Calgary Stampede Rodeo, which is one of the largest rodeo events in the world.
3. Enjoy hot springs
The areas of Alberta and around the Canadian Rockies feature a number of hot springs where you can soak and relax. If you’re taking a break from one of the exciting health care careers Canada has to offer, check out Miette Hot Springs, Mist Mountain Hot Springs or Banff Upper Hot Springs. Many of these hot springs are located at higher elevations, resulting in some gorgeous views. You may even have the opportunity to hike to the pool you’re going to soak in, making for quite the reward at the end of the journey.
The Banff Upper Hot Springs at Banff National Park are located near the base of Sulphur Mountain. It’s the highest hot spring in all of Canada and was created from rainfall and snowmelt seeping into the crust of the earth. It’s naturally heated and pressurized before bubbling up to the surface. You can also take a minute to enjoy the Banff Gondola for more amazing views while you’re here.
4. Go on a day trip to Edmonton
Regardless of what the weather is like outside, you can travel from Alberta to the Edmonton area for some fun and exciting things to do. If it’s rainy or cold, do some shopping at the West Edmonton Mall. If you’re with friends, consider spending the day at the Edmonton World Waterpark.
If Mother Nature does decide that she’s going to cooperate, get some activity in by participating in a walking or biking tour of Edmonton. You’ll learn all about local culture and history while checking out some of the most popular local attractions. The High-Level Bridge Streetcar will take you between Edmonton and the Old Strathcona historic district from May to the middle of October. It passes over the North Saskatchewan River Valley, which is the perfect time to take some photos.
5. Enjoy the Calgary food scene
Calgary has one of the best food scenes in all of Canada. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite at a bar or something fancy for a special occasion, there’s something for everyone here. Alberta is well known for its quality of beef, and you can find it prepared many different ways in the various restaurants in Calgary. Did you know that ginger beef was actually created in Calgary back in the 1970s at the Silver Inn Restaurant?
Fortuna’s Row offers great food with an amazing view of the location’s 100-year-old warehouse along Calgary’s riverfront. The menu was created by Chef Mikko Tamarra, who spent decades working in some of the top restaurants in Latin America.
You can also check out Fine Print, which has some neat history. This was the first location where The Calgary Herald was run. The building dates all the way back to the late 1800s. The menu at Fine Print includes some of the best cuts of beef in the area.
Whether you’re in school in Alberta to become a nuclear medicine technologist or you’ve been working for years in the locum community, there’s always time to stop and take advantage of what this area has to offer. If you’re interested in a locum career, feel free to reach out to our healthcare staffing agency. We will can help you find your dream job in an area that is both beautiful and community oriented.
