A Couples Escape in Canmore

On a clear day in Calgary you can see the mountains and they look so close that you can reach out and touch them. In fact, the mountains ARE pretty close but unfortunately we let time slip by unnoticed until we can't even remember the last time we visited. What were we thinking?

This weekend Dewey and I got a sitter for Evan and headed to Canmore for the Canmore Uncorked Festival. Canmore Uncorked is an award-winning food festival that runs April 7 - 19, 2015.  The 13 days include special set-price menus from 25 restaurants, incredible culinary events, cooking courses, and a long table dinner.

While we were there, we took part in a Whiskey Festival, a Craft Beer Festival and ate set dinners at two of the participating restaurants. If you have time to make it out to Canmore before the festival is done...do it!

We really enjoyed the set menu at The Trough seen above (Clockwise from top left: Sticky toffee pudding, jerk ribs, halibut with kalimata sauce and caesar salad. The mussels were the highlight but I did not get a picture.). If you plan to dine during the festival, make sure to make reservations in advance. We didn't think of this ahead of time so our reservation at The Trough was for 9pm on Friday night and we dined at Murrieta's Canmore in the bar on Saturday. Both meals were great and a good value for $39 each for appetizer, main and dessert. You can see the set menus from participating restaurants here.

While the Canmore Uncorked is a great event, remember that all of these restaurants are in Canmore year around. Only one hour away from Calgary, it is the perfect place to go for a quiet weekend away for a couple or a family.

Everywhere you look, the gorgeous mountains greet you. Strike out hiking or biking or drive among the breathtaking scenery when the weather is nice. If it starts to snow (like it did for us), head to Elevation Place with their aquatics centre (with water slide!), climbing wall, fitness centre and library. Or if shopping is more your speed, check out the plethora of shops along Canmore's downtown area. There is something for everyone.

You know us, though, our favorite thing to do is eat. Breakfast is Dewey's favorite meal so we often eat a bigger breakfast and then skip lunch. Our favorite breakfast/brunch place to visit for years is Chez Francois in Canmore. We love their eggs bennies and their crepes.

Our new find this trip was the Rocky Mountain Bagel Company. Great coffee and thin and chewy bagels were perfect for a snowy Canmore morning. Definitely try the jalapeno cheddar bagels.

Oh and remember that even if the weather is nice in Calgary, you never know what the weather might be like in the mountains so bring appropriate footwear (unlike me).

And take the road that you haven't driven before. You never know what you might find. Canmore is surrounde by amazing views and vistas. Soak them all in! There is something about the mountain air (and the lack of cell service) that makes you pause and allow the stillness to over take you.

You might even take a moment to see everything around you and notice wildlife or spring flowers that you missed before. And then you will remember why you like to visit the mountains so much...and you will promise not to let as much time pass before you return.

Great packages for visiting Canmore. 

Everything you need to know about Canmore and Kananaskis