Aspen Crossing, located in the small hamlet of Mossleigh Alberta, is just one hour from Calgary in the Canadian Badlands. Aspen Crossing is home to an authentic 1887 Pullman dining car that once belonged to Prime Minster John Diefenbaker and now operates from April to December. Champagne brunches, escape rooms, dinner theatre, and prairie tours are just some of the ways you can explore this private stretch of track, with each train excursion lasting approximately three hours.

Heighten your senses with the Banff Gondola and experience a summit experience everyone can access. With an outside rooftop deck and indoor interpretive centre, the gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain in Banff is just the start of the adventure. Take the boardwalk to the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station, a National Historic Site, or dine 7,486 feet in the air at Sky Bistro, with a distinctly Canadian menu and mountain views in every direction. Weekdays are the best time to avoid the lines and take in views of six mountain ranges just an hour and a half from Calgary.

Soaking in the Banff Upper Hot Springs has been a favourite activity for over a century. Located an hour and a half from Calgary, you can relax in the hot mineral waters at 1,585 metres of elevation in the highest operating hot spring in Canada. This natural wonder is equipped with a café, gift shop, picnic sites, and walking trails for a family friendly day in the mountains. Beat the crowds on weekdays and in the early morning on weekends. Hours of operation vary depending on the season so be sure to check availability before you visit.

Lake Minnewanka is an hour and a half from Calgary and just a few minutes from Banff, making it a great addition to any road trip. The Lake Minnewanka Cruise is a one hour guided boat cruise on Lake Minnewanka that includes entertaining commentary on the history, geology, wildlife, and First Nation’s culture of the area. Boat rentals and guided fishing tours are also available if you are interested in setting out on your own Lake Minnewanka adventure. Daily operating hours and cruise offerings vary between May and October each year so be sure to check availability before you set out this memorable road trip.

Once one of Canada’s largest ranching operations, Bar U Ranch National Historic Site now offers the authentic cowboy experience to every visitor. Costumed interpreters demonstrate ranching skills like cattle roping, saddle making, and blacksmithing. With over 35 historic structures to explore, guided walking and horse-drawn wagon tours, and authentic cowboy grub cooking in the ranch house, this must-see Alberta attraction is the perfect place to experience life on the ranch with the Canadian Rockies as your back drop. Bar U Ranch National Historic Site is just one hour from Calgary and open daily from May to September.

Home to one of the world’s richest deposits of fossils, Dinosaur Provincial Park will transport you to another world. Views over the largest continuous stretch of Badlands at this UNESCO World Heritage Site make it a photographer’s dream day trip. Pack a picnic lunch, explore easy hiking trails, and get up close to a stunning collection of fossils in the Dinosaur Visitor Centre. Get an early start on your road trip for a two and half hour drive to Dinosaur Provincial Park, pack a hat, sunscreen, comfortable footwear, and be sure to check Dinosaur Visitor Centre hours before hitting the road as they vary by season.

You can also let someone else do the driving and book a guided tour of Dinosaur Provincial Park with Prairie Sprinter that includes transportation to and from the park, expert interpreters, and time for a hike, before returning to Calgary in time for dinner.

Take a road trip through the Crowsnest Pass and experience the beautiful scenery and stories of Southern Alberta at the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre. Interactive exhibitions and displays tell the story of Canada’s deadliest rockslide that changed the landscape of the coal mining town of Frank in 1903. A 1.5 kilometre trail winds through the rocks of the Frank Slide, surrounded by the beautiful Canadian Rockies, for an outdoor adventure unlike anything you have ever seen. The Frank Slide Interpretive Centre is open all year which makes it a great day trip no matter what the season.

The Glacier Skywalk is perched high above the Sunwapta Valley with a stunning bird’s eye view of waterfalls, wildlife, and fossils below. The one kilometre glass walkway will take your breath away with a 918 foot drop below to the valley floor. This award winning attraction is safe and accessible for the whole family with an interpretive storytelling format to guide you through the natural wonders beyond. Book ahead to select a time slot for the experience between April and October each year. You can even pair your glacier adventure with a meal at the Altitude Restaurant, overlooking the Athabasca Glacier, for the ultimate Columbia Icefields experience. With stunning views along the Columbia Icefields, the four hour drive to the Glacier Skywalk requires a very full day to explore.

One of the world’s oldest, largest, and best preserved buffalo jumps is just a two hour drive from Calgary. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, putting it in the same class of worldwide wonders as the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. Indoor and outdoor exhibits explore the history of buffalo hunting culture and the work of archaeologists to preserve this incredible site. Allow one to two hours for the indoor exhibits and an additional 45 minutes for the interpretive outdoor hike that explores the buffalo jump. Hours of operation vary by season so be sure to check ahead before planning your road trip.

Of all the iconic locations in Canada, Lake Louise may be at the top of the list. One of the most photographed locations in the world, Lake Louise, with its emerald green water and rugged peaks, is just two hours from Calgary. Canoe on the lake in the summer, enjoy ice skating and ice sculptures in the winter, and be sure to visit the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for a traditional Afternoon Tea anytime of the year. The small hamlet of Lake Louise includes a small collection of shops and restaurants along with a visitor information centre. Beat the crowds and visit early in the morning or during the week for an uninterrupted view of the lake.

Discover how the fur trade helped shape the history of Canada at Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site. Book a hands on experience demonstrating the Métis skills of the fur trade, explore the archaeological remains of four forts, take part in authentic indigenous games, drumming, dancing, and daily campfires, or spend the night with a variety of heritage camping accommodations. Two hours north of Calgary, Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site is open May through September with free entry available to Parks Canada Discovery Pass holders.

The Royal Tyrrell Museum is an engaging experience for everyone in the family that explores the history of life on Earth. Home to one of the world’s largest collections of dinosaur skeletons, the Royal Tyrrell Museum is a world renowned museum and research facility just an hour and a half from Calgary. Search for fossils, dig in a realistic quarry, cast your own fossil, or enjoy a scenic self-guided tour through the Canadian Badlands around the museum. Temperatures and weather patterns in the Canadian Badlands can vary by the day, so be sure to bring clothing suitable for a range of conditions, including good walking shoes for outdoor hikes as sandals are not permitted. Check ahead for seasonal hours and allow two to three hours to explore all of the museum’s galleries.

With views of the prairies to the east and the Canadian Rockies to the west, Waterton Lakes National Park has stunning views in every direction. Sharing its border with the United States to the south and British Columbia to the west, Waterton Lakes National Park is a scenic two and a half hour drive from Calgary, with small town charm and endless photography opportunities. Perched on the bluff above Waterton, the Prince of Wales Hotel is a historic part of Waterton with a traditional Afternoon Tea, making it a must-visit part of your road trip. Waterton Lakes National Park is open year round with most facilities closing in the winter months.