Canadian Rockies
Locations Visited: Edmonton, Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore, Calgary
Would visit this province, if you love nature’s beauty: hiking, biking, winter sports, horseback riding, golfing, canoeing, kayaking, etc.!
Currency: The Canadian Dollar
Language: English and French, but English is widely spoken in Alberta, Canada
When to Visit: During the shoulder seasons late May to early June or late September to mid-October
~Visited: Mid-June 2024
Minimum Stay: 3 to 4 Days
Electrical Outlet Type: Type A and Type B (Same as the USA)
Visa Needed: No, you just need a passport
Vaccination(s) Needed: No vaccine needed to visit this country
Daily Spending Budget (including: accommodations, transportation, meals, and activities/excursions): $100 to $300
Best Transportation Option: Car
Rating Scale for this Destinations:
Overall Rating – 9/10
- Accessibility: How easy is it to travel to this place (fly, drive, cruise, train, etc.)? – 9/10
- Plenty of affordable flights from the US, the ability to drive from the US or rent a car in Alberta, and there are train options in Canada
- Pro Tip: Flair Airlines is not the most reliable airline. If you book with them, either get traveler’s insurance, have flight disruption assistance, or prepare for flight interruptions.
- Friendliness: Are the local people friendly and welcoming to tourists? – 10/10
- People are nice, friendly, and welcoming. I sparked up conversation with locals almost everywhere I visited!
- Affordability: Is this place affordable to visit? Is it expensive to travel to this place? – 7/10
- Fairly affordable or can be visited at any price range
- Walkability: How is the public transportation in this place? Is this place walkable and easy to navigate? – 6/10
- You need a car to visit the National Parks, but each town has a walkable downtown
- Safety: Is this place safe, especially for solo travelers, female travelers, disable travelers, and minority travelers? – 9/10
- Felt very safe here, able to walk around solo at night, and no sign of discrimination toward me. However, beware of the wildlife during solo hikes!
- Pro Tip: Edmonton might be the exception to the safety rule. There is a larger population of unhoused people, and I would not recommend walking solo at night.
- Health Concerns: Should I be concerned with water quality, sanitation, and/or exposure to health risks? (the higher the rating, the least concern) –10/10
- No water quality, sanitation, or health risk exposure concerns while visiting this country
- Culinary Arts: How is the food? Are there plenty of food options? – 8/10
- Overall, the food is good, and there are plenty of options. Be wary of the heavily touristy places, as the quality of the food does decrease.
- Relaxation: Is this place relaxing? Will I feel rested after my trip? – 8/10
- Depends on your definition of relaxation. If you’re outdoorsy or enjoy ending your day in a hot spring, then relaxation/rest is fully covered. Otherwise, this may not be the most relaxing trip.
- Enjoyability: Does this place provide a variety of activities and excursions? Is it a fun place to visit? – 10/10
- An outdoorsman’s paradise: so many things to see and do, and everywhere you turn is stunningly picturesque
Recommended Things to See and Do:
Edmonton: Muttart Conservatory, Fort Edmonton Park, 100 Street Funicular, Art Gallery of Alberta
Jasper: Miette Hot Springs, Maligne Lake Boat Tour, Jasper SkyTram, Columbia IceField Tour and Skywalk, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (boathouse, horseback riding, golf, etc.), Maligne Canyon, Athabasca Falls, Marmot Basin, Sunwapta Falls, Patricia Lake
Lake Louise: Peyto Lake, Moraine Lake and Lake Louise Shore (Shuttle, Canoe, Kayak, etc.), Lake Louise Gondola Ride, Lake Agnes Teahouse (hike, horseback ride, etc.), Lake Louise Ski Resort, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Sentinel Pass, Mirror Lake
Banff: Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff Gondola Ride, Banff Upper Hot Springs, Cascade Gardens, Parker’s Ridge Glacier, Lake Minnewanka Cruise, Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Johnston Canyon, Banff Sunshine Village Ski Resort, Bow Falls, Tunnel Mountain, Mistaya Canyon
Canmore: Canmore Cave Tour, Big Head Sculpture, Grassi Lakes, Canmore Engine Bridge
Calgary: Devonian Gardens, Aussie Rules Piano Bar, Downhill Karting, the Peace Bridge, Steven Ave Walkway, High Park, Calgary Zoo, SKA City Thermal Spa, Calgary Tower, Glenbow Museum, Prince’s Island Park, Calgary Stampede
Other Recommendations: Emerald Lake, Radium Hot Springs, White Buddha Loop Trail, Crescent Falls and Bighorn Canyon, Wolf Dog Sanctuary
Pro Tip: I recommend buying a park excursion pass on the Pursuit website to save money if you buy a packaged deal, booking the Lake Louise /Moraine Lake Shuttle in advance, and reserving restaurants in advance (especially for Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and Fairmont Banff Springs).
Recommended Restaurants:
Edmonton: La Ronde, Vaticano Cucina, Café Amore Bistro, The Gallery RestoLounge
Jasper: Mad Grizzly Bistro, Terra, Evil Dave’s Grill, The Nook, Thompson’s Terrace, Stone Peak, Folding Mountain Brewery
Lake Louise: The Outpost, Lake Lousie Railway Station, Walliser Stube, Lakeview Lounge, Lake Agnes Teahouse
Banff: Farm & Fire, The Keg Steakhouse, The Grizzly House, Good Folk, Eden, The Vermillion Room, Waldhaus
Canmore: Blake Restaurant & Brewhouse, Ankor, Après Canmore, The Local -Eatery & Bar, The Grizzly Paw Pub
Calgary: Noble Pie, Rodney’s Seafood Oyster Bar, Sky 360 Restaurant, Salt & Brick, River Café, Orchard Restaurant, Jinbar
Foods to Try: Poutine, Beavertail, Fondue, Ceaser Cocktail, London Fog Tea, Shaft Shot, Split Pea Soup, Tourtiere, Steak
Recommended Accommodations:
Edmonton: Doubletree Edmonton Downtown, Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel
Jasper: Overlander Mountain Lodge, Marmot Lodge, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Chateau Jasper
Lake Louise: Mountaineer Lodge, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Lake Louise Inn, Moraine Lake Lodge
Banff: Banff Inn, Fairmont Banff Springs, The Malcolm Hotel, Canalta Lodge, Mount Royal Lodge, Banff Caribou Lodge, Moose Hotel and Suites
Canmore: Basecamp Lodge Canmore, Blackstone Mountain Lodge, Stoneridge Mountain Resort, Lamphouse by Basecamp, Coast Canmore Hotel
Calgary: Doubletree Calgary North, The Westley Calgary Downtown, Fairmont Palliser, Hyatt Regency Calgary, Hotel Arts Kensington, Hotel Clique Calgary, Carriage House Hotel
Recommendations/Final Thoughts: The Canadian Rockies is a must visit, at least once in your lifetime! One of the most breath-taking places that I have ever visited!
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