Edmonton/Banff/Jasper.... where to go, what to do?

[broc]

My fiance and I (both in our late twenties) are visiting Edmonton for 2 weeks this summer. We have a 2 year old boy, and we're wondering what's there to do in the Edmonton area besides the obvious Zoo and Edmonton Mall things?

We're wanting to rent a cottage for a couple nights, either in Jasper or Banff (we've never been to either)... is there anyone that can recommend one over the other? Keep in mind we'll have a 2 year old, so places with activities like boat rides, tours, etc are a plus.

Of course we haven't booked a cottage anywhere, so it may already be too late to try only a month in advance, but its' worth a try.

Anyone with suggestions?

[MrIcu]

Just off the top of my head:

Edmonton:
- Aviation musuem, your 2 your old will enjoy climbing around planes
- Telus World of Science (lots pf hands on stuff for the little one)

Banff:
- Gondola ride up Sulpher Mountain (if your lucky, they'll be some mountain goats up on the top).

In between Banff and Jasper:
- Athabasca Glacier (you get to go up to the glacier and walk around on it - the ice I think is about 2km thick)

This link may help:
http://www.travelforkids.com/Funtodo/Alberta/banff.htm

[Si98]

There is Fort Edmonton Park "Canada's Largest Living Museum" and if you are in town in early August there is the Heritage Festival in William Hawrelak Park which I always found to be a great family event.

[teknoluv]

Definitely try out Jasper Park Lodge:

http://www.fairmont.com/jasper

Well worth the price.

[raptorfan]

would this be of any help?

http://ca.deals.travelzoo.com/canada-hotels/608520?utm_source=top20_ca&utm_medium=email_top20

[kostek]

I live in Edmonton, and frankly, I wouldn't come here. Spend your time in the Rockies.
No such thing as cottages to rent in Jasper or Banff, so you will have to go with hotels(pricey) or B&Bs, which are pretty common in Jasper, less so in Banff. Just Google accomodation in Jasper and you will get lots. I've stayed at Canyon Creek and it is a pretty good place-especially with a little one.
Stop at Athabasca Falls as it is pretty spectacular and easy to get to. Icefields Information Centre is actually really interesting and worth a tour. Go to Lake Louise and walk around the lake-very flat, and easy on little legs.

[aZnRYcEbOi]

would this be of any help?

http://ca.deals.travelzoo.com/canada-hotels/608520?utm_source=top20_ca&utm_medium=email_top20

i booked this deal last week...reviews on tripadvisor are mixed, but for the price i don't really care!

[HZH]

Definitely try out Jasper Park Lodge:

http://www.fairmont.com/jasper

Well worth the price.

Fairmont hotels are having Friend and Family promotion worldwide. Fairmont Jasper Lodge is 179 dollars per night (regular 349 dollars) and Fairmont Lake Louise is 199 dollars per night for a Deluxe lake view king room (regular 649 dollars).

[SiuBun]

I live in Edmonton, and frankly, I wouldn't come here. Spend your time in the Rockies.
No such thing as cottages to rent in Jasper or Banff, so you will have to go with hotels(pricey) or B&Bs, which are pretty common in Jasper, less so in Banff. Just Google accomodation in Jasper and you will get lots. I've stayed at Canyon Creek and it is a pretty good place-especially with a little one.
Stop at Athabasca Falls as it is pretty spectacular and easy to get to. Icefields Information Centre is actually really interesting and worth a tour. Go to Lake Louise and walk around the lake-very flat, and easy on little legs.

Dont diss Edm. U'll be surprise how Edm is very diff from other Canadian cities. Nice day&nite scenary around the Sask. River, the river itself isnt that nice, but it creates a nice backdrop if ur standing from the South-side/University area looking towards DT.

West Edm Mall is nice to kill time, with a small child, u can try Wonderland and/or waterpark.

Have alot of steaks!

Radium Hot Spring if u dont mind the drive.

[ricsad]

I don't think he's dissing edmonton. It really is quite boring there... not a dis but a fact. It's not as boring as, say, some places of England where there is really nothing to do. But Edmonton definitely is boring.

I'd spend more time in Banff.

[JohnnyABC]

I live in Edmonton, and frankly, I wouldn't come here. Spend your time in the Rockies.
No such thing as cottages to rent in Jasper or Banff, so you will have to go with hotels(pricey) or B&Bs, which are pretty common in Jasper, less so in Banff. Just Google accomodation in Jasper and you will get lots. I've stayed at Canyon Creek and it is a pretty good place-especially with a little one.
Stop at Athabasca Falls as it is pretty spectacular and easy to get to. Icefields Information Centre is actually really interesting and worth a tour. Go to Lake Louise and walk around the lake-very flat, and easy on little legs.

I stayed in some beautiful cabins in Jasper. Banff is very nice, but Canmore had more bang for the buck for hotel rooms.

[Xtreme2001]

Fairmont hotels are having Friend and Family promotion worldwide. Fairmont Jasper Lodge is 179 dollars per night (regular 349 dollars) and Fairmont Lake Louise is 199 dollars per night for a Deluxe lake view king room (regular 649 dollars).

Can anyone obtain the family and friend discount?

Thanks.

[Samsonbeta]

Are you kidding?!

Edmonton is Amazing! I live here, but I've travelled all around Canada.

Current best things to do in Edmonton.

1. Capital Ex
2. Walking with Dinosaurs
3. Lion King
4. Great Steaks, almost everywhere
5. Super cheap places to stay vs Banff or Jasper
6. Gun Range for shooting hand guns ( You can do this on WEM Day)
7. Folk Fest
8. Whyte Avenue for Ice Cream and Candy and shopping
9. NO pretentious or snotty hippys
10. Tony's Pizza ( Edmonton's Best Pizza)

[broc]

Well we returned last week and I have to say Jasper is incredibly beautiful. We rented a cabin for 3 days/2nights, and it cost 300.. not bad. Our cabin was 1 bedroom with pullout livingroom couch. Only 4 years old, pretty spacious and clean, and waking up to the mountains was great! We drove to some lakes with humongous mountains in the background, and were the onlty people swimming there at all. Was majestic!
Saw herds of mountain goats (I think they're goats, they weren't the big white ones, but small brown ones), elk, and even a huge moose walking right next to the road!

We brought our son to West Ed waterpark.. he loved it so much! There's a special kiddy area with some smaller slides, climbing areas, waterguns, wheels and lots more. It's aimed at the 8 and under crowd- was perfect.

Also visited some science center, which was big and nice, but the toddler area only lasted us about 15 mins. Would be better for older kids with patience who are willing to tour around and read about cool things.

We really enjoyed our time in Edmonton..