Snow day activities that get kids and adults outside

It’s easy to succumb to cabin fever during our long Canadian winters. Most of us probably don’t get outside as much as we would like to in the winter months, which is unfortunate because winter offers a host of fun activities that are perfect for the whole family. Not only are winter activities fun, but they are a great way to make sure your children stay active and healthy. So when the snow starts to fall, grab your scarf and mittens and head outside to enjoy any of these fun snow day activities.

Nate pauses for a photo op while sculpting his fort!

Skiing and Snowboarding

Skiing and snowboarding are certainly one of the most popular winter activities around. Having a vehicle in Canada, is a great — and sometimes the only — way to get to and from some of our country’s excellent ski destinations.

Most ski resorts offer ski and snowboard classes and bunny hills that are perfect for children and families. But don’t assume that you need a hill to ski. Cross-country skiing may not be as popular as its downhill counterpart, but it is a fun way to spend the day together and enjoy the great outdoors. Furthermore, it offers a gentler pace for the little ones or for those who prefer the tranquility of nature over the adrenaline rush of downhill skiing.

Skating and Hockey

Most towns and cities operate free skating rinks during the winter months. The ice rink at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square has long been a huge draw for families throughout southern Ontario, but there are plenty of other (and less crowded ones) in towns and backyards throughout the country. For many, of course, the best skating is not to be found at an ice rink, but the old fashioned way by enjoying skating and a game of hockey on a frozen pond.

Alternatively, Arrowhead Provincial Park’s ice skating trail may be one of the most unique skating experiences available. This frozen trail takes families on a skating journey through one of Ontario’s most scenic natural parks.

ashland-ice-skating

Sledding and Tubing

It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s a great way to keep kids (and adults!) happy and healthy during the winter months. From toboggans to magic carpets, there are plenty of ways to sled down a hill and all of them are a blast for children. Because it is so much fun, kids hardly even realize how much exercise they are getting dragging their sleds back up the hill after each run.

Of course, be sure to only choose a hill that is safe and legal to sled down. Similarly, you can also take your family to a snow tubing park, which provides for even more thrills. Linking the tubes and going down the hill together is especially popular with kids.

Winter may be cold and snowy, but that is no excuse to stay indoors. Instead of spending countless hours watching television or playing video games, do something this winter that will get the whole family healthy and active. There are countless snow day activities that are bound to make this winter one your family will remember for years to come.

Victoria Edge is an advocate for getting kids (and parents!) outdoors and away from screens and technology. Saying this, she does enjoy blogging in her down time. Her articles can be found on a growing number of parenting, lifestyle and travel blogs.

A week stay at Three Bars Ranch, British Columbia

There are beautiful resorts and vacation properties all over the world. The best start with a stunning destination, then add experiences, dining, and activities in a way that feeds both a sense of adventure and the need for relaxation. Then there are a few truly special, tucked-away places that manage to do all of the above, plus add a certain something that take them over-the-top for family travel. What is this secret sauce? It’s hard to say, but you know it when you experience it: it’s genuine, organic, and rooted in excellent guest service. These magical places make our top 1% of destination reviews.

three-bars-ranch

The Three Bars Ranch in the Canadian Rockies of British Columbia is one of these places. One of the top 1% ones. One of the cream of the crop ones. They don’t get this rating from us by offering the most luxurious accommodations we’ve ever seen (we’ve seen nicer). They don’t get it from serving gourmet food. They don’t get it with a Michelin rating or a bunch of diamonds after their name in the guidebooks. They get it by being themselves, which is an authentic guest dude ranch with a long-standing family history, and by doing for guests: if it’s on your bucket list and can be done in the Rockies, they’ll make it happen.

three-bars-ranch

We’ve now reviewed multiple dude ranches, and our standard advice continues to be: know what you want before you book, then book accordingly. Some dude ranches we’ve experienced focus almost exclusively on their riding program, and are best for experienced riders. Others are more like B&Bs or farm stays. Three Bars Ranch wins in the ‘all-round best for everyone’ category, but after staying for a week, I urge families not to think of it as a dude ranch.

week-stay-three-bars-ranch

Instead, think of Three Bars as an all-inclusive Canadian holiday, or as a family camp. With rafting, mountain biking, sport shooting, tennis, swimming, fly fishing, hiking, and golf in addition to its riding program, Three Bars truly does have something for everyone. But it’s more than that: remember the secret sauce? Three Bars manages to offer all of the above, and do so seamlessly, in a way that makes families feel relaxed, welcome, and comfortable both with the ranch staff and with each other. Trust us: not all dude ranches achieve this.

What to expect at Three Bars Ranch:

Like most dude ranches, families typically book at week at Three Bars. We arrived on a Sunday in late June, pulling up to the ranch house, barn, and other structures at about 4 pm. We were greeted by two of our wranglers at the main lodge, and shown to our cabin, one of about 20 circling the lodge on a grassy court. We settled in, and explored the grounds.

three-bars-ranch

Three Bars is situated on over 1200 acres of pasture, forests, and mountainsides, plus uses an additional 60,000 acres of leased land in the heart of the Canadian Rockies along the St. Mary’s River. The ranch property includes the main lodge where we checked in, the cabins, tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool and hot tub, an activities barn with mountain bikes, and the horse padlocks and barns. Right away, it was clear that we were to consider this property ‘ours’ during our stay, and immediately, the kids felt comfortable wandering (as did we). They found the ping-pong and foosball tables, the pool table in the bar (open to youth players), the cozy gazebo, and the petting ‘zoo’, which is a true manaserie of animals all in need of lots of petting and holding (including a donkey, pigmy goat, pony, chickens, kittens, and goats).

cabins-three-bars-ranch

After a Sunday evening meet-and-greet, welcome dinner, and orientation, daily life at the ranch settles into a routine. Every day, a bulletin board will list the day’s schedule, which will always include a morning and afternoon horse ride, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and an evening activity. Alternative afternoon activities are always offered: whether it be a scheduled rafting trip or a specifically arranged fly fishing trip, ATV ride, or mountain bike trip. Every morning, head wrangler (and ranch owner) Tyler Beckley comes around to each breakfast table to arrange the day’s activities for each family. This is the time for families to choose which type of ride to go on, or what alternative activity to schedule. As the week wore on, we, like many families, met friends and arranged to ride and play together, asking for teen rides, group rides, and ladies only rides. All were easily arranged.

animals-three-bars-ranch

Our typical day (Mon-Fri at the ranch) started by barely waking up in time for 8 am breakfast (unheard of for us, early-risers!), taking a morning ride of our choice (usually a fast ride while the kids rode with friends, or a family ride), coming back for lunch and a little break, an afternoon activity, which alternated between another ride or a different activity (one afternoon we went target shooting, another we went rafting), then down time in the late afternoon.

target-shooting

We filled this time by swimming in the pool, playing ping-pong or tennis, riding a bike along the trails, or just sitting on the porch of our cabin with a glass of wine.

Our family especially love riding bikes along the single track horse trails and many dirt roads and ATV trails around the ranch; bikes are available in the activities barn (the smallest being 17″ during our visit…a good size for a 10-year-old or up). From the barn area, trails can be accessed easily, either from the pastures or the trails past the large reining barn. We also swam and played tennis, and other families went fly fishing (equipment is available to use) and ATV riding (extra fee).

The ranch bar opens each day at 5 pm, and families tend to gather there to compare notes on the day. Kids order smoothies and play pool, and adults relax over a beer or cocktail. Dinner is at 6:30, followed by an evening activity, always with the wranglers, who also eat meals with guests and socialize naturally with everyone.

rafting-three-bars-ranch

Evening activities during our stay ranged from a reining horse demonstration by horse trainer Jessie Buckley to a volleyball match and a cowboy guitar entertainer. Because it doesn’t get dark in summer in this part of the world until almost 11 pm, the kids tended to play on the lawns or soak in the hot tub until well after 9 pm, with lights out for our crew of school-aged and teen kids well past bedtime.

The Three Bars riding program:

If I had to pick one part of the Three Bars Ranch that is at the heart of the stay, it would be the riding program, though I want to emphasize again that this ranch is about so much more than riding. That said, compared to riding programs at dude ranches we’ve visited that have more of a ‘riding is everything’ attitude, Three Bars is still very much on par.

saddling

The riding is incredible. The horses are very well trained and responsive, and to a person, the wranglers were friendly, competent, and helpful. During our visit, there was a very even mix of ability level on horseback, with about 1/3 of the riders considering themselves novices, 1/3 experienced riders who don’t ride often, and 1/3 frequent riders. On Day 1, everyone was introduced to their horse, pre-selected based on a questionnaire asking for experience level. Every one of the 30+ guests were happy with their horses during our stay.

trail-ride

The first day, everyone I spoke to began by walking only, with wranglers keeping a careful eye on ability level and horse/rider compatibility. We didn’t mind, even though we were eager to trot and lope our horses, because the first ride was a great opportunity to get to know the area and see some of the scenery away from the ranch proper. By our second ride (afternoon of Day 1), our family was trotting, and by Day 2, we were loping (by request…this is not necessary). At another ranch we’d visited, rides started out fast and furious…great for experienced riders but uncomfortable for those who ride only occasionally.

wranglers-three-bars

On subsequent days, we verbalized what type of ride we wanted during the morning check-in with Tyler, whether it be a walking ride, ride with plenty of breaks and play time for kids, medium ride (with trotting and some loping), or fast ride (with more bouts of loping). We rode with our family unit and also with new friends. I absolutely love riding, so I greatly enjoyed the riding program, but individuals who would rather pursue other actives could absolutely do so. My kids loved having their ‘own’ horses for the week, and bonded with them quickly. In fact, even though 13-year-old Calvin, who liked riding fast, ended up with a very slow horse, he didn’t want to switch…he’d learned to love slow Chico!

chico

Dining at Three Bars:

Meals are served at 8 am, noon, and 6:30 pm at Three Bars, and the food is always good. Occasionally during our stay, it was only ok, and sometimes, it was amazing. Full disclosure: I’m not a foodie. Especially during a vacation where we work up such an appetite, I’d honestly rather have good food, and plenty of it, than great food, in tiny, fancy portions.

dining-three-bars

At Three Bars, you get the former. We had no complaints, and always had our fill. The dining staff did an excellent job accommodating my pescetarian dietary needs, as well as others’ gluten-free needs. They can accommodate any type of need, with advanced warning. Breakfast included staples such as egg dishes, hash browns, pancakes, and granola, and there was always cereal, fruit, yogurt, and toast. Coffee was average (if you’re a coffee connoisseur, bring your own!) and water, tea, and coffee was always set out during the day.

Lunch ranged from sandwich fixings to make-your-own-burrito bars, always with freshly-baked cookies and side salads. Dinners ranged from ribs to herb chicken to Italian pastas, always with something for everyone. If you come expecting gourmet fare, you’ll be disappointed, but if your primarily goal is to be served hearty fare, you’ll go away happy. We had brought snacks for our room, but never needed them.

Lodging at Three Bars:

The cabins at Three Bars are very comfortable, visually beautiful, and convenient. Each has a TV with plenty of channels (though we hardly ever turned ours on), coffee service, a full bathroom with tub, WiFi (a godsend since I had to work during the stay), and very cozy beds with high-end linens.

lodging-thee-bars

There are different cabin configurations, but we ended up with two connecting rooms (one with three beds for the kids and a queen bed for me), giving us two bathrooms. Rooms have mini-fridges and cabinet space for snacks, plus plenty of closet space for riding gear and outerwear. Each cabin has a porch with table and chairs out front, all overlooking the main lawn and lodge.

What to know before you go:

st-marys-river

  • Everyone will need riding boots. The good news: boots can be rented from the ranch for $30/stay. This is a great value if you have older kids, as boots are expensive.
  • Everyone will want a cowboy hat. They have them for sale in the store for a reasonable price. We had our ahead of time.
  • Kids under 12 must wear a riding helmet. I felt great about this rule.
  • Remember you’ll need passports or copies of the kids’ birth certificates to get across the Canadian border.
  • Once at the ranch, you don’t need cash other than gratuity. All extra charges will go on a room charge. Tip should be 5-10% of the cost of the vacation, and can be given at the end of the stay.
  • The activities that are not all-inclusive include ATV-riding, shooting, fly fishing, golf, and alcohol from the bar.
  • All riding levels are accommodated. Don’t worry about lack of experience, or having too much experience.
  • The wrangler staff are primarily young people from Canada and Australia. All are wonderful, and will make your kids feel special.
  • Activities such as mountain biking, fishing, golf, and ATV riding can be scheduled at any time. Shooting sports and rafting are scheduled for set times.
  • Kids can participate in shooting sports, regardless of experience. As non-gun-owners, we felt the experience was very safe and positive, with an emphasis on respect for guns.
  • Bring several pairs of jeans per person, and plan to do laundry!
  • Expect to miss your horse when you leave!

We experienced Three Bars Ranch as guests of the ranch, for the purpose of review. All opinions are our own.

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!

medicine-hat-teepee

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 creamy ice cream treat imaginable, and their burgers, hot dogs, and fries are great, too.

dining-in-medicine-hat

Be ready for a wait during weekends and nice weather! We were told the locals would line up for Tino’s, and during a Saturday afternoon visit, we found out this was no exaggeration! Tino’s is worth the wait, and you can eat at picnic tables outside on-site or take your food to one of the many parks and nature areas along the South Saskatchewan River.

medicine-hat-park

After eating at Tino’s pause for a stop on the Trans Canada Highway at the Medicine Hat teepee…don’t worry, you can’t miss the Saamis Teepee from the road! This huge teepee was bought by a local after the Calgary Olympic Games and brought back to the city. When standing inside, families can see the true scope of the structure, and on the trails beside it, kids can venture along the coulees (hills) and see the place where aboriginal residents of the area once drove bison off the hillsides to their deaths.

Have more time? Check out our review of where to stay in Medicine Hat, and what to do with kids indoors.

We toured Medicine Hat as part of our Great Coast Road Trip with Coast Hotels. Read more about our road trip through the Wild West of Alberta!

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.

medalta

Families can tour the site by guided self-tour: eight galleries take you through the process of ceremics-making (sorry for the unofficial term) from the gathering of clay from the banks of the nearby South Saskatchewan River to the glazing and packaging of finished wares. We entered the museum with no particular interest or knowledge of pottery or ceramics, but it didn’t matter: this museum is well done and drew us in.

The first few galleries explain the history of the building itself, and its glory days as a factory. The exhibits are very kid-friendly and accessible. The next section takes visitors through the old factory interior (you can look at equipment but not touch), and a video describes the entire process followed by factory workers. The last galleries showcase the various wares the factory produced during its heyday, including dinnerware for hotels, restaurants, and the railroad. This was the most interesting section for us: we had no idea Medalta had contracts for POW camps, soldiers on the front line, and baby dinnerware products I remembered from my childhood.

medalta-medicine-hat

You can walk inside a kiln, and on select days, watch potters at the wheel. There is a courtyard outside for restless kids or after-visit picnics. The museum isn’t particularly toddler or baby-friendly; we’d recommend this attraction for kids 8 and up. If we were in the area longer (or local), their pottery workshops and summer classes would definitely be on our must-do list.

Date last visited:

May 2014

Distance from the interstate:

About ten minutes from Trans Canada Highway 1.

Admission:

Adults are $12 and kids (6-17) are $10. Their family rate is $30 (for two adults and two kids).

Hours of operation:

Summer hours are 9:30 am to 5 pm daily. Off-season hours vary; check hours of operation before you arrive.

Directions:

Located at 713 Medalta Ave SE. This site is very well marked; signs will point the way from the highway!

Read more about our road trip through the Wild West of Alberta!

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 centers when you enter a new town!

family-leisure-centre

The Kinsmen Aquatic Park pool facility includes:

  • a large free-form recreation pool filled with fun floating toys and a rafts that turns into a wave pool at set intervals
  • a kiddie pool with floating Lego-style building blocks to play with
  • a large hot tub
  • a current stream area (where the water flows fast)
  • a diving area with high and low dives
  • a tube water slide several stories high
  • a rope swing
  • a lap pool
  • a water polo pool

Seriously. All this! And we discovered it simply by checking the city parks and rec page when we arrived in town. Always check these types of pages for local fun (or ask a local)!

Also on-site are a hockey ring (indoor), fitness centre, outdoor soccer pitches, a large play structure, a lighted sports field, baseball diamonds, and a BMX park.

Food services:

There is a snack bar with (less than healthy) snack and quick food options, plus vending machines and an ice cream bar cooler. Families could easily picnic on-site in nice weather.

Hours of operation:

General hours are found by calling the swimming hotline at 403-502-8571. Be sure to also check the Kinsmen page  for event information. Some pools or activities may be closed for a tournament or meet. Generally, the facility stays open nightly to 8 pm or 9 pm.

Admission:

We paid $20 for a family admission (two adults and all kids in the same household). Adults not swimming do not pay admission to enter. Towels can be purchased for about $5, so remember to bring some, but if you forget, you’re covered (literally).

Directions:

We used Google Maps to find the centre, because streets change names frequently in Medicine Hat, and we are easily confused. However, the address listed is 2000 Division Ave N.

Read more about our road trip through the Wild West of Alberta!

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!

coast-medicine-hat

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 distance of dining, and only five minutes from the historic section of the city. It’s utilitarian, and clean.

During the time of our visit, their onsite restaurant, Bourbon Street Restaurant and Lounge, was closed for renovations. Their complimentary continental breakfast featured all the standards you’d expect (cold cereals, muffins and pastry, and juice, coffee, and tea) and service was pleasant. The front desk staff at the Coast Medicine Hat was very cheerful and helpful, and the location was convenient.

coast-medicine-hat-hotel

Room amenities:

Rooms are a bit on the small side, but comfortable. Our standard room included a small table and two chairs, TV, and coffee service. The bathroom featured a shower and tub (nice for families with small children). Sadly, our room lacked our favorite amenities: a mini fridge and microwave.

There is a small spa onsite, and a hair salon, but I didn’t have opportunity during my visit to venture into either. It is worth noting that this hotel is pet-friendly.

Room rates:

At the time of our visit, our standard room was $119.

Directions:

The Coast Medicine Hat is located at 3216 13 Avenue SE
Medicine Hat.

As I disclose whenever applicable, our stay was complimentary, for the purpose of review.

We stayed in Medicine Hat as part of our Great Coast Road Trip with Coast Hotels. Read more about our road trip through the Wild West of Alberta!

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.

high-line-bridge

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 formations) and rich wildlife. It’s also the site of the last battle between aboriginal tribes in North America.

Fort Whoop-Up:

The historic site of Fort Whoop-Up Lethbridge is located in the river valley, and is home to the most notorious whiskey fort of the Canadian west. Operated in the late 1800s, the fort was a central fur trading center that also dealt in illegal whiskey. The site is very well done, with a recreated fort, galleries commemorating the Blackfoot nation tribes of the area, and period rooms as they would have appeared at the time of the fort’s heyday. Families can walk room-to-room in a self-guided tour, listening to quite entertaining audio in each room.

fort-whoop-up

The center of the fort is open to the public, and during our visit, a crackling fire was alive in the fire pit. During summer, livestock is also on site. The staff roams the fort answering any questions, and kids can touch and play with most items. For instance, in one room, my son played the saloon piano, and in another, we played a game of checkers.

fort-whoop-up

The fort will take you less than two hours to tour (be sure to start with the 20 minute video to give you an overview of the history).

Admission:
Admission is $9 for adults and $6.50 for kids (5 and under free). Or, they offer a family rate of $24.95 for two adults and up to four children.

Hours of operation:
10 am to 5 pm daily during the summer (June 1- September 30) and 12 pm to 4 pm Wed-Sat in the off-season.

Location: 200 Indian Battle Road, Lethbridge

Helen Schüler Nature Centre:

helen-schuler-nature-centre

Directly across the way from Fort Whoop-Up, the Helen Schuler Nature Centre is definitely worth a stop. This new centre features indoor exhibits on local eco-systems and wildlife; during the time of our visit, the focus was on creatures beneath our feet. The main gallery included an interactive exhibit on escaping a web (kids could climb over and under elastic strings to ‘escape’ and a few live animals (kids could meet ‘Peg Leg’ a resident crow who was domesticated after a leg injury).

 helen-schuler-nature-center

The centre features a living roof kids can check out, and lots of fun facts are located throughout the building. The staff offers a scavenger hunt kids can embark upon, answering questions by reading facts on the walls, floors and even ceiling of the building.

Outdoors, several trails begin at the centre, taking families either along the Old Man River valley or up on the coulees overlooking the High Line Bridge (an impressive engineering marvel). We opted to hike up, roaming the coulees a bit to explore the prairie grass (though beware: there’s also cacti up here!). Adjacent to the centre is also a very interesting playground with an interactive ‘rattlesnake’ climbing toy, a climbing wall, and line tag mazes. We loved it!

Admission:
Free!

Hours of admission:
10 am to 4 pm (closed Mondays)

Where to eat:

If you have time for a nice meal in Lethbridge, Ric’s Grill is unique. Housed in a repurposed water tower, it’s hard to miss in the center of town! The fare here is quite high end (and prices reflect this) but if you have a hour or more and want to make an occasion of your time in Lethbridge, this is the place to do it. They do offer a children’s menu and have a full bar. Views of town are featured out every window.

Location: 200 103 Mayor Magrath Dr

We toured Fort Whoop Up as part of our Great Coast Road Trip with Coast Hotels. Read more about our road trip through the Wild West of Alberta!

Coast Lethbridge Hotel and Conference Centre

Coast Hotels is a trusted name in Western Canada and the Pacific NW, and for good reason. I know we always feel better when we see that trademark circular emblem. The Coast Lethbridge Hotel is new, completely comfortable, and very spacious. It’s located in the heart of town within walking distance to the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden and Henderson Lake Park.

coast-hotel-lethbridge

When we’re looking for a hotel while en route on a road trip, we want three the following amenities:

  • free parking
  • quality dining
  • a pool
  • free WiFi
  • kitchenette for simple meals

Coast Lethbridge offers all of the above, plus kicks it up a notch with a full room service menu and Firestone, their onsite restaurant that is truly above par.

coast-lethbridge

Room amenities:

We stayed in a Premium room, which included two queen beds and a pull-out bed, but all rooms include an extra sink, mini fridge, and microwave. We could have easily made breakfast in our room, and we stored leftovers as well.

All rooms have free WiFi, a bathtub and shower, and large work desk. We also had two wall-mounted flat screen TVs. Some rooms offer fireplaces and in-suite jacuzzis, but neither are on my list of must-haves in a road trip.

Pool and fitness center:

coast-hotel-lethbridge

The Coast Lethbridge fitness center is fairly small, but includes the necessities for a basic workout on the road. Ask the front desk staff for running and walking trails as well; there are quite a few nearby.

The pool and hot tub are indoor. When I realized they were housed downstairs on the restaurant level, I worried I’d be stepping into a dark, stuffy basement area, but was pleasantly surprised by how light and airy the room is. The pool is large, given the available space, and very clean.

Dining:

firestone-restaurant

We really enjoyed Firestone for both breakfast and dinner. The hotel does not have a complimentary breakfast, but Firestone is worth your investment. The decor and ambiance in the restaurant pleasantly surprised me as well; you step from the hotel to a trendy bistro instantaneously.

Rates:

During the time of our visit, a standard room went for $134 CAN (premium for $150). A very good value! And if you like Coast Hotels as much as we do, sign up for their loyalty program. It’s always a good idea!

Wondering what to do during your time in Lethbridge? Check out our day at Fort Whoop Up.

Directions:

Coast Lethbridge is located at 526 Mayor Magrath Drive South in the heart of Lethbridge, Alberta.

As I disclose whenever applicable, our stay was hosted by Coast Hotels as part of our participation in the Great Coast Road Trip.

Read more about our road trip through the Wild West of Alberta!

Coast Plaza Hotel and Conference Centre Calgary

There’s so much to do with kids in Calgary, and you’ll need a great home base! The Coast Plaza Hotel in Calgary is located about 15 minutes from downtown (by car or light rail) and a great home base for families exploring the area. Adjacent to the Trans Canada Highway 1, this full-amenity hotel comes with free parking and plenty of space to spread out.

coast-plaza-calgary

Coast Plaza Calgary review:

The lobby is scheduled for a remodel (as of summer 2014), but my kids didn’t care: they headed straight for the indoor pool and hot tub located downstairs next to the fitness centre. The pool area includes showers, lockers, and a sauna, and is light and airy with large windows. When we arrived in late afternoon, it was in need of a pick-up—used towels were scattered around, and the pool deck was very wet and slippery—but the actual pool and hot tub were very clean.

coast-plaza-review

On the lobby level, the hotel’s restaurant, Horizons Bistro, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and offers a Sunday brunch well-known in Calgary. We were anxious to head out to explore Calgary, so opted for a buffet breakfast during our stay, which included everything we could ask for, with both hot and cold selections. We got out the door for under $45 each morning, with four people (two adults, two kids). We also enjoyed Horizons for dinner, but room service is also available.

The Coast Plaza houses a busy conference centre, so expect business events or private parties to be occurring around you! We stayed at the Coast Plaza as part of Coast Hotels Great Coast Road Trip, for which the kids and I drove the first leg!

Room amenities:

coast-plaza-room

For our family of five, we opted for adjoining rooms—one double queen room and one king room—and loved having two bathrooms and more space. Each room comes with my favorite amenity: a mini fridge. Also standard: a coffee and tea service with Starbucks products and large flat screen TVs. I appreciated the large desk as a work space.

Complimentary WiFi is offered throughout the hotel and in rooms, and as mentioned, parking is free.

Rates:

At the time of our visit, rates started at $149 for a standard room. It’s worth noting that the hotel also offers Calgary Zoo packages and Calgary Stampede Packages.

Date last visited:

May 2014

Directions:

The hotel is located right of Trans Canada Highway 1 at 1316 33 St NE, Calgary.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we stayed at Coast Plaza as guests of the hotel, as part of Coast Hotels Great Coast Road Trip.

Winsport Calgary Olympic Park and Sports Hall of Fame

During the winter and summer months, the Calgary Olympic Park is the place to be for outdoor sports and recreation. Winter is the park’s main season with skiing and snowboarding, cross country skiing, hockey and skating. Visitors can even try a bobsled ride. In summer, the park transforms into a playground with ropes courses, zip lines, mountain biking, mini golf, and tours from the ski jump towers (for amazing views).

olympic-park

But what if you visit during the fall or spring? We stopped by in May, during which the snow was melting and the summer activities hadn’t ramped up yet. We spent our time in Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, located adjacent to the park. This large indoor museum houses exhibits on all the inductees to Canada’s sporting hall of fame, but even if you’re not very knowledgeable about Canadian athletics, it’s worth the price of admission.

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There are galleries within the hall celebrating many sports: hockey is represented of course, as are other Canadian favorites like curling, downhill skiing, and Canadian football, but so are baseball, rowing, cycling, basketball, and boxing. In each gallery, interactive exhibits offer either a film, a chance to demo equipment (try your hand at rowing!), or a simulator (learn how to curl).

My kids spent the most time at the multi-sports simulator, which let them hit real hockey pucks, soccer balls, and footballs at a screen that tested their accuracy, speed, and the like. A movie plays regularly in the theater, giving an overview on Canadian sports achievements. The Calgary Games are featured prominently throughout the hall, of course. There’s a particularly great short film on Canadian hockey.

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You’ll need about an hour to tour the museum. On fair-weather days when the attractions at the park are open, it may not be worth your time, but for the shoulder seasons or during poor weather, this is definitely a place to check out.

Admission:

We opted for a family admission of $30 (two adults and two kids). Otherwise, admission is $12 for adults and $8 for kids.

sports-hall-of-fame

Hours:

The hall is closed Mondays, and open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.

Directions:

The hall is located at 169 Canada Olympic Road SW, next to the Canada Olympic Park. It’s about 20 minutes from downtown Calgary.

We toured Sports Hall of Fame on our Great Coast Road Trip with Coast Hotels. Read more about our road trip through the Wild West of Alberta!

Photo credit: Amy Whitley and Flickr/DavidWilson