With the craggy peaks of the Rocky Mountains on the horizon and legit ranching country minutes from the city limits, it’s no wonder so many iconic films and TV series have been filmed in and around Calgary. 

Take Heartland, for example. It’s a series that follows the highs and lows of a ranching family, and is now one of the CBC’s longest running TV shows. Heartland is filmed not only on a studio set in Calgary, but at several venues less than an hour’s drive away. If you’re a fan of this family drama, it’s a cinch to follow in your favourite character’s footsteps. 

Here’s a self-guided tour that’s easily done as a day trip from Calgary. 

Hudson is actually High River

When Heartland films from May until early December, High River, a sweet little community about a 30-minute drive south of Calgary, transforms into the made-for-TV town of Hudson. Disclosure: I grew up in High River, so I may be tad biased. After all, it is the best small town in Southern Alberta (read this article on my blog for proof!).

It’s best for Heartland fans to begin their Hudson, I mean High River experience, at the Museum of the Highwood. The town’s Visitor Information Centre is located inside, and these employees always seem to have the scoop on filming. Trust me, you’ll want to chat them up for Heartland juice. They’ll have it, plus tips on what else to see and do around town.

Insider tip: Heartland parks the crew trailers right behind the museum, so you’ll be able to tell at a glance if they’re filming that day. If they are, be sure to hang around for a spell, so you can spot the actors going to and from set. What’s more, this museum, housed inside a historic Canadian Pacific Railway station, has its own Heartland exhibit. As a nod to the other movies and TV shows filmed in the area, they also have props from The Revenant, Unforgiven, and Fargo.

Back to Heartland, you’ll be able to view several costumes worn by the actors and props such as the detailed doll’s house given to Roy’s daughter, Katie, in Season 7. There’s also a test your Heartland knowledge quiz and an actual Maggie’s Diner menu. This is the spot to snap up Heartland souvenirs such as baseball hats, journals, tree ornaments, and wrist cuffs.

For more Heartland mementos, Walkers General Store (situated one block behind the Museum) carries official Heartland hoodies and T-shirts. Amber Marshall, the actor who plays Amy, has her own Life & Style Magazine, plus calendars that are also sold here. Another spot for merch is found at Olive & Finch on 3rd Avenue. Here, you’ll find trendy Hudson T-shirts and Heartland branded iPhone cases. Best of all, this gift shop is conveniently located smack dab between the most notable Heartland sets.

Yep, saunter down 3rd Avenue, and you’ll feel like you’re stepping right into the fictional town of Hudson. It may seem as though the entire street is one giant set, but rest assured, there are several indie shops open for business that are worth popping into.

Yep, saunter down 3rd Avenue, and you’ll feel like you’re stepping right into the fictional town of Hudson. It may seem as though the entire street is one giant set, but rest assured, there are several indie shops open for business that are worth popping into.

The big deal on 3rd Avenue, however, is Maggie’s Diner. Sadly, we civilians can’t pop into Maggie’s for a slice of pie and a cup of joe, though it looks like a fully kitted out cafe. Peering through the windows, you’ll notice just how intricate the set design is. 

Beside Maggie’s Diner is Bartling and Sons Mercantile and Hudson’s Antique Mall. A few doors down, you’ll spot Van Born Travel Agency (such a pretty storefront, you’ll want to take a selfie here) and across the street is the Hudson Times. For fun, pick up a copy of the real life High River Times to see what a small town newspaper reads like. It’s free. 

One block over, all of 4th Avenue was the stage for the cattle drive back in Season 4. That’s when Tim drives Jack’s stolen cattle up to the RCMP detachment (which, by the way, is located on the opposite side of town in real life). And 4th Avenue is probably where you’ll find the best coffee shop in town: Colossi’s Coffee. If you were going for an authentic Heartland tour, you’d order your coffee straight up black, but then you’d be missing out. Colossi’s makes their own caramel and vanilla syrups, so getting a fancy barista-style bevvie is the way to go.

Outside, one of Colossi’s exterior walls is a chalkboard. They supply the chalk, and a sign encourages visitors to “espresso” themselves. Go ahead and mark it up, then turn around and admire the wall mural of Fort Spitzee by Terry Winter. Fun fact: There are lovely murals all over High River depicting early pioneering life.

Right next door to Colossi’s sits Evelyn’s Memory Lane. So much is made from scratch here, from their ice cream (go local with the Medicine Tree, a vanilla base with pralines, butterscotch and chocolate swirls) to their bread to mile-high pies. I’m partial to the loaded Hutterite chicken sandwich, but really, you can’t go wrong with any of the meals served up at this retro diner.

No visit to High River is complete without a stroll and perhaps a play at George Lane Park. Not only did yours truly have her high school graduation ceremony here, but Amy did too. Remember when Ty rode his motorcycle up on stage during the ceremony? Well, that all went down at the red gazebo in leafy George Lane Park. Perhaps the town’s hidden jewel is that this park sports a campsite, which is so lovely, it was recently awarded Campground of the Year by Southwest Service & Tourism. Camp here from May 1 until September 30.

The street leading into the park is 5th Avenue and at the end of the street - across from the historic Wales Theatre - lies the High River Motor Hotel. This classic small town motel is in a few episodes and you may also recall it from the movie Fubar. Spoiler alert: It’s just as sketch in real life as it appears on the big screen. This isn’t a place you want to be caught coming out of, but it does make for some fun photos.

Back on the ranch

Though High River is used as a location a fair bit, much of Heartland’s filming takes place at a working ranch west of Millarville. Sadly, nobody will disclose the exact location of this private ranch (where the homestead scenes are shot). But, I did receive one awesome tip about that ranch when I took a trail ride. Be sure to read the next section for details on that.

Luckily, there’s still plenty of filming locations close to Calgary and accessible to the public for fans to suss out. Lou’s Season 3 wedding took place at the Millarville Anglican Church. It’s a beautiful wooden chapel on Highway 549, just minutes away from the Millarville Farmer’s Market and Race Track. Whenever you see scenes with green and white horse stables, rodeo or horse racing, you’ll know they’ve been filmed at that Millarville Track.

Saturdays from mid-June until early October are when you want to visit, as that’s when the Millarville Farmer’s Market takes place. There are seriously over 100 vendor stalls to peruse, and you can skulk around the track reliving your favourite racing episodes.

Back in the saddle

Because Heartland is all about the horses, you can’t really experience this show first hand without getting in the saddle, now can you? Anchor D Outfitting offers trail rides and cabin rentals deep in the heart of cowboy country. This ranch is located just off picturesque Highway 22, AKA The Cowboy Trail, less than hour’s drive from downtown Calgary. 

Trail rides run every day, twice a day and children as young as six-years-old can ride. Even if you’re not into horseback riding, it’s worth stopping by to meet real legit cowboys if you’ve never had the pleasure. Owner, Dewey Matthews with his leather chaps and a handlebar moustache that rivals Heartland’s grandpa Jack’s is easy to spot. And there’s always wranglers exercising the horses, who are happy to stop for a chat and a photo if you ask nicely.

Trail rides are an easy introduction into the cowboy way of life. More importantly, you’ll gain an appreciation for just how talented those Heartland actors truly are. Imagine having to look fit and attractive all the time, memorize lines and be an accomplished equestrian! It’s no short order.

If you’re a super fan, ask for the John Ware ride, as that trail overlooks the general area and background scenery from the show. All horse rides amble through the bucolic countryside, where cattle graze between copses of trees and the scent of spruce is ever present. You’ll likely head into Kananaskis County, moseying your way along a ridge which delivers sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains.

Yep, these are the very same vistas you watch in pretty much every Heartland episode. By trotting through this countryside and strolling down the streets of High River, you’ll have hit every public Heartland filming location. When you see these sites firsthand, there’s a shift from being a viewer to feeling like you’re actually a part of the series. Take this as your cue to place yourself in the scene.