How to plan 4 days in Alberta!
 

My husband and I are going to Alberta in the beginning of July and would like to see Edmonton (can't miss the mall), Calgary and Banff (could be just a day trip). What is the best division of what little time we have?

Edmonton to Calgary or Banff is more than a day trip IMHO. It is a fast paced highway, heavy traffic to Calgary and quite a drive. Alberta is a big province. I travel very little to Edmonton, so other than the above tip to stick around Edmonton, I have no other suggestions.

If I was going to Alberta, quite frankly Edmonton would not be high on my list ( a mall is a mall is a mall even if it is a VERY big mall). Personally, I would concentrate on the mountains (Banff,Lake Louise,Jasper).

you didn't say which city you would be flying/travelling into. both calgary & edmonton are big cities with lotsa traffic. the highway between them is fast paced & busy, a four hour drive. one option is to make a circle trip: fly into either calgary or edmonton, drive west to the mountains. like the previous reply, a mall is a mall is a mall. head for jasper, columbia icefields, lake louise, banff, kananaskis ... personally, i would spend a day in either calgary or edmonton (each has attractions, calgary more than edmonton), and then two or three days in the mountains ... you can shop a mall any ol' time. the mountains on the other hand...

since you want to see the mall...i would suggest. arrive in edmonton and depending upon the time, see the mall either afternoon/evening day one or day two in the morning/early afternoon. late day two drive to banff (4 - 4 1/2 hours) and spend two nights there. last day drive to calgary and spend a night. hopefully you can fly out of there instead of returning to edmonton.

OP said that he/she wanted to visit the mall. That being said, even though most of us would rather visit the mountains, this is what OP wants to do. Having never been to the mall, I can't comment but then I hate shopping. <BR><BR>All of that aside, is there someone from Edmonton who can comment on things to see and do in that area other than the mall? I think OP would appreciate it.<BR><BR>As has been stated over and over OP, it is a long drive from Edmonton to Calgary and then on to Banff/Jasper. I wouldn't attempt it for a day trip. I recently had a conference in Edmonton and I took all day to drive from Leth. to Edmonton and then coming back, due to the stress of driving in extremely heavy traffic to Calgary (bumper to bumper literally, very fast for me at least at an average of 120 kms./hr. and 6 lanes), was just wasted by the time I got to Calgary and spent the night there. Rather than driving another 1 1/2 hours home. <BR><BR>So Edmonton people, please help out here and give some ideas of sites and pleasures in your area for the OP to visit, other than the mall.

with all due respect...above poster rp says it is a four hour drive between edmonton & calgary...not so. it is 3 hours.

Depending on when you are here, you may catch one of Edmonton's many summer festivals (it's known as festival city). See the following link for a listing:<BR><BR>http://www.gov.edmonton.ab.ca/corp_pages/festivals.html<BR><BR>If you are here for the international street performers festival July 5-14, it is a wonderful time. Edmonton has a beautiful river valley with tons of walking and hiking trails. Edmonton has the Provincial Museum, also the Legislature buildings and grounds.<BR><BR>There is also Fort Edmonton park. Elk Island National Park is about 1/2 hour from the city and offers a look at some interesting wildlife--elk, moose, and a lot of buffalo. Near to Elk Island is also the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village.<BR><BR>While I agree that I would rather spend time in the mountains than in a mall, West Edmonton Mall really is an amazing place with a lot to see and do (it's really NOT just another mall)--but be prepared--it is big and noisy (water fountains everywhere) and tiring (and depending on the weather outside, can be very crowded). <BR><BR>Calgary is only a three-hour drive away, and I have done it as a day trip many times.

And, personally, I far prefer Jasper to Banff.

lived in edmonton most of my life and have to chuckle at some of the comments on the drive from edmonton to calgary. it is only 3 hours if you go the speed limit, it has at least 2 lanes the whole way so passing is not a problem, i have never seen it "bumper to bumper" unless it is due to a snow storm (not a consideration in july) and in general, it is an easy, enjoyable drive. there is a town called red deer half way in between and there are plenty of restaurants along the hyway (gasoline alley exit) that you can stop and take a break if need be. weat really comfortable shoes when you go to the mall. personally, i can't do it in a day. it is huge and with all the noise, i find it exhausting. are you aware that there is a hotel right in the mall - fantasyland hotel.

Edmonton is a great city to visit and IMHO quite a bit prettier than Calgary. Great river valley trails. Jasper would make a great side trip...but book a room and stay the night. East of the city Elk Island park is nice with one of the many great golf courses that surround the city. The Ukranian cultural village in Elk Island is neat. Fort Edmonton Park is right in the river valley and really neat. WEM is BIG and full of GREAT SHOPPING. Also check out the eclectic scene and shop the boutiques and Galleries on Whyte Ave in Old Strathcona. Edmonton has lots of festivals during the summer. Early July is Street Performers and Canada Day Celebrations. The drive between Edmonton and Calgary is about 3 hours on a good highway. You will experience traffic south of Edmonton and entering Calgary. Have fun!<BR><BR>To answer your question more specifically...if you are set on Edmonton Calgary and Banff I would suggest you do 2 nights in Edmonton to allow you to check out the mall and area, drive to Calgary do lunch at Eau Claire market area by the river and drive on to Banff for the other two nights.