Waterton Village
A beautiful, affordable vacation spot in Alberta, Canada
For anyone wanting a fun vacation with a variety of activities, taking the Going-to-the-Sun Road through Glacier National Park to Waterton Village is a great choice.
Almost every adult loves hearing that special word at work; vacation. A time when people can relax or explore the wonders of the world, not having to worry about schedules or appointments.
Waterton Village in Alberta, Canada is one of those hidden gems that few people get to see. Set just across the American-Canadian Border in Waterton Lakes National Park, Waterton Village is a great place for a wedding, a honeymoon, or just a fun family vacation.
The best way to get to Waterton Village is to drive through Montana and take the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which starts at the entry to Glacier National Park. There’s a small visitor’s center with shopping, an information center with books and maps, and even an ice cream parlor.
This trip will take a few hours once you start driving through Glacier, partially because of traffic and partially because the sights to see encourage drivers to pull off and take pictures. An option open to visitors is to take the shuttle, which allows everyone to just sit back and enjoy the scenery. The road winds up the side of several mountains, circling in and out of tunnels and past majestic waterfalls. Glaciers can be seen through the peaks of the mountains, some of which stand at over ten-thousand feet tall. Although they are considerably smaller than they were a few decades ago, the glaciers still inspire awe.
There is also a variety of wildfire to be seen. Mountain goats, eagles, friendly chipmunks, and even moose wander about, especially around Logan’s Pass Visitor’s Center about halfway through the trip. There are several walking trails through the mountains that start at the Visitor’s Center, some that take hours and others that take fifteen to thirty minutes. Some people have spotted deer and moose as well.
Waterton Village is nestled next to Upper Waterton Lake in the cradle of several large mountains. Overlooking the village is the majestic Prince of Wales Hotel, open since 1927. There’s no television, no radio, and no electronic keys. However, the bellhops wear kilts and even operate the old-fashioned elevator for the guests. There’s a beautiful tea room with a floor-to-ceiling view that overlooks the lake, as well as a formal dining room that serves excellent pasta and a small bar. The rooms all have balconies, some that overlook the mountains in front of the hotel and others that overlook the lake. A lake view room, although more expensive, is definitely worth it. If you prefer a more modern hotel, there are several inns in Waterton, all at good rates and relatively close to activities.
There are many things to do in Waterton. Swimming is always an option, although during the summer the water doesn’t usually get past the sixties. The water is very clear, and the bottom is covered with smooth rocks. There are two ferries available as well. One takes travelers to a trail and lake farther down Waterton Lake. The trip takes a few hours but can be very relaxing. The other, smaller ferry takes the adventure seekers to the trail to Crypt Lake, voted one of the Top Ten Best Hiking Trails in the world for several years. The trail winds past Hell-Roaring Falls and even dips into a 65-foot tunnel. There’s also canoeing, kayaking, bike rentals, shopping, and even a small movie theater.
Still not convinced? During the summer the temperature’s usually around eighty at its highest, there are no mosquitoes, and it doesn’t get dark until around ten.
For the person looking for a unique experience in a beautiful setting, Waterton Village could be the perfect destination.
