Airdrie 10-day Itinerary

• Day 1: Visit Nose Creek Valley Museum (1 hr) to learn about the history and culture of the area. Take a stroll at Chinook Winds Park (2 hrs) with a picnic lunch.
• Day 2: Drive to Calgary to visit the famous Calgary Zoo (3 hrs) and the Telus Spark Science Centre (2 hrs).
• Day 3: Take a day trip to Banff National Park (5 hrs). Take a scenic drive on Banff Avenue, hike up Tunnel Mountain, or visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site.
• Day 4: Explore Airdrie's outdoor spaces. Spend the morning at Iron Horse Park (2 hrs) viewing miniature trains, then head to the scenic trails of Nose Creek Park (2 hrs).
• Day 5: Take a shopping trip to CrossIron Mills (4 hrs). Have lunch at the famous Asian-inspired The Cheesecake Cafe.
• Day 6: Learn about aviation history at the Hangar Flight Museum (3 hrs) in Calgary. Visit Bow Habitat Station and Fish Hatchery (2 hrs) to learn about fish and wildlife.
• Day 7: Visit Calgary Olympic Park (3 hrs) for winter sports activities, then relax at WinSport's Markin MacPhail Centre's indoor public skating (2 hrs).
• Day 8: Take a day trip to Drumheller (3 hrs) and visit Royal Tyrrell Museum (3 hrs) to learn about ancient times and dinosaurs.
• Day 9: Visit Big Hill Springs Provincial Park (2 hrs) for Big Hill Springs Creek waterfall, then explore the city of Airdrie's library and art scene.
• Day 10: Take a hot air balloon ride from Airdrie Balloon Rides (1 hr) and watch the sunrise from the air. End the trip with a visit to the nearby rural community of Irricana (2 hrs).

Time and Costs Estimates

• Nose Creek Valley Museum (1 hr) - $5 admission
• Chinook Winds Park (2 hrs) - Free
• Calgary Zoo (3 hrs) - $29.95 admission
• Telus Spark Science Centre (2 hrs) - $26.95 admission
• Banff National Park (5 hrs) - Park Pass $19.60 per day
• Iron Horse Park (2 hrs) - $8 admission
• Nose Creek Park (2 hrs) - Free
• CrossIron Mills (4 hrs) - Free admission
• The Cheesecake Cafe (1 hr) - $20 per person
• Hangar Flight Museum (3 hrs) - $15 admission
• Bow Habitat Station and Fish Hatchery (2 hrs) - $10 admission
• WinSport's Markin MacPhail Centre's indoor public skating (2 hrs) - $12 admission
• Calgary Olympic Park (3 hrs) - $16 admission
• Royal Tyrrell Museum (3 hrs) - $21 admission
• Big Hill Springs Provincial Park (2 hrs) - Free
• Airdrie Balloon Rides (1 hr) - $240 per person
• Irricana (2 hrs) - Free
• Total Estimated Costs: $669.50

Transportation

Travelers should rent a car for the entire trip. The rental car cost starts at $60 per day, including gasoline. The total travel time around Airdrie and Calgary is 30 hours, and Banff National Park is a 1.5-hour drive.

Useful Tips

If travelers have more than 10 days, they can visit other top attractions in Calgary, such as the Glenbow Museum, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, or Heritage Park Historical Village. For fewer days, they can exclude a day trip to Drumheller or Irricana. For adventure lovers, outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, or climbing are highly recommended in this area.