Must Do Canada

The Best Things to Do in Canada

Canada Road Trips

What to Wear for the Winter Season in Canada

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

how to dress for winter in canada

Last updated: February 2nd, 2020

Oh, Canada. Massive, beautiful, and incredibly diverse, not only with its people but also with its nature and geography. It’s one of the wildest countries on Earth, and yet it’s such an easy place to travel around and explore. It’s home to four incredible and totally distinct seasons – Spring, summer, fall, and winter. It’s one of the few countries on Earth where summers can reach temperatures of 40 degrees Celcius and then switch to the exact opposite just a few months later, with temperatures reaching lows of -40 degrees Celcius in the winter. [Read more…] about What to Wear for the Winter Season in Canada

Tips for Going from Calgary to Lethbridge

By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

lethbridge train bridge

Last updated: March 2nd, 2020

For a true small-town prairie experience, it doesn’t get much better than the drive from Calgary to Lethbridge. You’ll go from the foothills of Calgary to the coulees of Lethbridge, passing by many farms and popular little towns that offer a glimpse into the prairie lifestyle.

Lethbridge, a former “wild-west” whiskey-trading post, is now the third biggest city in Alberta having recently surpassed a population of 100,000. It is the commercial centre of Southern Alberta and offers a variety of things to do for those who visit. [Read more…] about Tips for Going from Calgary to Lethbridge

Drive From Calgary to Vancouver

By Matthew G. Bailey 4 Comments

At the end of the drive from Calgary to Vancouver, there are lots of things to do in Vancouver.

Last updated: November 23rd, 2022

When it comes to choosing a Canada road trip, it can be a tough decision as there are so many options from coast to coast to coast. But for road trips that are less than 12 hours in length (drive time without stops), few can rival the drive from Calgary to Vancouver. On this 975-kilometre journey, you’ll pass through the foothills, the Canadian Rockies, the towns of Banff and Canmore, and multiple national parks, lakes, rivers, and quaint mountain towns before arriving at the Pacific Ocean. You’ll also get to see two beautiful Canadian cities: Calgary and Vancouver. Plus, you can go slightly off the Trans-Canada and experience one of Canada’s most prominent wine regions: the Okanagan valley. Yes, indeed, this road trip pretty much has it all.

Whether you start in Calgary or in Vancouver, it doesn’t really matter. It’s the same trip either way. What does matter is that you don’t limit yourself to a 12-hour drive without stops. Take some time, spend some nights, explore the area, and create some memories on this beautiful drive from Calgary to Vancouver.

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The ULTIMATE Guide to Things To Do in Jasper 2022

By Matthew G. Bailey 10 Comments

best things to do in alberta
An aerial view of Jasper National Park reveals the beautiful fall colours.

Last updated: February 9th, 2022

Located a little further off the “beaten track”, Jasper is like a smaller, more local Banff. Nestled at the north end of the Icefields Parkway in Jasper National Park, Jasper is surrounded by vast valleys, towering mountain peaks, and hordes of wildlife. If you’re looking for a quieter version of Banff, this is it.

Just like Banff, Jasper is an epic destination for outdoor enthusiasts. You’ll find Alberta’s tallest mountain, stunning Maligne Lake and Instagram-famous Spirit Island, the world’s second-largest dark sky preserve, more than 1,200 kilometres of hiking trails, and the incredible Jasper SkyTram. There’s also a variety of delicious restaurants, accommodation, and souvenir shops – everything a traveller could possibly want.

In this guide, we’ll describe all the things to do in Jasper so that you can plan the best trip ever.

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Calgary to Banff in 2021

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

Calgary to Banff Downtown

Last updated: April 2nd, 2021

As Calgarians, we drive to Banff a lot. After all, it’s one of the most beautiful places on Earth and it’s only 1.5 hours away! Banff is the main town within Banff National Park, Canada’s first, largest, and most visited National Park. For anyone travelling to this side of Canada, Banff and the Canadian Rockies, in general, are an absolute Must-Do!

There are so many things to do in Banff. Whether you’re interested in hiking, biking, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, fishing, scenic road trips, restaurants, nightlife, shopping, or general sightseeing tours, Banff has something for everyone. While we certainly recommend spending some time to experience some of the incredible things to do in Calgary as well, the goal of many visitors is to make it out to this natural gem.

However, you might be wondering how to go from Calgary to Banff. In this article, we’re going to share with you all the different ways you can make it out to Banff, Canmore, and beyond. [Read more…] about Calgary to Banff in 2021

Rocky Mountain House Alberta Road Trip

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

Matthew and Karla Bailey Must Do Canada

(This post was sponsored by AMA Travel and Best Western. AMA Members save up to 15% on Best Western stays in Canada, the U.S., and worldwide. Your AMA Membership can save you – whether you need roadside assistance, to book a vacation or at one of our Rewards partners. Check out amatravel.ca/bwbloggers to find out more and see the adventures other bloggers went on!”

When it comes to travel, especially in Canada, it’s hard to beat a good ol’ fashioned road trip. With such wide-open areas, nature, and small towns, road trips are the best way to see the second largest country on Earth. As an Albertan, I’ve seen a lot of my home province. From small prairie towns in the South to small mining towns in the North and almost everything in-between, I’ve covered a lot of ground. Yet, I had never been to Rocky Mountain House. That is, until now. Located just 77 km west of Red Deer, and only 200 km from both Edmonton and Calgary, Rocky Mountain House is a wonderful place to explore on a road trip. It’s also just 170 km from the world-famous Icefields Parkway and sits on the Cowboy Trail, another epic Alberta road trip.

From my home in Calgary, Rocky Mountain House is less than two hours away. Since most of it is done via highway 2, which isn’t all that scenic, we decided to make a loop out of it. Rather than go up and down the fast way, we decided to return via the Icefields Parkway, which adds more than 3-hours to the drive but also adds some of the best scenery in the world thanks to the Icefields Parkway. Who could say no to the Icefields Parkway? [Read more…] about Rocky Mountain House Alberta Road Trip

Newfoundland Travel – The Viking Trail

By Matthew G. Bailey 8 Comments

l'anse aux meadows

Snaking its way along the Northern peninsula coast, the Viking Trail is one of Canada’s best road trips. At 489 km, the journey can be done in as little as five hours. However, to truly appreciate what the route had to offer, you’ll want to spend as much time as you can. With so many scenic communities, coastline, historical sites, and majestic Gros Morne National Park, one could spend an entire month here and not get bored. Whether you love nature, culture, wildlife, or simply a scenic drive, the Viking Trail is one for the bucket list. [Read more…] about Newfoundland Travel – The Viking Trail

How to Plan the Ultimate Canada Road Trip

By Matthew G. Bailey 7 Comments

things to do in alberta road trips

Even though we love to jump on planes and travel around the world, our favourite form of travel is a good old classic road trip. There’s something special about being in control of your own transportation and being able to go wherever you want, whether that’s a small town, a big city, or an off-the-beaten-path gem. There’s also something great about stuffing what you need into a car and not worrying about baggage restrictions, lost luggage, and people throwing away your cologne and hand creams.

Road trips are a popular mode of travel in many countries around the world but there’s hardly a better place than Canada. As the worlds second largest country, Canada is best explored by vehicle. The Trans-Canada Highway runs all the way from Newfoundland to British Columbia, paving a path of more than 7,800 kilometres. Then there’s the North, which is now connected by road all the way to the arctic ocean in Tuktoyaktuk, NWT. There’s major cities, small towns, and breath-taking scenery all along the way. [Read more…] about How to Plan the Ultimate Canada Road Trip

13 of the Best Canada Road Trips That Will Blow Your Mind

By Matthew G. Bailey 10 Comments

Alberta Road Trips in the Kananaskis

Canada Road Trip Last updated: April 1st, 2022

If the thought of being behind the wheel while driving amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in the world excites you, then this Canada road trip article is for you.

As world travellers that specialize in Canada travel, we’ve done some epic road trips in our lifetime, including the Australian East Coast, the Oregon Coast, California, and parts of Mexico, Malaysia, Peru, and New Zealand. Still, nothing compares to the 150-day road trip across Canada we did back in 2017. Comprising over 27,000 kilometres of asphalt (and some dirt roads as well), we got to explore Canada from coast to coast to coast. However, not everyone has 150 days to dedicate to driving across Canada.

While there are many other road trips not listed here, as well as a variety of incredible destinations that may not include an iconic road trip, we believe these 13 itineraries below are some of the best road trips in Canada and we hope they are helpful suggestions when you’re ready to take your next Canada road trip.

Let’s get started.

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Lake Superior Circle Tour in Canada

By Kristal 5 Comments

lake superior circle tour

Over the years, my dogs and I have driven all over Canada and the United States, visited both oceans, and several mountain ranges.  In spite of all the amazing places we have been privileged to explore, my favourite part of Canada is still the Trans-Canada Highway, or Highway 17, between Sault Ste. Marie (affectionately called “the Soo”) and Thunder Bay (or T-Bay).

With so many things to do and places to see around massive Lake Superior, the best way to see it all is to do the Lake Superior Circle Tour, which takes place in both Canada and the USA and makes for a wonderful Lake Superior vacation. However, for this article, we’re going to focus on the Canada-side of the tour. Maybe we can call it the Lake Superior Half Circle Tour?

Let’s begin. [Read more…] about Lake Superior Circle Tour in Canada