You won't find Edmonton's arts or Calgary's bustle in this Alberta city, but Lethbridge (population: 81,000) is proud to be one of Canada's sunniest cities (according to them). Perhaps thanks to the climate, (warm; sunny), the folks of Lethbridge like to spend their time outside, and the city boasts more than a dozen major parks where residents and visitors alike can get their kicks.
The Henderson Lake Park, home to the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, is built around a man-made lake made from what was once a slough. Children pull fish from the lake in summer, and skate in winter on the frozen surface. Nikka Yuko was built in 1967, and for a small admission fee visitors can enjoy the stillness of the traditional Japanese garden in the heart of the park.
For a taste of history and culture, the old Post Office clock tower keeps time over downtown Lethbridge, and the grounds of city hall are decorated with local artists' work. ...More information below photos...
...Continue gallery information: The Lethbridge Viaduct is the longest and tallest high-level railway bridge in the world. It spans the Oldman River through the middle of town. 1909 saw the first train to cross viaduct, and nearly a hundred years later, trains still use the 1.6 kilometer-long (1 mile) bridge daily.