Family Road Trip to the Canadian Rockies

Calgary

With shows and music, food and the famous Rodeo, if you are visiting in early to mid-July, the Calgary Stampede is a must-see event. If not, there are plenty of other things to do and see. If you are an Equestrian (or just a horse lover), Spruce Meadows is a great place to see all the action. You can enjoy a diverse range of competitions throughout the year that are sure to entertain. If the family is more interested in other types of local animals such as bears and caribou, the Calgary Zoo might be the place for you and the kids to pay a visit today. You might be able to catch a Polar Bear breakfast or even an African Safari Brunch.

Located in the heart of the Mission area of Calgary, Mercato Mission is a great family-style Italian spot, with outstanding service, and great reviews. This is a place you may want to stop for dinner tonight with the kids.

Heritage Park is the perfect way to spend Day 2 in Calgary. Step back in history. This beautiful preservation of the past, whose mission is to connect people with the Settlement of Western Canada, preserves culture and heritage. With retro drive-in movies, a gorgeous display of vintage automobiles, market nights, and a true historical village. It is also complete with an old-time candy store. Heritage Park is a great place to explore for the day.

After a day out at the park, you may have built up quite an appetite. Ten Foot Henry is the place to be in Calgary. With unique takes on fish and meat dishes, and plenty of veggies, done creatively, Ten Foot Henry is consistently rated highly for food and service. Definitely worth the visit.

You will bid farewell to Calgary and begin your adventure towards the town of Banff. Only a 2-hour ride north of the city, Banff will greet you with majestic mountains and open skies. Spend time checking into your new hotel and peruse the shops and galleries that make up the adorable town center. After winding down a bit, travel over to Balkan to experience delicious cocktails and traditional Greek fare. Receiving a Diners Choice award this year, Balkan exceeds expectations consistently and offers great fare and service.

Today you can head out into the great wild with Banff Adventures. Although there are various tours to suit your family's needs, the Grizzly Bears Tour is among the best. Visit Boo, a grizzly as he roams a 20-acre habitat. You can watch him explore, hunt, and forage just like his wild cousins. You’ll also hear his personal story and learn about grizzly bear behavior during your visit to the largest enclosed grizzly bear habitat in the world. This tour also takes you to the beautiful Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge, and the Takakkaw Falls. There is a gondola ride up to the top of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Enjoy a gourmet lunch and a spectacular view of the Canadian Rockies at Canada’s highest restaurant.

With stellar service and great reviews, Melissa's Missteak is a great choice for tonight's dinner. As the name would suggest, stand-out steaks, including ribeye and bison round out a simple but delicious menu.

If you have the will, anyone can learn to rock climb with Yamnuska Mountain Adventures. With private guides that will tailor the tour to your specific comfort level, this promises to be an adventure you and the kids will not soon forget. Gear up and learn the skill of belaying, while rooting for your family to reach the top. And, don't be surprised if you spot a bear or two (the guide carries bear spray, just in case).

Very busy and for good reason, make sure to head over to an early dinner at Bear Street Tavern. With not only some of the best pizza in Banff, but in the world, Bear Street has received numerous choice awards and is consistently packed with patrons during dinner time.

Check out of your hotel today and head north, approximately 3.5 hours towards the Columbia Icefield. Take part in a memorable experience where you can travel on an all-terrain Ice Explorer to the Athabasca Glacier, a 10,000-year-old sheet of ice. Great photos will definitely be had there. Then, if you're not too afraid of heights, you can head to the glass-floored Skywalk for a jaw-dropping stroll beyond the cliff’s edge. This experience will take approximately 3 hours.

Continue for 1.5 hours to your next destination-Jasper! Check in at your accommodation and relax.

Wake up early and enjoy a hearty breakfast at Azura. With everything from breakfast tacos and burritos, to bagels and muffins this will be a great start to your day.

Check out Maligne Canyon Run for an outstanding day on the Athabasca River. With manageable rapids for every age, this trip is a pure delight for all family members.

Take the Whistler Sky Tram to explore the beautiful landscape at an altitude of 2,263 meters. Bring your comfortable shoes, as you will want to hike to the summit once there. With various amazing viewpoints throughout the hike, the top promises to be an extraordinary vantage point worth the walk. Make sure to bring lots of water and layers, as the temperature at the top varies greatly from the town below.

After a little rest and relaxation, head over to Famoso for a delicious Italian meal. This restaurant requires no reservations and is a great place to grab a casual meal.

Drive 3 hours south to Lake Louis with suggested stops at Peyto Lake and Emerald Lake along the way. Check out the gorgeous view from the Fairmont Lake Louise and enjoy dinner in one of the various restaurants.

Take your trip to the next level with Brewster Adventures Horseback Riding trip to the Lake Agnes Tea House. At an elevation of 7,000 feet, this rugged ride is on one of the most popular trails in the area. This historic mountain teahouse that sits at the top of the trail is surrounded by a beautiful lake, perfect for resting after a long climb. Named after the wife of Canada’s first Prime Minister, this house was originally built in 1901 as a base for the Swiss mountaineers, and then rebuilt in 1981. All the food and drinks need to be airlifted to this location, which is no small feat!

Give Alpine Social a try for your last dinner in Canada. This restaurant, located in the Fairmont Lake Louise, is a social place with great bar food, a kid's menu, and great drinks. It is based on the old days of Canadian mountaineering.