Must Do Canada

The Best Things to Do in Canada

Banff

16 of the Best Banff Restaurants in 2022

By Matthew G. Bailey 14 Comments

Shoku Izakaya is one of Banff's best restaurants

Last updated: March 10, 2022

Banff is known for a lot of things. Dramatic mountain peaks, adventure, turquoise lakes and rivers, world-class skiing and one of the most beautiful mountain towns in the world. This is what attracts upwards of four million people to visit each and every year. With so much adventure, you’re also going to need food and luckily, Banff is also home to some incredible restaurants. In this guide, we’ll fill you in on some of the best Banff Restaurants that you can enjoy on your next trip to Canada’s famous mountain town.

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The BEST Things To Do in Banff, Alberta in 2022

By Matthew G. Bailey 26 Comments

Banff Tunnel Mountain Hike
Enjoying views from Tunnel Mountain.

Last updated: April 28th, 2022

Canada’s first national park, which also happens to be one of the first national parks in the world, is also the country’s busiest and most popular. A “fairytale” mountain town surrounded by towering mountain peaks, there are lots of incredible things to do in Banff, Alberta. Living just over an hour away in Calgary, we’ve been to Banff well over 100 times and never get tired of visiting this beautiful slice of alpine paradise.

Attracting approximately 3-4 million visitors each and every year, it’s no secret that this is a bustling tourist town. But that’s okay. With that comes a variety of hotels, activities, bars, restaurants, and, of course, plenty of souvenir shops as well. If you’re looking for things to do in Banff, you’re in the right place.

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Beautiful Banff Horseback Rides in the Backcountry

By Matthew G. Bailey 8 Comments

Banff horseback rides

When it comes to jumping on the back of a horse and going for a trail ride, it’s hard to beat the beautiful landscapes offered by Banff horseback rides. After all, Banff National Park is the most popular national park in Canada for a reason. Towering mountain peaks, turquoise lakes and rivers, and outstanding views are just some of the things to do in Banff National Park that attract so many people to the area. So, imagine seeing all of that while horseback riding in Banff.

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Banff to Jasper: What You Need to Know for Driving the Icefields Parkway in 2022

By Matthew G. Bailey 27 Comments

Icefields Parkway Banff to Jasper
Driving the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper in the fall.

Last updated: September 3rd, 2020

Alberta is home to some of the top road trips in Canada, including the stretch from Banff to Jasper (or from Jasper to Banff), which is perhaps the most beautiful road trip in the country. In fact, various publications have awarded the Icefields Parkways as one of the most scenic road trips on the planet as it takes you through two Canadian Rockies national parks and all kinds of natural beauty including towering mountain peaks, turquoise lakes and rivers, glaciers, and lush alpine forest. 

The Icefields Parkway itself stretches for approximately 233km from Lake Louise to Jasper, but it clocks in at 288km if you include the drive from Banff to Jasper. Without stopping, it would take around four hours in good weather. However, it would be silly to drive this beautiful route without stopping to admire the natural attractions or take part in one of the many activities. If you can’t make the drive yourself, there are plenty of tour companies offering the experience as well. 

The drive is also located in the middle of the Canadian Rockies, which can be home to some inhospitable weather, especially during the winter months. Before setting out on the adventure, be sure to check in for road closures and hazards. You’ll also want to take particular care during the winter months as the roads are slippery and the weather can be very cold should your vehicle decide to break down. Even in the summer, there are hazards though, including wildlife encounters both on the road and on the trails, not to mention a lot of traffic. 

In this guide, we’ll help you plan your trip from Banff to Jasper as well as learn all the best things to do along the Icefields Parkway.

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How to Enjoy Banff in the Winter

By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

Banff in the Winter - Matthew Bailey of Must Do Canada

As one of Canada’s most popular destinations, Banff needs no introduction. Not only was it Canada’s first national park but also the world’s third. It’s home to some of the best scenery in the world and is a true paradise for anyone interested in outdoor adventure. Although it’s busiest during the summer months, Banff in the winter is about as spectacular as winter in Canada gets.

Banff in the winter is like stepping into a winter wonderland with snow-capped mountains, a snow-dusted forest, charming streets, and all sorts of winter attractions ranging from ice castles to world-class skiing and more. As much as we love Banff in the summer, we actually prefer it in the winter. Not only are hotels cheaper and easier to come by, but nothing can quite compare to a town like Banff covered in white sparkling snow. Even my mother-in-law who hails from Mexico prefers the winter months, despite the often bone-chilling temperatures. Imagine yourself inside a snow globe. That’s Banff in the winter. [Read more…] about How to Enjoy Banff in the Winter

Best Banff Hotels – Where to Stay in Banff

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Fairmont Banff Springs

Updated: May 1st, 2021

If you’ve been following us for a while, you probably know how much we love Banff. For people who love the outdoors, love the mountains, love beautiful clear turquoise-coloured lakes, and love skiing in a winter wonderland, Banff is paradise. Living in Calgary, we’ve been to Banff more than a hundred times, which has enabled us to truly figure out where to stay in Banff.

With all of these visits, we’ve had the opportunity to try out a variety of hotels and lodges. Whether it was a budget stay in the King Edward Hotel or a luxurious stay in the Fairmont Banff Springs, we know a lot about accommodation in Banff.

In this guide, we’re going to list out some of our favourite hotels for you to consider on your next trip to Banff.

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The BEST Things To Do in Lake Louise 2021

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Things to Do in Lake Louise Alberta

Last updated: May 8, 2021

Known as one of Canada’s most famous and most photographed lakes, there’s lots of things to do in Lake Louise. From its bright turquoise colour to the surrounding mountain peaks and glaciers, it’s easy to see why Lake Louise has become a Canadian bucket list destination.

Although the biggest draw in Lake Louise is probably the lake itself, there’s actually a lot of things to do. From the stunning mountains vistas to one of the world’s top ski resorts, Lake Louise is an incredible year-round destination.

We’re based in Calgary and so we’ve driven from Calgary to Lake Louise many times, taking every moment we can to explore the Canadian Rockies. From hitting the slopes of Alberta’s largest ski resort to hiking up to the top of the mountains, Lake Louise is an outdoor lover’s paradise.

In this travel guide, we’re going to fill you in on all the popular things to do in Lake Louise. [Read more…] about The BEST Things To Do in Lake Louise 2021

56 of the Best Things To Do In Alberta in 2022

By Matthew G. Bailey 114 Comments

Banff to Jasper on the Icefields Parkway, Alberta, Canada
The Spectacular Icefields Parkway, Alberta, Canada. Photo by Matthew G. Bailey.

Updated: March 20th, 2022

From boreal forests to vast prairies and high mountain peaks, Alberta is an incredible province to explore. Born and raised in Alberta, I certainly feel that I know Alberta better than most. I’ve been to each major city and almost every small town in the province, giving me great insight into the province that I call home.

Although Alberta is one of only two provinces that are landlocked, Alberta is about as diverse as it gets. From looking at Dinosaur skeletons in the badlands and hiking some of the tallest mountain peaks in the country to splashing around in North America’s largest indoor waterpark and driving one of the world’s most scenic highways, Alberta is an incredible place to explore.

Whether you’re planning to explore the cities, the mountains, or everything in-between, we’ve got you covered in this comprehensive travel guide to the wonderful province of Alberta.

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Banff Events – The Gathering of Cult Brands

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The Gathering Skittles
Jane Hwang , Vice President, Fruity & Skittles® Brand Director, Skittles®

I can honestly say that I never imagined myself attending a business summit that celebrates advertising. I mean, technically, it’s a celebration of cult brands, but with that comes great advertising and the stars are the chief marketing officers and the creative teams that develop that ads and creative that ultimately give the brand their cult-like status. From Skittles to Spotify to the LA Lakers and much more, all are celebrated for creating a remarkable product and a brand you simply cannot forget.

And it all happens in the Banff Castle. [Read more…] about Banff Events – The Gathering of Cult Brands

Banff Festivals in the Winter

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

Banff Winter Festivals

Last updated: February 11th, 2020

If you’ve been following us for a while, you know how much we love Banff. Part of it is because we live so close but part of it is just because it’s so darn beautiful. Throw in some of the world’s best skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, and it’s easy to see why we spend so much time there.

For those of you thinking of visiting Banff National Park, you might be wondering when is the best to visit. That’s a tough one to answer as it depends on a variety of factors but if you’ve already decided that winter is the best time to visit Banff, then you may also want to consider timing your visit with one of the many festivals that happen throughout the colder months.

There are quite a few festivals and events that happen, especially in late fall and early winter, including the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival, the Lake Louise Ski World Cup, the Banff Craft Beer Festival, the Banff Christmas Market, Mountaintop Christmas at the Banff Gondola, and the Santa Claus Parade. As we get later into winter, however, there’s another incredible festival that comes to Banff, bringing artists from around the world and all sorts of winter fun. It’s called Snow Days. [Read more…] about Banff Festivals in the Winter