Vulcan (Alberta)
Vulcan is a town in Southern Alberta. It draws on its fictional namesake for its fame, billing itself as the "Official Star Trek Capital of Canada."
Understand
Incorporated in December 1912, Vulcan was named after the classical god, and its major roads were named after other classical gods and goddesses. It became a major grain shipment point, but changing economics sent that business elsewhere in Alberta, until the town was little more than a service hub for the surrounding farms.
Then somebody noticed the Star Trek connection. Nowadays, Vulcan is the largest Star Trek fan tourist draw in Canada.
Get in
Vulcan is on Alberta Highway 23, approximately 120 km southeast of Calgary and 95 km northwest of Lethbridge, near that highway's junction with Highway 534.
- 1 Vulcan/Kirkcaldy Aerodrome. Located at the old RCAF Station Vulcan (and has a historical marker about the old airbase). General aviation only, no commercial service.
Get around
You probably drove into town, so getting around shouldn't be an issue.
See
There are Star Trek-themed murals throughout town, and some of the street lights have starship-shaped ornamental mountings.
- Bell Park, corner of Centre Street and 2nd Avenue South. Home of the Town Bell (rung to announce the beginning of curfew when the town had a Curfew Ordinance) and a bronze bust of Spock (commemorating Leonard Nimoy's visit to Vulcan in 2010).
- 1 Starship FX6-1995-A. A roadside attraction, believed to be the world's biggest Star Trek Enterprise replica. The attraction's dedication plaque includes text in some languages used in Star Trek, including Klingon.
- 2 Vulcan Tourism & Trek Station, 115 Centre St E, ☏ +1 403 485-2994, info@vulcantourism.com. Daily 9AM-6PM. The local tourist centre is housed in a building shaped like a Star Trek planetary surface base, and has a shuttlecraft parked outside.
- Vulcan & District Historical Society Archives & Museum, 232 Centre Street, ☏ +1 403 485-6716, vulcananddistrictmuseum@gmail.com. June-September: Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM. Not Star Trek-themed. The museum has displays about Vulcan's communication, heritage, and medical history.
Do
- Vulcan Tinman Triathlon. Beginning of June. A family-friendly triathlon.
- Spock Days. Second weekend in June. All of the events you'd expect to see in a small-town fair, given a Vulcan twist.
- Vul-Con. End of July (cancelled for 2020 due to Covid19). The local Star Trek convention — celebrities, vendors, a dinner and dance, a Cosplay Parade through town. It's the big event of the year.
- Vulcan Golf and Country Club, 710 1st Street North, ☏ +1 403 485-2553. A semi-private 18-hole course.
Buy
Eat
- Amy's Restaurant, 120 Service Rd SE (across the highway from the spaceship), ☏ +1 403 485-2222. 11AM-9PM. Western "Chinese" food, with some vegan options.
- Mama's Pizza & Pasta, 123 Centre Street E, ☏ +1 403 485-6367. 11AM-9PM.
- New Club Cafe, 124 Centre Street, ☏ +1 403 485-2030.
Drink
- The Great Full Cup, 133 Centre Street, ☏ +1 403 485-0050. Coffee shop
Sleep
Hotels and Motels
- Vulcan Country Inn, 110 Centre St, ☏ +1 403 485-2281, vulcancountryinn@gmail.com. Has coin-operatied laundry machines and an attached restaurant.
- 1 Wheatland Motel, 115 2nd Street Southeast, ☏ +1 403 485-2211, mmra5451@gmail.com.
Campgrounds
- Virginia Mitchell Memorial Park Camp Ground, 330 - 5 Street North (Turn on 3 Avenue North from Centre Street), ☏ +1 403 485-2417. 16 campsites, with 30amp power, sani-dump, picnic tables, free showers, tap water, flush toilets, and playground. Fires permitted. Open May-Sept (contact Town of Vulcan to confirm). $25/night.
- Vulcan Municipal Park (Camp Ground), 702 Elizabeth Street, ☏ +1 403 485-2417. 10 campsites, with waste disposal, washroom, tap water, and a shared picnic shelter. No power. Open May-Sept (contact Town of Vulcan to confirm). 3 nights free, after that $10/night.
Connect
- 1 Vulcan Municipal Library, 303 Centre Street, ☏ +1 403 485-2571. M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 11AM-3PM. Computers and wireless internet access are available for use without a library card.
Go next
| Routes through Vulcan |
High River ← Jct  N ← |
N  S |
→ ENDS at W  E |