10-Day Canada Family Signature Itinerary: Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Whistler & Vancouver — From New York

A Canadian Rockies road trip works best when the drive is treated as part of the holiday. This route begins among the mountain peaks of Banff, follows the Icefields Parkway into Jasper, crosses British Columbia through Kamloops and Whistler, and finishes beside the Pacific Ocean in Vancouver.

There is no practical single hotel location for the entire trip. For easy access, we recommend Tunnel Mountain in Banff, Lake Louise Village, central Jasper, downtown Kamloops, Whistler Village North and downtown Vancouver near Yaletown. These areas keep restaurants and local attractions close while making the next day’s drive straightforward.

Book this as an open-jaw trip, flying from New York to Calgary and returning from Vancouver to New York. Air Canada currently lists routes between Newark and Calgary and between Vancouver and Newark. Seasonal nonstop services may also be available from JFK, so compare all three New York airports before booking. Collect a midsize SUV at Calgary Airport and arrange to return it at Vancouver Airport.

Day 1 — New York to Calgary and Banff

Take a morning flight from New York to Calgary, allowing approximately five to six hours when a nonstop service is available. After collecting the rental SUV, drive about two hours from Calgary Airport to Banff. Check into Tunnel Mountain Resort, where a one-bedroom condo or loft provides useful space and a kitchen for a family. The location also avoids the busiest part of downtown while remaining connected by Roam Transit. Once settled, visit Bow Falls and walk along Banff Avenue. Three Bears Brewery is a relaxed first-night choice; try the Huli Huli chicken, fish and chips, mac and cheese and soft-serve ice cream.

Day 2 — Johnston Canyon and Banff Mountain Views

Begin with breakfast sandwiches, pastries and coffee from Wild Flour Bakery before driving to Johnston Canyon. Walk to the Lower Falls and continue toward the Upper Falls if the children are comfortable with a longer trail. Return to Banff for wood-fired pizza and salad at Bear Street Tavern. Spend the afternoon riding the Banff Gondola for panoramic views across the Bow Valley, followed by a visit to Banff Upper Hot Springs. Both attractions should be booked ahead during summer. Have dinner at Park Distillery, where the rotisserie chicken, bison burger and mac and cheese are dependable family options, before returning to Tunnel Mountain Resort.

Day 3 — Banff to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise

Pick up breakfast and packed sandwiches from Trailhead Cafe, then drive approximately 45 minutes to the Lake Louise Park and Ride. Leave the SUV there and take the reserved Parks Canada shuttle to Moraine Lake. Walk up the Rockpile for the classic Valley of the Ten Peaks view before using the connector shuttle to reach Lake Louise. Personal vehicles cannot access Moraine Lake, and shuttle places frequently sell out, so reserve through Parks Canada. Walk along the Lake Louise shoreline or take the short Fairview Lookout trail. Stay at Lake Louise Inn in a one-bedroom condo and have dinner at Bill Peyto’s Cafe, where burgers, soup and casual Canadian dishes suit a relaxed evening.

Day 4 — Lake Louise to Jasper on the Icefields Parkway

Have breakfast at the hotel, fill the fuel tank and carry water and snacks before starting the Icefields Parkway drive. Stop at Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake before continuing toward the Columbia Icefield. Families can add the glacier vehicle tour and Skywalk, but this is one of the trip’s more expensive activities and should be reserved in advance. Eat lunch at the Glacier Discovery Centre, then continue north to Athabasca Falls and Jasper. Services are limited along the parkway, so review the current Parks Canada driving guidance before leaving. Check into a two-queen kitchen suite at Forest Park Hotel and have burgers, flatbreads or grain bowls at the hotel’s Hearthstone Lounge.

Day 5 — Maligne Lake and Jasper

Start with pastries and breakfast sandwiches from Bear’s Paw Bakery before driving toward Maligne Lake. Allow extra time for Medicine Lake, mountain viewpoints and possible wildlife delays. Take the reserved Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island, one of the most memorable water-based activities in Jasper. Arrive well before the sailing because missed departures can be difficult to rebook. Have sandwiches, burgers or soup at the Lake House Cafe before returning toward Jasper. Spend the late afternoon walking or swimming at Lake Annette, then order pizza, salad and gelato at Jasper Pizza Place. Stay for a second night at Forest Park Hotel. Maligne Canyon and Cavell Road are excluded because both remain closed during the 2026 season, according to Parks Canada.

Day 6 — Jasper, Mount Robson and Kamloops

After breakfast at the hotel, drive west into British Columbia and stop at the Mount Robson Provincial Park Welcome Centre. The main viewpoint offers a clear look at the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies without requiring a long hike. Continue to Valemount for sandwiches, soup or salads at The Gathering Tree before following Highway 5 south to Kamloops. Remember that the clocks move back one hour when crossing from Alberta into British Columbia. Stay at Delta Hotels Kamloops near Victoria Street, where the central location makes dinner and an evening walk easy. Visit Riverside Park or use the hotel’s rooftop pool before eating at The Noble Pig. The pulled-pork mac and cheese, fish and chips and burgers work particularly well after a long driving day.

Day 7 — Kamloops to Whistler through Lillooet

Have breakfast near the hotel and drive toward Lillooet, stopping at the Seton Lake viewpoint. Pick up sandwiches, pastries or soup from Abundance Artisan Bakery before continuing along Highway 99 and Duffey Lake Road. This mountain road is scenic but winding, so travel during daylight, take regular breaks and review the DriveBC Highway 99 conditions before departure. Stop briefly at Duffey Lake before continuing to Whistler. Check into a one-bedroom suite at Delta Whistler Village Suites. Village North is our preferred location because the main village, Olympic Plaza, restaurants and gondolas are within walking distance. Spend the evening around Olympic Plaza and have wood-fired pizza, meatballs or pasta at Caramba.

Day 8 — Whistler and the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola

Pick up breakfast from Purebread and walk to the gondola for the Whistler Summer Alpine Experience. Travel up the mountain, cross between Whistler and Blackcomb on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola and choose one of the shorter alpine trails. The gondola is a premium family activity, but it provides the strongest mountain views in Whistler. Summer operating dates vary, so check the Whistler Blackcomb schedule before booking. Have lunch at the Roundhouse, then return to the village and rent recreational bicycles for an easy ride along the car-free Valley Trail to Lost Lake. Finish with wood-fired pizza, salad and root beer floats at Creekbread before returning to Delta Whistler Village Suites.

Day 9 — Whistler to Vancouver

Leave Whistler after breakfast and follow the Sea-to-Sky Highway toward Vancouver. Stop at Shannon Falls for the short walk to the waterfall viewpoint before continuing downtown. Stay at Residence Inn Vancouver Downtown, where a family suite, kitchenette and included breakfast simplify the final night. Yaletown is a convenient base for the Canada Line, False Creek ferries and downtown restaurants. Take the Aquabus to Granville Island for lunch at the Public Market, choosing seafood chowder, salmon, teriyaki, meat pies or fresh bakery items. Visit the Kids Market before heading to Stanley Park for the totem poles, Prospect Point and a manageable section of the seawall. End the evening at The Flying Pig in Yaletown with seafood pasta, roast chicken or a prime-rib burger.

Day 10 — Vancouver to New York

Enjoy the included hotel breakfast before driving to Vancouver International Airport. Allow time to refuel and return the rental SUV, and arrive at least three hours before departure for airline check-in, security and United States preclearance. A daytime Vancouver-to-Newark flight is the easiest option for most families, although an evening service may leave time for a final walk around False Creek. Have an early lunch at the airport and fly home to New York.

Travey Club Insights

This route provides a balanced introduction to Western Canada. Banff, Lake Louise, the Icefields Parkway and Jasper cover the heart of the Canadian Rockies, while Whistler and Vancouver add mountain villages, coastal forests and the Pacific waterfront.

Flying into Calgary and home from Vancouver is the right choice for this itinerary because it avoids retracing the entire route. Reserve family-sized hotel rooms, the one-way SUV and the major mountain activities well ahead of the summer season. Keep the smaller roadside stops flexible and leave enough space in each driving day to enjoy the scenery without watching the clock.

 Travey Club is a private travel design studio specializing in bespoke, self-guided journeys tailored to your individual tastes, lifestyle, budget, and schedule. We craft refined, highly personalized travel blueprints that combine curated experiences, seamless routing, insider knowledge, and meticulous day-by-day structure — empowering you to explore independently with confidence and ease. Rather than booking hotels or tours, we design each element of your journey with precision and intention, allowing you to reserve directly while experiencing a thoughtfully orchestrated, self-guided adventure created exclusively around you.

Look at our 10-Day Canada Itinerary: Travey Club