Just because summer is only three months in Edmonton doesn’t mean that you have to stop exploring! Day trips from Edmonton are a plenty and fall is a great time to explore everything that the province has to offer.
Check out these places that are on our list of places to discover through September and October, before the weather gets cold and we start on our list of snow-filled destinations.
Been before? Which one is your favorite?
Discovery Canyon - Red Deer
Discovery Canyon is a free play area featuring bubbling pools of water, tube floating, trickling rivulets and a tubing area during the summer. We checked it out during the fall, when the water flow was stopped and the kids were very, very excited to step where there was water just a month before when we visited. Bring a picnic and check out the trail and playground.
Telus Spark, Calgary
Do you have passes to Telus World of Science? You might want to make the most of those passes and head to Telus Spark, taking the chance to explore somewhere new. Though you’re going to have to get up early and you might want to make it an overnight trip, Calgary is easily do-able, especially if you have kids that will sleep in the car on the way there.
Prairie Gardens Adventure Farm, Bon Accord
I can’t believe we haven’t been here before! Fall is the perfect time to check out the adventure farm with more than fifty free activities to take advantage of when you enter the door. Go during the fall early season and check out the corn festival, or a little closer to Halloween and check out features like pumpkin slingshots and decorating. About forty minutes outside of the city, Prairie Gardens Adventure Farm is a perfect day trip with the kids.
Drumheller (for the hardcore day trippers)
Just about 90 minutes from Red Deer, you can leave early in the morning and check out the Hoodoos and the Royal Tyrell Museum. This was one of the coolest things that we did this summer and Olivia is constantly talking about having the chance to go back. Plus, admission to the museum was under $30 for the entire family (I was sure that it was going to cost a lot more). We spent the morning at the Hoodoos and it was very, very warm - I think fall would be the perfect time to check out the sights in Drumheller.
Grassi Lake Hike in Canmore
With a round trip of under 4km and moderate rating, this hike is perfect for the family. The round trip can be completed in under a couple of hours. It’s on our list for next year, though doing it with a two year old will likely mean that we’re going to be taking turns with the baby carrier. Get the details of this hike and more around Canmore.
Trip Success: Don’t Forget the Snacks
One of the biggest ways that you’re going to be able to reduce the cost of road trips (and stash more money away for future trips) is to pack the snacks at-home. When we stop for snacks on the way out of town, it’s easy to spend twenty bucks on drinks, snacks and sweet things for the road. Plus, Jamie always gets suckered into buying Olivia Archie Comics, despite the fact that she can’t even read.
Getting the right cooler, that’s going to keep the snacks for the day trip cool is essential. We like the Coleman 16 Qt Excursion Cooler - it’s the perfect size for day trips.
- Newly designed cooler keeps food & drinks cold and acts as an extra seat when you need it
- 15 L (16 qt) capacity; holds 22 cans
- Keeps ice cold for the day in temperatures up to 32°C (90° F)
- Non-slip ergonomic comfort grip handle
- EZ-clean top with smooth texture for quick washing
- Hinged lid closes securely
- Easy one hand opening
- Manufactured with Low CO2 Emissions Technology
