Family-Friendly Things to Do in Cochrane

Chock-full of wonderfully unexpected fun for families, Cochrane is the perfect destination for those who are looking for new and interesting experiences.

Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat

Visit Ganuk and Henry at the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat – the only captive bear facility in the world dedicated solely to polar bears! At the Habitat, you even have the chance to swim with the bears. The wading pool has two-inch shatterproof glass separating you from the bears, providing you with the remarkable experience of being able to get a clear and up-close look at these amazing creatures if they're in their side of the pool!

You can also view the bears from inside the viewing building through a number of windows, or from the multi-level “pit” area that allows for an underwater view of the bears in their pool.

To keep the bears happy, the Polar Bear Habitat offers a natural, choice-driven environment for the bears, so they choose whether or not they want to be in the pool! Please keep in mind the bears don’t go for a swim all the time, and may not be in that particular enclosure at the time of your visit.

Click here to contact the Polar Bear Habitat for more information about their facility!

Heritage Village

Just steps away from the Polar Bear Habitat’s viewing building is the Heritage Village. Travel back in time and explore Cochrane’s past, circa the early 1900s. The Village consists of a quaint Main Street that features a school house, blacksmith’s shop, general store, fire station, and trapper’s cabin. A snack house and children’s train ride are also open seasonally.

Cochrane Events

Throughout the entire year, Cochrane is host to a number of great events for the whole family. One of them is Cochrane Summerfest, where you’re invited to “live like a Northerner” during the second weekend of August every year. This festival offers a shore fish fry, corn roast, monster ATV races, an amusement park for the kids, fireworks, and more!

Click here for a list of Cochrane’s events.  

Lake Commando

Get out and enjoy the fresh air at Lake Commando, located right in the centre of the community. This spring-fed lake features a well-designed, supervised beach complex that is perfect for relaxing or taking a refreshing dip on a hot summer’s day. Feel like trying your luck fishing for trout? Cast a line in from the docks and see if you can reel in the BIG one!

Get a Bird’s Eye View of Cochrane!

For families looking for a different view of Cochrane, hop on one of Cochrane Air Service’s three aircraft for a private chartered flight around the area. If you’re the type of family that enjoys an epic fishing adventure, they also offer fly-in fishing experiences with family rates in an effort to promote family fishing trips! Click here for more information on booking a fly-in fishing experience with Cochrane Air Services.

Find more BIG fun in Cochrane!

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