Now’s the time to experience new adventures, whether it’s heading east to Rosebud for a live theatre getaway, west to Sunshine Village in Banff for an alpine voyage, north to Saddle Hills County for a lakeside escape or stay closer to home with a day trip to explore the vibrant community of Montgomery.
Take a day or three to see what fun the open road holds — the beauty of a road trip is you can set your own pace and stop if something strikes your fancy. Read on to plan your next merry excursion.
A Day Trip to Montgomery
Be a tourist in your own city.
You might be thinking of packing up the car, hitting the Trans Canada Highway and photobombing tourist attractions while surviving on gas station snacks and questionable coffee.
While there’s appeal to roadtripping, there’s the hidden gem of Montgomery without needing to leave the city. Once a village in its own right, Montgomery joined the City of Calgary in 1963 connecting the communities of Parkdale and Bowness. Over the years, the vibrant community has seen many businesses and activities pop up.
Leave your overnight bag at home, grab a friend and plan your next road trip to Montgomery where you can fill up on family events, date nights, delicious meals, coffees and bubble teas. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing spa day with some retail therapy, a weekend to indulge in tasty eats or an outdoor getaway to enjoy nature’s offerings, you’ll find it all in Montgomery.
Fuel up
Get your caffeine fix with a decadent latte at Fringe Coffee or grab a bubble tea from Sue at VitaminBoba.
For an unbeatable brunch, NOtaBLE offers breakfast options on weekends. Choose from classics like eggs Benedict and sourdough French toast or try something new like the pulled pork breakfast pizza.
Get outside — with the dogs, kids or on a date
Shouldice, Edworthy or Montalban — three great off-leash parks that let you tire out your four-legged friends. After your pup’s big walk or swim, grab a treat from Bon A-Pet-Treat! Pet Store & Bakery, then treat yourself with a chocolate-dipped cone from Dairy Queen.
The Shouldice Park Playground, an all-inclusive park with tons of swings, bouncing and ramp areas, lets your kids burn off energy. Follow that up with a picnic in the park with donairs from My Donair or Shawarma Palace. Or try a chicken or beef satay sub from Lily Vietnamese Submarines or swing by Five Spice Kitchen for a range of Asian cuisine offerings. Watch for Deng’s Dumplings newest location opening soon, too.
Float the Bow with friends or family. Rent a raft from Sports Rent and flow with the river. Prefer to stay on land? Rent a bike or rollerblades (Alien In-Line offers classes if you’re new to blading), or play a friendly game of volleyball, bocce ball or tug of war.
After working up an appetite, grab a bite at Papa Nikolas Pizza for homemade tomato sauce and fresh crust made in-house daily. Or go to Pizza 3000 and create your own pizza with up to five toppings.
For a tried-and-true taste experience, check out the Wiener Schnitzel Haus. This family-owned staple has been serving Calgarians authentic Austrian dining experiences for years. Choose a starter, like the raclette for two, or a dessert. Or treat yourself to both — you’re on an adventure.
Massage and retail therapy
Spend the afternoon browsing an array of local shops. Find sustainable bath, body and home products at Greenbriar Market + Refillery and get thrifting for a new outfit at Curvy Britches. Plus, Montgomery features a variety of beauty and wellness services so you can relax with a massage from Montgomery Wellness, mani/pedi from Cactus nails or get the latest style, cut and colour at ThairAPY. Take some fresh flowers home to commemorate the day from Allan’s Flowers. And for a fun and unique experience, craft your own wine at Wine Kitz.
Enjoy a nightcap
Wrap up a great day with a refreshing pint of beer at Rising Tides Taproom for a large selection of local beers and house-crafted cocktails. If you’re still hungry, enjoy a taco or two there, too.
Or splurge with a scoop or three of ice cream or a tasty banana split from the original location of Abbey’s Creations.
So many fun experiences packed into this community waiting for you to discover.
The Mountains Are Calling
Swap your skis for hiking boots this summer at Sunshine Meadows.
When the snow melts and the flowers bloom, Sunshine Village packs up the skis and snowboards, but its doors remain open. Hop aboard Banff’s biggest gondola and experience what summer at 7,000 feet in Sunshine Village looks like.
Sneak peek at what’s new in the peaks
This past May, Sunshine bid farewell to its Angel Express lift, the first high-speed quad in the Canadian Rockies. Since 1988, Angel Express had been flying people up a vertical rise of 1,244 feet in just over five minutes.
This summer, visitors can watch as crews work on the new Super Angel luxury lift, set to be up and running in November 2024. The Super Angel is sure to wow skiers and snowboarders, and like its predecessor, transform Sunshine and take it into its next chapter.
Take in incredible summer mountain vistas
Ride the Standish Chairlift to over 8,000 feet and enjoy mountain views like no other. This kind of elevation offers 360-degree views of the Canadian Rockies, and Standish is the only chairlift with sightseeing access to three alpine lakes.
Hike among the greenery and wildflowers on hosted trail walks through Sunshine Meadows — accessible for mountain lovers of all abilities. Breathe in the fresh alpine air, enjoy the serenity of the mountains and learn about the surrounding peaks, wildlife and history from your guide or at the Sunshine Meadows Interpretive Center.
On the Standish Viewing Deck, enjoy more phenomenal views before turning in for the night at Sunshine’s mountain-top hotel. Spend a relaxing night in luxury at Sunshine Mountain Lodge, under a clear sky full of stars.
Find rejuvenation among the mountain tops, and enjoy nature’s best at Sunshine Meadows.
Learn more at banffsunshinemeadows.com.
Into the Wilderness
Explore the beauty of nature at one of Saddle Hills County’s lakes or on the majestic Peace River.
Eight hours north of Calgary, serene lakes glisten in the sun and the historic Peace River flows through the vast land of Saddle Hills County. The peaceful region offers a retreat to the great outdoors for a restorative road trip.
Backyard wilderness
Part of the magic of Saddle Hills County is its all-encompassing natural beauty. Everywhere you look, you’ll see lush forestry, vast plains with golden fields, prominent wildlife and tranquil lakes and rivers.
The county’s off-the-beaten-path location makes for a secluded wilderness oasis well worth a visit. Hike among the forest trails and spot birds and animals, go for a swim, fish and take in a Saddle Hills sunset — a Peace Country treasure.
“There is no end to the beautiful and captivating sunsets that Saddle Hills County and the Peace region treat us to. Almost every evening, we get to witness a spectacular sunset,” says resident Jo Ann Edey.
A boatload of lakes
With Calgary being a landlocked city, Calgarians often long for time near water. Saddle Hills boasts several beautiful lakes and rivers, and there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy them.
“The entire county is a beautiful wilderness that allows for so many outdoor activities,” says resident Dustin Goodheart.
Try your hand at fishing at the Shell True North Pond, wander down to the banks of the Peace River and find the secluded waterfall at Cotillion, or spend the night camping adjacent to Spring or Hilltop Lake.
To plan your visit, go to saddlehills.ab.ca/recreation.
Worth the Drive: Rosebud is Alberta’s Theatre Destination
Head to Rosebud this summer to experience professional live theatre and so much more in the historic hamlet.
Summer is the time for new adventures and weekend getaways, and what better way to make the most of those wide-open blue skies and sunny days than with a road trip? About a 65-minute drive northeast of Calgary, the tiny hamlet of Rosebud has emerged as Alberta’s destination of choice for theatregoers of all ages. Attend an unforgettable professional live theatre production after enjoying a delicious buffet meal at the Mercantile, once Rosebud’s general store. The theatre has existed since 1983, when it was launched by staff and students of the Rosebud Fine Arts High School. It grew from an original production on an outdoor stage to now showcasing seven shows every year on two stages, and welcomes around 35,000 patrons annually.
Little Women: The Broadway Musical kicks off the 2024 summer season and runs until August 31, offering a perfect show for a family trip. Bringing the book by Louisa May Alcott to life, the production tells a vivid story of sisterhood, friendship, love and growing up following the American Civil War.
The hamlet of Rosebud offers plenty to discover before an evening show or after a matinee, from exploring the Centennial Museum, visiting the Akokiniskway Art Gallery or doing some boutique shopping. With so much to do, it’s worth spending a night or three at one of Rosebud’s B&Bs to experience all the Drumheller region has to offer including the Royal Tyrrell Museum, Atlas Coal Mine or hiking at Horseshoe Canyon.
For more information or to buy tickets, visit rosebudtheatre.com.
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