Enjoy a Hot Beverage at The Noble Teahouse
Built in 1909, this elegant, Victorian-style teahouse employs women who have gone through Narrow Road Home (NRH), a residential recovery program. The menu changes weekly, but you can count on seeing scones, soups, pastries like macarons and cookies, as well as pre-ordered afternoon tea services. Profits from tea and scone sales support NRH programs.
440 Macleod Tr. S.W., High River, 403-978-7391, thenobleteahouse.com, @thenobleteahouse
See Hot-Air Balloons Soar at the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival
This festival is one of High River’s most captivating annual events, attracting hot-air balloons and their pilots from around the world. From Sept. 25 to 29, watch hot-air balloons take to the sky for flights and competitions, or sign up for a passenger ride, soaring up to 2,500 feet in the air. Don’t miss the Balloon Glow event on Sept. 27, when the balloons are tethered in a field and lit up at dusk to create a colourful spectacle.
Multiple locations, heritageinninternationalballoonfestival.com, @heritageinnballoonfest
Learn about High River’s History at Museum of the Highwood
This local museum and visitor centre is built into the historic High River train station. More than 45,000 artifacts, archives, objects and photographs documenting the history of High River and the surrounding highlands can be uncovered here. Guests can also check out exhibits about the history of Indigenous peoples in the area and about Canadian writer W.O. Mitchell, who once lived in High River.
406 1 St. S.W., High River, 403-652-7156, museumofthehighwood.com
Dine with Friends at Evelyn’s Memory Lane Diner
Those with a keen eye may recognize Evelyn’s Memory Lane Diner from its brief feature in HBO’s TV series, The Last of Us, which was partially shot in High River. With its checkered floors, photo-covered walls and a model train running along the top of the restaurant’s walls, the diner exudes a fun, vintage vibe where you can indulge in homestyle sandwiches, soups, salads and baked goods like cake and pie.
118 4 Ave. S.W., High River, 403-652-1887, mlcafe.ca, @evelyns.memory.lane
Catch a Flick at High River Sunset Drive-In
Drive-in movie theatres are rare nowadays, but you can still experience the High River Sunset Drive-In. Hit the concession stand or bring your own snacks to enjoy while watching a movie on the big screen from your car, with the audio broadcasted through your car radio. The volunteer-run drive-in operates Fridays and Saturdays in August and September, with screenings carrying into October, if weather cooperates.
64137 Hwy 543 East, High River, sunsetdriveinhighriver.com