o/t Planning Summer Vacation to USA and Canada

Bill from Scotland · Apr 15, 2011

Looking for some advice on where to go during our annual visit to USA and Canada. We are sitting at the laptop looking at the map and trying to plan a route. We are flying into Calgary 10th July and looking to drive south through Glacier Park then as far as Yellowstone before traveling east across northern Wyoming, South Dakota, then on to North Dakota.
We plan to spent a few days with friends at a place near Brandon Manitoba before travelling back to Calgary for the 31st July. Does this sound like a worthwhile route or should be look at other places to visit, we plan on covering around 2500 miles during our 3 weeks. We love scenery and interesting places to visit. Any suggestions very welcome including any tractor shows or salvage yards to visit on our way.
Thanks again Bill

BCnT · Apr 15, 2011

if you get down to the southern part of Wyoming/S.Dakota theres Devils Tower,and i stay at least a nite in Hot Springs,SD if anywhere nearby...gorgeous little town and waterfall...its down near Wy.SD.Ne. border.

Roger in Iowa · Apr 15, 2011

You have to visit the 5 museums under one roof at Cody WY! Natural history, Winchester (over 3000 guns), Indian, Buffalo Bill, and western art. Believe they also have a rodeo every night in the summer.

Roger in Iowa · Apr 15, 2011

Devil's tower is in Northeast WY.

buickanddeere · Apr 15, 2011

If coming all that way to the colonies. May as well go to Ontario, see Niagra Falls and go up the CN Tower.
The John Deere NY Expo runs July 7-9th in New York state.
Numerous Scottish festivals in many communities across Canada i8n July & August. Tiverton Ontarion is July 1st-3rd.

Janicholson · Apr 15, 2011

That sounds perfect. Check out Beartooth all American Road Very nice. Essex hotel in Montana near Marias Pass-- Way cool rail road hotel Not dramatically expensive, you can stay in a caboose!
Spend 2 days at Yellostone. Jim

Bob · Apr 15, 2011

(quoted from post at 13:44:27 04/15/11) Looking for some advice on where to go during our annual visit to USA and Canada. We are sitting at the laptop looking at the map and trying to plan a route. We are flying into Calgary 10th July and looking to drive south through Glacier Park then as far as Yellowstone before traveling east across northern Wyoming, South Dakota, then on to North Dakota.
We plan to spent a few days with friends at a place near Brandon Manitoba before travelling back to Calgary for the 31st July. Does this sound like a worthwhile route or should be look at other places to visit, we plan on covering around 2500 miles during our 3 weeks. We love scenery and interesting places to visit. Any suggestions very welcome including any tractor shows or salvage yards to visit on our way.
Thanks again Bill

May I suggest the International Peace Garden? It's about 60 miles south of Brandon.

(I live about 70 miles SW of there and think it would be fun to meet you there!)

http://www.peacegarden.com/

That gets you to within 50 miles of the Dale and Martha Hawk Museum...

http://www.hawkmuseum.org/

Bob · Apr 15, 2011

Oh, yeah, and if you like livestock exhibits and displays of HUGE farm machinery, the North Dakota Sate Fair runs during that timeframe.
NDSF There IS more to the website that just the rock concerts

Wilks54 · Apr 15, 2011

If you're looking for a neat place to stay a night before (or during) your time at Yellowstone, check out Chico Hot Springs in Pray, MT. You'd have to come in the North Gate of Yellowstone, but if you are going to see Mammoth Hot Springs, you'd want to go that way anyway. I agree with others on this thread, plan for 2 days. And, if you are coming that far, you should hit the Tetons as well. You will not be disappointed. I would rather spend my time in Yellowstone/Tetons/Wind River Range than mess around with the Dakotas (as far as sightseeing goes).

Yellowstone might be kind of crazy (traffic and people-wise) if you are planning on going anytime in July through August, FYI.

PS - Forgot to mention Banff. If you are coming into Calgary, I am sure you are planning on spending some time in Banff. Banff is so beautiful, you might not even want to leave for the US Parks.

big fred · Apr 15, 2011

Since you're from Scotland, I'm assuming you really like rocks. ;o)

Here's a link to the Paul Broste Rock Museum in Parshall, ND. I found it absolutely fascinating and corny at the same time.

And I'd echo everything that Bob said about the International Peace Garden, the Hawk Museum and maybe even the ND State Fair (I loved the ag exhibits even when I was a little kid).
Paul Broste Rock Museum, Parshall, ND

big fred · Apr 15, 2011

Yup, and it's a real nice stop on the way from Yellowstone NP to the Black Hills of SD. Just don't get caught feedin' the wild critters or the Ranger will chew yer butt.

Wilson · Apr 15, 2011

should you be interested older cars and trucks weteseka canada has a good museum and also a fellow is selling thousands of parts in a large area close to the museum

just another old geezer · Apr 15, 2011

Manatoba agricultural museum, auston manatoba, Plan on spending the day.

Bob in SD · Apr 15, 2011

It's not worth going too far out of your way for, and would only take a couple of hours, but it sounds as if you're driving right by the <a href="http://www.sdstate.edu/agmuseum/">Agricultural Heritage Museum</a> in Brookings, SD (About 45 minutes north of Sioux Falls on I-29).They have some really big steam traction engines, some old tractors and trucks as well as some "life in pioneer times" exhibits for the ladies to enjoy.

Bill from Scotland · Apr 15, 2011

All sounds realy good so far, I will check out your suggestions.
Bill

ncpapaul · Apr 15, 2011

Go see Zion Canyou, it will take your breath away. Paul

http://www.nps.gov/zion/photosmultimedia/index.htm

sotxbill · Apr 15, 2011

dont forget a great hamburger joint don in texas.

kj(seil) · Apr 15, 2011

don't forget the shoot-out in the street in front of the Irma Hotel,in cody definitly figure 2-3 days at yellowstone and grand tetons, jacksonhole area.

TomR Ont · Apr 15, 2011

bill from scotland,
Check this out.
You may get most of the GST/PST or HST which is 13% of all purchases.

Check if the tax on Hotels, drinks and restaurant meals are accepted for refund.

http://www.taxtips.ca/provincial_sales_tax.htm

Welcome to Canada, and please . . .
enjoy your trip.

Tony in Mass. · Apr 15, 2011

Don't go t Alberta without going past Edmonton, to wes??? however Wilson spelt it, lots of lush farms around in all directions, you start to 'feel' the Canadian north. A few hours from Calgary, then a couple hours west of ED is Jasper. And going to BC without getting to the pacific ocean? since you are that far... lots to do in all this area. In the states, from Yellowstone Cody is a couple hours? less?, Little Big horn is another couple hours, one of the most famous places on earth if you think about it. Wyoming and Dakotas do have lots to see, but hours between each- what did they say about the west when the railroads came? A lot of nothin' between somethin'? But since you are interested in farm and ranching, it isn't nothing. On route 90 just east of the Missouri river is a nice tractor museum, forgot the name of the town, Kimball? Kimmel? but you can see it on the south side of 90. Got to go to WALL. Everyone goes to Wall. Mount Rushmore? But you are in thee middle of tourist season. Eastern dakotas is nearly straight south of Brandon, so and easy route. Sometimes the north south interstates are virtually empty, between Lethbridge and Grand Falls on US 15, a bit creepy at twilight, big sky country, all that tarmac, and just you- for hours. Top off the tank every chance. Good thing you have 3 weeks, western states are big, western provinces are bigger.... I don't know about this year, but Canada might cost more for nearly everything, food fuel and flophouse.That link to tax savings might come in handy. Do some online research on that too. I know your family will love it. Have a great time!

showcrop · Apr 15, 2011

I'll agree with Wilkes 54, that if you are going to Yellowstone, enter north and go out south past Flag ranch and you will get a great view of Grand Titons across the Snake river. Not too much further to Jackson Hole Wyoming.

MSD · Apr 15, 2011

Glacier Park is a must see for everyone. Road through doesn't open till the middle of June depending on the amount of snow. Yellowstone is also great. After Montana and Yellowstone, the scenery drops off till you get to the Black Hills. Lots to see around there and the Badlands are neat. I would skip Wall Drug unless you like tourist traps. Nothing but. Long road from there to eastern SD. Some of the guys covered places to see along the way. About the same going north to the Canadian border. Long ride without much beside roadside scenery.

Paul from MI · Apr 15, 2011

Two places in the Calgary area: Reynolds-Alberta museum in Wetaskiwin, AB and the Dinosaur museum in Drumheller, AB. Don't miss them they are grat!

C.R. · Apr 15, 2011

the badlands in south dakota is a interisting place,mount rushmore,the homestake gold mine in lead ,the rushmore caves are neet,deadwood,has the boot hill cemetary,lots of history up there,lots of things to see in south dakota

farmer boy · Apr 16, 2011

If your over here anyway, like B&D said you should consider going to Niagara falls and the CN tower. Be aware though it"s likely 28+ hour drive from Brandon to Toronto,without going through the US, but only an hour from Toronto to Niagara Falls. It will also double your 2500 miles so it"d be hard to do in 3 weeks. I"ll second the Peace Gardens recomendation. Been there twice, very beautiful, and hardly out of your way.

buickanddeere · Apr 16, 2011

Suggest you arrive in mid May and head home after the September labour day long weekend.
Intended to say Kincardine, not Tiverton Scottish Festival.
Crown Royal makes a fair substitute for your native single malts.

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