This information is from 2017. Check out the Family Fun Calgary Weekend Getaways Guide.
Vacationing with your kids might feel more like you’re just taking the circus on the road. And then the car breaks down – twice – and your oldest needs braces. But no matter what sort of life happens, taking holidays with your family can provide some of your best experiences and greatest memories, even (especially?!) if the holiday doesn’t go according to plan.
Being practical (that car’s not fixing itself), while still creating good family time can take some creativity. If you’ve already exhausted the stay-cation route, or just want to get somewhere out of the city, make a plan to holiday next door! Lethbridge is an easy drive from Calgary, either for a day trip, or an easy vacation, and there are tons of things for families to love there!
Fort Whoop-Up National Historic Site
Fort Whoop-Up will introduce your family to the wild west and the frontier trading post! As the story goes, in 1869, American fur traders loaded up a wagon full of whiskey and other trade items. Heading north, they stopped where Fort Whoop-Up now is, built a stockade and ran a lucrative trading business. (The party ended in 1874, when the Mounties showed up.)
Today, the fort still trades traditional items with the Blackfoot tribes in the area, and you can see what life in a trading post might have been like. Is today a good day to trade?
Museums hold our history in their hands, and visiting them can be interesting and illuminating. It’s not always easy to convince the kids of that (or is that just our family?), but Galt Museum tells the stories of southwestern Alberta in an interactive way that can engage all ages. Investigate the Discovery Hall and experience hands-on events and programs. Imagine yourself in the 1910 Galt Hospital or visit the Native Prairie Plants & Nurses’ Gardens. You can do a little shopping, the kids can play giant chess or snakes and ladders, or make a day of it and explore the river valley pathways.
Everyone needs inner peace, and sometimes we just need a little help to get there on a family vacation. (Dare I say, especially on a family vacation?) The Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is a lovely location, combining a cultural experience with the beauty of nature. This tranquil garden offers a relaxed setting where you can step away from the pressures of city life and be in harmony with nature.
The Alberta Birds of Prey Centre is Canada’s largest birds of prey facility. It sits on a 70-acre wetland area and the centre, featuring the hawks, falcons, eagles and owls of Alberta, makes for an interesting and unique day. This celebration of nature has been called a “must-see” attraction, and it will delight your family with an unforgettable wild experience.
If there’s more you want to do, or you just need a few more days away, check out the variety of accommodations in Lethbridge. Whether you want a basic room just to sleep, or are looking for a little more fun (3-storey waterslide, anyone?) make sure to take a peak at what your options are!
So you still have time to explore? There’s always more to do in Lethbridge! Take a stroll by the river or visit one of the many beautiful parks and let the kids run off a little steam. Do a little shopping and go out for lunch. See a symphony or theatre performance (okay, maybe that’s date night?) or take the kids to a movie. Enjoy time as a family, and vacation without breaking the bank!
Great Family Attractions in Lethbridge:
Website: www.lethbridgeattractions.com
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