A guide to Banff/ Alberta Canada Pt. 1

Finding a Low Fare: 

Using my favorite “goto” search engines I managed to score tickets from ATL-DEN-YYC for a little under $375 per person.  Rental car for a week at Dollar Rental was $240.  Hotel: Four Points Sheraton Calgary West.  Click here for where to stay near Banff/Kanakasis  

Prior to arrival:

If you are a U.S. citizen you will be required to have a valid passport before entering Canada.  No visa is required for Americans

On arrival: 

It’s easiest and most efficient if renting a car to pick up/drop off at the airport.  Word of caution.. allow yourself an extra 45 minutes for the rental return as lines can be wrapped around the rental return entry.  

Getting around: 

If staying around the Downtown Calgary area  the best way to get around is by walking ( parking can be a bit expensive), rent a bicycle (though be prepared for chaotic traffic nearly 24 hours of the day).  Otherwise, taxis and of course work well for easy and convenient navigation. 

Things to do:

The best way to take in all the sights is to simply get a rental and drive around.   Starting in Calgary we literally hit the ground running from the minute we landed starting off our week by visiting The Hoodoos of Drumheller Valley  The Hoodoos are these amazing rock formations  that make for great exercise as you can climb them and are simply amazing to look at.  A quick 1.5 hour drive from Alberta is where you’ll find these gems.   While in the area be sure to visit the nearby Historical Star Mine Site and take across the Suspension Bridge

 

 

 

 

Where to Eat: 

Being a relatively small former Mining town DrumHeller isn’t that big.  Food options are somewhat limited featuring a few American chain restaurants and a series of mom and pop shops.  Depending on the day and time of arrival your options are even more limited based on day of the week and perhaps season.  We came on a Sunday and discovered quickly not much was open. We did settle on what seemed to be the busiest place in town Maddy’s Chicken.  While a bit over priced and a limited menu consisting mostly of fried chicken the food was edible and fairly well cooked and seasoned. 

 

 

Accommodations :  After a fun day of discovery in Drumheller we returned to Alberta opting to stay at a small hotel ( Four Points Calgary West) in front of the Olympic Village for the night before heading out towards Banff/Jasper the next morning.