Discover Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path This Summer With Coast Hotels
Summer is the perfect time to get out there and make some amazing memories! If you're tired of the usual tourist spots and want something different, check this out. Coast Hotels has some spectacular places to stay in Alberta and the stunning Peace Region, which stretches across northeastern British Columbia and northwestern Alberta. This area is full of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered.
This summer, why not swing by Hinton, Lethbridge, Grimshaw, or Fort St. John on your travels? You might even want to stick around a bit longer. Each place has its unique vibe and awesome things to do that’ll make your trip unforgettable.
Hinton, Alberta: Gateway to Outdoor Adventures
Hinton, Alberta, is perfect for outdoor adventures. Just 20 minutes from the Coast Hinton Hotel is Jasper National Park. Explore favorite spots like Sunwapta Falls, Annette Lake, Lac Beauvert, Patricia Lake, and the Valley of Five Lake. Ride the tram to Whistlers Mountain, relax in Miette Hot Springs, visit Athabasca Glacier, or take a drive to the stunning Icefields Parkway.
Located just a 15-minute drive north from the Coast Hotel in Hinton, is William A. Switzer Provincial Park. It offers beautiful lakes, scenic hiking trails, and abundant wildlife. It's perfect for kayaking, swimming, fishing, or simply enjoying a picnic by the water. Don’t forget to bring your dog along for the adventure as the park is pet-friendly!
If you’re looking for something to do within walking distance from our Hinton hotel, check out the Beaver Boardwalk or the Hinton Golf Club. Located two km from the Hotel, the Beaver Boardwalk is the world’s longest freshwater boardwalk. Explore this unique wetland trail that winds through a beaver habitat, providing up-close encounters with active beaver dams and lodges. It's also a fantastic place for birdwatching and spotting local wildlife. Also located two km from the Hotel, the Hinton Golf Club is an 18-hole public golf course with tree-lined fairways offering breathtaking panoramic mountain views. This challenging course caters to players of all skill levels.
Lethbridge, Alberta: History and Natural Beauty
Lethbridge, Alberta is a city rich in history and surrounded by natural beauty. If you love the outdoors, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, located just one km from Coast Lethbridge Hotel & Conference Centre, is a beautiful and tranquil garden that blends Canadian and Japanese cultures. It was established in 1967 and was built to recognize contributions made by citizens of Japanese ancestry to the multicultural community of Lethbridge. It's an excellent spot for a peaceful walk or to take part in one of their daily events such as Kousaku (Craft) Fridays, Calligraphy Lessons or Meditation Mondays.
If you don’t mind going on a bit of a drive, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is located a 45-minute drive west of the Coast Hotel in Lethbridge. This Site preserves and interprets over 6,000 years of Plains Buffalo culture. The vast landscapes, exhibits and diverse programming offer a fascinating glimpse and the chance to learn about the history and cultural significance of this cliff to the Plains People.
If you’re looking for things to do around the town of Lethbridge, be sure to check out Broxburn Farms where you can pick your own strawberries or raspberries, stop by the cafe which offers plant-to-plate dishes and baked goods or stop by the produce stand for fresh vegetables grown right on the farm. The Pure Casino Lethbridge, located just two km from the Coast Hotel in Lethbridge, is a fun spot to check out while on vacation and it is one of Southern Alberta’s premier casino destinations. If breweries are your thing, you'll love Lethbridge! It has some of the largest breweries in Western Canada. Plus, just two kilometers from our hotel in Lethbridge, you'll find Lethbridge’s first microbrewery in the heart of the Historic Warehouse District., Theoretically Brewing Co. Plus, it has a dog-friendly patio so you don’t have to leave your furry friend behind!
Grimshaw, Alberta: Peace and Quiet in Northern Alberta
Grimshaw is a small town that offers a peaceful retreat, small-town friendliness, great local businesses, and mouth-watering food with access to some wonderful outdoor activities.If you're into outdoor adventures, you're in luck. Peace River Wilderness Park is practically on our doorstep, just 7 km from Coast Grimshaw Hotel & Suites. It's a hotspot for hiking, birdwatching, fishing, and water activities like canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
And if that's not enough, Queen Elizabeth Provincial Park is a stone's throw away too, about 10 km northwest of our hotel. It's a year-round paradise that everyone can enjoy, right next door to Peace River Wilderness Park. It offers excellent forest trails for hiking and mountain biking and the surrounding Lac Cardinal offers great beach access with a playground, camp kitchen and fire pits. Known for its wildlife, there are over 140 species of birds and other fauna.
The Mighty Peace Region is a great place to try and view the northern lights. Make sure you steer clear of light pollution for the best view! If you’re lucky, you just might be able to spot the aurora borealis while visiting Grimshaw. Download an Aurora Borealis app to check if there is a chance of catching it.
Looking for something near the hotel? Check out Krooked House Ltd, just 1 km away. This cozy pub offers pints and flights of beers from Alberta's top craft breweries. Enjoy the warm, rustic atmosphere and friendly small-town vibe!
Fort St. John, British Columbia: Gateway to the North
Fort St. John, the largest city in Northeastern B.C., sits in the Peace Region along the iconic Alaska Highway. It offers scenic routes and abundant outdoor recreation year-round. Less than 4 km from Coast Fort St. John Hotel, enjoy Peace River Lookout, a scenic lookout point with stunning panoramic views of the Peace River Valley. It's an ideal spot for photography and to appreciate nature.
For outdoor and adventure, be sure to check out Beatton Provincial Park or Fort St. John Mountain Biking, both located about a 15 km drive from the Coast Hotel in Fort St. John. Beatton Provincial Park offers beautiful trails and lake views and is a great destination for hiking, biking, birdwatching, and picnicking, plus snowshoeing and Nordic skiing in the winter. As an extra perk for the park, Fort St. John Mountain Biking offers the perfect getaway for thrill seekers with a diverse network of cross-country mountain bike trails. There are miles of mountain bike trails in the area that feature a mix of natural and hand-built single-track obstacles.
Explore the unique vibes and incredible experiences waiting for you in Hinton, Lethbridge, Grimshaw, and Fort St. John. This summer, step away from the usual and uncover hidden gems in each of these places. Whether you crave outdoor thrills, historical discoveries, or simply relaxation, these destinations have it all. Make Coast Hotels your home base for comfort and hospitality as you dive into these distinctive locales. Pack your bags, hit the road, and get set for an unforgettable summer adventure!