Thanksgiving weekend, the second Monday in October, is the perfect time for a family escape to relax and soak in the beauty of the mountains before winter sets in. Whether you're looking for outdoor adventure, wildlife encounters, or relaxing downtime, Kicking Horse Lodging in Golden, BC, is the ideal home base.
From exploring stunning views to venturing into nearby Yoho National Park, you'll find plenty of ways to entertain the whole family. Here’s a sample itinerary for an unforgettable long Thanksgiving weekend in Kicking Horse.
Quick note: this itinerary assumes most visitors will arrive late in the day or evening Friday, and/or depart fairly early Monday morning. Of course, feel free to mix and match days and Golden activities to best suit your schedule.
Day 1: Explore Golden
After a day of travel and settling into your accommodation at Kicking Horse Lodging the night before, you should be ready to hit the ground running and make the most of your first full day in Golden.
Morning: Golden Skybridge
The Golden Skybridge, just 20 minutes from the resort, is Canada’s highest suspension bridge. Open through the Thanksgiving weekend before closing for the season, this thrilling attraction will wow the whole family. Walking across the bridge, stretched across a dramatic canyon with views of the surrounding Columbia Valley, is one of the best things to do in Kicking Horse, but it's only the beginning. You'll also find a kid-friendly adventure park with a mountain coaster, zipline, ropes courses, canyon swing, and more.
Afternoon: Explore Downtown Golden
After the Skybridge, head back to Golden for a relaxing afternoon. It's a small but ultra-charming downtown, and you'll want to pop into most, if not all, of the shops and galleries. The Golden Museum is a must for some insight into the area's rich history, and as far as food and drinks, you really can't go wrong anywhere. Here are some of our top suggestions.
Red Tomato Pies (pizza)
Optional add-on: If you're up for it and the weather is favourable, take a quick drive to admire Thompson Falls. Hiking the 7-kilometer trail is one of the most popular things to do in Kicking Horse, but the falls are also accessible by vehicle.
Evening: Relax and Take in the Views
Take it easy in the evening after a day jam-packed with adventure. Grab some dinner from one of Golden’s restaurants or, if you prefer, whip something up in your lodging. Most of the accommodation options at Kicking Horse have full kitchens! The mountain is quiet and peaceful during the shoulder season, giving you a chance to recharge and simply enjoy being in nature. Take advantage of the lack of crowds and indulge in a hot tub soak, either on the lodge grounds or in your suite or cabin. If you're feeling energetic, stroll the resort grounds and take in the last of the fall colours.
Day 2: Yoho National Park Adventure
This spectacular, highly underrated Canadian national park is less than 40 minutes from Kicking Horse and about 20 minutes from Golden—perfectly convenient for exploring on a day trip. A huge perk of visiting over Thanksgiving weekend (aside from the gorgeous scenery, of course!) is that all the summer crowds are long gone.
Insider tip: before heading out, stop by the front desk at Kicking Horse Lodging to pick up complimentary hiking essentials such as bear bells, trekking poles, and binoculars, all part of our Stay® | Well amenities.
Day Trip to Yoho National Park
You'll find countless must-see's in Yoho National Park (so many that we wrote an entire guide dedicated to visiting!). To make it easier to plan out your quick visit, here are some highlights.
Iconic Emerald Lake, which is stunning with its reflective waters even in the fall.
Natural Bridge is an easy stop with a short walk that takes you over an impressive rock formation sculpted by the Kicking Horse River (a family-friendly hike)
Wapta Falls
Takakkaw Falls, one of Canada’s highest waterfalls, for a bigger adventure. Though the road to the falls closes in winter, it’s usually still open during Thanksgiving weekend, making it a great time to visit before the snow settles in.
Optional Add-on: Northern Lights Wolf Centre
You may very well want to spend the entire day exploring Yoho National Park, but if you want to check out another one of the best things to do in Kicking Horse, detour to the Northern Lights Wolf Centre before heading back to the hotel. This unique experience gives your family the chance to learn about and even interact with wolves in a natural setting. Family interpretive tours are just 25 minutes, so it's easy to fit this unique, educational activity into your Thanksgiving weekend itinerary.
Evening: Unwind
End the day with some well-earned downtime. If you're feeling like a cozy night in, grab dinner to-go in town, then curl up by a fire or relax in a hot tub (or both!). Up for some nightlife? Head to Rockwater Bar & Grille in Golden for cocktails and live music.
Day 3: Light Sightseeing Before Departure
The last day of your Thanksgiving weekend trip will largely depend on your travel plans. At the very least, try to fit in a leisurely walk and a light breakfast at one of the fabulous cafes in Golden. If you haven’t had a chance to visit Bluebird Café previously, stop by on your way out of town.
Take a Scenic Walk
Before you pack up and head out, take one last chance to enjoy the peaceful surroundings and crisp mountain air. Trails both at the resort and around town are quiet this time of year, providing an excellent opportunity to spot wildlife. Some of our recommendations for short, easy hikes around Kicking Horse Mountain and Golden include:
Kicking Horse pedestrian bridge
Confluence Park Trail
Golden Rotary Loop trail
Cedar Camp Trail, part of the Moonraker trail system
