3-Week Western US and Canada Road Trip: Scenic Culture and Natural Beauty

Day 1: Seattle Arrival

Seattle, USA on June 6, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Tilikum Place Café

Start your day with a Dutch baby pancake and artisan coffee at this cozy café open from 7am-3pm, located near the Space Needle.
USD20, 1h

9:30am

Visit the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass

Explore Seattle’s iconic Space Needle observation deck for panoramic city views and neighboring Chihuly’s stunning glass art exhibit. Both sites open at 9am.
USD55, 3h

12:30pm

Lunch at Pike Place Market

Enjoy a casual lunch sampling fresh seafood like clam chowder or salmon at the famous Pike Place Market, open daily from 9am to 6pm.
USD25, 1h

2:00pm

Seattle Art Museum

Discover Pacific Northwest art and global exhibits at the Seattle Art Museum, open until 5pm on Fridays.
USD20, 2h

5:00pm

Dinner at Canlis

Experience fine dining with Northwest flavors in an upscale setting with views of Lake Union. Reservations recommended; open from 5:30pm.
USD85, 2h
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Day 2: Seattle to Vancouver

Seattle, USA to Vancouver, Canada on June 7, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at The Crumpet Shop

Enjoy delicious handmade crumpets and freshly brewed coffee, open from 8am, perfect before heading out of town.
USD15, 1h

9:00am

Drive to Vancouver

Depart for Vancouver via I-5 N and BC-99 N, approx. 3-hour drive including border crossing. Plan some buffer time for customs.
USD50 (fuel and toll estimates), 3h

12:30pm

Lunch at Granville Island Public Market

Explore diverse food stalls in this bustling market. Try local specialties like fresh oysters or artisan baked goods. Open 9am-6pm.
CAD25, 1h

2:00pm

Walk Stanley Park Seawall

A scenic 9 km waterfront walk around Stanley Park offering breathtaking views of the city, mountains, and totem poles. Open all day.
Free, 2h30m

5:00pm

Visit Vancouver Art Gallery

Explore Canadian and indigenous art at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Open until 5pm; perfect to check out latest exhibits.
CAD25, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at Blue Water Cafe

Savor West Coast seafood cuisine in an elegant setting with sustainable options, open for dinner starting at 5pm.
CAD70, 2h
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Day 3: Vancouver Culture

Vancouver, Canada on June 8, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Jam Café

Enjoy a hearty breakfast with signature dishes like the Benny or pancakes; open 8am onwards.
CAD20, 1h

10:00am

Museum of Anthropology at UBC

Discover indigenous art, totem poles and cultural artifacts from the Pacific Northwest. Open daily 10am-4:30pm.
CAD18, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch at Tacofino

Taste the renowned fish tacos at this popular spot; open from 11:30am.
CAD15, 1h

2:00pm

Queen Elizabeth Park

Relax in beautifully landscaped gardens with city and mountain views, open dawn to dusk.
Free, 1h30m

4:00pm

Gastown Historic Walk and Steam Clock

Explore Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood with its cobblestone streets, boutique shops, and the world-famous steam clock. Open all day.
Free, 1h

6:30pm

Dinner at Miku Restaurant

Experience exquisite Aburi sushi and waterfront views at this fine-dining Japanese restaurant, open for dinner from 5pm.
CAD80, 2h
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Day 4: Drive to Banff

Vancouver to Banff, Canada on June 9, 2025

7:00am

Early Breakfast at The Naam

Enjoy a vegetarian-friendly hearty breakfast before the long drive; open from 8am.
CAD20, 1h

8:00am

Scenic Drive to Banff via Trans-Canada Highway

Approximately 9-hour drive with spectacular mountain views crossing from British Columbia into Alberta. Stop for breaks along the way.
CAD70 (fuel and possible meal stops), 9h

6:30pm

Dinner at The Maple Leaf

Enjoy Canadian-inspired cuisine with elk or bison options in cozy Banff town, open till 9pm.
CAD60, 1h30m
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Day 5: Banff National Park

Banff, Canada on June 10, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Wild Flour Bakery

Savor fresh pastries and coffees to energize for the day; open from 8am.
CAD15, 1h

9:00am

Lake Louise Visit

Visit the iconic turquoise lake and hike the lakeside trail. Best early morning for fewer crowds; open all day.
Park entrance fee CAD15, 3h

12:30pm

Lunch at Chateau Lake Louise’s Lakeview Lounge

Enjoy lunch with views of the lake and mountains in a historic hotel setting; open 11:30am - 2:30pm.
CAD40, 1h30m

2:30pm

Banff Gondola Ride

Take a gondola to Sulphur Mountain for panoramic park views; open 8am-7pm.
CAD65, 2h

5:00pm

Relax at Banff Hot Springs

Unwind in natural hot springs surrounded by mountains, open until 9pm.
CAD9.50, 1h

7:30pm

Dinner at Nourish Bistro

Enjoy fresh, organic dishes focusing on healthy and local ingredients; open till 9pm.
CAD50, 1h30m
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Day 6: Banff to Jasper

Banff to Jasper, Canada on June 11, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Tooloulou’s

Start your day with a Southern-style breakfast in Banff open from 7:30am.
CAD20, 1h

9:00am

Drive Icefields Parkway to Jasper

One of the world’s most scenic highways, approximately a 3.5-hour drive with stops possible at Athabasca Glacier and Peyto Lake.
CAD35 park entry fee (included in national park pass), 4h

1:00pm

Lunch in Jasper Town

Casual lunch at Jasper Brewing Company offering local craft beer and hearty meals, open from 11am.
CAD25, 1h

2:30pm

Maligne Lake Boat Tour

Take a 90-minute tour to Spirit Island, one of the most photographed locations in Canada; tours run 9am-5pm.
CAD85, 1h30m

5:30pm

Walk around Jasper town

Explore shops, galleries and local sights in Jasper village; open all day.
Free, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Syrahs of Jasper

Enjoy an elegant meal featuring locally sourced ingredients; open for dinner at 5pm.
CAD60, 2h
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Day 7: Jasper National Park

Jasper, Canada on June 12, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Bear’s Paw Bakery

Fresh baked pastries and coffee start your day right; open from 7:30am.
CAD15, 1h

9:30am

Hiking Valley of the Five Lakes

Moderate 4.5 km loop hike discovering five colorful mountain lakes; open all day.
Free, 3h

1:00pm

Lunch at Jasper Pizza Place

Casual dining with excellent pizza and local beers; open 11am-9pm.
CAD20, 1h

2:30pm

Maligne Canyon Walk

Explore the deepest canyon in the Canadian Rockies with scenic views and waterfalls; open all day.
Free, 2h

5:30pm

Relax at your accommodation or explore more of Jasper

Evening free for rest or casual strolls.
Free, 2h

7:30pm

Dinner at The Raven Bistro

French-inspired dishes with local ingredients; open for dinner at 5pm.
CAD55, 2h
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