Most cities develop walking tours and/or self-guided tours. In the last decade there’s been a resurgence in popularity encouraging residents and tourists to explore a destination in a slow, non-tech atmosphere on foot.
Walking is the ultimate way to explore going back to caveman days when it was the only way to travel. With life speeding by at a breakneck speed, many people are anxious to slow down and enjoy the world at their own pace. And walking tours offer a quiet, contemplative and private form of touring.
Locally, the Arts and Heritage Foundation of St. Albert (AHA) has geared up for a series of popular summer art and history tours beginning in July. Some tours are a one-time event while others are offered on different days providing flexibility for preferred itineraries.
In addition to being out in fresh air, AHA has long promoted walking tours as the best way to discover landscape and culture. During a slow walk, participants can get up close to architecture, art, statues, plants, waterways and wildlife while minimizing the carbon footprint.
The cost per tour is $3 and attendees are encouraged to pre-register at artsandheritage.ca and dress for the weather.
Public Art and History Tours
Meet at Art Gallery of St. Albert
July 4 and September 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Innovation Tour
Meet at train Station, 4 Meadowview Drive
July 12 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Mission Hill Tour
Meet at Father Lacombe Chapel
July 25 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and August 29 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Indigenous Plant Tour
Meet at Musée Heritage
July 31 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Public Art Tours
Meet at Art Gallery of St. Albert
Aug. 1 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Downtown Tour
Meet at Musée Heritage Museum
Aug. 8 and September 12 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Sturgeon River Tour
Meet at Musée Heritage
Aug. 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
River Lot Tours
Meet at Historic River Lots, 4 Meadowview Drive
Aug. 21 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.