Travelwise Tip Story: Canada & USA - Ginny & Michael's Drive Down Memory Lane
Canada & USA — A Drive Down Memory Lane
By Ginny & Michael | Booked through Travelwise with Kylie Marsh
The first time I stepped foot in Canada, I stayed for 12 months on a Working Holiday Visa with my boyfriend Michael. Between spending winter on the slopes at Big White Ski Resort, and summer in the mountains in Banff — we did extensive travel through the United States with a modified GMC Safari van with our very own bed in the back.
After our time in Canada came to an end, we returned to Australia in 2018 and I began an eight-year long journey of daydreaming about Canada daily, missing it terribly and wondering how I'll ever survive without the mountains! Fast forward to 2026, I'm four years into my role with Flight Centre (now married to Michael!) and I finally took the plunge to book our ultimate Canada and USA 'drive down memory lane' road trip.
The reason we hadn't gone back any sooner was because we wanted to do it properly and after working with the wonderful Kylie Marsh from Travelwise on majority of our recent holidays, I knew she'd be the go-to travel agent for acing such an important holiday to us. After many emails throwing ideas around and ironing out logistics — Kylie booked in our once in a lifetime return road trip.
One thing we knew for sure is we wanted to go over in spring or summer to have the highest chance of seeing wildlife and to ensure the roads were safe to drive on, so we booked end of May/start of June. We would start in LA, head to Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Banff National Park, Big White Ski Resort, Whistler, Vancouver and end our trip in Seattle.
While in Canada & the United States you must visit:
1. Yellowstone National Park, USA
This place is what I can only describe as heaven on earth. It's the North American safari and if you go in spring/summer you are guaranteed to see wildlife. Between all of the national parks we visited, we saw a total of 25 bears, 5 moose, 1 coyote as well as countless elk and bison. Think — rolling plains of animals grazing as the sun rises or sets behind the mountains. Give yourself at least 3 or 4 days here if you really want to see all sides of the park, there is truly so much to explore. Fun fact — Yellowstone is my #1 all-time favourite destination in the world (out of 24 countries visited), so yes — it's a must-visit!
Must do: If going in spring or summer, each night you need to go for a drive about an hour before sunset — this is your best chance at seeing bears, moose, elk, bison and more.
Must not do: Don't go anywhere without bear spray — I'm talking on hikes but also walking around your camp site. These fluffy but feisty creatures are EVERYWHERE this time of year.
Must eat: A chilli dog from the Yellowstone General Store (trust me).
2. Glacier National Park, USA
This one is kind of like USA's answer to Banff. Think — HUGE mountains that are so close you can almost touch them (and certainly climb them), glaciers, lakes and pine trees galore. This place feels like magic and there are many beautiful drives and hikes you can do (just pack your bear spray because this national park also isn't short on wildlife!)
Must do: Check out Lake McDonald, it's a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains with a picturesque hotel/lodge looking over the lake. I would also recommend just following all of the roads that take you around the national park, they all lead to somewhere scenic and magical.
Must not do: Be mindful of the size of your vehicle if you're planning on driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road — we were in a motorhome and would've been too long to have driven past a certain distance on that particular road.
Must eat: You have to stop for lunch at Freda's in West Glacier Village. We got a delicious burger and fries there, followed by the creamiest ice-cream I've had in a while! There's also a couple of souvenir stores nearby where you can pick up some unique gifts.
3. Banff National Park, Canada
You're going to want to film your drive into Banff, nothing beats seeing the Rockies as you approach this national park. Once you arrive, it's a town filled with beauty — mountains everywhere you turn, great souvenir shopping, restaurants, hikes, beautiful drives and friendly faces.
Must do: The number one must do for me in Banff is heading up the Banff Gondola, which takes you up to the top of Sulphur Mountain and gives you a 360 degree view of Banff and the surrounding Rockies. It's my favourite view in Banff! Doing it at sunset is even more special. Horse riding is also very special there — you can hike up Tunnel Mountain, take a boat out on Lake Minnewanka, drive down the Ice Fields Parkway and see Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake and a series of beautiful mountains, or just lay in Queens Park and enjoy some live music.
Must not do: Do not approach wildlife — there can be elk roaming the streets here as well as a giant bear called the 'Banff Boss' who has been found in neighbourhood trees!
Must eat: Beavertails (think pastry covered in whichever topping you choose), Tim Hortons (I recommend the maple dip and caramel frappuccino), Boston Pizza, Aardvarks pizza, the Banff fudge shop and the Banff popcorn shop.
4. Big White Ski Resort, Canada
While we did visit Big White on our most recent trip in summer, this place is one you want to visit in winter. It's ski-in-ski-out, meaning you can literally ski from your front door and get to the slopes. It's like you're in a snow globe filled with snow covered pine trees, houses that look like gingerbread and people snowboarding or skiing at every turn. You also won't get lines at Big White like Whistler does so you can get up and down the mountain fairly quickly.
Must do: You have to do the horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snowy forest, this is a moment that has stuck with me forever, I've never seen something more magical! You can also do dog sled rides if you're looking for something a bit more adventurous.
Must not do: I would avoid places like Snowshoe Sams on a Sunday night if you're wanting more of a chill dinner or drink.
Must eat: Happy Valley Day Lodge is a great one stop shop. Underground Pizza is the best pizza you'll get on the mountain, and there's Clocktower Coffee for your morning caffeine fix!
Why travel by motorhome?
If I was to recommend everything to do and see in the United States and Canada, this post would be five times as long. What I will say though, is when travelling here I cannot recommend travelling by car or motorhome enough. I've now done three road trips spanning across Canada and the USA and visited all but a few of the 50 states. It is hands down the best way to see the diverse landscape that is America and Canada.
You can be in the snow one day and in 35 degrees heat the next, and there's nothing like waking up in a new city, town or national park each and every day. You can stock up the motorhome with your favourite snacks, get comfy and play some road trip games with your partner, friends or family and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Ginny's local recommendations maps
If you'd like some more specifics of where to eat, what to see and what to do — Ginny created a map which highlights all of the places she stopped over three road trips so you'll be able to see some localised recommendations depending where you go.
USA map: maps.app.goo.gl/HcnFZCMgMc8UU6Ew5
Canada map: maps.app.goo.gl/6aotbNJxH5G6FtAx8
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