Banff National Park

Banff National Park

Jul 8, 2020 | Local Guide, Travel

Lake Louise – July 2020

Canada’s First National Park

Encompassing over 6500 km2, Banff National park is an important historical and contemporary place for Indigenous peoples and others to connect with history and nature. The lands and water of Banff National Park have been used by Indigenous peoples for millennia; for sustenance, ceremony, trade and travel. Starting in 1885 as 26 km2 of federally protected lands around the Cave and Basin Hot Springs, the protected area was quickly becoming the core of Canada’s first National park. More than a century later, the park draws millions of people each year from all over the world to experience the natural beauty, seven national historic sites and iconic wildlife, from grizzly bears to the Banff Springs Snail. Providing opportunities for learning and adventure, Canada’s oldest national park offers mountains of possibilities. *excerpt from Banff National Park Visitor Guide 2020-2021

Banff National Park is recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) as part of the Canadian Rock Mountain Parks World Heritage Site.

Places to see in Banff:

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Informational Links & Fun Things I have found:

Find Red Chairs in Banff:

The red chairs placed in special locations around Banff National Park are all about taking time to connect with nature and with each other. Some are easy to find, while others provide more of an adventure. All of them offer a place to rest, relax, and reflect on the place you’ve discovered and the journey you took to get there.

LINK: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/rouge-red

Parks Canada – Things to do

https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff/activ

  • Lionesses chillin' in the shade
  • Ostrich
  • Follow the Peacock
  • Caribou
  • Grey Wolves sleeping in the bushes
  • Canadian Wilds
  • Bow River Bridge View at Zoo
  • African Savannah Enclosure
  • Hippo
  • Zebras

Calgary Zoo – Calgary, AB

Jul 3, 2020 | Local Guide, Youth Activities, Travel, Historic Sites + Museums, Scenic Sites & Parks

We always love going to the Zoo. This wasn’t my first visit. I have been many times growing up as a child and a couple times as an adult. BUT this was my son’s first time to the Calgary zoo. He loved it!

It was a hot one! About 22°C and clear and sunny

I would recommend bringing:

  • Backpack – For hands free fun!
  • Water bottle,
  • Hand sanitizer (if you are sensitive to their sanitizers),
  • Wagon or stroller (if you have small children),
  • Camera/Phone, Battery Charger,
  • Good walking shoes or extra flip flop/flats – if you get too hot.
  • Hat
  • Sunscreen

COVID-19 Setup: Loved the one way setup for COVID-19 precautions – worked really well and since a zoo really has a natural flow they pulled this off beautifully! Some things were closed due to the precautions but we had an excellent 5.5 hours and pretty much hit everything.

Butterfly Habitat was super fun! All the beautiful tropical plants.

Butterflies were just coming out of their Chrysalis stage.

  • Lionesses chillin’ in the shade
  • Ostrich
  • Follow the Peacock
  • Caribou
  • Grey Wolves sleeping in the bushes
  • Canadian Wilds
  • Bow River Bridge View at Zoo
  • African Savannah Enclosure
  • Hippo
  • Zebras

Last time I came they were just building the panda enclosure “Panda Passage” (like 10 years ago LOL) but they are being shipped back to China so they are being “kennel trained” …bummer!

But there was lots to see and the “love” was in the air as it was mating season for the mountain lions HAHA

Butterflies where still in a chrysalis state – but some were out making their first debut!

World’s Largest Dinosaur – Drumheller, AB

World’s Largest Dinosaur – Drumheller, AB

Jul 2, 2020 | Youth Activities, Travel, Historic Sites + Museums, Scenic Sites & Parks

“The World’s Largest Dinosaur” is located in the heart of Drumheller. 106 steps to the top of this gigantic structure made of fiberglass and steel. The Tyrannosaurus Rex stands 86 ft (26.3 m) tall! and from Tooth to Tail spreads a staggering 151 ft! (46 m)

We scaled all the way to the top with our family of three

– Just a note: There is no elevators. So if you can’t do stairs very well i would recommend taking your time or skipping this gal….

BUT The view is AWESOME! The mouth can hold up to 8-12 people at once.

Quick Facts

  • 86 ft (25 meters) tall
  • 106 stairs to climb to the top
  • 12 People can fit in the mouth at a time
  • 4.5 times bigger than a real T-Rex
  • 151 feet (meters) long
  • 65 tonnes (145,000 lbs) in weight
  • She’s a female
  • She cost $1,065,000.00 to build

You can find out all the details here: https://worldslargestdinosaur.com

There is a lot to do in the area, the aquatics centre is right beside but currently CLOSED (COVID-19) but lots of things to walk and see downtown Drumheller.

  • Spray Park was OPEN around the World’s Largest Dinosaur.
  • Spot the brightly painted dinosaurs statues around every corner (similar to Calgary’s Cows statues)
  • Smaller Fossil World Across the street.
This is a great guide I picked up when we were in Drumheller, AB at the Tourist Information Centre (World’s Largest Dinosaur is Attached)