Wetaskiwin

This town, halfway between Red Deer [1] and Edmonton [2] on Highway 2A, is an important wheat-farming and cattle-ranching center of 11,000. In the language of the Cree, Wetaskiwin (“Where Peace was Made”) is a reference to nearby hills where a treaty between the Cree and Blackfoot was signed in 1867.

At the junction of Highway 2A and 50th Avenue, the local tourist information center (4910 55th St., 780/352-8003, year-round Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., as well as summer weekends 9 a.m.–3 p.m.) is impossible to miss—just look for the colorful water tower across the road.

Reynolds-Alberta Museum

The world-class Reynolds-Alberta Museum, two kilometers (1.2 miles) west of downtown (Hwy. 13, 780/361-1351, daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m., closed Mon. Sept.–May, adult $9, senior $7, child $5), does a wonderful job of cataloging the history of transportation in Alberta [3], from horse-drawn carriages to luxurious 1950s automobiles.

Over 1,000 vehicles have been fully restored, but some, such as a handmade snowmobile, are in their original condition. At the far end of the main room, you can peer into a large hall where the restoration takes place. The transportation displays encircle a large area where traditional farm machinery is on show, from the most basic plow to a massive combine harvester.

Behind the museum lies an airstrip and a large hangar that houses Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognizes those who have made contributions to the history of aviation and contains several vintage aircraft. Admission is included with a ticket to the Reynolds-Alberta Museum. Hours are also the same. Operating out of the Hall of Fame, Central Aviation (780/352-9689) offers a 10-minute flight in an old biplane for $119; weekends only.

Accommodations and Food

Looking for a regular motel room? Try the Super 8 Motel (3820 56th St., 780/361-3808 or 800/800-8000, www.super8.com [4], $109–119 s or d), a newer place that is within walking distance of the museum. Rates include continental breakfast. Opposite the local golf course, Wetaskiwin Lions RV Campground (2.5 km/1.6 mi east of town along Hwy. 13, 780/352-7258, May–Sept., unserviced sites $18, hookups $24–26) has free showers, an Internet kiosk, a laundry room, a cooking shelter, a stocked trout pond, and mini-golf.

Grandma Lee’s Bakery (5103 50th Ave., 780/352-7711, Mon.–Sat. 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.) is enduringly popular with locals for its small-town atmosphere as much as its food. Recommended are the meat pies and tasty pastries. A few doors away, the Stanley Café (5015 50th Ave., 780/352-3633, daily noon–8 p.m., $7–11.50) is a plain diner with Westernized Chinese food at low prices. Opposite the information center is Runway Lunch (5505 50th Ave., 780/352-3777, Mon.–Fri. 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m., lunches $5.50–8), where the home-style cooking is a welcome respite from the blandness of the fast-food joints lining nearby 56th Street.