Browsing Tag:

road trip

The Best Hotel Pool In Fort McMurray (We LOVE It!)

Hotel pool and water slide at Radisson Hotel & Suites Fort McMurray

My husband was born and raised in Fort McMurray, and, while his parents have retired south, several friends still live in the community, including our kids’ godfather. We don’t head up north often, but love the area when we do (the drive is long). There are so many things to do!

A hotel room in Fort Mac is a pretty reasonable price – especially on weekends when not as many people are working – so we treat the kids and stay in one instead of cramming them into a friend’s basement. One of our favourites is the Radisson Hotel and Suites Fort McMurray with their awesome orange waterslide!

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“Syncrude Giants of Mining” Visitor’s Guide

Giants of Mining panorama

Photos can’t explain how MASSIVE the operations north of Fort McMurray are. In 1999 Syncrude decommissioned several machines and placed two at the side of the highway in an open-air museum to exhibit these giants and share information about what happens at their open-pit oilsands mining operation.

We’re fans of big things at Alberta Mamas. I’ve seen a lot of them. But walking up to these machines that are as big as my first four-story apartment building? You’ve got to see this!

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Whirlwind Alberta Tour: Culture, History, and Top Attractions (8-day/7-night Road Trip)

Kid raising arms in victory with mountains in the background

Out-of-province friends or family coming for a visit and you want to show off Alberta? My Toronto-based world-traveling cousin is (ahem – finally) visiting her Alberta relatives, and we have one week to tour the province. It’s going to be a whirlwind with highlights in Edmonton, Jasper, Banff, and Calgary to show off the best of what Alberta has to offer! Here’s my itinerary for 1 week in Alberta.

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Have you been to the U of A Botanic Garden lately?

University of Alberta Botanic Gardens

I decided we needed to get out and do something as a family, and I knew from friends that you book time slots at the U of A Botanic Garden, so it would be COVID Friendly. Hubs and I checked the weather, booked it on a day when the weather was supposed to be great and then my husband let me know he’d actually never been. The guy grew up in Edmonton but hadn’t ever been to the gardens so I was excited. I myself haven’t been since the Aga Khan garden opened – doubly excited.

We had to wear masks throughout the whole garden, which was understandable.

My kids love the Japanese Garden so we always go there first, trying to spot the coy fish.

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Ultimate List of Alberta Roadside Attractions with Kids

Updated May 2023

There is almost nothing better than a family road trip – except the incredible number of stops you have to take. Turn those pit stops into sightseeing with points of interest like the world’s largest sausage, fishing lure, and teepee, or a real-life UFO landing pad – talk about must-see roadside attractions!

In honour of all things weird, here’s our ultimate list of all things roadside in Alberta. Not all of these “big things” are truly “giant” or “World’s Largest”, but they certainly make great roadside attractions in Alberta.

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FREE Admission on Family Day to These Alberta Museums!

Family Day Alberta

Family Day is Monday February 18th! This is one of our favourite “holidays”- how awesome is it to have an entire day dedicated to just being with your family? If you are looking for something fun and free to do in Alberta you are in luck!

Free Family Day Admission:

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Edmonton Renovation Show Giveaway!

We don’t know about you but we are SO excited for the snow to melt and the reno’s to begin! But we really don’t even have to wait do we? Lots can be done inside while it’s chilly outside!

With big names like Bryan Baeumler hosts of HGTV’s Bryan Inc., plus, with more than 225 exhibitors and a slew of exciting new features, there’s real advice and real inspiration at the Edmonton Renovation Show!

The 2019 Edmonton Renovation Show runs:

Friday, January 25th, 2019 – 12PM – 9PM
Saturday, January 26th, 2019 – 10AM – 9PM
Sunday, January 27th, 2019  10AM – 6PM

Buy your tickets online here or enter to win passes below in our GIVEAWAY! Did you know, Kids 12 & under are free!

Thanks to the Renovation Show we have a four pack of tickets to giveaway! Tickets can be picked up at the show box office and the draw will be Monday, January 21st.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Day Trip to Drumheller

Updated May 10, 2023

By Kathryn Wright

What does every 4 year old know way more about than most adults? Dinosaurs, of course!

I found myself alone with 4 kids aged 1, 4, 7, and 11 for two full days last week and wanted to find an activity that was age appropriate and interesting for all of them. I decided that a day trip to Drumheller and the Royal Tyrrell Museum would be a great way to spend one of our days together. 

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