Hello.
We are a family of 4 (including six year old twin boys) planning a trip to BC and Alberta in June/July. After some time in Vancouver and Victoria we are flying to Edmonton. We will hire a car there and set off, with the aim to finish in Calgary when the Stampede is on.
We would welcome any feedback on the intinerary as I am not sure if we are trying to pack too much in. We definitely want to see Jasper, Banff and the Calgary Stampede and we will be staying at a dude ranch near Cranbrook. With that as the starting point and the fact we have 23/24 nights I have come up with this:

Edmonton - 3 nights (West Edmonton Mall, Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market , Fort Edmonton Park)
Edmonton to Jasper - 4 hours
Jasper - 3 nights
Jasper to Lake Louise - with stops: all day drive? overnight Lake Louise (see Lake Moraine in the morning)
Lake Louise to Revelstoke (via Wolf Centre at Golden)? 3 hours - overnight Revelstoke
Revelstoke to Nelson (given ferry crossings, not sure how long this will take - any ideas?)
Nelson - 2 nights (I have read that the town is pretty and worth a visit, might go rafting)
Nelson to Cranbrook - 2.5 hours?
We will be staying at a dude ranch near Cranbrook for 5 nights
Cranbrook to Banff - 3 hours? Stop at Fairmont Hot Springs
Banff - 3 nights (will visit the sled dogs in Canmore)
Banff to Drumheller - 3 hours maybe? What's the best route to get to Drumheller from Banff? See Dinosaur Museum in afternoon, overnight Drumheller
Drumheller to Dinosaur Provincial Park , 2 hours, take tour in afternoon. Overnight Brooks
Brooks to Calgary
Calgary - 3 nights

I am wondering whether the detour to Dinosaur Provincial Park is worth it, but I like the idea of the boys seeing fossils in the ground (rather than just in a museum). Do you think we should do both Drumheller and the Park?
Thanks so much!

Bluntly put Edmonton is a waste of time-the mall is replete with empty storefronts and 6 yo kids will be bored inside of 20 minutes.I also can't see them being too excited about a Farmer's Market unless there are live animals-something I haven't seen for decades.

Fly to Calgary instead and get in as much dinosaur exposure as possible-does Head Smashed In appeal at all?

http://www.history.alberta.ca/headsm...n/default.aspx

The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology in Drumheller may be the trip highlight for your kids. There are many interactive exhibits for any age and your could literally spend an entire day there. Check the website as there are programs for kids and families where you can sleep with the dinosaurs, either Fri or Sat nights. There are other interesting options including fossil digs that may work for your itinerary. My preference would be to do the Museum and not the Park. Brooks is not a overnight destination IMO.

www.tyrrellmuseum.com/

You mentioned that you are spending 5 nights on a dude ranch near Cranbrook. Seems a bit long but maybe this is something that you have previous experience with and enjoy - are you aware that this year is the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede? There are sure to be some worthwhile exhibits to take in there, considering that your trip will span into July. Lots of free pancake breakfasts and western hospitality.

In answer to your question about the best route to Drumheller... from Banff/Canmore drive along the Trans Canada Highway, exit north onto Deerfoot Trail ( airport, or Edmonton) then drive north to the Irricana exit. Lots of signs along the way.


I haven't stayed in Revelstoke as we have family lodging nearby, but you might consider this property if you are looking for something other than a hotel.

http://www.griffinlakelodge.com/

I prefer Radium Hot Springs to Fairmont Hot Springs -- prettier location. ...same route just further up the road.

Thanks for the responses so far.
Our boys love water parks so the one at Edmonton Mall sounds pretty good. From what I've heard the Mall has lots to offer kids. We also go to a local Farmers Market here (Sydney, Australia) and they love tasting all the samples of local produce, so I thought it was worth a look for an hour or two.
Yes, we stayed on a dude ranch in Wyoming for 5 days last year and absolutely loved it - so want to do that again.
Do you think we should spend two nights in Drumheller and give the Park a miss?
Thanks again...

Have you checked out what sort of extra fee you'll be paying to drop your rental car off in a different city than where you picked it up? It can often be very pricey.

It's been years since I've been to the Tyrell Museum, but I try to get to Dinosaur Prov. Park at least once a year. It's just an incredible landscape.

I'm wondering why you want to stay overnight in Brooks and not just continue on to Calgary.

The Strathcona Farmer's Market isn't an all day event (an hour or two at most), but it is located in an area of the city that's good for window shopping (lots of small shops).

Another attraction to consider visiting is the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. It's located about 30 minutes east of Edmonton:

http://www.history.alberta.ca/ukrain...e/default.aspx

There is lots to do in Edmonton, especially during the summer months! You may also want to consider the downtown, outdoor farmers market if it is a nice saturday, weatherwise. There is much more walking space than the cramped, but full of character Strathcona market. Strathcona is appealing though because outside of the market, it is situated in a great area for walking to different restaurants, funky shops etc. You could spend a good portion of your day in this area.
Alsop, I agree with the other person who said that the Tyrell museum may be the highlight of your trip. It is a world class facility. My 9 year old son loves going there. You could spend half a day there then visit other parts of Drumheller like the suspension bridge or old coal mines and take a tour.

Also West Edmonton Mall will keep your family busy! The waterpark is great as well as galaxyland with the indoor rides. So much to see in the mall besides the stores (dolphin show, submarine ride, skating rink, movie theatres, etc....)

Sounds like you have done some research, hence your interest in Edmonton's West Edmonton Mall. Your kids will love the water park and Galaxy Land too, if you have time for both.

OS Farmer's Market is open much longer than 2 hours, but the time you want to spend there may be along those lines, depending... it is one cool Farmers Market! The buskers can be very entertaining, as well as all the rest of the fare. Park in the lot across the street, directly east of the Market.

Since you have some time in Calgary, you may want to check out Heritage Park and see if it looks more interesting than Ft. Edmonton (I would vote for HP but see what you think/how much stampeding you're planning).

Edmonton Space Science Centre is an interesting stop; for something quite different check out Pembina River tubing @ www.pembinarivertubing.com on Hwy 16 - Edmonton-Jasper highway (definitely on my bucket list for some warm summer day!!)

With 6 yo boys, Fairmont is a better choice than Radium imo, the big pool is warm, not hot, better for playing in - there is also a hot pool if need be. Consider stopping at the Paint Pots, enroute from Radium to Banff if you have an extra 20-30 minutes. Historical site, related to Plains Indians.

Sounds like it will be a *wonderful* holiday, welcome to our corner of the world, we hope you enjoy yourselves! =)

Thank you all so much. Yes, we can't wait!
We are considering staying in Strathcona, but I am a little concerned that it might be too noisy on the weekend (and we are there on a weekend), but I do like the idea of staying in a funky neighbourhood.
I am thinking that we now might spend two nights in Drumheller and devote one day to the museum and associated activities, rather than try to cram a visit to the Park in as well.
Thanks again from Sydney!