Lethbridge has many things to do, espeically in the area of hiking and natural wildlife observation.

Trails

Lethbridge has numerous places for a good hike or leisurely walk. Some recommended walks/hikes include:

• Coulees (starting at the Helen Schuler Coulee Centre)
• Popson Park (down 10th Street West, past Paradise Canyon)
• Alexander Wilderness Park (north of Stafford Drive North, near Hardieville)
• Henderson Lake (South Parkside Drive, near Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens and the Exhibition Grounds)
• Nicholas Sheran Park (just off McMaster Blvd. West).

Festivals

Lethbridge annually hosts Whoop-Up Days [12], a carnival of sorts with rides, live performances, a rodeo, and exhibitions. In 2008 the fair and rodeo will be held from August 19-23 at the Exhibition Grounds (end of South Parkside Drive and next to Henderson Lake).

Sports

Lethbridge has numerous semi-professional sports teams, including:

• The Lethbridge Hurricanes[13] (Western Hockey League). They play each year from October to March at the Enmax Centre (2510 Scenic Drive South).
• The Lethbridge Bulls[14] (Western Major Baseball League). They play from the end of May to the end of July at Henderson Stadium (2425 North Parkside Drive South).

Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden - Corner of 9th Avenue South & Mayor Magrath Drive[7]. Open from mid-May to mid-October, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is a beautiful example of a traditional Japanese garden nestled beside the equally beautiful Henderson Lake. Traditional Japanese architecture and flower design are abundant. Guided tours are available. Admission is: Adults - $7.00; Seniors (65+) - $5.00; Youth (6-17) - $4.00; Children (0-5) - Free.

Sir Alexander Galt Museum & Archives - West of 5th Avenue South[8]. Open year-round, The Galt Museum has numerous exhibits detailing the history of Lethbridge and Southern Alberta. The museum was originally a hospital, and it is rumored that the museum is now haunted! The museum is also the starting or ending point of many walking trails going in or out of the coulees. Admission is: Adults - $5.00; Seniors/Post-Secondary/IYH Members - $4.00; Youth (7-17) - $3.00; Children (0-6) - Free.

High Level Bridge - This trestle bridge goes across the coulees and can be viewed best when traversing Whoop-Up Drive. The High Level Bridge is the longest and highest bridge of its kind in the world reaching 5,327.625 feet long (1.6km) and 314 feet high (96 meters). It was built during 1908-1909, and still has trains pass over it everyday. It is one of Lethbridge's most well-known landmarks.

Fort Whoop-Up Interpretive Centre - Located in the coulees[9]. Open year-round (only open on Saturday & Sunday in the winter), Fort Whoop-Up is an near-exact replica of the original Fort Whoop-Up that served as a major center during the mid-1800's in the whiskey and firearms trade. The first fort was destroyed in a fire. The Fort features exhibits of the original fort and occasionally special events like carriage rides. Admission is (for the summer): Adults - $7.00; Seniors (65+) - $6.00; Students (13-18) - $5.00; Children (5-12) - $3.00; Infants (0-4) - Free.

Helen Schuler Coulee Centre - Located in the coulees[10]. Open year-round, Helen Schuler Coulee Center is a great point to start your day in the coulees. It features many displays that highlight the delicate ecosystem in the coulees. Don't miss Pegleg, the talking crow! Guided walks through the coulees can be booked here. The centre also has many programs and displays dedicated especially for kids. Admission is free of charge.

Southern Alberta Art Gallery - 601 3rd Avenue South[11]. Open year-round, the Southern Alberta Art Gallery features exhibitions from many local contemporary artists. The exhibitions are constantly changing to give all the talented local artists a chance to shine. The SAAG is a respected Canadian art institution and is a great place to spend a day. The SAAG also has beautiful scenery surrounding the building, as it is located in Galt Gardens, a picturesque downtown park. Admission varies.

Brewery Gardens - 1 Avenue South (near Tourist Information Center). A constantly changing floral garden, the gardens are put into a display that represents the time of year or a special event that is happening in Lethbridge. You can't walk through the gardens. Unsurprisingly, the gardens are best viewed during the summer.

By Car

If you are coming from Montana or somewhere south of Lethbridge, you can either use highway 4 or highway 5. Highway 4 takes you past Canadian Tire. Highway 5 takes you right past the airport and some big box stores like Wal-Mart & The Real Canadian Superstore.

If you are coming from Medicine Hat or somewhere east of Lethbridge, use highway 3. Highway 3 turns into Crowsnest Trail and goes through the heart of Lethbridge.

If you are coming from Calgary go onto highway 2 and turn left onto highway 3 near Fort Macleod.

If you coming from the Crowsnest Pass, British Columbia or somewhere west of Lethbridge then you will also use highway 3.

By Plane

Lethbridge is served by a regional airport just outside the city limits in Lethbridge County. The airport is located beside Highway 5 and south of Lethbridge. The airport is not an international airport, so only flights from somewhere in Canada can come into Lethbridge. The only exception is seasonal flights to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico during the winter. Air Canada Jazz, Integra Air, and Westjet all operate flights in and out of Lethbridge.

By Bus

You can get into Lethbridge by bus via Greyhound [2]. The Greyhound station is located downtown at 411 5th Street South. The station is open:

• Monday-Saturday: 7:30 am-6:00 pm
• Sunday: 7:30 am-10:30 am, 1:30 pm-6:00 pm
• Holidays: 7:30 am-10:30 am, 1:30 pm-6:00 pm

By Train

The closest city with intercity rail passenger service to Lethbridge is the Montana city of Cut Bank, (90 miles from Lethbridge) which is served by the Empire Builder passenger train which operates between Chicago and Seattle/Portland, stopping also in Shelby, Montana.

For information, call Amtrak at 1-800-872-7245 or at: www.amtrak.com

By Car

A car is probably the easiest way to get around Lethbridge. Every major attraction is easily reachable by car. Car Rentals:

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car, 1106 3rd Avenue South, +1 403 327-5906, [3].
• Hertz Rent A Car, 1021 3rd Avenue South, +1 403 320-5141, [4].
• National Car Rental, 417 Stubb Ross Road, +1 403 328-3015, [5].

By Bus

Lethbridge does have a public transport system [6]. Major service changes have recently been implemented and many routes have changed. There is now 30 minute service on all routes during the day and 40 minute service at night. You can now cross town in half an hour or so. The bus is reliable, usually on time, and not overly expensive; for adults it is $2.00 for one way.

On Foot/Bike

You can walk/bike around in certain stretches of the city, but trying to walk/bike from south Lethbridge to west Lethbridge is a daunting task as you will have to walk Whoop-Up Drive, which translates walking/biking down a hill, into the coulees and then walking/biking up a steep hill. However parts of Lethbridge are tailor-made for walking/biking around to explore, such as downtown Lethbridge and the actual coulees themselves. The parks around Henderson Lake and Nicholas Sheran Lake provide pleasant spaces for recreation.

The main mall is Park Place Mall [17] and it is located north of Galt Gardens on 1st Avenue South. It has some big box stores like Sears, Staples, and Chapters. It also has numerous clothing shops, a food court, a movie theatre, and few locally owned art and craft stores. Lethbridge also has a Wal-Mart located near the airport at 3700 Mayor Magrath South and a Home Depot right beside the Wal-Mart. Downtown Lethbridge [18]is also a good place to spend a day shopping. Downtown has many locally owned shops selling items ranging from clothes to computers to stationary. Beware however that downtown businesses have higher prices than big box stores.

• Carmichael's - 1303 Mayor Magrath Dr. South, +1 403-328-5077. Located in the Best Western Heidelberg Inn, Carmichael's has a wide range of menu options.

• The Cheescake Cafe - 904 2nd Ave. South, +1 403-394-2253 [19]. Wide range of menu options.

• Ciao Mein - 680 Columbia Blvd. West, +1 403-331-3363. Italian & Chinese food. Take-out or delivery.

• Coco Pazzo - 1264 3rd Ave. South, +1 403-329-8979. Italian.

• Dionysios - 635 13th St. North, +1 403-320-6554 [20]. Mediterranean.

• Douros Pizza & Steak House - 2433 Fairway Plaza Rd. South, +1 403-327-3067 [21]. Mostly Italian.

• Earls - 203 13th St. South, +1 403-320-7677. Wide range of menu options.

• East Side Marios - 3720 Mayor Magrath Dr. South, +1 403-331-0123. Italian-American.

• El Comal Mexican - 1020 Mayor Magrath Dr. South, +1 403-380-6836. Mexican.

• Fire Chef's Creations - 860 Heritage Blvd. West, +1 403-320-9626. Exspensive.

• Georgio's Contemporary Dining - 1520 3rd Ave. South, +1 403-328-0676. Italian.

• Guesthouse Restaurant Ltd. - 110 W T Hill Blvd. South, +1 403-394-9333 [22]. Swiss/German.

• The Keg Steakhouse & Bar - 1621 3rd Ave. South, +1 403-327-2727. Steak.

• Lighthouse Japanese Restaurant - 708 3rd Ave. South, +1 403-328-4828. Japanese.

• Luigi's Pizza & Steak House - 306 13 St. North, +1 403-327-2766. 1119 Mayor Magrath Dr. South, +1 403-329-8322. Mostly Italian.

• Mandarin Restaurant - 1624 Mayor Magrath Dr. South, +1 403-327-8696. Chinese.

• Mongolie Grill - 502 5th Ave. South, +1 403-394-3555. Mongolian.

• Montana's Cookhouse - 20th Ave. & Mayor Magrath Dr. South, +1 403-381-7717. Steak & ribs.

• Moxie's Classic Grill - 1st Ave. & Stafford Dr. South. Premium Steaks.

• New Dynasty Restaurant -103 7th St. South, +1 403-328-1212. Chinese.

• O-Sho Japanese Restaurant - 311 4th St. South, +1 403-327-8382. Japanese.

• Peking Gardens - 1103 3rd Ave. South, +1 403-328-5503. Chinese.

• Poly's Pizza & Steakhouse - 3205 8th Ave. North, +1 403-380-3314. Pizza & steak.

• Regent Restaurant - 1255 3rd Ave. South, +1 403-328-7800. Chinese.

• Ric's Grill - 103 Mayor Magrath Drive South (Lethbridge's old water tower), +1 403-317-7427 [23]. Ric's Grill has an amazing view of the city and their made from scratch menu offers a lot of variety. It has a wide range of menu options.

• Saigonese Restaurant 1210 Mayor Magrath Dr. South, +1 403-327-7225. Vietnamese.

• Shanghai Chop Suey - 610 3rd Ave. South, +1 403-327-3552. Chinese.

• Song Thuan Vietnamese Restaurant - 265 13th St. North, +1 403-381-8838. Vietnamese.

• Tony Roma's - 3716 Mayor Magrath Dr. South, +1 403-394-7427. Steak & ribs.

• Tony's Diner - 3221 2nd Ave. North, +1 403-327-2665. Locally owned.

The legal drinking age in Alberta is 18.

• Average Joe's Sports Bar - 518 5th Street South, +1 403-394-9337.
• Backstreet Pub & Pizza - 1810 3rd Avenue South, +1 403-394-7119.
• Backstreet Pub & Pizza - 407 Laval Boulevard West, +1 403-380-2811.
• Blarney Stone Pub - 1917 Mayor Magrath Drive South, +1 403-331-2337.
• Bo'diddly's Pub & Grill - 425 21A Street North, +1 403-328-0066.
• Bully's Sport & Entertainment Centre - 3401 Parkside Drive South, +1 403-380-1905.
• Corner Pocket Billiards and Lounge - 241 Stafford Drive North, +1 403-394-2100.
• Honkers Pub & Eatery - 2808 5th Avenue North, +1 403-327-9405.
• Ice Taps & Grill - Heritage Heights Plaza West, +1 403-320-7191.
• O'Rileys Pub & The Attic Grill - 411 3rd Avenue South, +1 403-328-6116.
• Scores Thirst & Grill - 1025 Mayor Magrath Drive South, +1 403-328-2255.
• Shotz Billiard Club & Lounge - 1120 2nd Avenue South, +1 403-394-7727.
• Sound Garden 21 Club - 500-905 1st Avenue South, +1 403-394-7017.
• Studio 54 - 202 5 Street South, +1 403-328-6099.
• The Duke Of Wellington - 132 Columbia Boulevard West, +1 403-381-1455.
• The Front Row Pub - 2012 Mayor Magrath Drive South, +1 403-328-0423.
• The Roadhouse - 420 6th Street South, +1 403-380-4210.
• The Tankhouse Neighbourhood Pub & Grill - 1814 Mayor Magrath Drive South, +1 403-328-9000.
• Top Hat Strip Club - 1216 1st Avenue South, +1 403-327-8667.