Slow down and recharge in walkable, natural Vermilion

For Clare Tolchard and her daughter, Vanessa Rifo, a recent June visit to Vermilion hit all the right notes: spending time together away from busy city life, reconnecting with nature and healing from all the stress life throws at us.

“Being in the city, it can be a lot more busy,” says Rifo, who makes her home in downtown Calgary. “Being out here, I can hear my thoughts. Plural. It’s green, it’s gorgeous and everyone is so nice out here.”

Pulling into Vermilion off Highway 16 East, you can’t really see much of town. A grain elevator rises from rolling fields of wheat and canola. 

But turn onto Main Street and the two-storey brick buildings of this rural, eastern Alberta prairie town recall an earlier, more carefree time when screens and schedules weren’t constantly ringing in our ears.

Clare and Vanessa stop into Lighten Up Therapy, where owner Amber Skolarchuk fills our ears with sounds far more soothing than the pings and chimes of our daily digital deluge. 

A singing bowl session, Skolarchuck explains, is designed to correct the imbalances caused by all the electro-magnetic frequencies bombarding our senses, and bring our minds and bodies back into equilibrium.

“I’ve been doing some energy healing myself, so it was cool to be around the singing bowls," says Clare. 

"I’ve heard of them but haven’t done that before,” she adds. “I really did feel the energy change.”

With their energies restored, a simple stroll down Main Street checked another box, with artist collectives, clothing and fashion stores, and outdoor gear.  

“It’s easy to support local, the stores are really cool, the vibes are wonderful,” says Vanessa. 

“I could just spend a lot of time downtown in the shops, grab a coffee, it’s the kind of place where everyone knows your name, very community-oriented.”

From there, lunch at Zayn’s Diner Plus continues the journey back to simpler times, but with a modern touch. 

Think comfort food, designed by a young Red Seal chef (the restaurant's namesake, Zayn): milkshakes made with fresh fruit, deep dish pizza, hearty clubhouses and fried pickles, all made with an attention to detail you can’t find at so many of today’s chain establishments.

Of course, the main attraction is Vermilion Provincial Park, AKA nature’s spa. Perched right on the corner of town, it’s within easy walking distance of town, 

Just two blocks from Vermilion's Main Street, at the Rotary Lookout, you can access the trails and meander through the forest or dip your toes in the lake as you like. 

Slow down and recharge in Vermilion

Start here, with Vermilion travel info to help plan your trip

There are five kilometres of paved walking trails, another 15-plus kilometres of hiking trails, and the trees and cattails by the lake teem with birds.

Rent a kayak from Burnt Rock Adventure Co. if the mood strikes. Pro tip: take in sunset from the lake, which faces east-west; the blazing rusty oranges and reds of its sunsets could well be the namesake for the town.

Another way to enjoy the park is with a picnic, which Clare and Vanessa grabbed from DB’s Delicious Bites. 

Here, Bishnu Pandey and his wife Divina (who hail from Nepal and the Philippines, respectively) serve up flavourful Asian-infused rice and noodle bowls that are easy to enjoy in house or take with you to the park. 

Or make it your post-adventure destination and treat yourself to some of their delicious desserts. 

With key lime pie topped with whip cream, or a sticky toffee pudding with ice cream melting on your tongue, you’ll feel your cares melt away too.

That’s Vermilion’s Goldilocks effect, where the pace, the setting and the local vibes are just right. 

Know before you go

Start your planning with this handy online guide from #ExploreVermilion.

Getting to Vermilion

Driving directions to Vermilion: 

• 45 minutes from Lloydminster via Highway 16 West

• under two hours from Edmonton, via Highway 16 East

• within approximately 2-3 hours of Red Deer, Bonnyville, Lac La Biche, Saskatoon

Featured in this story:

Burnt Rock Adventure Co outdoor gear outfitter for kayak and bike rentals, outdoor apparel and more. Before getting out in the park, go here!

Lighten Up Therapy both shop and therapy space, Lighten Up is Vermilion's healing, holistic health and wellness specialty curator. Singing bowls, crystals and other wellness products.  

Zayn's Diner Plus 50s vibes and a comfort food menu concocted by a local Red Seal chef.

DB Delicious Bites tasty cuisine influenced by the Nepalese and Philippine heritage of this family-run restaurant.

Vermilion Provincial Park offers hiking and biking trails, paddling, camping, a trout pond and even mini-golf, all right next to the comforts of town.