With summer around the corner, many families are looking closer to home for their next adventure and there’s no better time to rediscover the beauty of Canada. From coast to coast, the country offers a diverse landscape of experiences perfect for family travel, whether you’re chasing waterfalls, exploring charming small towns, enjoying the great outdoors, or just wanting to unwind at a resort.
In this multi-part series, let’s break it down by journeying across the country, exploring family-friendly destinations region by region, from the coastal charms of the East coast to the rugged beauty of the West. I’ll share some of the fun experiences my family has enjoyed, along with destinations that are still on our hit list.
In this post, we’ll be exploring the Prairie provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
Churchill, Manitoba
Manitoba might not top everyone’s Canadian bucket list, but its northern treasures are truly special. For families with older children who love wildlife, Churchill stands out as the Polar Bear Capital of the World. While polar bears concentrate along Hudson Bay’s coast during fall, August offers the second-best viewing opportunity. Visiting Wapusk National Park can reward you with sightings of arctic fox, caribou, and migratory birds and August coincides perfectly with prime beluga whale watching season in the area.
Companies like Frontiers North Adventures or Churchill Wild offer comprehensive multi-day packages including transportation, meals, and accommodation, though these come with a premium price tag. You’ll still need a registered guide to enter Wapusk National Park, but planning other aspects independently can reduce costs significantly. August travel brings lower prices and better availability for flights and accommodations compared to peak fall season. Late August visitors might even catch the northern lights as a bonus.
The most convenient route to Churchill is through Winnipeg, either by train or plane (Calm Air is an Aeroplan partner). Consider extending your stay in Winnipeg to explore the Manitoba Museum, featuring engaging interactive exhibits on nature, history, and science.
Recommended Stay: You won’t find any hotel chains in Churchill, so enjoy a more intimate stay at one of the local bed and breakfasts or independent hotels like the Polar Inn & Suites. If staying in Winnipeg enroute to Churchill, there are plenty of economical options from $200–$300 (all prices in CAD) a night at a Marriott, Hilton, or Hyatt hotel.
The Fairmont Winnipeg can be booked for a similar price and participates in the Accor HERA program. By booking through our travel agency, Prince Collection, we’re able to offer additional perks such as complimentary breakfast, a $100 USD resort credit, and more, all at no additional cost to you.
Book Luxury Hotels with Prince Collection
Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan
Grasslands National Park is Saskatchewan’s best kept secret. Divided into the East and West Blocks, you can drive from one end of the park to the other in 2 to 3 hours. In the East Block, you’ll find the Big Muddy Badlands which is not well known but offers families a mesmerizing landscape of striated clay hills and hoodoos where dinosaur fossils abound. Children will have fun in exploring the mysterious terrain and visiting at the T.rex Discovery Centre.
On the West Block, you can find bison, which were reintroduced to the area in 2005, are particularly active during the rutting period between July to early-August. In the evenings, it’s one of the best places to go stargazing with the dark black skies.
A few days here could make for an unforgettable summer adventure that combines outdoor exploration with paleontological education.
Recommended Stay: For a unique, immersive experience, book a oTENTik–a blend of a tent and cabin on a raised floor that’s equipped with beds and furniture that can accomodate up to 6 people. These are limited, so book early directly from Parks Canada.
Calgary, Alberta
Summer is a great time to visit Calgary. Not only is it the gateway to visiting Banff and Lake Louise, it’s also the home of the annual Calgary Stampede that takes place every July. The event is action-packed with thrilling rodeo events featuring bull riding and barrel racing to close encounters with with farm animals at the Agricultural Zone and going on the midway rides. Kids can also try their hand at being a junior cowpoke.
Be sure to visit the Elbow River Camp at the Stampede to learn all about the different local indigenous cultures. Here, families can watch traditional dancing, participate in craft workshops, and learn about First Nations heritage through storytelling.
For a break from the Western adventures, visit the TELUS Spark Science Centre or take a day or two to visit Drumheller, the Dinosaur Capital of the World, and serves as the perfect hub for exploring the Canadian Badlands. You can visit its world-renowned Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, the towering 86-foot World’s Largest Dinosaur statue, striking geological formations like the Hoodoos and Horseshoe Canyon, and immersive historical sites such as the Atlas Coal Mine.
Recommended Stay: For a luxurious stay, check out the The Dorian, Autograph Collection. This literary-themed hotel dazzles with its Oscar Wilde-inspired design, luxurious Aesop toiletries, and a spectacular 27th-floor restaurant offering panoramic city views. Centrally located in downtown Calgary, shops and restaurants are all within walking distance and the Calgary Stampede within a 10-minute drive away. It also offers a generous breakfast offering for Bonvoy elite members with Platinum status or higher.
Nightly rates this summer range from $250–$450, increasing to $600–$1200 during the stampede, or 33,000–50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. This means you could redeem a 35K Free Night Award (with a points top-up on some nights) earned with the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card towards your stay.
Paying for your Marriott stay with your card will earn 5 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent, helping you rack up rewards faster for your next redemption.
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
- Earn 55,000 Bonvoy points upon spending $3,000 in the first three months
- Also, receive an annual Free Night Award worth 35,000 Bonvoy points starting in your second year with the card
- Also, receive 15 elite-qualifying nights every year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status
- Bonus Bonvoy points for referring family and friends
- Annual fee: $120
This hotel is part of the Marriott Luminous program, meaning guests paying cash rates can book through Prince Collection to enjoy valuable complimentary benefits including daily breakfast, a $100 USD property credit, and additional perks, all at no extra cost to you.
Banff and Lake Louise, Alberta
A Canadian family vacation wouldn’t be complete without exploring the magnificent Banff and Lake Louise region, where breathtaking mountain landscapes create the perfect backdrop for memory-making adventures. The area boasts numerous hiking trails, with many suitable for children. In particular, Johnston Canyon has accessible pathways leading to stunning waterfalls and the Shoreline Loop trail around Lake Louise features a flat terrain and offers spectacular mountain views.
Not far from Lake Louise is the stunning turquoise-coloured Moraine Lake. Be sure to make use of shuttles to get to and from as driving and parking can be a headache during the peak summer season.
On the way to Banff, visit the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary, where kids can observe these magnificent animals in their naturalistic habitats while learning about wolf conservation through educational tours. In Banff, take the gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain followed by a soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs, or rent canoes at Lake Louise for a paddling adventure beneath glaciers. For a unique and fun experience to experience the surroundings, go dog carting, which is the summer-alternative to dog sledding.
If your schedule allows, venture further north to witness the spectacular Athabasca Glacier, and continue to Jasper National Park where exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities abound. The stunning drive along the Icefields Parkway connecting these destinations offers some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery in North America.
For more details and inspiration to enhance your Alberta adventure, browse through my comprehensive posts from a few years ago.
Recommended Stay: Kids will love exploring the castle-like setting of the Fairmont Banff Springs and nothing will beat staying right on the banks of Lake Louise at the Fairmont Lake Louise. Cash rates can be steep, but because both hotels participate in the Accor HERA program, booking through Prince Collection will provide some additional benefits, including complimentary daily breakfast, a $100 USD property credit, a room upgrade, and more.
For booking on points, Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Autograph Collection is a solid option, although it is located an hour by car from Banff. The hotel offers spacious rooms and suites, is generous with their upgrades, and offers a mini indoor waterpark for young kids, while adults can visit their onsite Kananaskis Nordic Spa (for a fee). Nightly rates this summer range from $600–800 or 49,000–76,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Using Fixed-Value Programs
As you move beyond larger cities, you’ll notice fewer big-name hotel chains, and some of best family-friendly resorts are independently owned. A great way to offset the cost of these stays is by using credit cards that offer fixed-value rewards programs.
For example, Scene+ points earned through a Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card can be redeemed against any travel purchases at a rate of 100 Scene+ points to a $1.
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
- Earn 20,000 Scene+ points upon spending $2,000 in the first three months
- Plus, earn an additional 20,000 Scene+ points upon spending $7,500 in the first year
- Earn 6x Scene+ points at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, FreshCo, and more
- Plus, earn 5x Scene+ points on groceries, dining, and entertainment
- Also, earn 3x Scene+ points on gas, transit, and select streaming services
- Redeem points for a statement credit for any travel expense
- No foreign transaction fees
- Enjoy the exclusive benefits of being an American Express cardholder
- Annual fee: $120
Alternatively, TD Rewards Points earned through a TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card can also be redeemed for travel purchases. Every 200 points is worth $1 off travel purchases on Expedia for TD, which is the best redemption option for their program.
TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card
- Earn 20,000 TD Rewards Points upon making your first purchase†
- Earn 115,000 TD Rewards Points upon spending $5,000 within 180 days of account opening†
- Plus, earn up to 10,000 TD Rewards Points back on your birthday†
- Plus, earn 8x TD Rewards Points† on eligible travel purchases when you book through Expedia® for TD†
- Get an annual TD Travel Credit† of $100 when you book through Expedia® for TD†
- Use your rewards for any travel bookings available on Expedia® for TD†
- Four complimentary lounge visits through the Visa Airport Companion Program†
- Minimum income: $60,000 personal or $100,000 household
- Annual fee: $139, rebated for the first year†
- Application must be approved on or after April 30, 2025 to receive this offer
Conclusion
Whether your family is into outdoor adventures, relaxing at a fun resort, or diving into culture, Ontario and Quebec have something for everyone. These spots are just a glimpse of the many great family-friendly destinations in the region.
Traveling within Canada means getting more value for your money, without missing out on unforgettable experiences. Stay tuned for our next post as we continue exploring even more of what Prairie provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta have to offer.