Unique Places to Visit in Cochrane, Alberta

Cochrane is a town of just over 30,000 people in Southern Alberta, around 30 minutes west of Calgary. Many Calgarians will stop in Cochrane during a weekend in the summer, enjoying the small town charm, local ice cream, and riverside parks. If you are living in or visiting the Calgary area, Cochrane is worth a stop as well.

The Most Famous Ice Cream in Cochrane

Growing up in Calgary’s northwest, my family frequently made the 25-minute drive out to Cochrane for an evening or day trip. One of our favourite stops is McKay’s Ice Cream, a shop on First Street that makes its own ice cream flavours and is often lined up down the street in the summers. They also sell their products in grocery stores around Cochrane, Calgary, Airdrie, and Strathmore, so they’re a great choice if you’re looking to buy Canadian.

Local Shops, Coffee and More

Beyond McKay’s, First Street is full of cute shops and historic western-style buildings. The Heavenly Outhouse is a popular spot for unique and locally-made gifts and homegoods. There are also many thrift and consignment shops to browse, along with a Kitchen Boutique, and art galleries. If you walk a block away down Second Avenue, you will find Cochrane Coffee Trader’s, a local roastery that also makes many baked goods in-house.

Sink into a Comfortable Book

Found is a local bookshop which offers new and used books as well as an in-house coffee shop. The atmosphere is quiet and cozy, with many comfortable chairs and sofas available for patrons to use. Found also hosts events such as small concerts, open mic nights and more that are listed on their website. The shop is located on First Street between the Kitchen Boutique and Route 22 Art Gallery.

Take a Walk in the Riverfront Park

The Town of Cochrane boasts 80 km of pathways in their community. One of my favourite parks is the Riverfront Park which has a couple looping pathways that circle near the shore of the Bow River. The pathways are usually not too busy and it is common to see wildlife such as deer in the area. Always follow leave-no-trace principles while outdoors and respect the animals by giving them plenty of space. This park has additional amenities such as a fenced off-leash dog park, a playground, and a disc golf course.

Visit the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary

Despite visiting Cochrane frequently, I had not made it out the the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sancutary until recently. The sanctuary is a home to wolfdogs (a mix of wolf and domestic dog) that are unable to live as traditional pets in a family home.

These animals are intelligent and often friendly, although their wild instinct can make it difficult for them to be trained like domestic dogs. The sanctuary is dedicated to their well-being as well as educating the public about both wolves and wolfdogs. Visitors help to fund the operations and there is a sliding scale for entry depending on the experience you choose. I had such a fun time visiting, and would highly recommend it if you love animals, dogs, or wolves!