Canada Family Holidays| Rocky Mountain & Coastal Adventure

Arrive in Calgary and take the scenic two-hour drive west into Banff for the perfect start to your Canada Rockies family holiday. You’ll see the soaring peaks of the Rockies rise above alpine forests and rivers as your first real glimpse of the rugged countryside. Banff is a charming mountain town that makes the perfect base for your first taste of Canada’s great outdoors.

Spend your days riding the Sulphur Mountain Gondola for spectacular views, soaking in the warm waters of Banff Upper Hot Springs, and enjoying gentle horseback rides along the Bow River. Families can follow short hiking trails to sparkling waterfalls or alpine lookouts, and little adventurers will love spotting wildlife along the Bow Valley Parkway at dusk.

Evenings are relaxed and welcoming, with Banff’s main street lined with family-friendly restaurants, cosy cafés and shops where you can pick up a memento of your first days in the Rockies.

Lake Louise and Moraine Lake also lie along your route north, both dazzling shades of blue. Canoe across Lake Louise with soaring peaks mirrored in the water, or climb to a viewpoint above Moraine Lake for one of Canada’s most photographed views. For another thrill, take the Lake Louise Gondola up Mount Whitehorn – a favourite spot for grizzly bear sightings in summer.

Leave Lake Louise behind and set out on the Icefields Parkway, a 143-mile route that winds through glaciers, waterfalls and snow-dusted peaks. It’s one of the most spectacular drives on earth, and the joy of travelling with family is stopping wherever curiosity takes you. Marvel at the turquoise sweep of Peyto Lake, clamber out at Sunwapta Falls to feel the spray on your face, and look out for sure-footed mountain goats perched high on the rocks.

At the Columbia Icefield, ride out onto the Athabasca Glacier in an Ice Explorer and crunch across ice that formed thousands of years ago. Further along, the Athabasca Falls roar through a narrow canyon, showing the raw power of the Rockies. Must do activities for a family holiday in Canada. 

Arrive in Jasper, a relaxed mountain town with an adventurous heart. Ride the Jasper SkyTram up Whistlers Mountain and feel like you’re on top of the world, hike through the sculpted rocks of Maligne Canyon, or take a boat cruise across Maligne Lake to the iconic Spirit Island. Families with a sense of adventure can raft the fast-moving Athabasca River, cool off with a swim at Pyramid Lake, or drive out to Mount Edith Cavell to see its gleaming glaciers. End a day of exploring with a soak in Miette Hot Springs, surrounded by forested slopes.

Evenings in Jasper have their own kind of magic. With skies free from light pollution, the stars seem close enough to touch – the perfect finale to days filled with mountain adventure.

Leave Jasper in the morning and journey south through Mount Robson Provincial Park, where the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies rises sharply above the forest. Continue towards Clearwater, the gateway to Wells Gray Provincial Park.

Known as the “land of waterfalls,” Wells Gray is a vast wilderness of rivers, lakes and mountain ranges that feels wonderfully untamed. Families can take short trails to some of the park’s most spectacular sights, such as Helmcken Falls, which plunges 141 metres into a misty canyon, or Dawson Falls, often called “Canada’s Niagara of the North.” The park is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, so keep your eyes open for black bears, moose and bald eagles as you explore.

Evenings here are about slowing down and soaking in the wilderness. A picnic by the lake or a relaxed evening in Clearwater is the perfect way to pause before your next mountain adventure.

Continuing your journey south west and towards the beautiful mountain resort of Sun Peaks, a charming village surrounded on all sides by British Columbia’s second largest ski area. As well as a popular ski destination in the winter months, Sun Peaks is also a great place to visit in the Summer with miles of exciting hiking and mountain bike trails and opportunities for many other outdoor activities including canoeing and horseback riding. Sun Peaks also boasts the highest elevation 18 hole golf course in British Columbia. The pedestrianised village means Sun Peaks is a safe and easy place to get around and with a wide variety of accommodation options including hotels, apartments and rental homes, Sun Peaks has something for families of all sizes.

Spend your days swimming and building sandcastles along Lake Okanagan’s shoreline, cycling the easy-going trails, or joining an evening cruise to watch the sun set across the water. The valley stretches from Osoyoos near the American border north to Vernon and is filled with orchards, vineyards and farms. Families can visit the B.C. Orchard Industry Museum to learn how the region was shaped by fruit growing, while history lovers can stop at the Father Pandosy Mission, a mid-19th century settlement that tells the story of early pioneers. Parents can also sample the award-winning wines that the valley is famous for, while children enjoy fresh local fruit straight from the orchards.

Evenings are best spent dining al fresco at one of the valley’s many lakeside restaurants, where farm-to-table menus showcase the region’s produce.

After several days relaxing by the Lake, today it’s time to head for the bright lights of Vancouver!

Drive west to Vancouver, a city that blends ocean, mountains and urban energy in one unforgettable setting. With its mild climate and mix of outdoor adventure, culture and family attractions, Vancouver offers something for everyone.

Cycle or rollerblade the famous Seawall in Stanley Park, a 9-kilometre path that hugs the waterfront, or explore its beaches, playgrounds and totem poles. Cross one of the city’s iconic suspension bridges – Capilano, with its treetop walkways and cliffside paths, or Lynn Canyon, where you’ll also find a fascinating ecology centre with interactive displays. After your walk, take a refreshing dip in Lynn Creek, a favourite local swimming spot. For another perspective, ride the Skyride gondola up Grouse Mountain, where you’ll find sweeping views, a bear sanctuary, lumberjack shows and birds of prey demonstrations.

Children will love Maplewood Farm, with its pony rides and more than 200 animals, while Science World and the Vancouver Aquarium keep curious minds busy with hands-on exhibits and marine life. For older kids, Granville Island is a highlight with its bustling market, artisan shops and lively street performers, while parents can enjoy browsing Robson Street or soaking up the historic charm of Gastown.

Evenings are all about west coast dining. From casual seafood shacks to international flavours, Vancouver’s food scene is vibrant and welcoming. Grab fish and chips by the waterfront or enjoy a relaxed dinner as the sun sets over English Bay.

Take the ferry across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island and the provincial capital, Victoria. This harbour city combines old-world charm with coastal adventure, making it a wonderful place to end your Canadian journey.

Stroll along the historic Inner Harbour, where street performers, cafés and horse-drawn carriages create a lively atmosphere. Wander through narrow streets filled with boutique shops, or take a leisurely cycle around the waterfront. A visit to the world-famous Butchart Gardens is a must: families will be dazzled by the colours, hidden corners and themed gardens that bloom in every season.

Venture north to Duncan, known as the “City of Totems,” where around sixty carved poles tell the stories of Indigenous culture. The Native Heritage Centre adds another layer of insight, and it’s an excellent place to pick up local crafts.

The fertile waters around Vancouver Island are among the best in the world for spotting marine life, and no family trip here is complete without a whale-watching adventure. From Victoria, you can join an exhilarating 50–80 kilometre round trip aboard custom-built Zodiac boats, designed for high speed and stability. Guided by expert naturalists, you’ll head out in search of orcas, minke and grey whales, as well as porpoises, harbour seals and sea lions. The thrill of the ride combined with the chance to see these incredible animals in the wild makes this a once-in-a-lifetime highlight.

Evenings in Victoria invite you to slow down and savour the atmosphere. Enjoy a relaxed dinner of Pacific Northwest cuisine, perhaps fresh salmon or locally caught Dungeness crab, as the sun sets over the harbour and the parliament buildings glow softly in the twilight.

After a final morning in Victoria, board the ferry back across the Strait of Georgia and enjoy the sweeping ocean views one last time. The drive from Tsawwassen to Vancouver Airport is short, leaving time for a final stroll or a last-minute stop at Granville Island’s bustling market for snacks and souvenirs.

Drop off your rental car before your flight home, taking with you not just photographs but memories of mountain peaks, glacier lakes, wildlife encounters and coastlines alive with whales. This Rocky Mountain & Coastal Adventure will leave your family with stories to share and a desire to return to Canada’s wild west coast..