Must Do Canada

The Best Things to Do in Canada

Banff

Canada’s Most Luxurious Rocky Mountain Train

By Matthew G. Bailey 4 Comments

The best Rocky Mountain Train is the Rocky Mountaineer.

Few places rival the beauty of Canada’s Rocky Mountains. With majestic towns like Banff and Jasper, stunning turquoise lakes and rivers, and tall glistening mountain peaks, they attract millions of visitors each and every year. But that’s only one small slice of the incredible landscapes between Vancouver and Calgary. There are also the Columbia Mountains, the Coast Mountains, the semi-desert landscapes around Kamloops, and the coastline of British Columbia’s Pacific Coast. It makes for one heckuva a Canadian road trip, but what if you could see it all from the comfort of a Rocky Mountain train?

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19 of the Best Banff Restaurants

By Matthew G. Bailey 16 Comments

Shoku Izakaya is one of Banff's best restaurants

Banff Restaurants Last updated: April 5, 2023

Banff National Park 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, just to name a few.

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 restaurants in Banff 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 2023

By Matthew G. Bailey 27 Comments

Banff Tunnel Mountain Hike
Enjoying views from Tunnel Mountain.

Things to Do in Banff Last updated: January 28th, 2023

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 Karla 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

By Matthew G. Bailey 27 Comments

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

Icefields Parkway Guide Last updated: September 3rd, 2022

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.

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Best Banff Hotels – Where to Stay in Banff

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

Fairmont Banff Springs

Where to Stay in Banff Last Updated: January 27, 2023

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 the ultimate 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 Dorothy Motel or a luxurious stay in the Fairmont Banff Springs, we know a lot about accommodation in Banff.

In this Banff hotel guide, we’re going to list out the best Banff hotels for your next trip to this magical destination.

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The BEST Things To Do in Lake Louise 2021

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

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

59 of the Best Things To Do in Alberta

By Matthew G. Bailey 172 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

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

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