Grande Prairie

Grande Prairie is a city in Northern Alberta. Much of the province's oil industry is facing economic headwinds, but you'd never know it in booming GP, where one in eight permanent residents moved up in the 5 years between the last two censuses. Through its impressive assortment of strip malls and big box stores, Grande Prairie's commercial footprint stretches clear to the Arctic Circle, and distinctive Yukon and Northwest Territories license plates can often be spotted parked outside local businesses.

Understand

For all its breakneck growth and reasonably progressive development, Grande Prairie is largely a town for young, working families. Outdoor recreation is the escape of choice, especially the motorized variety, and the city is surrounded by a wealth of "Crown land" - that is, Canada's public property not subject to strict ecological protection.

Where Fort McMurray is a single-industry town accessible only by a dead-end highway, Grande Prairie - although still largely suburban - is more of a vibrant regional center. The local agricultural base is a bit more exotic than in the rest of Alberta, with elk and bison ranches commonplace, and most of Canada's honey is produced in the region. Local museums are generously funded by the city's shale gas wealth, with long hours and free admission. For most travelers, this is simply the last stop before starting the Alaska Highway, but the surrounding Peace River Country has a unique history and landscape that's well worth exploring.

Get in

Daily flights to Grande Prairie are available from Calgary and Edmonton on both Air Canada Jazz and Westjet. Charter airline Sunwest Aviation also offers flights to Edson and Peace River. Unfortunately Grande Prairie's regional airport is not connected to the city by transfer and can only be reached by taxi.

Grande Prairie is also serviced by daily Greyhound buses from Edmonton and Dawson Creek, British Columbia. Connections are the two aforementioned depots can be made to other destinations across Canada and the United States.

• • As of 2011 Greyhound Canada has suspended service to communities in northern Alberta (Peace River, High Level) and the Northwest Territories (Hay River) **

Once within the city, Grande Prairie Transit offers a small bus network that serves most parts of the municipality. The bus system consists of five routes. These routes run on a 30 minute basis during peak hours and hourly the remainder of the day. Weekends see reduced service, as do all statutory holidays. In addition to primary routes the city offers the non-profit, independent DTS (Disabled Transportation Society), which has specialized transport services for individuals with disabilities.

Get around

The City is most easily managed by rental car.

See

• Dunvegan. Alberta's largest suspension bridge overlooks this historic park, located 96km north of Grande Prairie on Hwy 2.  edit
• Muskoseepi Park. Located in the core of the city, surrounding the Bear Creek Reservior, Muskoseepi Park offers 1100 acres of parkland. Walking trails, manicured fields, and group use facilities, are perfect for a family outing or an escape from the city.  edit
• Grande Prairie Regional College, 10726-106 Avenue, ☎ 1-888-539-4772, [1]. Grande Prairie Campus is located in a beautiful brick building designed my Douglas J. Cardinal without corners inside or out. Nice walking trail behind the College circles the Bear Creek Reservoir and connects to a 7km paved biking trail that follows Bear Creek to the Southeast. free.  edit

Buy

• Prairie Mall, [2]. As the largest mall in the Peace region, the Prairie Mall is home to over 80 stores, restaurants, and other services. The mall is anchored by Target, Marks Work Wearhouse, and Shoppers Drug Mart, and also is home to Coles, RW&Co, Le Chateau, Sterling Shoes, HMV, M-Five, Aeropostale, Children's Place, Bootlegger, Ricki's, Landmark Cinemas, David's Tea, Boathouse, and Moxies Class Grill.  edit
• Downtown, 100 Avenue Westbound, [3]. As a growing municipality Grande Prairie has managed to fight back the big box store pull with a unique, active downtown district. This area is home to 500 stores and services, and is seen by citizens as the heart of the community. 100 Ave is lined with many independent retailers, such as Soular, Victoria's Attic, Dark Flavour Board Shop, and Fashionista. In addition downtown is home to urban decor stores, countless restaurants, and several lounges.  edit

Drink

• Maddhatters, 105085-100 Ave, [4]. Opened in 2001, Maddhatters affords Grande Prairie with a little diversity in its nightclub scene.. Serving as a lounge and as a club, Maddhatters has continuously been atop the night scene in Grande Prairie.  edit
• Spurs Cookhouse and Dance Hall, 11920-100 Street, ☎ (780) 831-7320, [5]. Thursday, Friday, & Saturday. Doors open at 9pm.. The largest nightclub in Grande Prairie and definitely one of the most popular. Live music venues.  edit

Sleep

• Pomeroy Inn & Suites, 11710 102 Street, ☎ 780-831-2999, [6]. Hypno opulence beds, deluxe continental breakfast, indoor pool with water slide, fitness center, meeting fascility, kitchenette suites, extended stay, pet friendly (55.186529,-118.801306) edit
• Redwood Inn & Suites, 8117 99 Street, ☎ 780-357-1916, [7]. Grande Prairie Hotels. Redwood Inn and Suites is situated north of downtown Grande Prairie, Alberta, easily accessible off Highway 2.  edit

Get out

Routes through Grande Prairie

Dawson Creek ←	N  S/SE	→ Fox Creek → Spruce Grove
END ←	S  N/E/SE	→ Peace River → Edmonton

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