Top 5 Calgary Day Trips: Explore Alberta’s Beauty

Living in Calgary is pretty sweet, that’s what I feel, isn’t it? Like your home is a booming city but is just super close to some unbelievably awesome natural spots. Fancy getting away from it all for a bit? You’ve totally come to just the place. We’re looking closely at five brilliant day trips that start right from Calgary, each spot packed with different things that make Alberta so crazy special, very. Ready?

1. Banff National Park: Mountain Majesty

Banff National Park, and oh my gosh it’s so dreamy. Arguably, you cannot mention day trips from Calgary without highlighting Banff, honestly, at all. And get this, very. Only an hour and a half drive west, like it’s a straight shot, Banff feels like stepping straight into a postcard, naturally, too. It is almost as if every turn presents a view more stunning than the last, seemingly, yeah? I often tell folks visiting to start with a visit to Lake Louise. You know, that place with turquoise water so vibrantly colored against a backdrop of glaciers and mountains? It’s quite the scene, like. Very close by is Moraine Lake, which just a bit more smaller but also absolutely magical – arguably a top photography spot. Make sure you check if the road to Moraine Lake is even open, that is, very, very, right? Usually, it’s closed for most of the year, thanks to some pretty active wildlife and just to protect the area a little, in short, you see.

So anyway, but Lake Louise isn’t the only charm Banff shows off, not really. The town itself is just bursting with life – packed with boutiques, super tasty restaurants, and some places that let you learn so much more about the region’s background, actually, or at least so they say. Fancy doing a little hiking? Like in a place everyone does hikes?, basically. Or just wanna see some amazing views without walking too far? Totally try the Banff Gondola, that is, maybe? That whisks you to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. Up there? Is basically all you can see when thinking about the surrounding peaks, which is totally gorgeous, even. And for the history lovers? Cave and Basin National Historic Site, pretty much it is the birthplace of Canada’s national parks, honestly, and so pretty educational. It’s where some hot springs that led to forming the whole idea of national parks, kind of. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Banff Tours). Read our full review: Banff Tours Full Review and Details.

2. Kananaskis Country: Alberta’s Backyard

Wanna avoid the crowds in Banff? I often see, you. Look into Kananaskis Country, still a super mountainous region that Calgarians casually like to call “K-Country”. Now, hear me out. Is an hour’s drive from Calgary, Kananaskis offers that same epic mountain scenery, you see, with is even less of the bustling tourist atmosphere. Plus, it tends to offer a quieter escape into nature, seemingly, arguably, very. For hikers? The trails around the Spray Valley and Peter Lougheed Provincial Park offer options for anyone, and I feel as though a super good challenge, right? One hike I would easily say I appreciate is the Grassi Lakes trail in Canmore. Not too brutal of an accent? With basically views that are rewarding without draining all of the energy in your body, even.

And is someone that finds tranquility with water is something that you love to do. So then take note, the many lakes and rivers in Kananaskis will work out pretty good. From paddling a canoe on the calm waters of the Upper Kananaskis Lake and also know is that fishing in the Highwood River, opportunities to kind of see those activities and feel one with this natural environment tend to come out, is it?, maybe? And the Highwood Pass, like what’s also there. Also so you know that its highest paved road in Canada, gives views that literally stretch on forever, right, you. Kananaskis is, anyway, great for those of all persuasions; very, so for those looking to connect more privately with nature than some of the better-known spots, by the way. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Kananaskis Day Trip). Read our full review: Kananaskis Country Full Review and Details.

3. Drumheller: Journey to the Badlands

And, what will you like the mountains? How does stepping back millions of years feel, really? Head to Drumheller, is my recommendation. Now is like, yeah? About a 90-minute drive northeast of Calgary. You also notice that it shows you an unbelievably different landscape compared to other options in this list, but still awesome nonetheless, for example, really. I cannot stress enough how the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology cannot be skipped if that’s what’s interesting for you, that’s correct, truly. Many will confirm and tell you how it’s home to one of the biggest dinosaur collections in the whole gosh darn world, even. And with lots to know about dinosaurs but to just even learn more about prehistoric life, really. And I do love a good time doing it, so for example for the kid or like adult, the museum is super cool.

After going in the museum?, also, find places out in the badlands to walk. Hike through the strange rock formations that make the area seem like its straight out of a sci-fi movie set, even! Don’t you miss the Hoodoos either: unique, cool-shaped sandstone pillars, definitely is. I have a story about the Atlas Coal Mine. Not that the mine has completely closed, but what is very, arguably still standing around, so it lets guests and also me when I went, can you just picture the history of Alberta’s mining times? Yeah?. Honestly Drumheller, truly it’s the bomb if you fancy a touch of adventure mixed into the distant past, for instance. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Drumheller Tours). Read our full review: Drumheller Full Review and Details.

4. Bragg Creek: Quaint Village and Outdoor Adventures

Want some more spots that could even be much, even just a touch more close to Calgary? You may wanna explore Bragg Creek, which is what I see with you and can you not only explore a nice country charm but is just also really just filled with super awesome spots, alright, and like many adventures. Only is that less than an hour west of Calgary, you could expect Bragg Creek is where the prairies meet the forests. As a way to hike? Yeah?. Some nice scenic hiking trails right in Bragg Creek Provincial Park so, what can you ask for if not that really. Want a biking session?. What trails are there?. Is just what I feel from there!.

Honestly not outdoors-y, eh? A-Ok. Like Bragg Creek’s downtown section with so many galleries and studios that so many different regional artists own so I can suggest is seeing some crazy cool western-inspired arts? Not just saying. There is a lot of shops and great, different restaurants to relax in so Bragg Creek really could be perfect, yet, so I find a good compromise if so many would prefer something with both nature and village stuff. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Bragg Creek Trip). Read our full review: Bragg Creek Full Review and Details.

5. Canmore: The Heart of the Rockies

OK what is Canmore like? And is very super just on the outer bounds of Banff National Park, I feel what Canmore feels more like just so laid-back versus if someone’s at Banff, is arguably like is less super crammed that, arguably. About an hour west from Calgary so, you’re going to see some gorgeous scenery so I can argue some sweet outdoors trips too! Grab some really nice pictures when you explore places like the iconic Three Sisters mountains, it’s almost if Canmore does those wonders with natural backdrops, you do think.

Hiking-wise, too, what if some easy trails can also let one see cool places from downtown, you understand? When you have that time you could just pop into many restaurants from Main Street Canmore. Then there’s what is around too, not just hiking- there’s caving adventures, a helicopter trip, what can you even ask for from there?, yet I always tell everyone Canmore mixes a Rockies trip along with village and things I feel is almost super special if that’s super on the table! See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Canmore Tours). Read our full review: Canmore Full Review and Details.