Here are 37-day trip ideas to help keep your little noodles entertained this summer. Don't forget your Parks Canada Discovery Pass! Please note that all drive times are estimates only. Do you have a favourite day trip that I missed? Email me, and I will add it.
Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area, Calgary area - 33 mins The Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area (ASCCA) is a 4,800-acre day-use natural area located just southwest of Calgary. Open to hikers by registration only, which may be done when signing in at the parking lot kiosk. Online booking is required for groups of eight or more hikers. Please note that dogs are not allowed.
Big Hills Spring Provincial Park, Kananaskis - 34 mins **Park closed due to construction** The perfect spot for a picnic with some easy hiking and there’s even a small creek.
Okotoks Erratic, Okotoks - 38 mins The Okotoks Erratic is the largest known rock in the Foothills Erratics Train, a group of rocks that were carried by ice along the mountain front and let down as the glacier melted more than 10,000 years ago.
Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, Cochrane - 41 mins There are approximately 30 km of trails through the park, perfect for a day of exploring the natural and cultural history of the area.
Cochrane Historical Museum, Cochrane - 42 mins This historic home was once Cochrane’s first hospital.
Museum of the High Wood, High River - 45 mins Enjoy a guided tour or stop by the Imagination Station. The museum also features fun and educational activities for kids of all ages.
Frank Lake, SE of Calgary - 47 mins Home to hundreds of bird species, Frank Lake is one of the best birding venues in the Calgary area.
PaSu Farm, NW of Calgary - 48 mins A working sheep farm with a restaurant and boutique.
Bomber Command Museum of Canada, Nanton - 55 mins The museum features three WWII Bombers, as well as training aircraft, displays, aviation art, Bomber nose art, informative videos, archives and a gift shop.
Olds College Botanic Gardens and Treatment Wetlands, Olds - 56 mins The gardens are ever-changing - new activities, new plants, new blooms.
Museum of Miniatures, Nanton - 56 mins A hobby of building miniatures turned into building vast and graphic model scenes which included lakes, mountains, covered wagons, wheat fields and even an old western town—all in a 1/12″ scale.
Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre, Nanton - 56 mins The centre aims to educate visitors about Nanton and Alberta's agricultural history.
Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, east of Calgary, Siksika - 57 mins Tours are currently booked by appointment only. Enjoy an exciting, authentic, Blackfoot cultural experience.
Elbow Falls, Kananaskis - 1 hr, 1 min While damaged in the 2013 flood, the falls are still beautiful and there are plenty of trails to explore.
Horseshoe Canyon, Kneehill County - 1 hr, 2 mins Featuring stunning vistas and scenic hiking trails. Parking is $2.00 per vehicle.
Vulcan Tourism & Trek Station, Vulcan - 1 hr, 5 mins Open seven days a week, free admission. This one of a kind visitor information centre was built to look like a landed space station. and is home to a large collection of Star Trek Memorabilia.
World Famous Gopher Hole Museum, Torrington - 1 hr, 10 mins Features stuffed gophers posed to resemble townspeople.
Bar U Ranch National Historic Site, Longview - 1 hr, 12 mins Ride into history on a wagon pulled by Percheron horses to discover the life of a ranching cowboy from the late 1800s.
RCMP Dog Training Centre, Innisfail - 1 hr, 13 mins Public demonstrations are conducted every Wednesday afternoon between Victoria Day and Labour Day, beginning at 2:00pm.
Royal Tyrrell Museum, Drumheller - 1 hr, 21 mins Timed entry only. The museum houses one of the world’s largest displays of dinosaurs.
Stephansson House Provincial Historic Site, west of Red Deer - 1 hr, 25 mins **Closed for 2021** This historic site is the home of Stephan G. Stephansson – Poet of the Rocky Mountains. It’s a window into the year 1927, complete with costumed interpreters.
Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, Red Deer - 1 hr, 27 mins Discover and explore Alberta’s sports history.
Troll Falls, Kananaskis- 1 hr, 30 mins Located in Kananaskis, this trail features a waterfall and is perfect for all skill levels. Dogs must be on a leash.
Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Banff - 1hr, 31 mins *Access to the Cave is temporarily suspended*. Learn about our mountains, stroll the boardwalk and keep an eye open for the Banff Springs Snail!
Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site of Canada, Banff National Park - 1hr, 33 mins Enjoy the spectacular views as you ride the Banff Gondola and then learn about the high altitude geophysical laboratory, which facilitated Canada’s contribution to the International Geophysical Year of 1957-58
Altas Coal Mine, Drumheller - 1 hr, 36 mins Tickets must be pre-booked. Located in the Canadian Badlands, the Atlas Coal Mine was one of the last operating mines in the Drumheller Valley.
Grassi Lakes, Canmore - 1 hr, 38 mins Grassi Lakes is perfect for a family hike. With a waterfall and two gorgeous lakes, it’s sure to a hike enjoyed by everyone in your family.
Brooks Aqueduct, Brooks - 1 hr, 38 mins Discover the Brooks Aqueduct National/Provincial Historic Site and learn the fascinating story of this monumental structure.
Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash, Sylvan Lake - 1hr, 39 mins *Closed for 2021* A fun obstacle course on the lake.
Discovery Canyon, Red Deer - 1 hr, 41 mins Tube floating, wading pool, beach and boardwalk and a fun nature-themed playground.
Ellis Bird Farm - Lacombe, 1 hr, 42 mins Both a working farm and a non-profit company dedicated to the conservation of Mountain Bluebirds, Tree Swallows and other native cavity-nesting birds
Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump, Fort Macleod - 1hr, 49 mins Learn more about the buffalo hunting culture, the art of driving the great herds from the cliff, the eventual demise of the buffalo hunting culture, and the work of archaeologists at Head-Smashed-In.
Dinosaur Provincial Park, 48km northeast of Brooks - 1 hr, 55 mins There are five walking trails, two outdoor interpretive fossil displays, guided tours and activities, a playground, a picnic area and a visitor centre.
Johnston Canyon, between Banff and Lake Louise - 2 hrs, 6 mins Two trails available, an easy 20-minute hike or the 45-minute hike to the upper falls. Restaurant and ice cream stand located at the base of the trail.
Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, Crowsnest Pass- 2 hrs, 14 mins Frank Slide Interpretive Centre highlights the rich heritage of the Crowsnest Pass. Interactive displays tell the tale of Canada’s deadliest rockslide in 1903.
Waterton Lakes National Park, Waterton - 2 hrs, 34 mins Sightsee on the park’s abundant trails and watch for wildlife. Take in the scenery from a vivid red canyon to waterfalls and the picture-perfect community of Waterton.
Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park, Milk River - 3 hrs, 19 mins Take a breathtaking trip through the hoodoos and try and find the rock art.
