With Calgary as your base, explore the best on offer in Banff, Lake Louise, Drumheller, and the foothills. Enjoy nature, great food, and a bit of luxury.
This itinerary is great for travellers who love exploring nature, having adventures, and winding down with an unforgettable meal or next-level relaxation.
At a glance
- 6 day itinerary
- 1300 km (808 mi) total distance
- 12 hrs 18 mins drive time
- Your starting point is in Calgary
Studio Bell: Home of the National Music Centre
Dive into five floors of Canada’s music history at Studio Bell. Discover icons from across genres in the Canadian Music Halls of Fame, sing along with distinctly Canadian voices in one of the vocal booths, and make music among the incredible instruments in the National Music Centre collections.
A city tour with Rocky Mountain Sidecar Adventures
Buckle into the sidecar of a vintage motorcycle for a city tour from Rocky Mountain Sidecar Adventures. Your personal driver is also your charismatic tour guide, sharing local history and narrating what you see along the way. Expect photo ops at some special spots overlooking the heart of the city.
Eat your way through Kensington
Eat like a local in one of the city’s cutest foodie neighbourhoods. The Alberta Food Finder game from Alberta Food Tours puts visitors in the role of snack hunters for A-list celebs. Following clues and solving puzzles through the app leads you to tastings and hidden gems throughout Kensington.
Dinner above city lights at the Calgary Tower
Ride the Calgary Tower elevator up, up, up to your dinner destination: a rotating restaurant with 360-degree views across the downtown core. At Sky 360, you’ll indulge in a farm-to-table menu packed with locally sourced ingredients.
TIP FROM A LOCAL
After dinner, walk a few blocks to Major Tom for a nightcap on the 40th floor.
Ride the Banff Gondola
Soar up Sulphur Mountain, over trees, with the Rockies all around you on the Banff Gondola. At the top, walk the observation deck and absorb those stunning views of mountains, valleys and alpine lakes. Then, grab a bite and explore the interpretive centre.
The Lake Minnewanka Boat Cruise
Relax and enjoy history, geology and wildlife stories on your guided cruise of emerald Lake Minnewanka. With the Rockies on every side of you as you cruise across the lake, you’ll see a side of Banff National Park that even some locals haven’t seen. Keep an eye out for bears and waterfalls, too.
Unwind in the Banff Upper Hot Springs
Soak in the steaming natural mineral water of Banff Upper Hot Springs while you’re surrounded by scenic Rocky Mountain peaks. These hot springs are the highest in Canada at 1,585 m (5,200 ft) above sea level. Bonus: swimsuit rentals are available so you can save space in your suitcase.
Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola
Spot grizzlies, glaciers and alpine meadows when you ride the Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola. It’s one of the best spots in the Canadian Rockies to see moose, mountain goats and — yes, bears — in their wild home. At the top, join a hike with a professional guide, or explore the trails on your own.
Hike with experts to an iconic spot
Trust the expert hiking guides at Fairmont Château Lake Louise to give you an unforgettable ascent. The two-hour hike up to the charming Lake Agnes Teahouse rewards you with scenic views, tea and sandwiches. Or go even more ambitious with a half-day or full-day hike.
Banff Trail Riders Cowboy Cookout
Experience western hospitality at its peak when you saddle up with the Banff Trail Riders for a steak dinner (and all the cowboy-approved fixings). Choose between the horseback ride or the horse-drawn wagon for a scenic alpine trot along the gentle Bow River.
Stay at Fairmont Château Lake Louise
End your night with dinner and an elegant guest room of your own right at the lake. Your dining options at Fairmont Château Lake Louise include elevated takes on mountaineering classics like fondue at Walliser Stube. Or enjoy a locally farmed and foraged meal at Fairview Bar & Restaurant.
TIP FROM A LOCAL
The best chance to see bears (and other wildlife) is at dawn and dusk. Always keep a safe distance!
A gentle float to meet Canmore
Who needs coffee when you’re going river rafting in the morning? The Townie is a scenic float down the glacier-fed Bow River hosted by Canmore Raft Tours. Trust your experienced guide to give you an insider’s view of the Bow Valley to kick off your day.
Brewery Tour at Grizzly Paw Brewing
What happens when you combine Alberta barley and Rocky Mountain water? Find out in a tour of the Grizzly Paw Brewing Company’s production hub. Enjoy samples of super fresh beer throughout the tour. Grab lunch onsite or at the Grizzly Paw Pub in downtown Canmore.
Wind down at the Nordic Spa
Hot, cold, rest, repeat. That’s the mix of invigoration and relaxation the Kananaskis Nordic Spa was built for. Indulge in hydrotherapy with visits to the hot pools, saunas, cold plunge pools, and relax by the fire cauldrons.
TIP FROM A LOCAL
If you have time, squeeze in some shopping on Main Street in Canmore.
Royal Tyrrell Museum
Tap into childlike wonder when you step inside this paleontology museum. You’ll get a glimpse of Alberta 69 million years ago, see significant new finds, and learn to dig for fossils. Follow the Badlands Interpretive Trail just outside to learn about the surrounding landscape.
Hoodoos and Hoodoos Trail
You’ve got to see this otherworldly landscape with your own eyes. The hoodoos have eroded over millions of years, leaving fragile chimneys of rock behind. The hard rock cap slows down the erosion, but still, the hoodoos shrink at about by about a centimetre (3/8 of an inch) per year.
Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park
At Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, learn how Siksika Nation culture has developed for generations. Explore interactive exhibits, take a guided tour, try traditional Indigenous food and more. It all happens in a beautiful museum surrounded by grassland trails.
TIP FROM A LOCAL
Stop for a 4.3-km (2.7-mi) hike at Horseshoe Canyon on your way to the museum for more Badlands fun.
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is one of the oldest, best-preserved sites of its kind on Earth. Your visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site sheds light on 6,000 years of Indigenous history. Choose a session led by a Blackfoot guide or explore the archaeology and hiking trails at your own pace.
Bar U Ranch National Historic Site
Discover what the old west meant in Alberta in the late 1800s at this National Historic Site. Sip on a strong cup of cowboy coffee as you wander historic barns, visit the Stoney Nakoda Encampment, meet livestock up close—even help with farm chores if you’re so inclined!
Eau Claire Distillery
Raise a glass in the town that was the hub of rebellion during Alberta’s short-lived prohibition. Sample Eau Claire Distillery’s gin, rye and other spirits or peek behind the copper stills with a tour. On Saturdays, try the Prohibition Experience for immersive history with handcrafted cocktails.
TIP FROM A LOCAL
The Chuckwagon Café in Diamond Valley is a local favourite, especially for breakfast.
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