If you’re just joining our Canadian Rockies family adventure and looking for tips for traveling to Banff with three kids, make sure to catch up on our Day 1 survival guide to arriving in Calgary.
By the morning of Day 2, that strategic buffer day had done its job. We woke up at our airport hotel feeling like actual human beings rather than a collection of travel-worn logistics. Today was the day the real mountain vacation began, but it threw us a classic travel curveball: a 5 p.m. check-in window.
Instead of waiting around, we grabbed our wheels, headed straight into the heart of the mountains, and spent an unforgettable afternoon exploring Banff Ave before making “camp” in Canmore.
Renting a Minivan for a Family Road Trip: Our Dodge Grand Caravan Review
Our first order of business was heading right back to Calgary International Airport (YYC). Because our hotel’s complimentary airport shuttle runs 24 hours a day, we hopped straight onto the shuttle to pick up our vehicle.
By waiting until the morning of Day 2 to pick up our rental, we saved an entire 24 hours’ worth of rental car fees and airport parking rates!
Our ride for the week? The undisputed heavyweight champion of family travel: a Dodge Grand Caravan.
Look, I know minivans don’t exactly scream cool, but when you are compiling practical tips for traveling to Banff with three kids, you quickly learn that ego plays second fiddle to ergonomics. When you are hauling a car seat, an umbrella stroller, five suitcases, and a mountain of heavy layers, automatic sliding doors are a love language. The Caravan swallowed our gear whole and gave everyone their own space.
Plus, we were able to get a portion of the rental covered by our Capital One Venture X travel reimbursement. Learn more about how we hacked this trip using credit cards.
⚠️ Don’t Forget Your National Parks Pass
The drive west from Calgary along the Trans-Canada Highway is nothing short of therapeutic. The flat prairie horizon vanishes, replaced by the jagged, impossible limestone walls of the Canadian Rockies.
But as you enter the mountains, you need to be prepared for the logistics. Our vacation condo rental at Solara Resort Canmore actually included a complimentary Banff National Park pass, which is an incredible perk. However, because we couldn’t check into our condo until 5 p.m., we didn’t have physical possession of that pass yet.
Note: You need a valid park pass or a paid parking receipt everywhere you stop within the National Park boundaries. Because we stopped in the town of Banff before checking into our condo, we had to pay for a parking pass at the town meters out of pocket. Don’t risk a massive ticket—pay for the local parking pass if you’re stopping before you get your hands on your rental property’s pass!
Killing Time on Banff Ave: Pizza, Squishies, and Candy
With a few hours to kill before our 5 p.m. check-in, we parked the minivan and hit Banff Avenue. The town is incredibly charming, surrounded by towering peaks that look like a movie backdrop.
To keep the crew fueled and happy, we leaned into some crowd-pleasing classics:
- Lunch: We ate at Boston Pizza on Banff Ave. It’s incredibly family-friendly, predictable, and has an extensive menu that satisfies everyone without a fight.
- Souvenir Stop #1: The absolute highlight of the afternoon for the kids was stopping into Totem Souvenirs. They have an amazing selection of mountain gear and gifts, but my kids completely locked eyes on their collection of squishies and NeeDoh.
- Souvenir Stop #2: You cannot walk down Banff Ave with kids without visiting the iconic Banff Sweet Shoppe. It is a spectacular, old-school candy store packed with retro sweets, homemade fudge, and imported treats. It’s the ultimate “good behavior” bribe for a long travel day transition.
Checking Into Our Canmore Basecamp
We headed back to Canmore to do some grocery shopping at the Save-On-Foods in Canmore. Because our rental had a full kitchen, eating most of our breakfasts and dinners at home was a big way that we saved on food expense.
We also went on a quick hike at the Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk trail, which is a scenic 4 km (2 mi) boardwalk alongside Policeman’s Creek. This hike was stroller friendly, allowing my 3 year old to take a quick nap and the rest of us to stretch our legs.
At 5 p.m. on the dot, we drove down the road to our official home base: Solara Lodges in Canmore.
If you are a Mother Hustler audience trying to keep your family comfortable on a long trip, staying in Canmore is a massive win. We checked into our multi-bedroom suite, which allowed us to maintain normal bedtime routines for the kids without forcing the adults to sit in boredom after their bedtime.
But the real savior of Day 2? The indoor pool. After a long flight recovery day and walking all over Banff Ave, letting the kids burn off their final bursts of energy in the resort pool was the ultimate reset button.
By the time we tucked everyone in and looked out at the Three Sisters mountain peaks from our balcony, Day 2 had officially proven that even when check-in times don’t align perfectly, a little pizza, candy, and a scenic wal make any detour an adventure.
Next up in the series: Day 3 of our tips for traveling to Banff with three kids, where we tackle one of the most famous (and crowded) hikes in Alberta: Johnston Canyon.