Moving to Grande Prairie? Here’s what the city is all about!
Welcome to Grande Prairie, the hub of the Peace Region in Alberta. This quaint city in the prairies is “Home of the Trumpeter Swan,” as is it the nesting ground for these birds during the summer months – the city is nicknamed Swan City for this purpose.
There are many reasons to be happy about living in Grande Prairie. It is a thriving young city with continuous opportunities, has a fascinating history, a delicious food scene, and diverse art and cultural communities. Swan City’s economy is built on four pillars: oil and gas, forestry, agriculture, and retail, allowing locals and newcomers to the city great career opportunities.
With the city being so diverse, there are multiple cultural associations, so if you’re looking to make friends with like-minded people, you’ll be able to find them in this city!
Outdoor Activities:
There are plenty of local festivals and agricultural fairs during the summer months. A short drive outside the city will lead you to the mountains. You’ll be able to see an abundance of wildlife from elk, moose, caribou, bison, bears and much more. For the fishing enthusiasts, lakes and rivers allow you to experience some world class fishing. And during your adventures, don’t forget to look up to spot different species of birds.
Here are some of the parks and activity ideas that are in Grande Prairie or a short distance away from the city to get you started on your adventure:
- Muskpseepi Park showcases the natural beauty of this northern region and with its dozens paved trail, it’s perfect for a bike ride.
- Saskatoon Island Provincial Park is only a 15-minute drive from the city, where you can find yourself on an island of forest, wetlands, and shrubland. It is one of Alberta’s first provincial parks and is situated between two lakes: Saskatoon Lake and Little Lake.
- Sundance Balloons is a hot air balloon ride that flies over Bear Creek, the hilly terrain of Grande Prairie, and the cliffs and valleys of Northern Alberta.
- Nitehawk Adventure Park is the place for activity lovers. Locals go skiing, snowboarding, tubing and more during the winter, and slide down water ramps, or mountain bike during the summer.
Indoor Activities:
Grande Prairie is rich in fossil resources, which means dinosaurs once roamed around this region. To learn more about paleontology research, we recommend checking out some of the museums. If dinosaurs are not your cup of tea, we added a few other suggestions to the list as well:
- Philip J, Currie Dinosaur Museum will take you back 230 million years ago to the Mesozoic Era.
- Centre 2000 is a place for locals and tourists alike. You’ll find information about the city and its history. You can even explore the educational Heritage Discovery Centre located on the first floor.
- Art Gallery of Grande Prairie is where you’ll find art from renowned artists and local artists.
- Centre for Creative Arts is for those who want to take the step in becoming artists. The centre provides classes and resources for the community.
These are just a stepping stone to help you navigate your new city. We will let you find the rest of the hidden gems while you explore the city of Grande Prairie!
We love operating in Grande Prairie, and we know our team members agree that it’s a great place to live. If you’re moving to Grande Prairie, trust our experienced, local movers to get you and your belongings there safely and efficiently.
