What to do on Family Day: Affordable ideas from author of Day Trips from Calgary

The Family Day long weekend is coming up in a few days, and it's apopular time for Calgarians to go somewhere fun.

But if you haven't booked a trip yet or if money is tight, Bill Corbett has some ideas.

He's the author of the book Day Trips from Calgaryand joined the Calgary Eyeopener this week to share some affordable, easy activities to take in this weekend.

Go see the dinosaurs or the horses

The Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller, Alta., has free admission on Feb. 20. It's also providing a number of kids programs over the weekend, including fossil casting and crafts.

Closer to home, Spruce Meadowsis hosting theFebruary Classic II Feb. 18-19 atthe Equi-Plex, an indoor venue that also features a concession. Parking and admission are free.

Look for snowy owls

Take McKnight Boulevard east out of the city, Corbettinstructs. After you've passed Highway 9, wander through the country roads nearthe hamlet of Lyalta, where you can often see the creatures on fence posts. If you live in the south, take Glenmore Trail east to the Langdon areaand try your luck there.

"If you're up early, the sunrises are spectacular, but you can go mid-afternoon," Corbett said. "It's a nice, two-hour trip."

Go skating, swimming or snowshoeing

"The frozen lakes are a bit harder to find this time of year, but there are lots of cleared spaces," Corbett said.

Both the Banff Springs Hotel and the Chateau Lake Louise have skating rinks, and if you head south to High River, there's free indoorswimming andskating from 12-5 p.m. on Feb. 20 at the Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex. The facilityis also offeringfree hot dogs and hot chocolate but asks visitors to bring a food bank donation.

If you're feeling adventurous, head out to the Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation area just southwest of Calgary off of Highway 22X.

"You can snowshoe any of their trails," Corbett said. "You probably won't see anybody but you'll have fabulousviews of the mountains."

Try winter disc golf

The Canmore Nordic Centre has eight holes of its 18-hole course open during the winter for this game. The course is free and rentals are available at Trail Sports.

Stay inside

Canmore is hosting a Family Day farmers market on Feb. 18 at the Canmore Recreation Centre, and the Banff Centre is hosting a puppet show on Feb. 19 at 4 p.m. for $12.

Free admission around Alberta

All provincial museums, historic sites, archives and parks have free admission. Here's the full list.

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With files from the Calgary Eyeopener