I usually take a 3 day weekend and go to Banff in the spring and fall but I'm finding that the hotel rates and availability have made it less desirable this year.
I am looking for ideas of driving destinations with interesting things to do and see when I get there. I'm looking for museums and the like and not 'hiking trail' type things.
I want destinations within about 5 or 6 hours of Edmonton so anything from Lethbridge to Grand Prairie.
I'd love ideas on 'must'
- stay there
- eat here
- see this
Thanks in advance!!!

Try Waterton. It's gorgeous and lots to see/do.

Drumheller is fun and has a museum as well as other things to do.

Use airbnb and look at staying in Canmore

Radium Hot Springs/Faimont Hot Springs, BC - some golf and exploring in the area, hot springs, of course, lake towns. Haven't been in a while, but great place to visit is you want to disconnect. Plus, if you still want to do a stop in Banff, it's on the way! If you're more into nature instead of a commercial style vacation, Jasper is close. Do the Maligne Canyon Ice walk.

Manitou mineral springs in Saskatchewan

Now that sounds interesting! Is it within a 5 - 6 hr drive? What is there to see and do? I travel alone and hiking/camping is out for me. Any great museum or restaurants to try?

Check it out there is a couple cool walks from proabition days. Not sure on distance

Laurie

Manitou springs is near Watrous about 1.5 hr or so, east of Saskatoon

HHhmmmm. Sounds like a 7 - 8 hr drive.... I'd be leaving free work so had originally thought 4 hour but expanded to 5 and stretched it to 6. Might be more of a destination for a vacation rather than a weekend getaway. Thanks for the help! I'll still keep it in mind!

Moose Jaw, Sask. - mineral springs (hotel roof), underground route tours, outdoor museum, beautiful churches, fudge factory, aerial museum.

That sounds awesome!

It's great!

I second this. Temple Gardens Hotel and Spa in Moose Jaw has a Fb page and website is www.templegardens.sk.ca/

These are all fantastic ideas. I will print these off and try many of them!
I would love to even hear more. I love road trips!!!

https://dinomuseum.ca/
We haven't been yet, but it Is on our list for this summer.

If you go to Drumheller, check out the quirky Gopher Hole Museum on the way there or back! It's in Torrington.

Yes this museum is awesome, totally one of a kind.

And only two bucks!

Make sure to read their hatemail binder. Hilarious!

I didn't notice it! Is it mostly from animal rights activists, or just average Joes who are creeped out?

Both....but some are really comical. I saw a sketch of a middle finger sent to the mayor

Absolute best part of museum.....stop murdering rats.....hahaha.

I love fort Steele, it's 6.5 hours-ish away but there is a huge historic fort and you pass thru the crowsnest pass, lundbreck falls are stunning (drive right up, no hiking required) there are numerous mine museums and tours including frank slide and all of the cowboy trail forts and museums. I've done the trip 4 or 5 times and still havent seen it all. There's also an actual gold mine (nip tuck mine) where you can pan and prospect for $25 all day and keep what you find.
Closest hotels are cranbrook, all price ranges and the campgrounds at fort steele are great if you camp. One has an inexpensive cabin as well. Feel free to message me if you want more info. I'm a hardcore museum nerd road tripper

And i just saw a Groupon for a really nice hotel/casino in Cranbrook

I love these ideas!!!!

I'm happy to help if you want more info. I'm so in love with the crowsnest area, I plan to pan there over spring break again

Ooh Crowsnest is awesome!!!!!

Fort Steele is awesome ! Can't go wrong anywhere in that area radium is another great Area !

Kananaskis is absolutely amazing at the delta lodge

Thanks. I'm sure it is amazing but the rates are outrageous for one person. That is why I'm looking for suggestions outside of the mountains.