It is time to get out of the city and do some day trips from Calgary! I love Alberta and for so much. Calgary is a great hub to get out for day trips. Most people will fly in and head straight for Banff or Jasper, only spending a night or 2 in Calgary. I’m one of them. Not that I didn’t like Calgary, but I’m not much of a city person.
There is so much to see within a couple hours. So day trips from Calgary are easy and enjoyable. As I mentioned before Banff is near and it is stunning driving from the flats to the Rockies. So let’s start off with that.
Banff, Alberta
This is in the top 5 for places I have visited! Banff is a great place for a day trip from Calgary as it is only a 1.5 hour drive. Banff known for its stunning turquois waters with amazing mountains, making it the picturesque capital of Alberta.
Read: Ultimate guide to Banff National Park
Banff has so much to offer. Ultimate hiking trails such as Big Bee Hive trail which you see in my picture above looking over Lake Louis. And it has Lake Louise, one of the most photographed areas in all of Canada. Then you have Moraine Lake, my favorite. Get yourself a canoe and head out on this stunning emerald blue water.
The town of Banff is a great place to stop in and grab a bite to eat, and with that you must stop in for Beavertail! This amazing dessert is a great treat for all those calories you just burned on your hike up the mountain.
Read: Top hiking trails around Banff
Kananaskis Park
Kananaskis Park is another on the list for day trips from Calgary as it too is so close to the city without the city feel. Just 50 min away you can find so much to do and see here. With shorter trails this is a great place to get a couple hikes in.
You do not want to miss the hike to Grassi Lakes. This is a great hike for everyone in the family. Looking for something a little more relaxed head to Quarry lake park. This is a great place to grab lunch and view the Three Sisters. The three sisters are the triple mountain peak you see to the left as you come into Canmore.
Drumheller
- Distance of Drumheller from Calgary: 136 km
- Estimated time to reach: 1 hr 26 min via AB-9 E
- 🏡 Where to stay: SureStay Plus Hotel or Canalta Jurassic or Ramada by Wyndham Drumheller Hotel & Suites
For the whole family! It’s time to give the wow factor to the kids and take a trip to Drumheller. Again only 1.5 hours from Calgary, this time heading east from the city. Drumheller is a great place to educate the young minds. I mean really what kid, even some adults, don’t love dinosaurs.
Drumheller is the dinosaur capital of the world! Just downtown you will find the stairs around a giant T-Rex. The museum is home to the largest selection of dinosaur fossils.
This is truly going to put a smile on the kids faces. And the trip back is far enough to have them fall asleep, peaceful trip home.
Elbow River
Lastly we have another great family retreat. Elbow River is great place to head out of town to have a fun day with the family.
Want to teach the kids how to fly fish? This is the spot for that. There are also great trails suitable for the family. The scenery alone is the reason people come here, away from the concrete jungle. Stunning blue waters cascading over rocks and it makes its way around the cliffs.
Why do we do day trips
Day trips are a great way to explore and to get away from the hustle and bustle life of the city. Calgary is a great city with so much to do but there is nothing wrong with getting a little fresh air!
Take this weekend and head out of town and make your way to mother nature. There is so much out there to be explored and we all need a little adventure in our lives.
Tips…..
Don’t forget your bear spray. Yes it is a nature and they do live there. Also you will want to keep the pesky mosquitoes away so bring some spray for them too. Pack a light lunch and don’t forget your water. Sunscreen and hats are very much recommended and don’t forget your shades. Most of all, stop and look around! Take it all in and have fun with the family.