After eating in some of the best restaurants in Calgary it was time to move onto Edmonton restaurants. But first we wanted to explore a bit more and there are so many great day trips from Calgary we couldn’t resist spending some time outside the city.
If you’re into the outdoors and like to hike, bike or whatever other people do there are so many opportunities but if you’re like me and prefer a more relaxed vacation we recommend these day trips from Calgary.
Banff
Dave lived in Banff for over 6 years working at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel so heading to Banff was non-negotiable.
Banff is the kind of place that makes you realize just how beautiful Canada really is, the Rocky Mountains are spectacular and it’s not hard to understand why it’s one of the most popular destinations in Canada.
It’s only an hour and a half drive to Banff and well worth an afternoon or overnight if you wanted to hike the Canyon Johnston or one of the many other gorgeous hikes.
Canmore
Less than half an hour from Banff, most employees live in Canmore and work in Banff. With great budget accommodations The Coast Canmore like there are plenty of tourists who stay in laid-back Canmore and take a shuttle into Banff.
While it’s great for those on a budget, it’s not the only reason why you should stay in Canmore.
Read Reviews on TripAdvisor or Book a Room on Expedia.
The vibe here is laid back with lots of young people and places to eat good food without breaking the bank. Try Grizzly Paw Brewery and PD3 for cheap eats; Crazyweed is more upscale and requires more formal wear.
It’s also where Dave’s tattoo artist lives, Don Peterson, check him out at New World Samurai, book an appointment well in advance. He’s one of the best in the country.
Eau Claire Distillery
Alberta’s first craft distillery, Eau Claire Distillery is another great example of recent entrepreneurship in the province. Less than an hour outside the city, the drive to Turner Valley is beautiful.
A farm to glass approach, we loved the unusual products like distilled prickly pear using cacti fruit from southern Alberta. You can find Eau Claire products at cocktail bars in Calgary as they are a hit with mixologists who want to buy local interesting products.
If you want the most interesting small batch distills it’s worth a drive to Turner Valley for a tour and visit to the tasting room where you can find gems like the prickly pear that are not available in the liquor stores.
113 Sunset Boulevard NW, Turner Valley
Oh wow Banff looks sensational!! You have really beautiful photography skills! Think you just made my wanderlust for Canada kick in!!
Your photography skills are killing. I am very inspired with your photography.
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