In the summer of 2019, I ventured out to visit family in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. With it being my first time out west, I had to enjoy some of what the Rocky Mountains had to offer. I stayed in the Southwest area of Calgary. For anyone who hasn’t been to Calgary. The city is broken up into four quadrants, Northeast (NE), Northwest (NW), Southeast (SE) and Southwest (SW). Downtown Calgary is in the Southwest (SW) area. The Airport is located in the Northeast (NE) area. The main areas to enjoy food or a drink would be 17th ave and Stephen ave. The best ways to get around would be to rent a car (I used Budget) or to use Uber’s. Calgary also has public transit and a unique style of transportation as well. You can download apps to your phone and use electronic scooters found all around town to get around. They are a lot of fun and very cheap to use.
Places I visited:
Sandy Beach Park, Elbow River, Calgary Chinatown Area, Calgary Zoo, Canmore, Banff, Banff National Park, Johnstons Canyon, Yoho National Park, Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, Lake Moraine, Chinook Mall, Core Shopping Centre, Central Memorial Park, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Drumheller Hoodoos, Royal Tyrell Museum, Troll Falls, and O’Shaughnessy Falls.
To Note: The Royal Tyrell Museum, Calgary Zoo, and Dinosaur Provincial Park Visitor Centre have entrance fees.
Places I ate/drank:
Hys Steakhouse (expensive/upper class), Greta Bar (arcade bar), One Night Stan’s Bar (young crowd), Ship and Anchor Pub (young crowd), Ceili’s Modern Irish Pub (young/old crowd), 1410 World Bier Haus Restaurant & Loung (young crowd), Murrieta’s West Coast Bar & Grill (older crowd/upper class), Rose & Crown Restaurant & Pub (young/old crowd), Jamesons Pub (young crowd), National On 10th (young crowd), Earls (young crowd), Bottlescrew Bills Pub (young crowd), Wurst Beer Hall & Restaurant (young crowd), and Original Joe’s Restaurant & Pub (young crowd).
Day to Day:
I arrived at the Calgary International Airport (YYC) on a Friday night. To drive from YYC to Southwest (SW) where I was staying was a 25-minute drive. Once settled, I roamed around 17th Ave and grabbed some food at Trolley Five. On Friday night I also visited Ship and Anchor, One Night Stan’s, Murrieta’s and 1410. Saturday we decided to grab some inflatable tubs and go floating down the Elbow River. We started at Sandy Beach Park. Saturday night we attended Greta. This is an arcade bar, worth the visit. Sunday morning started with breakfast at Ship and Anchor. Followed by heading to Calgary Chinatown for Pet-A-Palooza. A dog spirited social event for owners and their dogs with free treats and competitions. Leaving Pet-A-Palooza, I headed just 5 minutes away to Calgary Zoo. This Zoo is a must-visit location, it’s massive. Wrapping the day up at One Night Stan’s. Monday we ventured to Canmore first. Grabbed a bite to eat at Rose and Crown. This was an hour’s drive. From Canmore, we headed towards Johnston’s Canyon. The drive was 45 minutes from Canmore. Johnston’s Canyon gives a very picturesque trek through the Canyon to two waterfalls. (Lower/Upper). Both are worth the visit. The trek in and out was only 5kms. From Johnston’s Canyon, we traveled to Banff which was a 30-minute drive. Banff is a tourist hub and very crowded. We decided to head back to Calgary for supper instead which is an hour and a half drive. We ate at Ceili’s. Along the way to and from our destinations, you will get great views of the Three Sisters Mountains and Bow Flats Natural Area.
Tuesday was a long day. Traveled from Calgary to Yoho National Park, which is over the border of Alberta in British Columbia. This was a two and half hour drive from Calgary. Visiting Takakkaw Falls. What a sight, it is massive. Standing at a towering 373 meters, you can feel the mist from the falls in the parking area. From the parking area to the base of the falls is no more than a kilometer walk. From Takakkaw Falls we headed towards Emerald Lake which is only 10 minutes away. A very popular destination where you can eat and kayak pending availability. Leaving Emerald Lake to head back towards Banff. Next up, Lake Moraine. Lake Moraine is 30 minutes away from Emerald Lake. Another very popular location and parking were very limited. They operate a shuttle service to bring you here if you park at the designated location kilometers away. Just 5 minutes away is Lake Louise and the Famous Fairmont Chateau. Another crowded location but worth the efforts to visit. We ate downstairs at The Alpine Social. Leaving Lake Louise for the hour and a half drive back to Calgary. Upon returning to Calgary, Visiting Chinook Mall. Chinook Mall is massive, multiple leveled and filled with just about every store you can think of. It is only 10 minutes from Downtown Calgary. Wednesday I decided to roam around Downtown Calgary. I visited the CORE Shopping Centre which is worth the visit. The top floor has a massive Devonian Garden and Food Court. Nearby is Central Memorial Park that has fountains and statues. One statue recognizes efforts made during the Boer War. Supper was an expensive one. HYS Steakhouse, it was worth it. Following dinner, we ventured to Earls, National on 10th, and Bottlescrew Bills for drinks.
Thursday was another long day. Traveling from Calgary to Dinosaur Provincial Park is a 2-hour drive. This park has a driveable tour which allows you to visit in-situ locations of fossils found in these badlands along with a museum present in the Visitors Center. Leaving the in-situ location for where they become displayed, The Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller. What a nice museum and surrounding hoodoos which make the trip worth it. The drive is one and a half hours. Leaving Drumheller heading back to Calgary is a one and a half-hour drive. Friday brought some more waterfalls and hiking. leaving Calgary on a short 1-hour drive to Kananaskis Country. Venturing to Troll Falls which are 30 feet in height. These falls are located just under 2kms from the parking area. Expect to more around 3.5/4kms in and out. Be aware that this hike and area is littered with black bears. I saw 5 in the 2 hours I was there. On your way to Troll Falls and on your way back, you will pass O’Shaughnessy Falls along the side of the road. They are worth a stop to view them. Heading back to Calgary for a night out at Wurst and Original Joe’s. Saturday was a relaxing day and Sunday I headed home.
Recommendations:
All in all, my trip out west was very memorable. I saw and did lots. For an avid hiker, I would suggest designating more time on your trip to complete the longer and more picturesque hikes. The Rocky Mountains are large and most hikes are above a level two hike with significant elevation changes. Suggested hikes that I did not get to do would be: Ha Ling Peak, The Plain Of The Six Glaciers, The Valley Of The Ten Peaks, Grassi Lakes, Tunnel Mountain, and Castle Mountain, and Little Beehive. These are all around Canmore, Kananaskis, and Banff. A few notable things that I did not get to do: going up the Calgary Tower (was closed when I visited), signing up for a Canmore Cave Tour, and Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary (was closed when I visited). Overall, if you have the time and desire, make the trip to this area of Canada.
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