National parks of Canada: Jasper National Park, Alberta

Parks Canada calls Jasper National Park the 'gentle giant of the Canadian Rockies', but it seems pretty mighty to us. A gateway for outdoor adventure in all seasons, Jasper is known for backcountry backpacking and skiing, but also plays host to a number of family friendly destinations of the less extreme variety. Here's what to do in Jasper National Park with kids: Start at visitor's … [Read more...]

Four days in the Canadian Rockies: Jasper and Banff National Park road trip

It's very hard to plan a trip to the Canadian Rockies. Why? No matter how ambitious your itinerary, there's always one more place to visit just a few kilometers down the road. But if you do have to scale your trip to under one week, here's how to spend four days in and around Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway, during a Jasper and Banff National Park road trip. Start in Jasper: The small … [Read more...]

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Five stops along the Icefields Parkway in Jasper and Banff National Parks

If you're visiting both Jasper and Banff national parks on your Canadian Rockies vacation (and you should be!), you will drive the Icefields Parkway connecting the two parks. This 3 hour stretch has been described as one of the most scenic highways in the world, and after our fall 2013 visit, I concur. The parkway takes approximately 3.5 hours to drive, but families will definitely want to stop … [Read more...]

Where to stay in Banff National Park: Brewster’s Mountain Lodge

During a vacation in Banff National Park, visitors have three main lodging options: camping, hotels and lodges outside of the town center, or Banff town hotels. Because Banff can get crowded and parking and driving can be a hassle even in the off-season, we recommend a hotel in town to be within walking distance of dining, shopping, and tour departures. Brewter's Mountain Lodge is located in the … [Read more...]

How to spend two days in Banff National Park, Alberta

Hopefully, you have more than two days to explore Banff National Park with kids, but if you are limited on time, here's what you should do first. Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies: Whyte Museum is a great place to start. It may be small, but does an excellent job with both an art gallery and exhibits detailing the history of the park, starting with the First Nations' presence and … [Read more...]

Where to stop in Medicine Hat, Alberta

Driving along the Trans Canada Highway 1 through Medicine Hat? Stop for lunch or dinner at Tino’s and stretch your legs at the Tallest Teepee in the World! Tino’s Drive In is located at 860 14 St. SW (right off the highway). You’ll spot it by the castle exterior. Why stop? We’ll give you over 100 reasons…we counted 120 milk shake flavors on offer! This old-school drive-in has every kind of … [Read more...]

Medalta Historic Clay District, Medicine Hat

If you’re traveling through Medicine Hat, Alberta, as we were during Day 2 of the Great Coast Road Trip (in partnership with Coast Hotels…check it out!) make a stop at Medalta. This 150-acre Canadian National Historic Site houses the historic ceramic factory and beehive kilns of Medalta in a one-of-a-kind museum. Families can tour the site by guided self-tour: eight galleries take you through … [Read more...]

Medicine Hat Family Leisure Centre

When we arrived in Medicine Hat with energized kids and several hours to kill before bedtime, we made the awesome discovery (as tourists) of the Medicine Hat Family Leisure Centre. This city-run recreation centre is located on 57 acres, and includes a massive indoor water play and pool facility, called Kinsmen Aquatic Park. Tip: it's always a good idea to look up leisure centers or recreation … [Read more...]

Coast Medicine Hat Hotel review

If you’re road tripping through Medicine Hat, Alberta, as we did last May, you’ll want to stop for the night at a clean, comfortable, affordable hotel with the perks we all look for in an overnight stop: free wifi, free breakfast, and free parking! The Coast Medicine Hat Hotel fits the bill, and we always trust the Coast name. Located in the centre of town, the Coast Medicine Hat is in walking … [Read more...]

Exploring Fort Whoop Up and Old Man River, Alberta

Lethbridge, Alberta is an interesting town located in the Old Man River. South of Calgary, Lethbridge is Alberta prairie country (called the Badlands of Canada, actually) and home to a great deal of Wild West history. You’ll want to focus your attention on the River Valley area, which is essentially an urban wilderness near the heart of town. This area features rolling coulees (or hill … [Read more...]