The BEST Things To Do in Banff, Alberta

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.

Like most of Canada, the most popular time to visit Banff is during the warm summer months. This is when the days are long, the lakes are free of ice and turquoise in colour, hiking trails are in their prime, and most attractions are in full swing. It’s also the time, however, when crowds are at their largest and prices at their maximum. Hotels are very expensive and you’ll want to book many months in advance.

Winter, on the other hand, is our favourite time to explore Banff. The mountains and the town are beautiful when covered in snow and skiing is one of my favourite things to do. Hotels are much easier to come by and about 5x cheaper than in the summer.

Whatever season you choose, below are the best things to do in Banff!

Tip: If you’re not eager to drive, check out the Banff National Park Hop-On-Hop-Off bus.

1. Ride the Banff Gondola

If you want to feel like you’re on top of the world, the Banff Gondola is a MUST DO. In fact, if we could only pick one thing to do in Banff, it would be this. The Banff Gondola takes you to the top of Sulphur Mountain, giving you 360-degree views over the town and various mountain ranges. There’s a variety of platforms that take you to different lookout points as well as a restaurant, bar, a small museum, and a coffee shop.

Another great thing about the Banff Gondola is that its accessible to almost anyone. Whether you’re travelling with friends, babies, or grandparents, the gondola makes it easy for anyone to stand on top of the world.

Click here to check pricing, availability, and reviews!

Another option with no price tag attached is to hike to the top. There’s a trail that starts right where the gondola begins and it takes close to two hours to make it to the summit. From there, you can hike back down or take the gondola.

The Banff Gondola is a great activity all year round.

2. Explore Banff Downtown

The town of Banff is quite charming. It has one big main street with one of the most impressive mountains staring you right in the face. Take a guided walking tour to discover all there is to see.

In the summer, flowers decorate all the light poles and the patios are full of life. Since Covid began, Banff has also turned its main street into a pedestrian-friendly zone where restaurants and bars have extended their patios and good vibes.

3. Go Hiking in Banff

One of the most popular Banff activities during the summer is hiking. Since the Canadian Rockies are one of the most beautiful places on Earth and very wild, it’s home to hundreds of hikes for all levels of fitness. There are plenty of half-day hikes, full-day hikes, and multi-day hikes.

Some are easy and relatively flat while some take you to the top of the mountains. We’ll be creating a separate article just for hiking in Banff but some of the best hikes near Banff that don’t require heavy training are Sundance Canyon, Johnston Canyon, Boom Lake, Sunshine Meadows, Tunnel Mountain, and Sulphur Mountain.

4. Banff Helicopter Tours

Although popular in the summer, taking a flightseeing tour over Banff National Park is one of the coolest things you can do in the winter as well. If you think the mountains and lakes look spectacular from the ground, imagine how they look from the air!

Helicopter tours take place throughout the year depending on the weather and offer anywhere from 20-minute flights to a full hour. Some people even take them to the top of a mountain where you can have dinner, go hiking, do yoga, or even get married! The possibilities are endless.

5. Cruise Lake Minniwanka

Few places in Alberta offer the postcard beauty of Lake Minnewanka, which is just a short drive from the town of Banff. Admire views of the Canadian Rockies as you enjoy a cruise across the turquoise-hued lake and over to Devil’s Gap during this popular Banff boat tour. If you’re lucky, you may spot big-horned sheep, deer, bald eagles, and even the occasional bear. You’ll also learn about the area, including the indigenous people who used to call this area home.

Click here to see pricing, availability, and reviews.

6. Cave and Basin National Historic Site

This is where it all started. It’s because of the hot springs at the Cave and Basin that Banff became a national park. I’d go into the history here but it’s better if you visit the site and learn for yourself. The entrance is free with an annual park pass or a small fee without one. If you’re lucky, you may even spot one of the rarest snails in the world.

7. Visit the Banff Castle

The Fairmont Banff Springs is often known as the Banff Castle and rightfully so. It does look like a castle. Even if you’re not staying there, it’s well worth the visit. It’s beautiful inside and out, and anyone is welcome to tour the hotel. There are also a few restaurants inside if you want to enjoy a meal in Banff’s most famous hotel.

Tip: Don’t miss the gorgeous Bow Falls.

The Banff Castle is a great place to visit year-round. In fact, in the winter, they also host Christmas at the Castle for everyone who loves Christmas decorations and activities.

8. Take a Dip in the Banff Upper Hot Springs

Winter or summer, the Upper Hot Springs is a very popular attraction. Who doesn’t like to sit in hot mineral water while relaxing amidst the views of the Canadian Rockies? My favourite time to visit is during the winter when the trees are covered in snow, and the water feels extra nice. This is a great year-round activity.

9. Horseback Riding

One of the coolest things we’ve ever done in the Canadian Rockies was when we went on a 6-day horseback riding experience in the backcountry. We stayed in luxury tents, ate gourmet cuisine, rode horses up and down mountains, and spent the nights singing songs around the fire.

It was an incredible experience but even if you can’t spare a week, many companies offer trips ranging from a couple of hours to a full day. Whether you’re a beginner or practically a cowboy, there’s an option for you.

10. Whitewater Rafting in Banff

With raging rivers all around Banff National Park and nearby British Columbia, river rafting is one of the most fun and exciting things to do during the summer. If you want the biggest thrills, go in the spring when the water is just starting to melt in the mountains and the rivers are extra powerful. There are also scenic and calm trips for those wanting more views than thrills.

11. Go Canyoning

If you’re looking for an adventure, look no further than this beginner-friendly canyoning tour at Heart Creek Canyon. Close to both Canmore and Banff, this canyoning tour features a fairly easy approach, amazing scenery, and a rappelling experience. In fact, you’ll get to rappel a variety of times before finally experiencing a 60-foot (18-metre) waterfall rappel and slide. Don’t worry though. The guides are excellent and you’ll have a wonderful time!

Click here to see availability, pricing, and reviews.

12. Hike Johnston Canyon

Summer or winter, Johnston Canyon is one of the most scenic hikes in the area. It’s also one of the easiest and busiest. You’ll get to walk through the forest, right alongside a canyon and river, eventually making it to a stunning waterfall. Actually, there are multiple waterfalls and one of them is accessible through a cave! In the summer, the waterfalls flow like normal, but in the winter, they freeze, creating one of the most beautiful works of natural art you’ll ever see. Highly recommended!

Although the Bow Valley Parkway that takes you to Johnston Canyon is currently closed to vehicle traffic, you can go on a guided tour. In fact, the Bow Valley Parkway is now the perfect place to go biking as you’ll get a paved highway, stunning scenery, and zero traffic! One of the new tours being offered in 2021 is an e-bike tour from Banff, which we’ll talk about below.

13. Guided e-bike Tours of Banff and Beyond

If you’re looking to maximize your time in Banff while enjoying the great outdoors, you’ll want to consider this popular small-group e-bike tour that takes you to Vermillion Lakes, the forests of Legacy Trail, and the Bow Valley Parkway. Those with additional time can add on a day hike to Johnston Canyon, including the Lower Falls Bridge. As mentioned above, this is one of the best easy hikes in the area, so if you’re keen to do it as a tour, this would make for a great combo.

Click here to see availability, pricing, and reviews.

14. Drive the Bow Valley Parkway

The Bow Valley Parkway is a scenic drive with a variety of stops along the way. It provides a nice break from the main Trans-Canada Highway and is much narrower and more scenic. This is the road you’ll take to find Johnston Canyon, but there’s also a variety of other scenic lookout points and hikes. This is a beautiful short drive in both summer and winter.

15. Visit Lake Louise

Quite possibly the most famous lake in Alberta, if not the country, visiting the lakeside area is one of the top things to do in Lake Louise. It’s a Banff must-see. The scenic turquoise lake is always surrounded by tourists looking for the best photo or paddling around in a canoe, which you can rent on-site.

There’s also the famous Chateau Lake Louise, another Fairmont hotel that sits right next to the lake. Many people simply enjoy the views while others might want to get on the lake or go for a hike. Tip: You can bring your own water vessels, such as a kayak or paddleboard, but there is no area to bring a car. So, whatever you bring, make sure you can walk with it!

16. Moraine Lake

Located close to Lake Louise, Moraine Lake is another beautiful mountain lake.

In fact, it’s more beautiful than Lake Louise in our opinion. The only downfall is that it has become a victim of its own success. In the summer, getting to this lake is difficult. If you’re not there before breakfast, the chances of getting your car to the lake are very slim.

Instead, you’d have to take a shuttle, which has a price attached to it. In the winter, the road is closed, so the only way to get there would be to go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. However, this is an avalanche area so it’s not recommended to go right to the lake. Another option is to stay at Moraine Lake Lodge, giving you access to the lake at night and in the early morning when very few people are there.

17. Drive the World-Famous Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper

Known as one of the most scenic drives in the entire world, the Icefields Parkway is well worth the drive. It starts close to the world-famous Lake Louise and goes all the way north to Jasper, Alberta. The 230-km highway snakes its way around some of the most beautiful scenery in the whole world, including towering mountains, lush pine forests, turquoise rivers, and lakes. As well as various glaciers.

There are many things to do and see along the way, including popular stops such as Peyto Lake, the Glacier Skywalk, the Columbia Icefield, Sunwapta Falls, and Athabasca Falls. The highway is open year-round but is safer (at least for those with no experience driving on icy roads) in the spring, summer, and fall.

Jasper is one of our favourite places in Canada so don’t forget to check out our guide to the best things to do in Jasper!

18. Hike to Peyto Lake Viewpoint

This glacier-fed lake is accessible from the world-famous Icefields Parkway. The lake itself is not easy to get to but the viewpoint to see the lake from high above is only a 20-minute hike.

Due to the significant amounts of glacial rock flour that flows into the lake during the summer, it becomes a stunningly bright turquoise colour. Which has helped to make it one of the most photographed lakes in Canada. This is simply a stop to admire the view and take some photos.

19. Experience the Columbia Icefield

The Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains and is the most popular stop on the Icefields Parkway. Located in the Canadian Rockies along the border of British Columbia and Alberta, the icefield shares itself among two national parks, which include Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. It’s about 325 square kilometres in area and more than 365 metres deep! It’s an unbelievable sight to see and can be viewed right from the highway.

However, most people opt for the Glacier Adventure tour, which takes you right onto the glacier aboard a massive all-terrain Ice Explorer. From there, you can step out and actually walk on the glacier, sampling some of the fresh glacier water as well. During the peak Banff tourism season, you’ll want to book in advance. If you don’t have a car, they also offer Banff tours that will pick you up at your hotel and bring you here, making it a full-day trip.

20. Walk the Glacier Skywalk

The Glacier Skywalk is a popular add-on activity for those enjoying a Columbia Icefields Tour. the Glacier Adventure tour mentioned above. The Glacier Skywalk is a glass-bottom cliff-edge walkway that allows visitors to step out onto a platform separating them from a 918-foot (280 metres) drop.

The views don’t change much from the platform itself but for some, it’s an incredible thrill to walk on glass, looking down at the valley below you. There’s also an interpretative storytelling format that will educate you about the waterfalls, wildlife, fossils, and more during your visit.

21. Have a Drink at the Belvedere Ice Room

The Belvedere Ice Room at the Canadian Brewhouse in Banff, Alberta, offers a uniquely chilling culinary adventure that is a must-visit for spirits enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. As one of the world’s coldest vodka-tasting rooms, it provides an unforgettable experience where guests can sample a wide array of vodkas from around the globe in a room maintained at a frosty -25°C (-13°F). The extreme cold enhances the smoothness of the vodka, making the flavours more distinct and refined. Wrapped in provided parkas and surrounded by ice-covered walls, visitors enjoy a strikingly crisp atmosphere that contrasts beautifully with the warmth of Banff’s rugged mountain scenery. This exclusive and exhilarating experience not only promises a memorable tasting adventure but also serves as a perfect anecdote to Banff’s chilly winter temperatures, making it a standout attraction for those looking to add an extraordinary element to their travel experiences.

For more, check out our full travel guide to Banff in the winter. 

22. Banff Skiing 

During the winter, Banff is home to world-class skiing and snowboarding. There are three famous ski resorts within the national park, including Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mount Norquay. The three ski resorts are collectively known as Ski Big 3 and they often have promotions for those wanting to defeat all of them.

Mount Norquay is the smallest of three but is the closest one to the town of Banff. It’s also slightly cheaper and an all-around beautiful place to ski for all ski levels.

Sunshine is the second biggest but is also very unique in that it is located higher up than the others. Just to get to the base of the resort, you need to take a 15-minute gondola ride. They’re also famous for their powder and are open all the way into late May, which is pretty gnarly. The views on a clear day can’t be beaten and their ski-down trail that goes to the parking lot is so much fun.

Last but not least, Lake Louise is the largest of the three and the second-largest ski resort in Canada. It’s our personal favourite, due both to the number of runs and how long they are. Lake Louise also has a gondola that takes people to the top and has a variety of restaurants and bars throughout the mountain. Despite its immense size and array of runs, they also have an excellent beginner area for those just learning. Plus, right across the street is the world-famous Lake Louise.

If you’re looking to Ski Banff, we highly recommend doing all three of them. Each is unique and we really can’t decide which one has the best views. All the views are just jaw-dropping and out of this world.

23. Snowshoeing

While hiking is popular in the summer, snowshoeing is popular in the winter. You can rent snowshoes from a variety of shops in town or at the ski resort, and enjoy a variety of trails free of charge. This is basically the winter version of hiking and is a great way to get some exercise, enjoy the great outdoors, and see some views without breaking the bank.

24. Experience the Ice Magic Festival

If you can make it to Banff National Park in late January, we highly recommend checking out the Ice Magic Festival at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Not only is it incredible to see the artists create such dramatic art out of massive blocks of ice, but it also happens to be in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

25. Enjoy Many Delicious Restaurants

Although Banff is technically a small town of fewer than 10,000 people, it receives millions of visitors each year and has thus become quite the destination for food and drinks. There are lots of incredible Banff restaurants to choose from and we highly recommend clicking on our Banff restaurant guide to learn about our favourites, including Indian, Japanese, Italian, and much more. Our top recommendations as of now are Block Kitchen + Bar, Masala Authentic Indian Cuisine, Coyotes Southwestern Grill (also amazing for breakfast), Shoku Izakayu, and Nourish Bistro Vegan Restaurant.

26. Explore Canmore

Another great little mountain town is Canmore, which is just a 20-minute drive east of Banff. If you’re visiting during the summer months, you might actually be staying in Canmore since Banff is the first to fill up. Canmore, up until recently, was the more “local” version of Banff. However, rich people from Calgary and foreigners as well, have driven up prices by purchasing rental properties and turning Canmore into a bit of a tourist city.

Now you can think of it as similar to Banff, with lots of great restaurants and shops. It’s highly picturesque and is just outside the national park.

Learn more about the best things to do in Canmore.

Best Places to Stay in Banff

There are so many hotels in Banff that we could create a website dedicated solely to where to stay. However, just to give you some ideas, we’re going to list some of the places we’ve liked staying in over the years. Thanks to its extreme popularity, there are all sorts of Banff accommodation options, including hotels, motels, hostels, and campgrounds. We’ve stayed at many hotels over the years and all of them are great in different ways.

If you’re visiting in the summer, booking in advance is highly recommended, as the entire town does sell out. In fact, prices can quadruple in the summer months, so it can be expensive. During the winter, prices drop and availability is much better, except for popular times such as New Year’s Eve.

Some of our favourite places to say are below:

Dorothy Motel (Budget)

One of Banff’s newest accommodations, the Dorothy Motel is the best budget option (other than a hostel) in the area. It’s beautiful, and modern, and has big open rooms with all the needed amenities such as a fridge, microwave, TV, and more. They also have a beautiful courtyard in the middle of the motel, which is something we haven’t seen in Banff before. In the winter, rates are often below $100 but in the summer, you’ll be looking at closer to $250 per night.

Other options include the Big Horn Motel, the Drake Inn, the Homestead Inn Banff, YWCA Banff Hotel, King Edward Hotel, and many more.

Best Western Plus Siding 29 Lodge (Mid-Range)

If you follow our YouTube channel, you probably know that we work quite often with Best Western hotels. We love them. They’re located almost everywhere and provide very good service and amenities for a decent price. Not only do all Best Westerns offer great value but this one was also very recently renovated. Located on Marten Street, a short walk from all the action, this hotel includes a hot buffet breakfast and free parking.

Other options include Banff Park Lodge, Mount Royal Hotel, Buffalo Mountain Lodge, and many more.

Fairmont Banff Springs (Luxury)

For a date night, we once stayed in the Fairmont Banff Springs. This is a very expensive hotel with rates normally starting around $500. The rooms are not all that big and the windows are quite small, but the hotel itself, as well as the amenities, are amazing. (update: The hotel has recently gone under renovations and some of the rooms are now very spacious and modern.)

Just staying in the famous “Banff Castle” is an experience in and of itself. It has its own massive outdoor hot spring, which makes it a nice place for a quiet evening. There’s also a variety of restaurants on-site, shops, and a spa. From the back, there’s also the beautiful Bow Falls, which can be seen with a short hike. For a fancy date night, the Fairmont was great.

Camping in Banff

There’s also camping in Banff with some of the most popular options being Tunnel Mountain Village 2 Campground, Two Jack Main, Johnston Canyon, Castle Mountain, Lake Louise, and many more. For those who RV in Canada, some of these campgrounds offer full hookups. For more information, check out our article about camping in Alberta.

Want more? Check out our complete guide for Where to Stay in Banff!

Where is Banff National Park

Banff, Alberta is located just 125 kilometres west of downtown Calgary, Alberta. Many people, including tourists and locals, arrive from this fast-growing city but you can also come from British Columbia to the east and/or south, or from Jasper to the north. It’s easily accessible right off the Trans-Canada highway. There are no airports, so if you’re flying in, Calgary would be the best choice.

Getting to Banff

As mentioned above, there are no flights to Banff National Park. The closest airport would be Calgary International Airport (YYC), which is only 145 kilometres away. The drive from Calgary to Banff takes less than two hours and takes you from the prairies to the mountains. Edmonton is another option as they also have an international airport but Edmonton is more than 400 kilometres away, which will take approximately four hours. However, you could extend the road trip by driving to Jasper and driving the world-famous Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Banff.

We always recommend renting a car but there are also options for taking the bus or using a shuttle service.

Getting to Banff by Car

We love a good Canada road trip and Banff is one of the best places to go. If you can rent a car, this is certainly the best way to explore Banff and the surrounding areas.

How far is Banff from Calgary?

The town of Banff is approximately 125 km west of Calgary. You can simply take the Trans-Canada Highway all the way to Banff, passing by Canmore along the way. Another option would be to take Highway 1A, which goes through Cochrane and Morley, but I’m not sure it’s worth the hassle unless you want to see a little more scenery along the way. Once you start to approach Banff, everything is gorgeous anyway. You can expect to drive for about 1.5 hours.

How far is Banff from Edmonton?

Edmonton is much further from Banff than Calgary is. Banff is located approximately 400 km from Edmonton. The fastest way to go to Banff from Edmonton would be to take Highway AB-s South followed by the Trans-Canada Highway (also known as Highway 1). This will take around four hours. Another option would be to extend your drive and go to Jasper first and then to Banff via the world-famous Icefields Parkway.

How far is Banff from Vancouver?

The drive between Vancouver and Banff is one of the nicest in the world. It takes close to 10 hours and is around 900 km in length. It passes by a variety of national parks and is also not far from BC’s Okanagan Valley. If you go this route, we’d certainly recommend spending time along the way to see Kelowna, Yoho National Park, Revelstoke National Park, and Lake Louise at the very least. This way you’ll see incredible mountain scenery, one of Canada’s most prominent wine regions, and the Pacific Coast when you’re in Vancouver.

How far is Banff from Jasper?

The road from Banff to Jasper is called the Icefields Parkway and it has often been ranked as the most scenic highway in the world. Excited yet? If you have the time, we highly recommend doing this road trip while you’re here. Banff is about 288 km from Jasper, which will take a good three hours without stopping. But trust us, you will stop a lot. It’s better to assume the better part of a day for this trip, especially if you’re thinking of doing some short hikes along the way.

Getting to Banff By Train

The only passenger train that travels through Banff is the Rocky Mountaineer, a luxurious tourist train that connects Vancouver with Banff. We haven’t done it yet, but it looks beautiful. However, we’ve also heard that it’s far too expensive for what it offers. We’ve been told it costs approximately $1,500 for the two-day trip.

Getting to Banff By Bus

There are options for getting to Banff by bus from both Edmonton and Calgary, but Calgary is the most convenient. Options include;

• On-it Transit Service
• Banff Airporter
• Brewster Express
• Sundog Tours (winter only)

There’s also the Rider Express, which takes you from Vancouver to Calgary or Banff for just $122.87.

Below are some of the videos we’ve made about Banff. For more, check out our Youtube channel, which features the best of Canada!

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