The Ultimate 3-Day Family Trip Itinerary: What To Do In Canmore On Your Family Vacation

Summer is finally here, and that means that plenty of families are finalizing their family vacation plans. With endless possibilities of fun family trips to book, it can be hard to narrow down what to do and what to see this summer. But if you’re planning to visit Canmore and the Canadian Rocky Mountains this summer, we’ve got you covered.

From delicious family-friendly restaurants to a variety of outdoor and indoor activities, Canmore is the hub in the Canadian Rocky Mountains for family vacations. Read on for Spring Creek Vacations guide to a 3-day family trip to Canmore.

Day 1: Dive Into The Town of Canmore

For your first day in Canmore with your family, start it early so you can pack as much of the town into your schedule as possible. While 3 days seems like a long time, you can fill a whole week with things to do and still not see everything, and 3 days can go by quickly. So get your day started early!

Morning:

Where to Eat for Breakfast in Canmore with your Family:
To start your family’s trip off right, go with a classic and quick breakfast at Rocky Mountain Bagel Co. An icon of Canmore, these tasty bagels are crowd-pleasers, with plenty of options even for your pickiest child. Plus, they’ve got some delicious local coffee options for the adults in your group.

What to Do in Canmore in the Morning with your Family:
Because this is your first day in the town of Canmore, we recommend spending some time getting to know the wonderful mountain town first. While you could do a classic tour, we recommend trying out the fun Clue Solver’s “Smuggler’s Blues” mystery tour of Canmore. Exploring the town while trying to solve a puzzle with the family, this activity allows you to venture around the best spots of Canmore while keeping everyone entertained. While it can be done any time of the day, the morning helps you to explore Canmore before it gets busy. They also offer more challenging levels in the “Unchained Melody” and “Around the World”.

Afternoon:

Where to Eat for Lunch in Canmore with your Family:
For a family-friendly restaurant to stop by for lunch, we recommend the Summit Cafe. Another Canmore classic, they’ve got tasty lunch food and a kids’ menu. They’re also a great spot for breakfast if you’re inclined to go back for more!

What to Do in Canmore in the Afternoon with your Family:
One of the best features of Canmore during the summer is the Mountain Market. Perfect to visit with the family, this market has delicious food and crafts from local artisans, bakers and farmers, and is open from 10 am to 6 pm. Plus, it’s right outdoors in Elevation Place, so you can also enjoy the spectacular views of the Canadian Rockies. *Note that the market is only open on Thursdays during the summer.

Evening:

Where to Eat for Dinner in Canmore with your Family:
Nothing beats pizza night! To finish off your first day in Canmore, we recommend ordering a pizza or two to eat in your vacation rental. For a local pizza favourite, Red Rock Pizza fits the bill. They have lots of traditional pizza flavours, and some interesting twists for the more adventurous eaters, too. Want another local pizza option? Try Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co., the original location for this pizza joint. It also features a traditional wood fire pizza oven.

Day 2: Get Outdoors And Explore Canmore’s Top Features

It wouldn’t be a family trip to Canmore without exploring the great outdoors! From hiking its trails to playing disc golf in the Nordic Centre, you and your family will understand why Canmore is coveted for its beautiful landscapes and outdoor adventures. And don’t worry – there’s something to do outdoors for everyone, whether you do 4-hour hikes every weekend, or this is your family’s first time trekking down a trail.

Morning:

Where to Eat for Breakfast in Canmore with your Family:
Because the day will be busy with outdoor sightseeing, you’ll want to pick up a quick breakfast and maybe a snack or two for later. To get the early morning coffee for the adults and an easy breakfast for the kids, The Pulse Coffee Bar & General Store is an excellent choice. Plus, they have some nice grab-and-go options for snacks and lunch for later if you want to save some time.

What to Do in Canmore in the Morning with your Family:
Now fuelled for the day, it’s time to head to one of Canmore’s best sights: the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park. There’s plenty to do right in the park, and you can easily fill up your whole day with activities. One of the more popular trails is the Georgetown Interpretive Trail. With gorgeous sites along the way, this trail takes you to the site of the old mining town of Georgetown. This trail usually takes about 2 to 2.5 hours to complete, and although a slightly more moderate level of difficulty, it’s often recommended for families. If you’re looking for something a bit easier and quicker, we also recommend the Bow River Loop trail.

Afternoon:

Where to Eat for Lunch in Canmore with your Family:
If you didn’t bring lunch or snacks with you, you and your family should try the Cornerstone Cafe. Located in the Canmore Nordic Centre Day Lodge, this offers a simple and casual lunch spot while you’re exploring the park.

What to Do in Canmore in the Afternoon with your Family:
After lunch, it’s time to try the disc golf course at the Canmore Nordic Centre. Great for the whole family, and a nice way to enjoy the park and outdoors without doing another hike, disc golf is a fun family bonding activity. This is an 18-hole disc golf course that’s challenging enough for experts, while still being a good time for the kids. Here are some basic rules for playing on the course.

Evening:

Where to Eat for Dinner in Canmore with your Family:
From a long day of outdoor activities, we’re sure your family is hungry! The next family-friendly restaurant we recommend for dinner is the Iron Goat Pub & Grill. With easy favourites like burgers and nachos, their menu will have something for everyone to enjoy. And if you can get a table on their patio, they have gorgeous views of Canmore and the mountains. They also have a kids’ menu for the youngsters in the family.

Day 3:

On your third and final day in Canmore, you’ll want to explore the best of the best of what this mountain town has to offer. From hiking to the best viewpoints of the Three Sisters to tasting the best family-friendly restaurants, your final day will end your trip on a high note.

Morning:

Where to Eat for Breakfast in Canmore with your Family:
For your last day in Canmore, why not try something a bit more indulgent for breakfast? Chez Francois is a French-style restaurant and bistro that serves indulgent breakfast and lunch. Their kids’ menu offers dishes that will please even the pickiest of eaters, while their regular menus have scrumptious options to satisfy your tastebuds.

What to Do in Canmore in the Morning with your Family:
To make this trip extra special for the kids, you should stop by Canmore’s Olde Tyme Candy Shoppe! Kids will have fun looking over the old-fashioned style shop and picking out candy. While you’re downtown, make sure to stop by some other local shops in Canmore like the Canmore Tea Company, Project A or the Alberta’s Own Marketplace. If you have the time, definitely stop by Crock A Doodle Canmore with your family to paint your own pottery, which makes great souvenirs to take home with you.

Afternoon:

Where to Eat for Lunch in Canmore with your Family:
For another local favourite, we recommend checking out Valbella’s Gourmet Foods. A gourmet deli with ready-to-eat meals, sandwiches or reheat dishes, this local gem means you can pick some European-style meats to make delicious sandwiches for lunch. Make sure to pick up some extra meats and goods to snack on for later!

What to Do in Canmore in the Afternoon with your Family:
One of the most stunning features of Canmore is the Three Sisters. Three mountain peaks that outline the sky, the Three Sisters are an iconic sight that’s worth getting to the best spots to see and photograph with your family. One of the best viewpoints is the Three Sisters Viewpoint at Policeman’s Creek. Right off of Bow Valley Trail road, you can park by the off-leash dog park across the road. Then, you’ll cross the road and follow along the Cougar Creek bed, where at the end you’ll come across a pond that reflects back the beautiful mountain peaks. Now you can get your cameras ready for the perfect family photo spot! This is a relatively quick and easy hike, so if you’re looking for a little more activity for the afternoon, we also recommend the lovely Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk Trail. This one starts right in Canmore’s downtown area at Spring Creek Drive and takes you along an easy scenic route of Canmore.

Evening:

Where to Eat for Dinner in Canmore with your Family:
Where to Eat for Dinner in Canmore with your Family: For another delicious meal to round off your trip, the Stirling Lounge is the place to go. This delicious restaurant offers comfortable seating and fan favourites with a twist. They also have a kids’ menu to keep everyone in the family happy with their meals.

Canmore: The Ultimate Family Vacation Destination This Summer

When you’re looking for a memorable experience for the whole family, it can be hard to find the right place. But in Canmore, there are so many family-friendly restaurants and activities to try, that you’ll always have something for everyone to enjoy. Looking for more ideas on what to do with the family? Check out our blog post all about planning a kid-friendly summer vacation.

Need somewhere to stay? Browse Spring Creek Vacations’ Canmore vacation rentals, perfect for a family vacation, and book your stay today.