Urgent: Calgary 1-day tour recommendations?

[beripari]

Leaving for Calgary in a few hours. Yeah, I know, I should have done this earlier but things have been really hectic & was waiting for "team" itinerary before we planned ours! Got 12yo on the plane this morning!

We'll be in Calgary for only 4 days - several of which will be spent in the gym watching competition. BUT, we have 1 full day and "maybe" 1/2 day "free" time to fill. We sorta did Banff/Lake Louise last time we were ther but not fully. What recommendations does anyone have? Are the Hoo Doo rock formations worth the drive & is there anything else to see/do there or along the route - we'll have a car? Have already printed off info & COUPONS (!) for the "major" Calgary attractions within the city - is the tower worthwhile? Athletes + coaches are probably going to Olympic Park tomorrow - not sure if we'll tag along or not! Kinda want some "couple" time!

Leaving for airport @ 6.30 pm (3.30 Calgary time) so would appreciate response by then so we can at least plan for tomorrow. We'll have a laptop with us but no print capability. Thanks!

PS: only taking small carryon luggage (for 4 days!) & don't cherish packing snow pants - in case we again go to Banff/Lake Louise as partner is hoping! Weather looks like it's warming up -- chinook?!?!
But is there still much snow on the ground - ie, tall or short boots required? Thanks!

[Talamasca]

The hoodoos at Drumheller are a bit of a long drive away but can be done as a daytrip from Calgary. The Royal Tyrell Museum of Paleontology in Drumheller is the premiere dinosaur museum in the world and is fantastic IMO.

[beripari]

Is it longer drive than Banff/Lake Louise?

[Barayolayosa]

Is it longer drive than Banff/Lake Louise?

Yes. It's about 2 hrs. Banff is 1 hr from my door (NW Calgary).

I don't know if there's a lot to see here in Calgary, but I would definitely recommend Lake Louise - it's stunning. Visit Banff while you're out there (on your way back from Lake Louise, as LL is best seen in the morning), but remember that it's a very commercial place - lots of shopping!

Other than that, 17th ave is nice (aka The Red Mile) for restaurants and expensive shopping. Lots of bars there as well.

See if you can get to the Bryer while you're here!

[WesternGuy]

Royal Tyrell Museum/Drumheller is about 1 1/2 hour drive NE of Calgary. Probably similiar timewise from Calgary to Banff depending on your start point in Calgary, traffic, etc.

It is a very good museum and usually hit it once every year to two years with the kids (6 and 9).

It is supposed to be above zero and nice for the next few days. Mountain weather can vary. Drumheller is NE and in the flatter/badlands type terrain.

Have a good trip.

[beripari]

We're staying @ Best Western Village Park, just a short drive to the University where we will be spending most of Saturday and part of Sunday. Have stayed there before, done the casino (will do it again!(, Banff/Lake Louise, a little bit of "downtown" but not much else - hard to squeeze alot into 4 days - most of which is filled with competition! But we'll do what we can. Really wanted to have lunch/dinner @ SAIT's restaurant but they're closed this week! Next year!

Plus alot more athletes this year with greater age range (10-18!) so more difficult for the coaches to find something that will appeal to all - maybe paintball! - so we'll probably just go our own way but trying to decide what that might be!