Bow Falls.

I love Bow Falls.

The falls aren't the highest I've seen, but there's just something so beautifully calming about this very accessible photo spot. Every time I'm in Calgary, I make the trip to Banff for this (and the pub in town) alone.

You'll find Bow Falls "below" the Banff Springs Hotel, another site not to be missed.

Will my Calgarian friends agree?

We'll be in Calgary June 24-25 this year, which I think is before the Stampede. Thinking of staying at the Hampton Inn & Suites Calgary Northwest.

If we want to take in a rodeo around that time of the year, is there anything we can take in?

One other question -- we are thinking of staying in Lake Louise, AB, at the Lake Louise Inn. Is anyone familiar with it? Thank you!

I don't know the Lake Louise Inn or what your planned budget is.

But I can strongly recommend the "Post Hotel" or the "Chateau Lake Louise" as being both 5 stars and well worth the money spent if it's that end of the hotel market that you want to stay in. I've tried both.

As far as value goes.....I can't use that word in the same sentence with the "Grizzly House" restaurant in Banff. Sure...there is a $15 fondue...cheese and bread. Everything else on the menu is $40+++. The food and service are great.....it's just twice as expensive as any other comparable place. Go forewarned.

The Sunday brunch at the Banff Springs is one of the best places to go.

[This message has been edited by Carioca Canuck (edited 03-28-2001).]

Great suggestions, all of them! Mikey, also try a search in the General TravelTalk and Trip Reports fora. I found some excellent tried and true tips there.

I really preferred Moraine Lake to Lake Louise. Lake Louise gets quite crowded in summer and I didn't find it to be nearly as beautiful as Moraine, which is stunning in summer.

The icefields are interesting to drive up to. It is a long drive though from Banff.

We had a fun day canoeing to Vermillion Lakes. You rent the canoes in Banff, where you put in. There were very few people out and we spotted mule deer and several eagles while we were out. Bring a picnic and eat in the canoe.

Animals - elk, longhorn sheep - are prolific on the Bow Valley Parkway, which leads to Johnston Canyon. We stayed at the small cabins there for about a week and liked them quite a lot. Even if you don't stay, park there and do the hike past several waterfalls and ultimately to the Ink Pots, mineral springs in brilliant colors.

We were there for more than two weeks last summer and did a lot of hiking - Peyto Lake, Bow Falls/Hoodoo trail, etc. There's another hike I liked a lot, but can't remember the name. If you're interested in hikes, email me and I'll ask my husband. He's much better at remembering those things.

In Calgary we stayed at the Sheraton Suite Eau Claire and found the service to be outstanding. It's near a park with outdoor plays in summer and the Eau Claire Market.

Oh ... as for Grizzly House ... I agree it's expensive. You should check it out though. It's complete throwback to the 70s. Be sure to go in the bathrooms. Have someone at your table call you there ...

Yeah, the Sheraton in Eau Claire is a great location. Eat Breakfast at 1886 (little white shack across the street) Joey Tomatoes is a fun place to eat also. I Love Calgary... To bad the Dirty Rotten Stinkin', ought to be tossed out of the NHL Calgary Flames are from there. Other than that, its a nice place. Go Canucks Go

You will be amazed by Calgary's "Western Hospitality".

Why just a month ago I took a drive through there on my way to Banff and when I got home there was a letter with a picture of me and my car! They rightly felt that I should have a small 79 dollar momento of the occasion.

Awfully nice chaps those Calgarians.

Depending on the length of your trip and interests the following are a couple of other Alberta suggestions:

1. Waterton Lakes National Park:
http://parkscanada.pch.gc.ca/waterto...on_lakes_e.htm

This place is quieter than Banff or Lake Louise and the hiking and scenery is awesome. It is located about 2.5 hrs south west of Calgary. I had the pleasure of working as a customs officer here for 2 summers - highly recommended (the park that is).

2. World Championships in Athletics - Edmonton 2001

Okay, so Edmonton is my home town (about 2.5 hrs north of Calgary) but if you are in Alberta in August and are interested in this type of event it might be an option. I think individual tickets go on sale in May.
http://www.2001.edmonton.com/splash.asp

Also, for Jasper...the Jasper Park Lodge is excellent, especially the Sunday Brunch. A walk through Maligne Canyon is also great and if you drive up the Icefields parkway from Lake Louise (Hwy 93) stop at the Columbia Icefield Interprative Centre and take a walk on the Glacier!

[This message has been edited by Altaflyer (edited 03-31-2001).]

Wow - thanks a bunch for all the information!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

exAC http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif That's a "souvenir" I can live without, thank you!

[This message has been edited by TravelWeary (edited 04-02-2001).]