Vancouver to Calgary: A Road Trip to Remember
We’ve been dreaming of visiting Canada for years. From Utah, it’s really just a hop, skip, and a jump—but somehow, it always felt just out of reach. Last year, we planned to go, but the wildfires had other ideas. Instead, we ended up exploring Ireland and Scotland (no complaints there!). But this year? It was Canada or bust!
Our original plan was an ambitious train journey from Toronto to Calgary. But after a quick reality check (and sticker shock at the $1,200 price tag for a two-day trip), we decided a road trip was more our speed. Who needs gold-plated train tickets when you’ve got the open road?
Lessons in Distance and Speed Limits
Let me just say: we are not the best at estimating distances. This is the same couple that once spent part of their honeymoon sprinting to the Grand Canyon, only to peek over the rim before frantically driving back to California to get back to work. Forty years later, you’d think we’d have learned our lesson. Spoiler alert: we have not.
We planned to spend half a day each in Whistler and Banff, but steep mountain roads and Canadian speed limits had other plans. Instead of leisurely sightseeing, we managed enough time for a quick bite and some pictures in both places before hitting the road again. Not ideal, but even a brief glimpse of Canada’s jaw-dropping beauty was worth it.
Vancouver: A Feast for the Senses
Vancouver stole our hearts. Clean streets, stunning views, and an irresistible energy made it one of our favorite stops. We hopped on one of those Hop-On Hop-Off buses, which are like the Swiss Army knife of city tours: part transportation, part history lesson, and a whole lot of fun.
Our favorite stop? Stanley Park. With its lush gardens, quirky trees, and an aquarium that made us feel like kids again, we could’ve spent days exploring. We snapped dozens of photos, soaking in every vibrant corner of this urban oasis.
Whale Watching Magic
The absolute highlight of Vancouver was our boat tour with Prince of Whales. Animal lovers that we are, we couldn’t resist the chance to see some wildlife up close. And wow, did this tour deliver!
We saw a pod of orcas hunting together—a mesmerizing sight. Then, we stumbled upon a colony of sea lions sunning themselves on a sandbar (and let’s be real, STINKING up the joint). Just when we thought the day couldn’t get better, a humpback whale made an appearance. Even the guides were thrilled—it was a new one for their database!
Road Tripping to Calgary
Our next stop was Squamish, where we finally got to meet my longtime online friend, Dara Sklar. She showed us around her stunning hometown, including a hike to a breathtaking stream and breakfast at Fergie’s Café—a must-visit for anyone passing through.
Dara is an online friend, but we’d never met in person. But we had a blast. I just noticed that she is wearing the same colors as her website! She is an online genius specializing in Google products.
Squamish is drop dead gorgeous! Just look at the gorgeous colors in the water on this little hike we did. Something about the minerals in the water. She also took us to see bald Eagles – at the DUMP! That’s where the food is, so that’s where they like to live. We saw like 5 of them, but it’s hard to get a decent picture without a telephoto lens.
While we missed the train museum in Squamish (it’s only open two days a week), we lucked out in Revelstoke, where my husband geeked out over vintage train equipment. He used to work for Amtrak and his dad worked for Santa Fe, so railroads are a big deal for him.
He even found a vintage photo that looked just like his younger self and they were using tools exactly like the ones he used to use.
The Calgary Stampede
Timing is everything, and we hit Calgary during the world-famous Stampede. This rodeo-meets-carnival extravaganza was an unforgettable experience, from the tribal dancing at the Saddledome to the high-energy chuckwagon races.
These races were insanity – they had some First Nation teens riding bareback at top-level speeds doing a crazy high-risk relay race that was like nothing we’d ever seen before.
The evening show was next-level entertainment. Think circus acts, a massive cast of talented performers, and a drone light show that painted the sky with images and colors. And then came the fireworks—a dazzling 20-minute display that left us speechless.
If you ever get the chance, do visit the Stampede – we’ve been to a lot of rodeos, so we weren’t expecting much, but it’s definitely a don’t-miss experience.
Wrapping It Up
We capped off our trip with a visit to the Calgary Zoo, despite the sweltering heat. It’s a world-class zoo that didn’t disappoint.
Had to sneak in one last picture. This store we found in Banff is the MOST Canadian store I’ve ever seen. Everything on two full shelves was ALL maple flavored food.
Oh, and can’t forget breakfast at Canada’s beloved Timmy’s. Tim Horton’s is an icon in Canada, and I’m kind of mad we don’t have their coffee shops here in the states. The pastries and things offered at Starbucks are kind of DRY and icky – I guess they think it will make you drink more coffee?? Nope. Tim Horton’s for the WIN!
Canada is officially one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever been. From lush forests to shimmering lakes, it’s a feast for the eyes—and the soul. Next time, we’re thinking Toronto or Quebec. Until then, we’ll be dreaming of maple leaves and mountain vistas.
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