Alberta in nine day
 

We are going to Edmonton to see the mall.

We are going to spend three nights at the Mall hotel and three to four days in and around Edmonton.

We are going from Spokane to Edmonton via Glacier National Park and back through Banff/Jasper. With nine days to spend, what other recommendations are there for the trip staying generally along that route.

Have you considered the Icefields Parkway, Jasper, and Lake Louise?

You might find those attractions to be of interest.

I think they are more interesting that a shopping mall, regardless of its size.

PS. Which Glacier National Park are you visiting? The one in British Columbia?

Two of my favourite stops are Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump near Ft McLeod and the Tyrell Museum of Paleontology near Drumheller.

We are staying for two nights at the Glacier Lodge in Montana.

The ice fields and Jasper do sound interesting, I will add them to the intenerary.

The Mall is less than exciting for me, but my two teenaged daughters and my wife are just chomping at the bit. I hope to find some museums or perhaps drive up to the oil sands project to wile away my hours.

Any other suggestions are appreciated.

Spokaneman - the oilsands are a six or seven hour drive north of Edmonton. Not just a day trip.

You might want to check out Fort Edmonton as a place to 'wile away some hours. Edmonton is known as the festival city also. If you are there on a weekend in july or august there is likely some kind of interesting celebration happening.

Definitely go through Jasper and Banff for a few days on your way home too. You will need to book your rooms ahead though.

“Festival City” is right; when will you be in Edmonton? Edmonton is full of things to do, not necessarily things to see. If you post your dates people could give you some ideas for your trip.

While in Edmonton i suggest the following:
-Spend a saturday morning at either the St. Albert Farmers market (largest in Western Canada) or Downtown Farmer's market.
-Have a picnic lunch at Hawrelak Park
-Visit Fort Edmonton and the Royal Alberta Museum
-Walk/eat on Whyte Avenue or just people watch
-Golf at one of the many great courses
-Take a ride on the Edmonton Queen Riverboat to get a great view and pictures of downtwon

Thanks for the tips, we will be in Edmonton July 3 (late) to July 7.

Sounds like plenty to see and do. I would assume that my wife and kids will want to spend a couple of days at least at the Mall, so I will definately need some alternate activities for myself. I get malled out pretty quickly.

I would go from Edmonton to Jasper. Jasper is a great place. In Jasper, I would do the boat tour on Maligne Lake, see Maligne Canyon and my fave place, Mt. Edith Cavell. Not sure how many days you have in Jasper? Then off to Banff via the Jasper/Banff Highway. Truly spectacular. For accommodation in Jasper, I am not sure about Banff, if you are budgeting, a lot of locals have approved accommodation. I am not that familiar with Banff. But for sure stop and see Peyto Lake. Oh and in Jasper, if you have time, a trip up to Pyramid Lake and/or a trip to Lac Beauvert by the Jasper Park Lodge.

After spending 3 days at Glacier NP (US) and 3 at the Mall allowing for drive time, the trip through Jasper will be pretty quick. I'm sure we will come back in the future to see the park as it should be seen.

Thanks for all the suggestions.