Prince Albert
- For other places with the same name, see Prince Albert (disambiguation).
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, is a city on the North Saskatchewan River. It is the largest Northern Saskatchewan city, and third in population and size in the province after Regina and Saskatoon.
There are numerous campgrounds near Prince Albert, especially in Prince Albert National Park, which is home to an exceptionally adventurous and scenic hike to Grey Owl's Cabin, and Waskesiu Lake, a particularly charming summer resort to visit as well.
Understand
[edit]
Named after Queen Victoria's husband, is known as the "Gateway to the North". The local pulp and paper mill announced its closure after serving as the community's primary economic engine for 60-75 years. The good news is that Prince Albert is now poised to become a new hub for call centres.
Visitor information
[edit]- City of Prince Albert
- Prince Albert Tourism Office, 3700 2nd Avenue West, ☏ +1 306-953-4385, visitorpatourism@sasktel.net. Late May-Aug: M-F 8:30AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-5PM. Sept-mid-May M-F 8:30AM-4:30PM. Their gift shop includes local artisan wares and Saskatchewan-made food and beauty products.
Get in
[edit]
By plane
[edit]Airport
[edit]- 1 Prince Albert (Glass Field) Airport (YPA IATA), ☏ +1 306-953-4900. The majority of the traffic is non-commercial.
Airlines
[edit]- Rise Air, toll-free: +1-800-667-9356. A regional airline operating in Saskatchewan. Flights to Prince Albert from Saskatoon (YXE IATA) (30 minutes) and La Ronge (45 minutes).
By car
[edit]Most people travelling to Prince Albert do so by car. Highway #11 runs from Prince Albert to Saskatoon (the closest "big city"), and is the primary highway into the city. The next two most important highways in the area are highway #3 (south of PA) and highway #2.
By bus
[edit]- Rider Express, ☏ +1-306-209-3636, toll-free: +1-833-583-3636, contact@riderexpress.ca. Operates bus service in western Canada as far east as Winnipeg and as far west as Vancouver.
Get around
[edit]Almost everyone drives in Prince Albert, even though there is a city bus service. Taxis are also another option.
See
[edit]
The Rawlinson Art Centre, Art Hauser Centre, and Saskatchewan Provincial Court House are attractive venues.
- 1 The Historical Museum, 10 River Street East, ☏ +1 306-764-2992, historypa@citypa.com. Late May-Aug: Daily 9AM-5PM, Th until 9PM. At other times, by appointment. In the Central Fire Hall, a municipal heritage building built in 1912 on the North Saskatchewan River. The building served the city as its fire hall for 63 years until 1975. $2 for ages 12+; $1 for ages 6-12; under 6 free.
- 2 Diefenbaker House Museum, 246 19th Street West, ☏ +1 306-953-4863 (summer), historypa@citypa.com. Late May-Aug: Daily 9AM-5PM; winter : Tu 11AM-4PM or by appointment (call +1 306-764-2992). This house was the residence of John Diefenbaker immediately prior to his becoming Prime Minister of Canada. The museum is furnished as it was in Diefenbaker's day. It holds artifacts, documents and photographs of Canada’s thirteenth Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Prince Albert from 1953 to 1979.
- 3 Prince Albert Raiders, Art Hauser Centre 690 32 St E. Western Hockey League team. Adult $22, student $14, child (6-12) $8, wheelchair seating $14, children 5 and under free.
Do
[edit]- Prince Albert is the central hub for hunters and fishermen looking to go the various lakes, and vast wilderness of Northern Saskatchewan. The city offers places of taxidermy, guide services, and several outlets for transportation needs, accommodations, equipment and supplies.
- The city is 30-45 minutes from Christopher Lake, Emma Lake, Candle Lake, and Prince Albert National Park; all of which offer camping and fishing on some of Saskatchewan's largest pristine lakes. Further north are Big River, Montreal Lake, McLean Lake, and Montreal River.
- 1 Northern Lights Casino, ☏ +1 306 764-4777.
- 2 Little Red River Park (a 5-minute drive out on the highway). Offers a wilderness of hiking trails and skiing. Little Red River Park
Buy
[edit]- Gateway Mall, in downtown Prince Albert, has seen better days but offers a variety of large chain stores and small local businesses.
- Cornerstone Shopping Centre, in the eastern part of Prince Albert, is a larger outdoor shopping centre with various large chain stores and restaurants, including Tim Hortons.
- Downtown Prince Albert has many different food, entertainment, and shopping venues.
Eat
[edit]- 1 The Spice Trail, 2901 2nd Ave W, Unit 1, ☏ +1 306-970-9442. M-Sa 11:30AM-2:30PM and 5PM-8PM. Indian, vegetarian friendly, vegan options. Dishes $12-17.
Drink
[edit]There's more than a few places to get a drink in Prince Albert, including the two Province-run liquor stores located in the city. The city has an abundance of country music bars.
Sleep
[edit]Prince Albert has a number of hotels, including the Days Inn, Comfort Inn, Travelodge, Ramada Inn, Holiday Inn, and Super 8 motel.
- 1 Twilite Motel, Hwy 2 S, ☏ +1 306-764-1491. Near a mall, casino, and theater, they also offer a fully serviced RV park, and large vehicle parking. From $90.
- 2 Keyhole Castle Bed and Breakfast, 1925 1st Ave E, ☏ +1 306-763-3321, keyholecastle@gmail.com. $160-200.
Stay safe
[edit]Prince Albert has a not-undeserved reputation for crime among Saskatchewanians, although most crimes are of the petty variety such as theft. Don't leave valuables in your car overnight – even loose change may attract the attention of thieves. Avoid the West Flat neighbourhood (the area abutting the river west of 2nd Ave W) at night. The city is entirely safe during the day.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]- It's a 20-30 minute drive to St. Louis, through which the mighty South Saskatchewan River runs, and which is the premiere place for Metis culture and history in Saskatchewan.
- It's another 30-minute drive to the Historic Batoche Settlement.
- Prince Albert National Park - 90 km north of the city on Highway 2.
| Routes through Prince Albert |
| La Ronge ← Prince Albert N.P. ← | N  S |
→ Wakaw → Moose Jaw |
The Battlefords via  ← Shellbrook ← |
W  E |
→ Melfort → Hudson Bay/Regina via  |
| END ← | N  S |
→ Rosthern → Saskatoon |
| Cold Lake ← Shellbrook ← | W  E |
→ Jct  E → Nipawin |
La Ronge ← Prince Albert N.P. ←  ← |
N  S |
→ .svg){kind=small} → Melfort → Regina |