Calgary & Foothills 3-Day Itinerary — Sunnyside Base + Heartland Ranch

Arrive YYC → taxi/rideshare to Sunnyside (Kensington) → dinner in Sunnyside. Day 2: drive Sunnyside → High River → Heartland Ranch (provide address) → scenic return via Turner Valley/Priddis/Bragg Creek → drop car at YYC. Day 3: public transit & bus tour to Banff; explore Calgary core and parks.

Navigation Route Overview

• YYC Airport → Sunnyside (Kensington) — taxi/rideshare (approx 30–40 min)
• Sunnyside → High River → Heartland Ranch (rental car) — ~45–75 min segments
• Heartland Ranch → scenic loop: Millarville/Priddis → Bragg Creek → Calgary south → YYC Car Drop
• YYC Airport car drop → public transit to Sunnyside; Banff tour departs from Calgary (coach)

Day 1 — 6/6: Arrival + Sunnyside (Kensington) Dinner

3:30PM: Arrival at Calgary International Airport (YYC)

Take a taxi or rideshare to the Sunnyside/Kensington neighborhood (approx 25–35 km; 30–40 min). Check-in and settle. Cost: taxi $45–65 CAD; rideshare similar. Time spent: 45–90 minutes including baggage.

5:00PM: Check in to accommodation in Sunnyside (Kensington)

Stay in the lively Sunnyside/Kensington area near the Bow River and pedestrian bridges — walkable to cafes, shops, and river pathways. (Hotel check-in, variable cost $120–300/night). Time spent: 1–2 hours.

6:30PM: Dinner in Sunnyside — Recommended: Una Pizza + Wine or Whitehall

Enjoy a relaxed dinner in Kensington: pizza, local fare, or gastropub — vibrant evening neighborhood atmosphere. Cost: $20–45 per person. Time spent: 1.5–2 hours.

Day 2 — 6/7: Drive to High River & Heartland Ranch — Return Scenic Route — Drop Car at YYC

7:30AM: Pickup rental car in Sunnyside

Collect rental car locally or from downtown provider—carry reservation/ID. Allow time for paperwork. Cost: $60–120/day depending on vehicle. Time: 30–45 min.

8:30AM: Drive Sunnyside → High River (via Deerfoot Tr/AB-2S)

Scenic drive through Calgary south suburbs into prairie foothills toward High River — small-town Main Street, cafes, and the High River museum. Gas $15–30; Time: ~45–60 min.

10:00AM: High River — stroll Main Street & local coffee

Explore High River’s restored downtown, boutiques, and riverfront parks — good photo stop and light bite. (Free; coffee $3–6). Time: 45–60 min.

11:30AM: Drive High River → Heartland Ranch (Heartland Ranch address)

Heartland Ranch (approx address: 123 Heartland Ranch Rd, High River area — confirm booking/coordinates with host/operator). A working ranch with fields, horses, and film-set-style landscapes. Driving time: 20–30 min. Cost: fuel only; Time: 15–30 min on site (or longer if tour booked).

12:00PM: Heartland Ranch visit / activities

Experience ranch grounds — photo ops, short walk, or guided tour if reserved (call ahead). Enjoy prairie-to-foothill vistas perfect for filming/photography. Admission/tour variable $20–60. Time: 1–2 hours.

2:00PM: Lunch in High River or packed lunch at ranch

Return to High River or picnic on ranch grounds. Options: local cafés or deli sandwiches. Cost: $12–25. Time: 45–60 min.

3:15PM: Scenic return drive toward Calgary via Millarville → Priddis → Turner Valley → Bragg Creek

Recommended scenic loop: take Highway 22X west to Millarville (alpine-meets-prairie farmland), then Priddis and Turner Valley for rolling foothills, continue through Bragg Creek for forested river valley views before re-entering Calgary. Multiple pull-offs for photos and short hikes. Fuel $10–25. Driving time: 1.5–2 hours with stops.

4:30PM: Stop — Springbank / Big Hill Springs Provincial Park

Big Hill Springs Park near Cochrane: short boardwalk trails, spring-fed cascades, easy 30–60 min nature stop. (Free; Time: 30–60 min).

6:00PM: Return to YYC for car drop-off

Drive from scenic loop back toward Calgary Airport for aftermarket car drop (allow traffic/time). Car rental return typically 30–45 min process. Cost: gasoline + rental fees. Time: 45–60 min.

7:30PM: Evening transport from YYC to Sunnyside or airport-area dinner

After drop-off, either take shuttle/taxi to Sunnyside or dine near airport if staying overnight near YYC. Taxi $45–65. Time: 30–45 min.

Day 3 — 6/8: Public Transport Day — Banff Bus Tour + Calgary Downtown & Parks

6:30AM: Public transit from Sunnyside to Banff Day-Trip Departure Point

Take CTrain from Sunnyside (Westbound to 8th St SW/City Centre) or shuttle meetup for Banff coach tour (most tours depart downtown). CTrain fare $3.60–3.80 one-way. Time: 30–45 min to meeting point.

7:30AM: Banff Day Bus Tour departs Calgary (example operator)

Full-day guided coach to Banff National Park — scenic stops at Lake Louise/Minnewanka/Sulphur Mountain depending on tour; includes park entry. Typical cost $80–150 CAD. Time: full day (10–12 hours round-trip).

7:30AM alternative: If not doing Banff, explore Calgary downtown

Spend the day in Calgary visiting the following sites by foot and CTrain: Calgary Tower, Central Library, Stephen Avenue, Prince's Island Park, Bow River pathways, Reader Rock Garden, Peace Bridge, Devonian Gardens, Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Sobow Trail, Kensington cafes.

12:30PM: Calgary Tower — mid-day visit

Visit the Calgary Tower observation deck for skyline views. Admission ~$18–22 CAD. Time: 45–60 min.

2:00PM: Central Library and Devonian Gardens

Explore the award-winning Central Library building and indoor Devonian Gardens conservatory at CORE Shopping Centre — architecture, plants, and calm urban green space. (Free; Time: 45–90 min).

3:30PM: Prince's Island Park & Peace Bridge walk

Stroll the Bow River pathways, cross the Peace Bridge, relax on Prince's Island — picnic benches and riverside views. (Free; Time: 60–90 min).

4:45PM: Reader Rock Garden & Inglewood Bird Sanctuary

Visit Reader Rock Garden (heritage rock garden) then head to Inglewood Bird Sanctuary for riverside birdwatching and quiet trails. (Free; Time: 60–90 min combined).

6:00PM: Sobow Trail / Calgary river pathway coffee in Kensington

Return to Sunnyside/Kensington for coffee and pastry at a local café (Phil & Sebastian or Analog). Walk Sobow/river pathways in golden hour. Coffee $3–6. Time: 60–90 min.

7:30PM: Dinner in Kensington or Downtown

Choose from bistros in Kensington (Deville Coffee, Una Pizza, Model Milk) or downtown steakhouses depending on taste. Dinner cost $25–50 per person. Time: 1.5–2 hours.

Costs & Time Summary

• Accommodation: $120–300/night
• Rental car (1 day): $60–120 + fuel $25–60
• Banff bus tour (optional): $80–150
• Local transit/taxis: $3.60–65 per trip depending on mode
• Meals: $12–50 per person per meal

Check current hotel and flight prices: Kayak — hotels & flights

Hidden Gems and Local Favorites

Stroll Kensington’s back alleys for murals and indie shops; visit the Military Museums for quiet history; try snacks at the Makers & Shakers market or neighbourhood farmers’ markets; explore nose hill park for skyline sunsets and local dog-walking culture; and for food, locals love the brunch spots in Sunnyside and Inglewood’s Calgary Brewing Co.