8 Amazing Places Within a Day's Drive From Calgary
Waterton:
Waterton boasts its beautiful scenic views and awe inspired mountain range and lakes. There are many attractions to come to waterton for, here is a list of the major things to do in the Waterton national park.
Hiking – Waterton is home to some of the most beautiful lakes in the world with 120 miles of gorgeous hiking trails, most of which are a day hike that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Visit pc.gc.ca to see the full list of hiking trails and maps to venture.
Horseback riding - Have you ever dreamed of going on a ride through the beautiful mountains? You can with the horse trail rides in the Waterton area. Take in majestic views and take in the fresh air as your wrangler takes you through the history of the area you are in. Visit these sites to register a pack ride: Elkridgetrail.com Alpinestables.com
Sight seeing - If hiking and being in the wilderness isn’t your thing, no worries! There are amazing little shops of local color in the small village of Waterton. Whether you would like a relaxing lunch on the main street or a romantic meal on the lake shore there are many restaurants and coffee shops to choose from. Surrounded by mountain landscapes and wildlife there is much to see in this small town. Just up the hill from the village is the National historic site the Prince of Whales Hotel. You really cant go to Waterton before stopping at this chateu of grandure that sits overlooking the lake. The architect to this grand hotel is rustic design displaying its timber frames, there is history in all its uniqueness.
Cruise – Take a scenic tour on one of the cruise ships that take you through the majestic rocky mountains. Tours are generally 1-2 hours in length and will be well worth every minute.
Canmore/Banff/Lake Louise
My family has been going to Banff every summer for day trips as long as I can remember. Since college my sister and I have taken many international friends who have come to visit us to these magnificent sights. Out of all of the beauty Alberta displays, Banff national park has to be one of my all time favorites. You cant come to Calgary without making it out this way. Through the years it is gaining acknowledgment and thousands of tourists come from all over the world to get a glimpse of this great place. When we go out we usually pack a picnic and start out bright and early; we stop off on the outskirts of canmore and continue on to our farthest destination of the day, as mentioned above it gets busy very fast and the main goal is to get up to Lake louise while there are still parking spots available. When you walk up to the chalet that sits in front of this jaw dropping lake you will see why it is such a big deal. Surrounded by the the rockys it is a sight you will never forget with its icey blue waters. From there we leave and move back to Banff where we shop the Rocky inspired stores and take in the scenes, and then we make our way back to canmore to take in the signature town engulfed in the mountains before heading back home. It isa long day but one never to be forgotten for anyone going. Here is a list of major spots to hit while going on a Banff day trip:
Fairmont Chateau lake Lousie – This luxury hotel with its breath taking views is one sight to behold. Tourists are welcome to walk into the hotel enjoying the chateua deli with delicious eats and treats, the shops throughout the main floor, and also the resturants that flont the jaw dropping scenic views. www.Fairmont.com
Canoeing on Lake Louise - Rent a canoe at the Fairmont hotel lake front dock where you can tour around the lake at ease. This was one of my most favorite things to do in Banff national park, there is such a serenity to being on the lake, words cannot express. Book your time here at www.farimont.com
Moraine Lake - set in the valley of the 10 peaks this is definitely worth the site. Its breathtaking glacial waters are perfect as a painting in its peaceful atmosphere.
Tea house - there are two tea houses in Lake Louise that require hiking up-to. Lake Agnes tea house named after the First Lady of Canada, Lady Agnes MacDonald, it has been serving tea to visitiors from around the globe since 1905. The hike is 3.5 km in length and well worth it. The second tea house is that of the Plain of Six Glaciers tea house built in 1927 it is a Canadian treasure to behold after hiking the 5.6 journey through the woods to this offgrid café.
Banff
Johnston Canyon – This hiking trail is truly a gem to tour with its rustic routes and incredible water falls this is definitely a top list hike through the Banff region. Learn more at here.
Horse back riding
Helicopter tours
Shopping – the village of Banff is full of one of a kind stores, including the Spirit of Christmas store that is my favorite year round holiday store. From art galleries to chocolatries there are many treasures to see in the Banff community.
Banff Springs Hotel
Banff Hot Springs
White Water Rafting
Horse carriage ride
Garden
Golfing
Dining
Black Diamond/Turner Valley/ Millarville (The Foothills Trio)
During Summer from June to October there is the famous Farmers Market that runs on Saturdays from 9am-2pm, find locally grown fruits and vegetables, meats, cheese, shop handmade artisian items and enjoy the kettle popcorn you can always count on being there. Visit millarvileracetrack.com for times and details on events happening. It still puts on an old fashioned fair with its bake sales and prized animal ribbons. This place is enjoyable for all. From there move on to Turner valler, and Black Diamond in the heart of the foothills.
Millarville: 1. Millarville farmers market
Turner Valley: 1. Turner valley outdoor swimming pool
Black diamond: 1. Marvs 50’s shop
2. Shopping
Sheep Falls/ Longview
If you are looking for a romantic date place, Sheep falls reveals one of the most astonishing waterfalls in all of alberta. The Hike is rated easy and has a scenic drive through the kananasis to get there. On the way through head on over to longview steak house and country Inn, it boasts charming views of the foothills and rocky range. Get a taste of Alberta here with fine drink and food, they only use Alberta beef and are widly known all over southern Alberta, remember to book ahead for this grand experience that you will be sure to remember. www.longview steakhouse.com
Okotoks/ HighRiver
Growing up in Blakie we were a half hour from every town. Okotoks and Highriver were our go to towns and Highriver is where we went to highschool. These two places are where the foothills meet the prairies and are perfect afternoon geteaway places to enjoy locul culture. Here is a list of things to do in these two towns:
Okotoks: 1. Bow river- there are multiple camp grounds in Okotoks close to the bow river, as kids we would tube down it every summer or go down in the evening to just enjoy the sound of the leaves through the large trees and hear the stream of the water.
3. Erratic- the word Okotoks is native to for Big Rock, just a short drive outside town is the Big Rock, my family homesteaded this piece of land years ago before it was sold off. Now it is a tourist stop not to be missed.
High River: 1. Whistle stop- The whistle stop café is a resutraunt in the cab of a train that sits beside its trains station that now is the museum of highriver. Fine dining is exemplified in this character based dinning cart. Step back in history in this unique experience.
2. Local shopping – Some of my favorite local shops are in the heart of highriver with many artisians to visit there is every kind of style for every person to see.
3. Hitiching post – I don’t think there is anyone for miles around that does not think of the iconic Hitching post when they think of the name High River. This little burger/shake stand is a family run business and has been around since 1969. The town rushes down the second it is open in the season and the lineup is always there when you drive by. This food it well worth the wait as it is freshly made to order and is the top favorite enjoyed by people all around. I personaly know many who drive as far as Airdrie just to get a burger here its that good.
4. Heartland filming sites- Highriver has always been a hub for some of the biggest stars in Hollywood to be on site acting. Heartland filming has been centred in the town of High River and you can visit the buildings downtown where they shoot the scenes at. Many times the down town is shut down for filming so you may even get a glimpse of your favorite tv stars.
5. George lane parks- George Lane parks has always been the family reunion or gathering place for many families in the area. Its beautiful mature trees shade the green area, a stage is centred in the park for great events held by local artists in music and acting as well as being the towns graduating podium. This park has a campground and boasts a beautiful pathway that follows the rivers scenic route. If youre looking for a nice stroll in the park this is the place.
6. Colossis- I lived in Kentucky for a while, Louisville was the city I was in and the thing I loved most is the vibrant individual coffee houses that I found. I would study there, talk with friends there or just go out and play board games in their cozy areas as I drank their amazing one of a kind coffees and teas, since moving back the one and only coffee house that has stayed true to this feeling is Colossis. Every town usually has that one special coffee house, you know the place that is just so charming where everyone usually does know your name because you visit so often, and this is it. Colossis inviting atmosphere makes it the cutest coffee house in the area, its friendly owners and great eats are just part of what makes this place so special. Follow them on facebook and Instagram to find out more.
7. Whales theatre- this antique building was built in 1927, the brick theatre has always been the town entertainment centre for cinema goers. It has the original detail with its balcony seating and oldtime feel. This is definitely a tourist attraction to see. Visit whalesthreatre.com for times and directions
Drumheller
Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology is located in the badlands region in the town of Drumheller. If you have always wanted to learn more about dinosaurs and prehistoric life than this is your place to be. Make sure to bring plenty of water and a hat and sun screen as this dessert like region can get pretty hot.
Bleriot Ferry- This cable ferry carries vehichles across the Red deer river, built by a man by the name of Andre Bleriot in 1913 it was an essential way for transportation to the people of both sides of the river. In pioneer days there were many ferries that helped take people and livestock across the rivers, today this is the last one in use in the drumherller area and has been running for over 100 years.
Hoodoos Trails- There is nothing like the seeing a hoodoo for the first time in person, these strange natural monuments are made up of sandstone with a stone cap on them. They are truly a vision to behold when traveling through the badland areas.
Horseshoe canyon is part of the badlands that run through the prairies of alberta, the sites that can be seen from the look out points and hiking trails are indescribable.
Drumheller helicopter tours- take a ride in a helicopter overlooking the canyons and badlands of drumheller. Visit mvheli.com for more info on your helicopter experience.
Spot the dinosaurs – The kids will love the eye spy game of finding all the friendly dinosaurs in Drumheller they are spread out all through the town. Can you spot every one?
Worlds largest dinosaur take in the views from the mouth of the largest dinosaur in the workld. This tourist attraction is 86 ft tall and is 4 and a half times the size of a real life t-rex. Its has been a famous site to see since it opened in 2001.
Antiques stores – Much like most of the original pioneer towns of Alberta, Drumheller has multiple antique shops and stores where you can find charming treasures. See traveldrumheller.com for a listing of all the various shops and businesses in town.
