Spring Break is just what we need during this time of the year, situated between the final snow squalls of winter and our real spring. It’s a chance to pause amidst the busyness of Q1 and find a balance between what you and your fam need to push through the rest of the school year. For Calgary Board of Education students, March Break falls from March 21 to 29, so mark those calendars if you haven’t already! We’re staying close to home this year to get a little extra rest—here are my ideas for how to keep everyone entertained.
Road trip to a nearby destination
Yes, Banff and Canmore are always go-to spots because of their beauty and proximity to Calgary, but what about areas like Drumheller and Waterton? Sometimes, it can feel like too much of a trek to venture out to these “close to home” destinations, but having a few extra days off might make this feel more feasible. Change it up and visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller or take a leisurely hike through Waterton’s gorgeous Red Rock Canyon. Both locations have incredible views that differ from what you normally see from the Rocky Mountains, and there are iconic small towns that you can stop in on the way.
Visit the Calgary Zoo or TELUS Spark Science Centre
These are family classics for a reason, and great options for Spring Break activities whether it’s super balmy or quite chilly out. With Calgary, we truly don’t really know what the week will look like! On Sundays until November, the Calgary Zoo holds a Sunday Safari Brunch—you can enjoy a nice breakfast with the fam and finish it off with a walk around the zoo. You can find tickets here!
As for TELUS Spark, there’s always something new to see or learn at the Science Centre. I swear, every time we go, I find something new to admire. The Infinity Dome always holds interesting showings of various movies, segments, etc. It also looks like Spark Sports Weekends are on from now until April 12, meaning you can catch one during Spring Break. Learn more here.
YYC Food & Drink Experience
From March 13 – 29, the YYC Food & Drink Experience is taking over Calgary restaurants, bringing one-of-a-kind tasting menus to every quadrant of the city. Kurtis and I haven’t necessarily participated every year, but we love going out to try a new dish or restaurant. This is a great way to get out of the house and squeeze something into your schedule that isn’t a part of your normal routine. Make it a date night or visit a spot that’s a bit more family friendly—the option is yours!
Servus Tube Park at WinSport
If you want a taste of winter fun, without a drive to the mountains, the tube park at WinSport is a must. The best part, it’s open until March 31! This park has eight tubing lanes that you can ride solo or hold on to each other’s tubes and go down as a family. They also have a magic carpet to bring you back up to the top, to make the most of your tubing time. A great pick if you want to squeeze in some last winter thrills.
Spend an evening outdoors
Assuming Spring Break won’t bring -20 temperatures (crossing fingers), I always appreciate squeezing in a little skate or hike where possible. How fun would it be to hop on your skates or take a family walk with a hot chocolate in hand at Bowness? It takes me back to my childhood, and I love doing these kinds of activities with my family. You can even follow up your evening activity (doesn’t have to be skating) with a fun meal. Maybe a Noble Pie Pizza and movie night? Really, the opportunities are endless here.
Looking for some more winter activities? I’m always sharing lots of “things to do” and my travel destinations on my blog. Don’t forget to follow my Wealth With Julie Instagram for updates as I go!