Need a quick family escape from Calgary without turning it into a full road trip? I’ve got you covered! From cozy mountain towns and alpaca farms to waterfalls and Dino-filled adventures, these day trips are perfect for when you just want to pack some snacks, load up the car, and make memories, all within two hours of home. Alberta is full of hidden gems waiting to be explored, and trust me, these are worth the drive 🚗💨
Here are some of our favourite family-friendly day trips from Calgary.
🌲 Nature Escapes Near Calgary
- Elbow Falls – Just a quick drive from Bragg Creek, this spot offers a short trail, a picnic area, and stunning waterfall views.
- Kananaskis Village – Beautiful scenery, playgrounds, and short hikes perfect for kids.
- Grotto Canyon (Canmore) – An easy trail with frozen waterfalls in winter and fun rock formations in summer.
- Bow Valley Provincial Park – Great for family picnics, short walks, and river views.
- Bragg Creek – A charming little town surrounded by trails, ice cream shops, and local cafés.
🦙 Animal & Farm Adventures
- Cobb’s Adventure Park – Kangaroos, bouncy pillows, and corn mazes make it a favourite for families.
- Kirk’s Alpaca Farm (Torrington) – A cozy spot to meet friendly alpacas and shop local handmade goods.
- Butterfield Acres – Classic Calgary-area petting zoo with pony rides and farmyard fun.
- Granary Road – Petting zoo, play zones, market, and delicious bakery stops.
- Gopher Hole Museum (Torrington) – A hilariously quirky must-see where gophers are dressed in themed displays.
- Royal Tyrrell Museum (Drumheller) – A dinosaur lover’s dream and one of Alberta’s most popular attractions.
- World’s Largest Dinosaur – Climb inside a giant T-Rex and get a cool view of Drumheller!
- Canadian Badlands Hoodoos – A fun short hike through otherworldly rock formations.
- Canmore – Walk Main Street, visit playgrounds, and enjoy a treat at one of its local cafés.
- Okotoks – Known for its famous Big Rock and scenic riverside trails, this little town has been on our family’s must-visit list for a while. It’s perfect for a relaxed mini road trip, and we can’t wait to check it out soon!
- Turner Valley & Black Diamond – These neighboring towns are full of small-town charm, cozy cafés, and playgrounds. They’re both high on our “next adventures” list!
- High River – Famous for its murals and as a filming location for several TV shows, High River looks like a lovely spot for a laid-back day trip. We will definitely add this one to our future road trip plans.
- Pack snacks, extra layers, and a change of clothes: Alberta weather can be unpredictable!
- Leave early to make the most of the day and beat crowds.
- Double-check hours for attractions and farms before heading out.
- Don’t forget your camera!
- Why Calgary Is Called YYC (Fun Story Behind the Code)
- 10 Interesting Facts About Calgary You Need to Know
- More Family Adventures Around Alberta
Your Turn: Have a favourite spot I missed? Share it in the comments or tag me on Instagram @adventures.with.wems, I’d love to add it to our next family road trip list! ❤️
That will be all from me today. Thank you for stopping by my little corner of the internet. Until next time… Xoxo 💋
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