Best Weekend Trips From Calgary

When you live in Calgary, especially if you’ve been here for at least one winter season, you know that escaping somewhere nice and tropical is almost a must. 

But, unfortunately not all of us have enough vacation days to do that more than a couple of times per year. 

So, if you’re one of the many who just want to take a quick little weekend getaway to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, we have got you covered on some pretty neat places that are within driving distance. 

Weekend Trips to Banff/Canmore  

This is a pretty obvious pick if you’re living in Calgary or the surrounding area. 

You can literally see the mountains from most places in the city, which means those babies are pretty darn close. 

Winter, summer, any season really Banff and Canmore are both excellent choices with equally the same amount of things to do. 

Banff hotels will run you a little bit more than Canmore. 

In Canmore, you can get pretty good deals on hotels that are more like apartments, equipped with full kitchens, living rooms, and private bedrooms and ensuite. 

Depending on what time you go, you can get one of those apartment-style rooms for around $200. 

Some of our favorites are Solara Resort and Spa, Silver Creek Lodge and Copperstone Resort.

There are awesome hikes to do during the day all around Kananaskis Country. 

A relatively easy hike is Tunnel Mountain located in Banff National Park.

It is an awesome hike to view the city, Bow Valley and Mount Rundle. 

If you’re not visiting during the hiking season, you can take your adrenaline to the snow and take a ride down the mountain on skis or snowboard. 

Check out Nakiska, Sunshine and Lake Louise. 

What to Do in Banff at Night? 

When you think of Banff, the first thing that probably comes to mind is, the mountains! 

Of course, that would be the first thing. 

Banff has the perfect backdrop of scenery at any time of the year and people come from near and far to enjoy the beautiful landscape. 

But, what happens when you’ve finished up your day on the slopes, or just hiked in from an awesome trek up the mountains, or even shopped till you dropped at the local stores Banff has to offer, and you are ready for some beverages to end off a perfect day. 

Well, Banff has just that and more! 

Banff has an awesome array of bars and nightclubs, depending on what you’re feeling for the night and what it lacks in big city lights, it makes up for in awesome atmosphere and amazing people. 

We have compiled a list of the best bars and nightclubs that Banff has to offer, so you can sit back and relax and take in the views!

If you’re feeling more of a chill bar scene with good drinks and even better people, here is a list of the best places to try out!

Bear Street Tavern

Located on Bear Street (who would have guessed), this little gem is known for its pizzas and their endless pints. 

Enjoy some of their signature pizzas and cast iron specials with a local beer or a bear-sized cocktail. 

It’s a great place to grab some food after a long day of adventuring in Banff and is sure to please with their ridiculously good pizzas. 

Grapes Wine Bar 

If you’re feeling like you want to get a little fancy and get dolled up for a nice evening out, then head over to Grapes Wine Bar which is located in the beautiful Fairmont Banff Springs. 

This place is small, but don’t let that scare you away. Sit back and relax with one, two or even ten glasses of wine while the chef literally builds your plate right in front of you. 

It specializes in charcuterie boards (if you don’t know what those are, maybe not the best place to go) and cheese fondues. 

What more could you ask for when it comes to great wine and an amazing chef, look no further than Grapes Wine Bar. 

St James’s Gate Old Irish Pub 

St James’s Gate has all the traditional Irish home-style food and a vast beer list to choose from and really what more could you want in a good ol’ Irish pub? 

Mixed with a great atmosphere, the beer is always cold and the food always hot. 

Perhaps you’ve hit the bars and now you’re ready for a big night out in Banff. 

Maybe, it’s your bachelor party or a girls’ night out? 

Maybe, you had an amazing day in the powder and want to keep the thrill going and want to hit all the Banff has to offer in the club scene. 

Dancing Sasquatch 

This is an obvious choice when you are in Banff, the name alone speaks for itself in good times! 

One thing to remember when you are going out in Banff, and again speaks to the name of this club… this is not a city club, this is a snowboard scene club. 

You will also notice that clientele is vastly Australian and some would say it’s like being in Australia. 

Throw on your toque, a plaid shirt and hit up the Dancing Sasquatch!

High Rollers

Beers, bowling and babes… it’s a clear winner when visiting Banff. 

Plenty of beers to choose from and popcorn to taste in between sips. 

All ages are allowed during the day, but when the sun goes down, it’s dancing time and you can bet that there will be some moves broken out at High Rollers. 

Weekend Trips to Drumheller

This is a great destination if anyone from your group is a dinosaur enthusiast or has ever been interested in Alberta’s badlands. 

If you’re looking to see it all from the sky, we recumbent taking one of Mountain View Helicopter’s tours. 

Also, make sure to check out Horsethief Canyon which provides stunning views of the badlands. 

And, if you’re familiar with Drumheller, going to the Royal Tyrrell Museum is an absolute must for any die-hard dino lover. 

The Tyrrell Museum is home to the Albertosaurus, a local legend in the Alberta dino world and as you can probably guess, found in Alberta in 1884. 

And what better way to top off the weekend by checking out the World’s Largest Dinosaur, next to the Drumheller visitor center and gift shop. 

Take a snapshot next to this huge dinosaur that is worthy of any Instagram account. 

Homeplace Ranch Day Trip

This one is really for the diehard Albertan’s or anyone who wants to try out living like a cowboy for the weekend. 

Located just 50km from Calgary, it’s the perfect place to bring your date or family for the weekend. 

They have many different types of accommodation near the ranch including B&Bs and hotels close. 

If you’re looking for some horse time, along with some wine time, their “Wine and Beer” ride would be a perfect option! 

This includes a 2.5-hour trail ride with Mac and he will guide you through the rolling foothills of Alberta. 

If you’re a first-timer, Mac will go over specific instructions on mounting, dismounting, leading and cues for your horse to ensure you are perfectly comfortable the whole time. 

You will enjoy spectacular views and after the ride, you can indulge in a local beer or wine tasting. 

West Edmonton Mall Weekend Trip

For those of you who are familiar with West Edmonton Mall, you know this isn’t a place where you go just to shop around and leave. 

West Edmonton Mall is so much more than any mall you’ve ever been to before! 

This place is a one-stop-shop for all things entertainment and includes an indoor ice rink, waterpark, glow in the dark mini golf, marine life, adventure golf, bowling alley, amusement park, and the list goes on. 

And if that’s not enough, they also have multiple hotels right in the mall. 

Have your pick from the Fantasyland hotel, a one of a kind luxury hotel that has 125 fantasy-themes decorated rooms designed to re-create a specific era or experience. 

Some fantasy-land rooms include Modern Polynesian Theme (tiki men, rock cave bath, exotic jungle decor, mermaid tail bed), Roman Theme (Roman statues, gold accents, mirror ceiling), Space Theme (Futuristic decor, pictures of space), Igloo Family Room (Igloo decor, bunk beds in an “igloo”) and more! 

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