Some help, please....

[SparkyOne]

Not too sure where to put this, but the QC organization sponsored a raffle for those buying season tickets, with the prize a trip for 4 to a game in Calgary.

I was lucky enough to win (still can't believe it!) and they asked for possible dates. With work and holiday obligations, we selected weekends at the end of February and during March....they provide two nights and we've decided that we're going to add a couple of days onto the trip and do a little sightseeing, maybe a day trip to Banff or the mall in Edmonton.

I'm wondering if, as we're planning, there's anything that's a "don't miss"....and I decided to ask the experts here! One of the four is 7 years old, but other than going to a lot of bars, he'd be pretty much up for anything. We're going to try to travel to actually be able to see two games in Calgary, but other than that, our time is our own (and we'll have a car).

Any suggestions?? How hard is it to get tickets to a game in Edmonton?

[JD]

Banff is far more of a must-see than Edmonton. I think you'll find that a common opinion in this forum.

Take a trip up the Calgary Tower, go skiing/snowboarding if you're into that, see some of the Olympic venues - the Plaza, Canada Olympic Park... I guess seeing the time of year it is, a trip to Edmonton might be OK, but I'd be more inclined to spend more time in Banff. There are lots of day trips in the area you could take, although the time of year might be less than ideal with potential weather issues and some venues being closed (icefields are a must-see, but I don't know if it's open in March).

Tickets in Edmonton are obtainable if you're on top of things.

[IgiTang]

Congrats, if I were from somewhere other than Calgary I would be pretty stoked about that trip!

As far as "must do's" are concerned... I hate to say but I strongly recommend going to a game @ the old Northlands, currently Rectall Place.
If you look at tickets now for your trip, you should be just fine. A word of caution, if you are bringing your kids to a Coilers game, perhaps dont wear a Flames jersey as you may get heckled in a less then enjoyable manner... to be polite.

Also if you are in Edmonton, hitting up West Edmonton Mall is cool and all but dont expect too much as you could easily be dispaointed. There are some cool things to take the kids to though. They have the Marine show with dolphins and such and they also have a pretty sweet Waterslide park also... the ticket cost to the waterpark is about $40.00/adult if I recall correctly.

But Banff is a must see... If you have never been, you have to see what is in our backtard just 45 minutes from Calgary. There are some really beautiful sites. I suggest checking out the Banff Springs hotel and shops, taking a ride on the gondolla and if you have time, go for a dip in the hot springs... chillin out in super warm natural spring water while staring at the mountains is very soothing...

But keep us posted when your trip comes around, i wouldnt mind knowing how you enjoyed it.

[DFO]

If you had the time I'd drive the parkway from Banff to Jasper and then head across to Edmonton. It would no doubt be a long day with lots of stops but you won't find better scenery anywhere else.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by JD

Banff is far more of a must-see than Edmonton. I think you'll find that a common opinion in this forum.

Agreed. Plus the fact that Banff is about 90 minutes from downtown Calgary, but it takes 3 hours to get to Edmonton. That's a long boring 6 hours in the car to see a mall that had a "Best Before" date of 1989.

[Kipper is King]

Originally Posted by JD

Banff is far more of a must-see than Edmonton. I think you'll find that a common opinion in this forum.

Right. West Edmonton Mall is a big, outdated shopping mall with all the stores you have back home. Banff is infinitely more interesting! You should head to Lake Louise while you're in the area, too!

[psicodude]

http://www.discovercalgary.com/

A couple of ideas for the 7 year old are Tyrell museum and the science centre.

Banff is obvious.

[cyclone3483]

world class zoo, although it'll be chilly that time of year. There are a good number of buildings containing animals so you could keep warm.

http://www.calgaryzoo.org/

Canada Olympic Park have a few things you can try to 'experience' the Olympics, like bobsled.

http://www.coda.ca/cop/index_cop.cfm

Rather than travelling to the evil empire to the North, you could try to catch a different sport, like professional lacrosse

http://www.calgaryroughnecks.com/def...sp?webpage=424

or catch our WHL leading Calgary Hitmen (that's good hockey too)

http://www.hitmenhockey.com/game_cen...TH=3&YEAR=2009

Or maybe go to Drumheller and the world famous Royal Tyrrel Museum

http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com/

[cyclone3483]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

Also if you are in Edmonton, hitting up West Edmonton Mall is cool and all but dont expect too much as you could easily be dispaointed. There are some cool things to take the kids to though. They have the Marine show with dolphins and such and they also have a pretty sweet Waterslide park also... the ticket cost to the waterpark is about $40.00/adult if I recall correctly.

I think the dolphins were all dying a few years back so they shipped them all out. The have penguins and seals now.

I took my kids there 2 years ago...they were bored out of their tree within a couple hours, a real waste.

[socktape]

It is a little more money than I thought it would be but the bobsleigh ride at COP is a blast!

http://www.coda.ca/cop/activities/bobsleigh_rides.cfm

oops... didn't see this in cyclone3483's post

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by cyclone3483

I think the dolphins were all dying a few years back so they shipped them all out. The have penguins and seals now.

I took my kids there 2 years ago...they were bored out of their tree within a couple hours, a real waste.

Haha, thats great... Im not sure on the Dolphin thing, I heard they still had them... But I agree, for a 7 year old it could be cool but for most adults its probably pretty dull.

[FanIn80]

For the kids, I'd like to echo the recommendations of the Tyrell Museum in Drumheller.

As an added bonus, you'll get to see the famous hoodoos. You can even place bets with your wife over which child will be the first to come up with "who do that hoodoo?!"

[KevanGuy]

Originally Posted by cyclone3483

Or maybe go to Drumheller and the world famous Royal Tyrrel Museum

http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com/

If you have a day to spend out that way, I strongly recommend this.

[burn_this_city]

Agreed on the Tyrrel Museum, the wee one will love it there.

[FanIn80]

Do they still have those computer terminals where you can build your own dinosaurs? I remember that being my favourite part as a kid.

[Stillman16]

If you do decide to go to any of the suggested attractions, you should let us know, you can get deals for just about everything if you know where to look, could save you a bunch of dough!!! (half price for West Ed, half price zoo admission, half price Calgary Tower, etc.)

[Flash]

Banff and the Tyrell Museum would be at the top of my list. Banff is great anytime of the year, and your son would probably love the museum.

I was born and raised in Calgary, and aside from one year, I have lived here all my life...and I have never been to the West Edmonton Mall. As has already been said, I've been told it has all the stores you'd find in any other mall, nothing really unique that would warrant going up there. In all honesty, I've only been to Edmonton twice...once at night while driving through it, and another for a business meeting. That's it. It's not a big tourist town

[Phaneuf3]

Don't bother with Edmonton and if you do, for sure don't bother with the mall.

See a few sights around Calgary, take in the game and then head out to Banff/Jasper for as much of your trip as you can.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by DFO

If you had the time I'd drive the parkway from Banff to Jasper and then head across to Edmonton. It would no doubt be a long day with lots of stops but you won't better scenery anywhere else.

This is an eyestopping drive, but keep in mind at that time of year, it can be closed due to the weather.

[Pauly]

Lots of great ideas. To re-iterate alot of what everyone has also suggested. Some must-see's while here:

a.) Banff (The Fairmont Banff Springs Resort is as beautiful of a hotel you'll ever see. Tonnes of cool shops, stores in one of the most scenic locations in the Rocky Mountains. The candy shop on main-street is a must)
b.) Calgary Zoo
c.) Tyrell Dinosaur Museum in Drumheller
d.) Heritage Park in Calgary
e.) Olympic Venues (i.e. C.O.P.)
f.) West Edmonton Mall (Tonnes of shopping and stores in Canada's largest mall. Not much else to see in that city though)
g.) Jasper. If you do go to Edmonton to see the Mall, I would suggest going west to Jasper before the beautiful drive back South to Calgary through the Rockies. Jasper is another Banff like tourist destination located in the mountains as well. Very nice place to visit, if you have time to tack a few hours onto your trip, enjoy Jasper.
h.) Lake Louise or Sunshine Village Ski Resort (Two world-class ski venues, a must if you're a skiier or snowboarder. Near Banff)
i.) Flames Central - The food isnt spectacular, but its a really cool sports bar in the city that I think you'd enjoy.
j.) Princess Island Park - Beautiful place to enjoy a relaxing walk in downtown Calgary. Situated along the Bow River, its a beautiful place to visit if you have an hour or two available.
k.) Other sporting events, such as The Calgary Roughnecks professional Lacrosse team or the WHL's Calgary Hitmen, who are currently one of the top teams in all of Major Junior hockey in Canada

Again, congrats on winning. I hope you enjoy you're experience here.