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The Battlefords in Saskatchewan, Canada offer a unique smorgasbord of vacation options.

If you want top-quality hotel accommodations, call and make a reservation at either the Gold Eagle Lodge at the edge of North Battleford or at Jackfish Lodge, twenty minutes north of the city in the Battlefords Provincial Park on Jackfish Lake. If you prefer camping, facilities are available at the Provincial Park, just east of North Battleford at the David Laird Campground, or in Battleford at the Kramer Campground.

Once you've settled in at your chosen hotel or campground, consider which of the variety of attractions to take in. In the City of North Battleford you'll find the Allen Sapp Gallery featuring works by internationally-renowned Cree artist, Allen Sapp, the Chapel Gallery, overlooking the Saskatchewan River Valley, with its ever-changing displays of works by both local and other artists, the Gold Eagle Casino with slot machines, table games and Kihiw Restaurant, and the Western Development Museum with its agriculturally-focused indoor displays and a prairie pioneer village. If you time your visit right, you may catch a pow-wow or rodeo at the arena or exhibition grounds, or a recital by one of the city's two dance schools at the end of May. If golf is your thing, check out the Battlefords Gold and Country Club on the river hills, city side of the river.

Across the river, in the Town of Battleford you'll find Fort Battleford, restored from frontier days, with its new interpretive center powered entirely by solar panels and an impressive wind turbine. Pennydale Junction, a restored railway station offers fine dining with superb service. If at all possible, plan to take in the Middle Eastern menu offered Friday evenings only at My Friend's Place.

Finlayson Island, between the town and the city, offers a variety of nature hikes (or cross-country skiing in the winter) on trails maintained by the local Kiwanis Club. Access is via the "old bridges" which can no longer support heavy traffic but will take you to the island from either side of the river.

The Battlefords Provincial Park, less than a half-hour drive north of the city, offers swimming, boating and fishing on Jackfish Lake. If you're there in winter, the local snowmobile club maintains trails from North Battleford out to Jackfish Lake and beyond. The restaurant at the Lodge offers a nice variety of meals at reasonable prices, and if you want to experience a more rural setting, drive over to the Meota Hotel where breakfasts in particular are a treat.

A half hour west of Battleford is Table Mountain with ski slopes and a cozy chalet operating during the winter months. The runs are short and heavily-used, challenging enough for even experienced skiers.

History, culture, outdoor activities, gambling, fine and ethnic dining - who'd have guessed that you'd find it all in a small prairie city?

Learn more about this author, Roberta Velyn.
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