Coming in from out of province or out of town for the Memorial Cup?

It’s always nice to find that local gem. And if you’re traveling to Red Deer, Alberta this May for the 2016 MasterCard Memorial Cup you’ll not only want to take in some of the best hockey this country has to offer but also the local flare.

You can go the old tried and tested route and hit up one the many franchise restaurants this bustling city has to offer but if you’d like to get to know Red Deer a little bit more here’s 9 local things to do in Red Deer while visiting for the 2016 MasterCard Memorial Cup:

Food – Local Favourites

Roosters Wood Fire & Smoke

Celebrating local products, delicious quality and good times the brand new Roosters Wood Fire & Smoke (formerly Meathead) is definitely a spot to check out while visiting Red Deer. Owned and operated by Heritage Ranch, Red Deerians already know what Chef Mike Ubbing brings to the table (see Westlake Grill below). Covering a wide variety of local fare on their menu, Roosters has a little something for everyone’s dinner or lunch cravings – often served with fire or smoke. Sink your teethe into one of their amazing burgers done your way of course, because you’re the boss (choose from Elk, Bison, Chicken, Vegetarian and Alberta Beef). Be adventurous and try their duck wings or add a little East Coast flair (with an Alberta twist) to your meal with their smoked oysters. Oh ya and their flatbreads are mouth-watering!

Chedda’ Heads

If there’s two things you’d have a hard time arguing against, it’s food trucks and grilled cheese. Chedda’ Heads is Central Alberta’s only sandwich shop on wheels and will be traveling around the Red Deer area during this year’s Memorial Cup. You can track down the location of the truck through their social media either on Twitter or through Facebook. With sandwiches named Big Poppa, the Hellbent and Lil Monster you won’t be disappointed with this rolling sandwich making machine!

The Westlake Grill at Heritage Ranch

Heritage Ranch is revered by many in the community as one of Red Deer’s hidden gems. The ranch itself sits on 207 acres of municipal land and provides some of the best cuisine Red Deer has to offer with its onsite fully licensed restaurant, The Westlake Grill. The Westlake Grill offers everything from a light and casual brunch to one of the most romantic settings for a dinner you could hope for. Try one of their famous burgers for lunch or indulge in the fine dining that is the chef’s table, either way you’ll be asking for seconds.

Entertainment

Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

Discover, experience and explore the legend of some of Alberta’s greatest athletes. The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum offers an interactive and hands-on experience for all its visitors. Explore some of the best athlete’s Alberta has produced since 1957. Check out artifacts, photographs and other memorabilia from Alberta’s rich sports history. With over 7000 artifacts celebrating and preserving Alberta’s rich sporting history in their collection be sure to set aside an afternoon for this stop.

Bull Skit Comedy

Bull Skit Comedy is Red Deer’s only improv troupe and has been performing in area for the past 7 years. The troupe performs monthly at the Scott Block Theatre and happens to have a show on during the 2016 Master Card Memorial Cup. Running from May 19 – 21 the Bull Skit Comedy Troupe will perform a best of show covering all the crowd pleasing and fan favourite sketches from the past season.

Discovery Wildlife Park

Located just 30 minutes from Red Deer, Discovery Wildlife Park is a 90-acre zoo which provides a wildlife sanctuary for over 40 species of orphaned animals including monkeys, grizzly bears, jaguars, and alligators. There are daily educational animal presentations which allow visitors to get up close and personal with many of their favourite animals. Have your picture taken with a Grizzly Bear, jaguar, tiger or any number of other animals located at Discovery Wildlife Park or talk with the animal trainer and learn more about what it means to be wild in Alberta.

Night Life

To The Lost

To The Lost is Red Deer’s newest cocktail bar and rather ground breaking for Central Alberta. This trendy cocktail bar located in the heart of downtown Red Deer is definitely not a spot to be missed. With the knowledge of three veteran bartenders behind the rail To The Lost is serving up a host of new cocktails along with the tradition favourites. Come in for the urban atmosphere but stay for the well-crafted and unique drinks. If you’re looking for a taste of the big city while visiting Red Deer for the Memorial Cup look no further.

Troubled Monk

Home brewing brothers turned full-fledged beer makers Charlie and Graeme Bredo officially launched Troubled Monk in June of 2015. Turning their passion for great beer into a business that we can all enjoy. Troubled Monk is a great little gem in Red Deer and not something to be overlooked. Dealing in manly tall cans, casks, growlers and kegs these beer-making brothers have a gift for barely and hops and are sharing it with the entirety of Central Alberta.

Fratters Speakeasy

Live entertainment, great food and cold drinks is the name of the game of Fratters Speakeasy. Enjoy a staple of the Red Deer music scene as every day of the week this little club has something unique and truly special to offer. Come enjoy a drink with friends as you catch up and share a laugh or make some new friends. Make sure your follow their Facebook and Twitter for updates on drink/food deals and upcoming events.

Memorial Cup: How to Get Tickets

Red Deer is home to a lot of great local people doing great local things. Whether it’s entertaining you with Central Alberta’s only sketch comedy troupe or quenching your thirst at one of the city’s more trendy cocktail bars Red Deer has something for all kinds of visitors.

While most are in town to take in some of the best hockey this country has to offer with the 2016 Mastercard Memorial Cup, don’t forget to take the opportunity to indulge and treat yourself to the wonderfulness that is Central Alberta!

The Mastercard Memorial Cup runs May 19 – 29, 2016 – with tickets already on sale. We look forward to hosting you in May 2016!