My wife and I (sounds like an intro at a wedding) are traveling to Canada in September and driving from Vancouver to Calgary.

So, having done no research yet (lazy buggers), we'd like to canvas the good people out there for their experiences.

What's good to see and do - including music venues (particularly if Devin is playing)?

The Sydney gig was fantastic. Thanks and please come again, Devin.

Cheers

Martin.

Dev said hell be touring again next year at the acoustic show in melbourne

I'm an Aussie and I've driven from Vancouver to Calgary. Two words: absolutely magnificent!

Just do it!

The Rocky Mountains are always nice to drive through. Also be sure to check out Banff National Park. Some really great landscape to be seen.

Good thing you're stopping at Calgary. Most of central Canada is extremely flat prarie land that's no fun to drive through.

depends on timeframe, budget, interests etc.

I could spend a month in Vancouver and still not do all I wanted to do. If you ski, you have to do whistler in BC. Stanley Park and Granville island can kill a day easily in vancouver. East Hastings is a sight to behold (not a good one but it's interesting). You could visit Marc Emery and show support for the cause... Go to an NHL hockey game, try to drink at least 1 beer from every micro-brewery, go to Scrape records for all your metally needs, Capilano bridge is fun if you are afraid of heights, see some whales (not sure about Sept though). The drive through the mountains is great but I'm not sure you even need to leave Vancouver. It's pretty awesome to be able to ski and play golf in the same day. I've been to Calgary and Winnipeg and have vowed that I will never return to the prairies (no offence to those that live there) as it is not an exciting vacation spot. I have heard good things about doing the Van-Calg trip by train though. Saves you the stress of driving on winding mountain roads.

Good Luck and have fun!

try to drink at least 1 beer from every micro-brewery,

but don't drink any of the stuff passed off as beer by the commercial breweries or it will spoil your whole trip. On a similar tip, if in America, only drink imported beer.

I have heard good things about doing the Van-Calg trip by train though. Saves you the stress of driving on winding mountain roads.

Thats what I want to do. Probably not for a year or so yet. Gotta get myself fit enough.

[Octillus]

try to drink at least 1 beer from every micro-brewery,

but don't drink any of the stuff passed off as beer by the commercial breweries or it will spoil your whole trip. On a similar tip, if in America, only drink imported beer.

Eh, if it's from a major brewery.

Our small breweries are just as good as anything else. But this could be a west coast thing, we have a history of it.

Vancouver to Calgary that's only the western part of Canada. Come to Montreal, it's the metal capital of Canada and there are tons of bars !

How much you will enjoy your trip really depends on how much you like being surrounded by nature. Besides Vancouver, most of BC is a big, green, beautiful rainforest. (I'm certain that some parts of Terria were inspired by watching the run rise over the Rockies in the winter) If you're looking for anything centered around music venues, nightlife, entertainment, shopping, etc., just spend your time in Vancouver. You'll get the most out of it.

As Antiyou mentioned, Granville Island and Stanley Park are definitely highlights. Capilano Suspension Bridge is definitely a trip if you're not going to go to Van again anytime soon. It's a bit of a pricey tourist trap kinda thing, but it's cool. There are probably Vancouver people on here that can give you more detailed advice. Also because it's a major city, you should be able to find a lot of tourist information floating around the Internets and whatever.

In my not so humble opinion, the awesome parts really start once you get away from the city. BC is beautiful.
If you're fairly liquid, I'd suggest checking out Whistler. There's a ton of stuff up there, but it's gonna cost you. Same thing goes with Banff. You'll have to pass through the Banff National Park on your way, and there's a city right in the middle with the same name. Really nice views. Bring a camera.

Once you leave Vancouver on Hwy1, it's just going to be traveling until you reach Hope. Hope will be one of your last chances to get some food and take a real break for a while, but also marks the beginning of really getting away. You'll start heading North toward Kamloops, which is the next real city on your route. Between Hope and the Banff National Park, most of your touristy stuff will be pretty self-motivated. I'd suggest packing a bunch of picnic food and cooler. There won't be lots of restaurants and the like, and most of the good stuff just involves stopping somewhere pretty and having a nice meal in the wilderness.

I would check out Lake Louise in the Banff park as well. It's really a sight. There are also a lot of hiking trails throughout the park, and it's by far the largest national park you'll hit along your way. If it's too expensive to stay at a town/city within the park, if you continue out the other side to Canmore you should be able to find something cheaper. If you like to get outside I'd say it's well worth your time to give Banff park a whole day of your time.

Past Canmore I can't tell you much. I've only driven past Banff to Calgary once, and I'm not much of an Alberta guy. No trees and no mountains just makes me feel out in the open. Calgary is definitely the biggest city you'll see after Vancouver, so I'm sure there will be lots to do there, and lots of info available. They've got a tower you can go up and check out the view. Towers are cool, rite?

HAVE FUN!

try to drink at least 1 beer from every micro-brewery,

but don't drink any of the stuff passed off as beer by the commercial breweries or it will spoil your whole trip. On a similar tip, if in America, only drink imported beer.

I can't tell if this is sarcastic or you are agreeing with me. I don't mean to put down the Budweisers, Coor's, Canadian, Blue's of the world but why the fuck would you want to drink that shit when Canada likely has a micro-brewery for every 5 people that live here. Why let volume production decide what you are going to drink. I would take a Creemore Springs, Mill St., Granville Island, Steamwhistle, Rickard's, Maudite, and any of the countless others over an Export or 50 anyday.

try to drink at least 1 beer from every micro-brewery,

but don't drink any of the stuff passed off as beer by the commercial breweries or it will spoil your whole trip. On a similar tip, if in America, only drink imported beer.

I can't tell if this is sarcastic or you are agreeing with me.

My work here is done.

I don't mean to put down the Budweisers, Coor's, Canadian, Blue's of the world but why the fuck would you want to drink that shit when Canada likely has a micro-brewery for every 5 people that live here.

Dude, put down Budweiser and Coors all you like. It is all watered-down piss crammed with chemicals and bubbles. I wouldn't drink that shit if Canada didn't have any other liquids whatsoever and I was about to die of thirst.
Micro-breweries (and micro distillers and small vineyards) rule. They exist to sell a quality product to people who want to consume something based on taste. Commercial breweries exist to peddle volume alcohol to the masses.

try to drink at least 1 beer from every micro-brewery,

but don't drink any of the stuff passed off as beer by the commercial breweries or it will spoil your whole trip. On a similar tip, if in America, only drink imported beer.

Eh, if it's from a major brewery.

Our small breweries are just as good as anything else. But this could be a west coast thing, we have a history of it.

Gordon Bierch, Redhook, Pike, and Alaskan are great, to name a few. I had a great amber micro a few weeks ago from somewhere in New York, but I can't remember the company's name.

As for Canada, I've been to Vancouver several times and Victoria once. Both gorgeous. The Pacific Northwest rules.