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Founded as a Presbyterian mission in 1866, PRINCE ALBERT has a thriving timber industry, is a major transport centre and is the province's oldest and third-largest city, but it's a dull spot, its long main drag, Central Avenue (Hwy 2), lined with fast-food joints, petrol stations and shopping malls. Apart from the casino that brings thousands of visitors to town, the only conceivable attractions are the Historical Museum at River Street and Central Avenue (mid-May to Aug Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-8pm; $1.50), given over chiefly to the area's first farmers and loggers, and Diefenbaker's House at 246 19th St W (mid-May to Aug Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-9pm; $3) where John Diefenbaker lived from 1947 until he donated it to the city in 1975. Inside are photos, furnishings, Diefenbaker's campaign posters, fishing rods and a short bed that once belonged to the eccentric John A. Macdonald, former Canadian prime minister - he slept sitting up to prevent demons entering his mouth. You can also see a short video about Diefenbaker's funeral, which involved digging up his wife so they could be buried together. The Museum of Police and Corrections , 3700 2nd Ave W (mid-May to Aug daily 10am-6pm; free), in an old North West Mounted Police guardroom, has rather sobering displays relating to the history of law enforcement in northern Saskatchewan. The appeal of the place is that it has the only bus to Prince Albert National Park and La Ronge, the service leaving from the station at 20 14th St E and Central Avenue daily at 5pm (tel 953-3701). The tourist information office (June-Aug Mon-Fri 8.30am-8pm, Sat & Sun 10am-8pm; Sept-May Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm; tel 953-4386 or 953-4385), in the south of town beside the police museum, provides free town maps and brochures. You can get to Prince Albert by bus direct from Saskatoon three times a day departing at 8.30am, 2pm & 6pm. There's no real reason to stay here, but the town has several central hotels , including the Avenue Motor Hotel , 1015 Central Ave (tel 763-6411; up to $40/$40-60), whose rooms are grim and basic; the better Marlboro Inn , 67 13th St E (tel 763-2643 or 1-800/661-7666; $40-100); and the Prince Albert Inn , 3680 2nd Ave W (tel 922-5000 or 1-800/922-5855; $40-60) - although the latter can be noisy, as there's a nightclub on the premises and it connects to the casino by a covered walkway. At the south end of Hwy 2 there's the comfortable South Hill Inn , 3245 2nd Ave W (tel 922-1333 or 1-800/363-4466, fax 763-6408; $40-60) which also has some outlandish jacuzzi suites ($125-175) and a popular bar downstairs. For campers , the Mary Nisbit Campground (tel 953-4880 or 953-4848; $13-16; mid-May to Sept) is situated about 2km north of town, on the other side of the river, beside Hwy 2. There's not much choice for good eating places, but the most expensive and renowned place is Amy's on Second , 2990 2nd Ave W, with three-course lunches from $30, and serving local fish such as pickerel. There's also Diggers Roadhouse , 2901 2nd Ave West, with specials from $6 and WK Kitchen , 2840 2nd Ave W, which dishes up big Chinese buffets at reasonable prices.
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