Calgary

Getting into town from the airport: The Rte 300 shuttle ($9.50) and the Allied Airport Shuttle ($15) both run straight to downtown and have stops just a few blocks away from the 9th Ave SE Avis.

Thursday – Calgary

1. Check into your hotel and then make your way over to Ox & Angela for their infamous “El Mojito” and some tasty tapas. Happy Hour @ Goro + Gun (3-6pm). On the way from Goro + Gun you can stop off at Riley & McCormick’s, a Western-wear staple since 1901. First check out one of Calgary’s most popular outdoor statues, “the Conversation” by heading East on 7th Avenue, turning right onto 1 St SW, and then right again onto 8th Avenue SW. R&M is just a few steps West on 8th Avenue.

Optional Happy Hour: Anejo might be a good place for a margarita or a straight shot of high-end agave juice. Drop that price (for the margarita, anyway) to $5 during “halfy hour” (3 to 5 p.m. daily), add tacos for $2.50 and the party is on.

2. The Core Shopping centre is also worth looking around, even if only for the beautiful gardens located on the 4th level of the Shopping Centre. The indoor gardens feature lovely tropical palms, sculptures, fish ponds, fountains, and a living wall. About 10,000 plants make up the displays, and despite Calgary’s cold winters they thrive under a glass ceiling. The Devonian Gardens are free and open for the public to wander.

3. Check out Chinatown, starting with the central monument in Sien Lok Park, “In Search of Gold Mountain” – representing the proud history of Chinese settlement in Canada. The Sien Lok lions are also worth a look. The New Gallery (208 Centre St. S.E.) is worth a stop. It’s one of Calgary’s only artist-ran galleries. Nothing for sale, but plenty to look at! The St. Laurent Cake House (303 Centre St. S.W.) is popular for baked good while Quickly Premium Bubble Tea (10, 110 2 Ave. S.E.) is a favourite for bubble tea.

4. Head back to the hotel and then grab dinner @ Raw Bar.

Thursday Night

Ship & Anchor followed by a late night snack at Tubby Dog.

Friday – Calgary

Start your morning @ Sidewalk Citizen for some top notch baked goods. Once you pick up something to go, walk to the Bow Building – a lovely spot with  the “Big Head.” Enjoy the space out front before heading inside. Climb up to the second floor and take the elevated walkway (called +15) to Bankers Hall Bldg. AS long as you’re there on a work day, you should see a lot of life up there. Exit Bankers Hall on the North side onto pedestrian mall. Stroll along outside as you like, but head South on 4th street and turn left on 10th in order to find the National Beerhall, a cool bar with cheap craft beers and plenty of games to play. Re-trace your steps back to 5th street, turn left/East onto 9th Avenue, and then turn right/north on 9th street and walk until you have crossed the Louise Bridge and Bow River. The beautiful Kensington Area is now in front of you, and Globefish Sushi & Izakaya (Just follow the bridge/10th street to Kensington. Take a left, and then turn right onto 14th and you’ll find it) awaits you if you’re still hungry. Whether you ate or not, return to Memorial Drive by the water and follow the path East until you reach the Calatrava/Peace Bridge, and cross back. Stroll until Prince’s Island Park. Explore the park to your tastes.

Friday Night

Head on over to Ranchman’s (9615 Macleod Trail S) by 7PM for their drop in Line Dance Lesson, and then try your best to stay atop the mechanical bull for a full 8 seconds: the time a pro rider needs to qualify. Once you’re all cowboy’d out, make your way to Hi-Fi (a space with art, dancing, and live shows) by midnight.

Saturday – Banff

Grab a coffee and house-made almond and chocolate croissant from Wild Flour Bakery, or if you’re saving your pennies, choose a pastry from their $1 ‘Vintage’ selection of yesterday’s leftover goodies.Buy a slice of banana bread from Jump Start cafe on 206 Buffalo St, then head through Central Park, following the river footpath towards the Fenland Trail. Choose a bench by the water, say hi to the morning joggers, and breathe in the fresh mountain air. Head downtown and grab a box lunch of salmon sushi from the Japanese store Seaborn, or stop by Sushi Bistro for shrimp tempura and perfectly-steamed gyoza. Check into our hotel and spend bulk of the day there.

Sunday – Jasper

Drive the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) to Jasper (one of the most spectacular drives in the world). Plan to stop along the way for some amazing photo opportunities, including Bow Lake and Peyto Lake. More than 100 glaciers can be seen along the route. Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure & the Glacier Skywalk Experience: Athabasca Glacier is about 2 hours north of Lake Louise. Board an enormous Ice Explorer Bus with giant wheels that will drive you up onto the glacier. For stunning aerial views of glittering glaciers and rugged mountain peaks try the Glacier Skywalk, just minutes from the Glacier Discovery Centre.

Monday – Jasper (Maligne Lake)

Let Maligne Tours take you on a 90-minute cruise on one of the most picturesque lakes in the Canadian Rockies. Midway through the cruise there is a stop at Spirit Island where passengers disembark for a short walk to the lookout point. This is one of the most photographed spots in the world today. Proceed to explore the magnificent Maligne Valley and discover striking natural beauty, abundant wildlife and a genuine geological mystery. While searching for osprey, bald eagles, big horn sheep, elk, deer and bears, visit the longest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies and view a spectacular 50 metre gorge created by 10,000 years of erosion.

Tuesday – Banff

Hungry? Order bibimbap and Korean barbecue at Seoul Country (215 Banff Ave), or head over to vegetarian restaurant Nourish Bistro. Do as the locals do and order the Num Num Nachos for starters. Wonder how a nacho topping that mixes a combo as weird as sliced strawberries, beans, yogurt dressing, and melted cheddar can taste so damn good. Round off the night with a sampling (or three) of beers at Banff Ave. Brewing Co., and stagger home by the light of the moon. Or if you’d prefer to have a clear head in the morning, forget the beer and drive over to Lake Minnewanka for a night of stargazing instead.

Wednesday – Banff & Lake Louise

Drive along Highway 1A to Lake Louise and stop at Johnston Canyon on the way. This amazing canyon can be explored along breathtaking catwalks high above the waterway below. A hike to the Lower or Upper waterfalls or all the way to the famous Ink Pots will leave a lasting impression. (Lower Falls Hike: 1 hour, 2.2 km / Upper Falls Hike: 2 ½ hours, 5.2 km) Head back to Banff. Banff Gondola: Ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain for breathtaking panoramic views of six mountain ranges and the town of Banff nestled far below. Take a short hike along the walkway to Sanson’s Peak and watch for wildlife. (1 hour) Banff Upper Hot Springs: A soak in the restorative waters of the famed Banff Upper Hot Springs is a must while in Banff. The natural hot mineral pools and luxurious spa treatments inspired by the energy of magnificent alpine settings revitalize the mind, body and soul. (1 – 1 ½ hours)