Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Start at Stanley Park while the Seawall is still relatively quiet. Give yourself about two hours for a waterfront stroll and those classic city-and-mountain views; the park is free, and you can shorten the walk whenever you like. If you’d rather cover more ground, bike rentals near the park entrance typically cost around C$20–40 for a few hours. Check local rental hours before setting out, especially in the quieter season.
Head to Granville Island Public Market for a relaxed browse and lunch—allow about 1½ hours. From the park, a taxi or rideshare is the simplest direct hop (roughly 15–25 minutes, depending on traffic); transit takes longer, while a False Creek ferry can make a fun approach if you walk to a nearby dock. Market hours vary by business, so check before you go; many stalls are open during the day. Expect roughly C$15–30 for a casual lunch.
Continue to Gastown for an hour among the old brick streets, stopping at the Steam Clock; from Granville Island, allow around 20–30 minutes by transit or taxi. The clock is a quick photo stop rather than a long attraction, so leave room to wander the side streets. Finish at Phnom Penh in Chinatown for its much-loved Cambodian-Vietnamese dishes. It’s popular, and waits can build at dinner, so arrive early or check current reservation and queue arrangements. Budget about C$25–45 per person; from Gastown, it’s an easy walk of roughly 10–15 minutes.
After the 4.5–5.5-hour drive from Vancouver, plus breaks, keep the first stop gentle: take a 45-minute leg-stretch at Waterfront Park, following the lakeside path and enjoying the views across Okanagan Lake. It’s free, and downtown parking is available nearby; expect it to be busier on warm afternoons.
Walk or make a short drive to Kasugai Gardens for a quiet 30–45-minute visit. The Japanese-style garden is a peaceful change of pace after the road, but seasonal access and hours can vary, so check before heading over. If it’s closed, leave the time for a relaxed lakeside wander rather than trying to squeeze in another stop.
Finish at BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery downtown, where the lively taproom is a good fit for an easy dinner after the drive. Budget about C$25–45 per person; check current hours and allow around 1.5 hours. If you’re running behind, prioritize dinner and enjoy whichever of the two short walks still fits comfortably.
The drive from Kelowna takes about 6–7 hours including breaks, so expect to reach Banff late in the day. Once you’ve checked in, spend about an hour orienting yourself with an easy stroll along Banff Avenue: browse the shops, look up at the surrounding peaks, and get your bearings without trying to pack in too much.
From town, drive a few minutes south to Bow Falls for a 30–45-minute visit. The viewpoint is close to the parking area, making this a low-effort stop after a long drive; allow a little extra time to find parking, especially during busy periods. Access to the falls is free, though national park entry fees apply in Banff National Park.
Head back into town for fondue at The Grizzly House. Set aside 1½–2 hours and budget about C$40–70 per person; check current opening hours and book ahead if you can, particularly if your arrival timing is firm. If the drive runs late, call the restaurant before setting out from Bow Falls to confirm it can still accommodate you.
Head straight to Lake Louise for the lakeshore and Victoria Glacier views; give yourself about 1½ hours to wander the shoreline and take photos. Parking at the lake fills early, so arriving in the morning is worthwhile. If the lot is full, use the Parks Canada shuttle rather than circling—check current access arrangements before setting out. You’ll need a valid national park pass, and parking or shuttle costs can vary.
From the lakeshore, follow the signed trail to Fairview Lookout. It’s a short but steep hike, usually around 1–1½ hours round trip at a relaxed pace; wear shoes with grip, as the path can be muddy or icy in shoulder season. The viewpoint looks down over the lake, a rewarding change from the shoreline perspective.
Continue to Moraine Lake if its seasonal road and shuttle access are operating. Allow about two hours, including the journey and time by the water. Private vehicle access is restricted, and shuttle service is seasonal, so check Parks Canada’s current rules and reserve any required shuttle in advance. If access has ended, stay at Lake Louise and enjoy a slower lakeside visit instead. Finish with a casual meal or coffee at Trailhead Café in Lake Louise village—budget about C$15–30 per person; hours can vary seasonally, so check before you go.
Set out early for Johnston Canyon on the Bow Valley Parkway; the drive from Lake Louise is about 45–60 minutes, and the trailhead lot can fill quickly. Walk to the Lower Falls and allow 1½–2 hours, including time for narrow bridges and possible queues at the viewing point. The trail is free, but you’ll need a valid national park pass. Check Parks Canada for current road access and trail conditions: in colder weather, icy sections can make sturdy footwear and traction aids worthwhile.
Continue beyond the Upper Falls to the Ink Pots only if the trail is in good condition, you have plenty of daylight, and you’re feeling strong. The full return hike is roughly 11 km and usually takes 4–5 hours, so it’s a substantial addition—not a quick extension. If you turn back at the falls, pause at Castle Mountain Viewpoint on the drive toward Banff for a roughly 20-minute roadside look at the mountain; pull fully into the signed parking area.
Back in Banff, settle in for small plates at Block Kitchen + Bar in the town centre. Budget about C$30–55 per person and allow around 1½ hours; it’s popular, so booking ahead is sensible, and walk-in waits can vary. Keep the evening flexible after a full day outdoors, especially if you’ve hiked to the Ink Pots.
Leave early—around 7 a.m.—to make the most of the day; the drive is roughly 3.5–4.5 hours including a break, and the museum is about 15 minutes from central Drumheller. Check road conditions and the day’s opening hours before setting out, and keep a little flexibility for traffic or a coffee stop. Aim to arrive late morning, then spend 2.5–3 hours at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology. Its galleries are a highlight even if you’re not a dinosaur superfan. Hours vary by season, so confirm them before you go; budget roughly C$20–25 per adult, subject to current admission prices.
From the museum, drive about 20 minutes to Horsethief Canyon for the lookout and a short wander among the layered badlands; allow 30–45 minutes, and watch your footing near the edges. Then head south toward the Drumheller Hoodoos—about a 25-minute drive—for the short trails and close-up views of the sandstone formations. Give yourself 45–60 minutes, and bring water and sun protection: the open landscape can feel exposed even on a cool day.
Continue about 20 minutes to The Last Chance Saloon in Wayne for a relaxed meal in a characterful old badlands setting. Set aside 1–1½ hours and around C$20–40 per person. Check current operating days and hours before driving out, especially outside peak season; if it’s closed, plan dinner back in Drumheller rather than counting on another option nearby.
Allow about 1½–2 hours to drive from Drumheller into Calgary via Highway 9 and Highway 2, then leave extra time for traffic, refuelling and parking. If your flight is later in the day, head to the Calgary Tower downtown for about an hour of city-and-prairie views; check current hours, admission prices and access before you go, as these can change. If you’re flying soon, skip the visit rather than cutting your airport buffer short.
Walk about 15 minutes to River Café on Prince’s Island Park for a relaxed final meal beside the Bow River. Allow 1–1½ hours and budget roughly C$40–75 per person; check availability and book ahead if you can. From downtown, allow around 20–30 minutes by car to Calgary International Airport, plus time to return your rental car and complete check-in and security.
For the trip from Calgary to Vancouver, allow roughly 4–5 hours door-to-door, depending on your flight schedule and airport wait times. Check in and clear security at Calgary International Airport, then take your separately arranged flight; confirm the airline’s check-in deadline and don’t assume a particular departure time or fare.
No packing list attached yet.