Two Day Calgary Loop
 

Next month, I will have two days free in the Calgary area. The days will be Sunday August 4 and Monday August 5, which I know are part of a holiday weekend. Sigh. Yes, it would be nicer to have more days.

In any event, I'm looking for suggestions about a driving trip. I won't have camping gear, so I'd need lodging. Long days are fine - there's a lot of light in early August. I know people have experience with option B), but what about option A)?

A) Writing-on-Stone with Head-Smashed-In. This is the more historical option. I don't have much interest in dinosaurs or paleontology, so I don't need to go to the Royal Tyrrell.
Has anyone been to the Etzikom museum? Or Red Rock Coulee? There aren't even any Tripadvisor reviews.

B) Banff park, through at least to Columbia Icefield. If I take this route, where should I look for Sunday night lodging? And is the rest of the route to Jasper a good use of time?

I'm off to the Rockies at the end of the month, although we are going for longer. As I understand it, the Icefields Parkway (Banff to Jasper) is one of the 'must drive' roads for views etc. Given your timing, I would drive up to Jasper on the Sunday, stopping to see things en route (lakes, waterfalls, nature, glacier etc.) and stay in Jasper Sunday night, then drive back down on the Monday, doing some other of the attractions on the way.

Banff drive and trip
 

Just got back from several days in the Banff area. I would highly recommend the drive from Banff up to Jasper. The Icefields are definitely worth a visit while the drive itself is also a very pretty drive. In Banff I would recommend the Gondola ride and the visit to the Cave & Basin springs site. Lake Louise is also very scenic. As far as Jasper, while I was only there for a short time it is not really much of a "town". If I had my preference I thought Banff was a much nicer town with restaurants and shops. Enjoy the trip it is beautiful.

If you do make it to Jasper, check out Maligne Canyon - great wildlife sightings!