Things To Do

Mission - Downtown - 17th

While dating, Kevin and Janelle both lived in the Mission district. The main street in the area is 4th St SW, lined with tons of restaurants and bars. Starting in Mission, this tour stretches over a large portion of Calgary's inner city, so driving between the destinations would save time; however, walking the entire tour is doable--Kevin used to walk from Mission to downtown most days for work.

1. Breakfast in Mission

Start at the Elbow River at the intersection of 4th St SW and 26 Ave SW and stroll through the neighbourhood until you reach 17th Ave.

Along the way, you can stop at one of our favourite breakfast spots in the area:

• La Boulangerie - A French-style cafe serving crepes, sandwiches, croissants, and other pastries
• Purple Perk - Coffee shop and breakfast diner
• OEB - Classic brunch with a large selection of breakfast poutines

Some other places you'll see on your way:

• Wurst - Kevin's favourite bar (he lived two blocks away) for the German beer and half-priced wine nights
• Anejo - Another favourite for tequila shots and tacos
• Phil & Sebastian - Stop for a coffee at the same place where we had our first date!
• Lululemon - Janelle used to work at the Mission Lululemon (though it used to be further north)

2. Calgary Tower

See Calgary from atop the iconic Calgary Tower. The admission fee is $18, but you can go up for free with the purchase of an entree (~$30) at the Sky 360 Restaurant at the top. If you're going the lunch route, book ahead.

3. Glenbow Museum

Glenbow is Calgary's art and history museum with eight floors of great exhibits. It was the runner-up for our reception venue after Studio Bell.

The museum usually closes at 5 PM and admission is $18 for adults.

4. Olympic Plaza

Exiting the Glenbow Museum, head east to Olympic Plaza. The plaza is a small urban park that was famously used for the medal ceremonies during the 1988 Winter Olympics.

More recently, it is where we had one of our early dates, skating on the public rink in winter. That date was the first time that Kevin learned of Janelle's (dubious) skating talents.

Also check out The Famous Five statues at the south-west corner of the park. The statues depict the five prominent Canadian suffragists who advocated for women's rights.

5. The Bow & Wonderland Sculpture

Walk northwest towards one of the most iconic building in the Calgary skyline: the Bow. The office building is 236 meters and 58 storeys tall. You also can't miss the spectacular Wonderland Sculpture.

6 - 7. Stephen Ave

Walk south along Centre St until you reach 8th Ave: Stephen Ave. The few blocks of the pedestrian mall that form Stephen Ave are a National Historic Site. The street is named after George Stephen, the first president of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Many of the buildings along the street are also registered historic buildings.

Continue west on Stephen Ave until around 6 St SW. If you didn't partake in the Calgary Tower lunch, there are plenty of patio bars and restaurants available here:

• Bank & Baron - Pub in a historic bank building
• Goro + Gun - Sushi and ramen
• National on 8th - Pub with a huge rooftop patio
• El Furniture Warehouse - $5.95 food menu with great drinks

Other points of interest:

• Lammle's Western Wear - Browse for a cowboy outfit
• CORE Shopping Centre - Visit the Devonian Gardens on the top floor
• Globe Cinema - An independent art house theatre that hosts two film festivals each year: CIFF and CUFF

8. Dinner & Drinks in the 17th Ave District

Head south towards the 17th Ave District. 17th Ave SW was nicknamed Red Mile during the Flames' 2004 playoff run where thousands of fans crowded the streets in celebration.

Some stores to browse:

• Sloth Records - Indie record store
• Humainologie Gallery + Store - Art gallery selling art and clothing made by locals
• Frank and Oak - Men's clothing

Some restaurants for dinner:

• UNA Pizza
• Model Milk
• Anju
• Cibo
• Trolley 5
• Clive Burger

No city tour would be complete without ice cream. For that, Janelle recommends Made by Marcus.

Finally, end your night with drinks:

• National on 17th
• The Ship & Anchor
• Milk Tiger Lounge - Hole-in-the-wall spot for cocktails
• Betty Low's Library - Speakeasy-style cocktail bar

Banff

Banff is a small resort town nestled in the Canadian Rockies. There are plenty of activites and attractions to immerse yourself in natural beauty

If you only have time for a day trip to the area, maybe limit your time to only one of the shorter hikes and a few attractions. Otherwise, you can visit most of the destinations below to fill out two full days.

1. Lake Minnewanka

Lake Minnewanka is a glacial lake that is the second-longest in the mountain parks. Drive the 24-km scenic loop for great views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

There is also a 1-km trail that passes through Bankhead, an abandoned coal mining town that was last active in 1922.

Expect to spend about an hour in the Lake Minnewanka area. The beginning of the Scenic Drive loop is a 10-minute drive away from downtown Banff. Make this one of the first stops as you drive in from Calgary.

2. Lake Louise

Lake Louise is world famous for its turquoise lakes, the Victoria Glacier, palatial hotel, and incredible hiking. Lake Louise is 40 minutes from Banff. Arrive before 9 AM or after 6 PM to avoid the crowds.

Visit the nearby Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for the cafe or shops. The hotel first opened in 1890.

Hikes in the area:

• Moraine Lake Hike (easy; 45 mins; 3 km) - A flat trail along the shoreline of Moraine Lake.
• Lake Agnes Teahouse (easy; 2.5 hrs; 6.8 km) - A hike through forest that ends at a waterfall and teahouse, where you can enjoy tea and pie.
• Plain of Six Glaciers (moderate; 4 hrs; 13.8 km) - One of the most scenic hikes in the Rockies that takes you up into the mountains for great views of the Victoria Glacier.
• Larch Valley/Sentinel Pass (difficult; 5 hrs; 13.6 km) - A strenous hike that rewards with panoramic views of craggy peaks, glacial lakes and valleys.

If you have extra time, drive 30 minutes north to visit Peyto Lake, another gorgeous glacial lake.

3. Johnston Canyon

Johnston Canyon is a canyon formed by the carving of Johnston Creek into surrounding limestone rock. The main hike takes you across waterfalls, tunnels, and caves.

The hike to the Lower Falls is an easy 2.7 km return, with paved trails and catwalks. The hike to the Upper Falls is a 5.8 km trail (including the Lower Falls hike) that takes you up stairs and winding paths. Expect the trails to be busy.

Johnston Canyon is about 30 minutes from both Lake Louise and Banff.

4. Cave & Basin National Historic Site

Cave & Basin is a small museum that is the reason for the creation of Canada's National Parks. The building is built into the rock of Suplhur Mountain and leads to a tunnel and hot springs cavern. The waters within the cave and the basin outside are home to the endangered Banff Springs snail.

Cave & Basin is a 5 minute drive from downtown Banff. The admission fee is $7.90 for just entry for Cave & Basin, or $15.24 for the pass that also includes the Banff Upper Hot Springs.

Cave & Basin was also a runner-up for our wedding venue!

5. Banff Upper Hot Springs

Relax at the Banff Upper Hot Springs after a hike with natural thermal waters and mountain views.

The Upper Hot Springs are a 10 minute drive from downtown Banff. The admission fee is $8.48 for just entry for the hot springs, or $15.24 for the pass that also includes Cave & Basin.

6 - 8. Tunnel Mountain

Start at the Surprise Corner Viewpoint for a view of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and Bow Falls. From here, you can hike the Hoodoos Trail or Bow River Trail.

Continue on Tunnel Mountain Drive to Tunnel Mountain Resevoir. It's a popular ceremony site with sweeping plains set before a full view of Mt Rundle.

Further down Tunnel Mountain Drive, you'll arrive at the Hoodoos Viewpoint where you'll have views of the Hoodoos.

9. Downtown Banff

Stroll down the main street of downtown Banff and visit its many bars, restaurants, and candy shops. Have a bison burger at the Bison Bistro, try a craft beer at Banff Ave Brewing Co., don't hug the sasquatch in or around Dancing Sasquatch.