Best Things To Do in Banff

Banff is a town nestled in the Canadian Rockies and is popular for its scenic landscapes and alpine atmosphere. With a balanced offering of outdoor activities and relaxing attractions, it's a haven for those looking to explore scenic views and discover hiking trails.

Some of the best things to do in Banff include visiting Banff National Park, taking the Banff Gondola cable car, browsing the shops and stalls along Banff Avenue and discovering the exhibits at the Banff Park Museum, which offers a tour of the area's biodiversity and natural heritage.

Booking a trip to Banff National Park, located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, is a must-do experience for nature lovers. This park, which is Canada's oldest and one of the world's first, is home to hot springs and landscapes that include mountains, crystal-clear lakes and dense forests.

Within the park you'll find panoramic views of Lake Louise and Lake Moraine, whose waters reflect the valley of the Ten Peaks. These sites are perfect for hiking, kayaking or just relaxing and unwinding in the inns. In winter, Banff is also a great place for skiing and snowboarding, with resorts such as Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay.

The park is also home to moose, grizzly bears, wolves and mountain goats, so you may be able to spot some of these animals in their natural habitat during your visit. Inside the complex you'll also find the Banff Park Museum, which showcases the biodiversity of the region.

Buy tickets for the Banff Gondola Cable Car and you'll discover one of the most beautiful scenic experiences in this destination. The ride will take you to the top of Mount Sulphur, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains and surrounding valleys.

The ride starts at the base of the mountain, a few kilometres from downtown Banff, and ascends to an altitude of more than 2,200 metres for an eight-minute ride through the alpine landscape.

At the top you'll find an observation deck offering a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. From there, you'll be able to make out the Bow Valley, Mount Rundle and the expanse of snow-capped mountains, especially if you plan to visit Banff during the winter.

Also, at the top of Sulphur you can visit the interactive interpretive centre which offers information on the geology, flora and fauna of Banff National Park. You'll also find dining options, such as the Sky Bistro restaurant, where you can enjoy a meal with panoramic views.

Banff Upper Hot Springs is one of the most relaxing and iconic destinations in Banff National Park, offering a unique experience for those looking to unwind and enjoy the therapeutic properties of natural hot springs. Located some 1,585 metres above sea level, these mineral-rich hot springs combine nature and health care.

At Banff Upper Hot Springs you can soak in waters that are kept at an ideal temperature of between 37°C and 40°C, making them a perfect place to visit on cold winter days and cool summer nights alike .

The facilities at the Banff Upper Hot Springs are designed to complement the relaxation experience with all the necessary amenities, including changing rooms, showers, swimming costume and towel rental services and a gift shop.

You can also visit a sun deck with chairs and relax out of the water, enjoying the fresh mountain air and the café and bar facilities.

At 21 kilometres long, Lake Minnewanka is one of the largest and longest lakes in the Canadian Rockies and a great place to enjoy outdoor activities.

Here you can take part in boating and kayaking activities, allowing you to take in panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and forests from the water. You can also take part in hiking activities and in winter it is a popular destination for cross-country skiing and ice skating.

The lake, however, is also known for its underwater history, as the depths of the lake are home to an ancient village that was flooded during the construction of a dam in the mid-20th century. This archaeological site attracts divers from all over the world who seek to explore the remains of this once lakeside community.

Near the nature park, you can also discover other popular rivers in the region. Among them, you can book a tour of the Louise and Moraine from Banff to discover these sites, which are part of the region's mountaineering circuit. You can even get there if you decide to buy tickets for the Banff National Park Sightseeing Bus.

Yoho National Park is one of the most beautiful and least explored corners of the Banff area. Founded in 1886, Yoho was one of Canada's first national parks and its name comes from a Cree Indian word meaning 'wonder', an apt description for this landscape of mountains, water gorges and crystal clear lakes.

Despite being less crowded than neighbouring parks such as Banff National Park, Yoho offers some of the most interesting sights in the region, attracting adventurers and nature lovers from around the world. Also, on the way between downtown Banff and the Yoho entrance, you can book an ice walk in Johnston Canyon, which is one of the region's most popular activities.

Among its attractions is Emerald Lake, whose waters are surrounded by rugged mountains and dense forests. This lake is a perfect destination for canoeing or a leisurely walk around its shores, where you can enjoy the views and the silence of nature. Another highlight of the Rocky Mountain wilderness is Takakkaw Falls, an impressive 373-metre waterfall.

Yoho National Park is also famous for its geology. One of the most important sites is the Burgess Shale fossil deposit, which contains exceptionally well-preserved fossils more than 500 million years old. One of the best ways to visit Yoho is to combine your tour with a visit to Banff National Park next door.

If you want to focus your trip on scenic drives, you can't miss the Surprise Corner Overlook, which is one of the most iconic in the Banff National Park area and is known for offering a view of the historic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, which is nestled between a pine forest and the craggy peaks of the Rocky Mountains.

The name comes from the unexpected impression visitors get when they arrive here, where the road turns and suddenly the view unfolds to the castle-hotel amidst the mountainous landscape. This makes it the perfect place to enjoy the natural beauty of Banff.

However, it's worth noting that from the lookout point you can see not only the hotel, but also the Bow River, which meanders through the valley creating a perfect contrast to the green forests and rock formations that surround it. If you decide to walk to the site, you can also book a horse riding experience along the banks of the Bow

Surprise Corner is easy and convenient to get to, making it a must-see for those driving through Banff. Although the main viewpoint is just off the road, visitors can also explore some nearby trails that offer different perspectives of the area.

The Banff Park Museum is home to one of Canada's oldest natural history exhibits and is a must-see for those who want to learn more about the biodiversity and history of Banff National Park. Opened in 1895, this historic museum is a cultural gem that has preserved its original Victorian charm, both in its wooden architecture and the layout of its exhibits.

The building itself is an example of the rustic architecture that defines the region, and is designated a National Historic Site, making it a key part of the park's heritage.

The exhibit features a collection of more than 5,000 specimens representing the flora and fauna of the Rocky Mountains. As you walk through the exhibits, you'll see stuffed animals such as grizzly bears, moose, eagles and wolves. If you're a wildlife enthusiast, you can also book a trip to a grizzly bear sanctuary in the Banff area.

The Banff Park Museum 's collection includes insects, fossils and minerals, providing a comprehensive overview of the diverse ecosystems that make up this Canadian mountain region. In keeping with its original design, the exhibits are arranged in the traditional Victorian museum style, making visitors feel as if they've stepped back in time.

If you want to visit one of the most beautiful places around Banff, you can't miss the Vermilion Lakes, which are a series of small lakes and wetlands that offer some of the most tranquil and picturesque scenery in the region. Surrounded by the Canadian Rockies and Mount Rundle, these lakes are especially popular at sunrise and sunset.

One of the most common activities at Vermilion Lakes is wildlife viewing. These wetlands are home to a rich biodiversity and numerous species of waterbirds such as herons, ducks and eagles. In the early morning hours you may see beavers working on their dams or moose grazing on the shores, and on clear days you can make out the lakeshore from Canada's Scenic Highway 1A

Nature photographers will find these lakes an exceptional place to get wildlife images, and nearby trails allow for walks along the shore or through the forest.

If you're looking for a place for water and mountain sports, the Vermilion Lakes are also a popular spot for canoeing and kayaking. Paddling on the calm waters surrounded by mountains and forests is a perfect experience for a different perspective on the region compared to Banff's more touristy sites.

While natural scenery dominates Banff's landscape, you'll also find the Banff Avenue shopping promenade, a main street that combines alpine charm with a diverse and attractive retail offering.

This avenue is the meeting point for tourists and locals alike and is where the town's most popular shops, restaurants and cafes congregate. Nearby, you can also book a ghost tour of Banff, a spooky experience that will give you an alternative (and terrifying) side to this destination.

Along Banff Avenue, you'll notice the rustic architecture of the buildings that blend into the natural surroundings, creating a cosy and relaxed atmosphere. You can also shop for local handicrafts, mountain clothing and handmade products from indigenous communities along this shopping artery.

Banff Avenue is also famous for its food. You'll find everything from coffee shops to sophisticated bistros and steakhouses. You can enjoy a gourmet meal at places like the Park Distillery, which offers local fare, or try Italian, Japanese or Indian cuisine at other restaurants in the area.

The Columbia Icefield Skywalk is one of the most thrilling experiences you can enjoy in Jasper National Park, near the Banff border. This glass walkway suspended more than 280 metres above the Sunwapta Glacier Valley will give you a view of the glaciers and the vast landscape of the Canadian Rockies.

Opened in 2014, the Skywalk has been designed to provide a unique connection to nature, allowing visitors to literally walk above the void and enjoy an unparalleled panoramic view of the glacial and alpine environment.

The tour of this site begins with a walk along an interpretive trail that will take you through a series of exhibits on the geology, ecology and history of the region. As you go, you'll learn about the formation of glaciers and the crucial role they play in the Rocky Mountain ecosystem.

When you reach the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, you can walk along the glass walkway, which juts out from the cliff, and see the landscape below you, giving you a dizzying perspective of the valley and the Sunwapta River, which flows hundreds of metres below.