Tag: Family

Pedal Your Way Through Calgary: Top Spots for a Family Bike Ride

David Pierre   ·  

Calgary, Alberta, is a beautiful city with plenty of outdoor spaces to explore. One of the best ways to enjoy the city’s natural beauty is by going on a family bike ride. Whether you are an experienced cyclist or just starting out, there are plenty of trails and paths suitable for all skill levels. Here are some of the best spots around Calgary for a family bike ride.

  1. Bow River Pathway: The Bow River Pathway is a scenic 48-kilometre trail that runs along the Bow River from Bearspaw Dam to Fish Creek Provincial Park. This trail is perfect for families who want to enjoy a leisurely ride with stunning views of the river and surrounding mountains.
  2. Nose Creek Pathway: The Nose Creek Pathway is a 22-kilometre trail that winds through several Calgary neighbourhoods, including Beddington Heights, Harvest Hills, and Coventry Hills. This path is perfect for families who want to explore the city’s urban landscapes while enjoying a peaceful ride.
  3. Glenmore Reservoir: The Glenmore Reservoir is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and for good reason. The reservoir offers stunning views of the city skyline and the Rocky Mountains. The bike path around the reservoir is approximately 16 kilometres long. It is perfect for families who want to enjoy a scenic ride with plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the view.
  4. Fish Creek Provincial Park: Fish Creek Provincial Park is one of the largest urban parks in Canada, and it offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including biking. The park has over 80 kilometres of trails, with a mix of paved and unpaved paths suitable for all skill levels.
  5. Elbow River Pathway: The Elbow River Pathway is a 20-kilometre trail that runs along the Elbow River from Glenmore Reservoir to Fort Calgary. This path is perfect for families who want to enjoy a leisurely ride with scenic views of the river and surrounding parks.
  6. Confederation Park: Confederation Park is a popular destination for families, with plenty of picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields. The park also has a 3.2-kilometre bike path that winds through the park’s beautiful landscapes, making it an excellent spot for a family bike ride.
  7. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary: The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a tranquil nature reserve in the city’s heart. The sanctuary has several biking trails that wind through the park’s wetlands, forests, and grasslands, making it an excellent spot for families who want to enjoy a peaceful ride while bird-watching.

Calgary is a fantastic city for families who enjoy cycling. With its abundance of bike paths and trails, there is always something new to explore. From scenic riverside paths to peaceful nature reserves, there is plenty of options for families looking for a fun and active day out. So grab your bikes and hit the road – your next adventure awaits!

Granary Road, Family Farm Fun Near Calgary!

admin   ·  

Granary Road Calgary is a unique destination (Map Link) that offers an excellent experience for families looking for a fun and educational day out. This attraction boasts a combination of farm, market, and educational components that make it a perfect outing for both children and adults. Our family recently visited Granary Road Calgary, and we were thrilled with the experience.

Upon arrival, we were immediately struck by the natural beauty of the surroundings. The attraction is situated on 36 acres of land that is surrounded by stunning views of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. We parked our car and made our way to the main entrance, where we were greeted by friendly staff who provided us with a map of the area and gave us an overview of what to expect.

We began our adventure by exploring the indoor market, which offers a variety of unique and locally sourced products. The market is filled with food stalls, artisanal shops, and educational exhibits that showcase the importance of sustainable farming practices. We were impressed with the quality and variety of the food on offer and ended up sampling a range of delicious treats, including fresh bread, gourmet cheeses, and locally produced honey.

After exploring the market, we made our way outside to the farm area, where we were greeted by friendly animals and knowledgeable staff who were eager to teach us about sustainable agriculture. We saw a wide variety of animals, including goats, pigs, cows, and llamas, and learned about the different roles they play in the ecosystem. We also had the opportunity to interact with some of the animals, which was a highlight for our children.

One of the unique features of Granary Road Calgary is the elevated walkway that winds its way through the farm area. The walkway offers spectacular views of the surrounding area and allows visitors to see the animals from a unique vantage point. We spent a lot of time exploring the walkway and taking in the stunning scenery.

After spending a few hours on the farm, we made our way to the outdoor playground area, which features a range of activities that are suitable for children of all ages. Our children had a blast exploring the playground, which features everything from zip lines to giant slides. We also took some time to relax in the picnic area, which is located next to a beautiful pond and offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the farm area.

Overall, our family had a fantastic time at Granary Road Calgary. The attraction offers a unique combination of fun, education, and natural beauty that is hard to find elsewhere. We left feeling inspired and educated about sustainable farming practices and the importance of supporting local agriculture. We highly recommend Granary Road Calgary to any families looking for a fun and educational day out.

Drumheller, AB – One Family, One Day.

David Pierre   ·  

Drumheller, Let’s Do This!

Try Drumheller if you’re looking for a great day trip from Calgary and don’t want to fight the crowds near the mountains. Drumheller has plenty of shops, restaurants, and attractions to keep everyone entertained. Also, if you’re driving from Calgary, it’s about 1 hour and 30 minutes, perfect for getting a car nap in if your kids still nap!

The Hoodoo Trails near Drumheller, AB, Canada

First Stop – The Hoodoos Trail

For my family, every trip to Drumheller starts at the Hoodoos Trail. What we like about this, compared to mountain trails, is how easy it is for everyone to wander all over the hoodoos and explore all the little details. Some days, my son and I make it to the top, and other days, we don’t make it more than 100m from the parking lot. Both of those are perfectly acceptable. I am not sure how the parking works. I know we’ve gone on the weekend and had to pay $5 (cash) to park, and most times, we’ve gone and parked for free. I don’t know when you have to pay and when you don’t, so maybe bring $5 just in case. Because, who has cash anymore, so you better be prepared for it. You’re going to want to make sure you have suitable footwear, as some spots can be tricky. Also, make sure to have sunscreen and lots of water, since it can be pretty hot on the Hoodoos in the summer. Another great location, but a bit more challenging for smaller children, is Horsethief Canyon. If you’re arriving at Drumheller along highway 570 from the southeast, you might also want to have a stop at the Atlas Coal Mine. I wouldn’t say this is the best location for kids, but it makes for some great photos, and you’ll get to see something you usually wouldn’t come across.

The Hoodoo Trail has something for all ages to explore
Hoodoos make a great picnic bench!

Downtown Drumheller

Once we’ve had our fill of adventure, we head into the town of Drumheller to walk around and check out all the quirky shops and all the local dinosaur statues and art. This part is fascinating if you have a Dinosaur lover in your home. I am into dinosaurs also, but I enjoy all the art shops in Drumheller. There are some quirky items that would be a conversation starter if they were on your coffee table at home! If you have a significant dinosaur lover in your home, check out the Royal Tyrell Museum. It has a fantastic collection of fossils and exhibits. We tried the Royal Tyrell Museum a few years back but found it to be a bit crowded and not worth the money with smaller children that have the attention span of an ant. When I spend a certain amount of money, I need to spend hours at a location to make it worthwhile. But, after about 45 minutes, my kids were tired of looking at fossils and wanted to leave. So maybe We’ll try again in a few more years when they can appreciate fossils and how much money it takes to look at them. So, for now, it is just as fun to get ice cream from the Jurassic Store across from the world’s largest dinosaur statue and walk around, far less expensive also! If you’d like to eat more than ice cream, there are lots of local restaurants near the world’s largest dinosaur; however, if your children are more into happy meals or DQ blizzards, you’ll find those also along the main highways that lead into Drumheller.

The World’s Largest Dinosaur in Drumheller, Alberta

Keep Exploring!

Anyway, Drumheller is one of our family’s favourites in the summer. Fewer crowds, easy to get around, and lots of exploring!