Banff is one of those places you have to visit in your lifetime. It is not just a stunningly beautiful place, but the base for all kinds of adventures that are unlike anywhere else in the world. There are so many things to do in Banff that you could spend a lifetime here and still have not covered them all.

The main highlights are the natural wonders: the lakes, the mountains, the glaciers and the hiking trails. It’s a place that if you only stay in the town, you’ve missed many of the best things to do. Give yourself plenty of time and prepare yourself for some of the most incredible experiences and magical landscapes you’ll ever lay eyes on.

Many of these activities are only open in summer and part of spring and autumn due to snow. You can see how to put them altogether in our Banff itinerary.

1: Canoeing Lake Louise
2: Sunrise (or sunset) at Moraine Lake
3: Spotting grizzlys at the Lake Louise Gondola
4: Exploring Johnson Canyon
5: Taking in Peyto Lake
6: Visit one of the teahouses
7: Scenic helicopter flight
8: Walk on the Athabasca Glacier
9: Road trip the Icefields Parkway
10: Hike the Lake Louise combo trail
11: Be bedazzled by Emerald Lake
12: See the Falls colours at the Larch Valley
13: Takakkaw Falls
14: The Via Ferrata at Mount Norquay
15: Sunset at Vermillion Lakes
16: The Sulphur Mountain Gondola
17: Cruise Lake Minnewanka
18: The Banff Hot Springs
19: Lunch at the Fairmont Banff
20: Dining at the Fairmont Lake Louise
21: Touring the Park Distillery
22: Gourmet food at the Bison
23: Fondue at the Grizzly House

Best things to do in Banff

1. Canoeing on Lake Louise

Canoeing on Lake Louise is an surreal experience. Being able to paddle on this stunningly clear blue lake and escaping the crowds at the shoreline is a real bucket list experience. We loved canoeing to the very end of the lake which you can easily do if you hire the canoe for an hour.

It definitely isn’t cheap and it’s incredibly popular, so you may have a wait, but trust us, it is well worth it.

Canoe Prices on Lake Louise

You can hire a canoe for either 30 minutes ($115+GST) or an hour ($125+GST CAD), but you’d want an hour to do the full length of the lake. Alternatively you can opt for a sunrise paddle run by the Fairmont Hotel for $162 CAD ($120 USD) for non-hotel guests (hotel guests get it cheaper) where you can skip the queue and paddle on the lake before anyone else as well as experiencing sunrise on the lake. The hotel also includes a continental breakfast as well.

2. Sunrise or sunset at Moraine Lake

Moraine Lake has quickly become one of the most famous lakes in the world. It is a place which you have to see to believe and that first glance of the deep blue water actually made us laugh as we couldn’t believe that colour exists in real life! Add in the snowcapped ten peaks as a backdrop and you have one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Sunrise is the time to come for the best light and if you get still conditions, you’ll have a perfect reflection of the mountains in the water. It requires a ludicrously early start, but you are rewarded with a real treat. Having said that, it is terribly crowded so we actually preferred the experience of visiting at sunset. You can read our full low down in this post on whether sunrise or sunset is better at Moraine Lake.

*Best things to do in Banff: Sunrise at Moraine Lake*

3. Spot wild Grizzlys on the Lake Louise Gondola

If you’re like us, seeing a Grizzly Bear (from a safe vantage point!) was very high on our list of things to do in Banff. These incredible animals are intimidating and mesmerising in equal measure.

Whilst there is a healthy population of grizzlies in Banff, they are often high up in the mountains and try to avoid human contact. Even in several weeks of hiking in remote locations, we didn’t see one once!

The best chance of seeing one is on the Lake Louise gondola. We got lucky and saw a mother and two cubs on our visit as well as a black bear. To say it’s a moment we’ll never forget is an understatement. It was simply incredible and we couldn’t wipe the smile from our faces for hours afterwards.

The great thing about the gondola is that it is completely safe. You are high up in an enclosed gondola or an open up ski lift (we prefer the ski lift, especially for photography), but the bears are 10-15 metres below you.

Just before you board the gondola ask the staff to see if they know where the bears are at that particular time, this will help you know where to look most keenly. Personally when we saw them we told every single passing gondola where to look such was our excitement!

The best time for spotting grizzlies is in July and August. Whilst you may still see black bears outside of these months, the grizzlies are harder to see.

We were all about the bears but you also get to see a fabulous view of Lake Louise sparkling in the distance. She looks so small from here but no less beautiful and the mountains are truly jaw dropping as well.

Essential info about the Lake Louise Gondola

We thought the prices were really high for the gondola but once we saw the grizzlies we knew it was worth every cent. We paid CAD $40 for our gondola ticket and you could add on a buffet breakfast for $2. I just checked their website and it looks like prices might be going up for next year. To save a few dollars head into the petrol station just before the gondola as they had $5 off flyers which we made use of : )

4. Exploring Johnston Canyon

We love a good canyon and Johnston Canyon doesn’t disappoint. A short distance from the centre of Banff, Johnston Canyon is accessed by a flat walking trail which takes you deep into the canyon and to the beautiful lower falls.

You’ll follow the stunning electric blue river into the narrow, steep canyon, spotting chipmunks and the occasional dipper along the way before reaching the lower falls.

From here you can then choose to take the steeper climb up to the upper falls or simply head back. The more adventurous should keep going to the Ink Pots, a stunning mountain top meadow with unique lakes which few people visit (it requires a longer, steepish hike, but it is worth it!).

*Best things to do in Banff: The Upper Falls at Johnston Canyon*

Essential info about Johnston Canyon

Johnston Canyon is one of the top things to do in Banff and gets very, very busy, especially in peak season. If you want to avoid the worst of the crowds, then we recommend visiting early or going later in the day. This will mean you won’t have to park a long way away either!

5. Taking in the stunning Peyto Lake

There are few views in the world like Peyto Lake from the upper viewpoint, and it was Cat’s favourite lake in the whole of The Rockies.

This stunning blue lake shines like a mirror amongst alpine mountains. It is one of the top stops on the legendary Icefields Parkway and is simply mesmerising when you see it for the first time (or you know the third time - yes we couldn’t get enough!).

*Best things to do in Banff: Sunset at Peyto Lake*

Sunset at Peyto Lake is magical as - while you lose that vivid blue of the lake - the valley turns a stunning golden colour and the lake glows in a different way to during the day.

However, we still recommend visiting in the middle of the day if you can only go once to ensure you see that milky blue colour. Somehow it’s a different blue again to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake!

If you want to lose the crowds you’ll want to check out this post on Peyto Lake’s secret viewpoint.

6. Visit one of the historic teahouses

Visiting Banff and not visiting one of its two picturesque teahouses would be a real shame. It’s hard to think of a better place to sit down for a brew with a view.

The most famous of the two is the Lake Agnes Teahouse, which was built in 1901 and sits right on the edge of a lake with a gorgeous outdoor deck. The loose leaf tea doesn’t come cheap, but this is one cuppa to remember.

You can also visit the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse, which has glacier views that are nothing short of spectacular.

The focus is not on loose leaf tea here, so the price is lower - although the price of food is the same as at Lake Agnes. Both feel like stepping back in time as there is still no electricity, and all food is carried in and out on foot!

The teahouses are accessed by hiking trails, and are popular with hikers and non-hikers alike. If you only have the time to do one we’d recommend the Lake Agnes Teahouse, although we did love both.

Essential info about visiting the historic Teahouse

Both teahouses are accessed from Lake Louise. The Lake Agnes Teahouse is 3.5km from Lake Louise, the trail is uphill but the switchbacks mean it is not too difficult. The Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse is 5.6km from Lake Louise on a mixture of flat and uphill trail.

Both teahouses are cash only.

7. Take a scenic helicopter ride over The Rockies

If you’re not up for hiking to the top of a mountain, then the best way to see this incredible landscape is to hop on a scenic helicopter ride. From up above you can see the mountains, valleys, lakes and scenery that looks totally different from above as opposed to at ground level.

This is the one activity on this list which sadly we didn’t have the budget for but Joe’s mum and dad were visiting and they did so pictures are courtesy of them.

The helicopters fly really close to the mountains so the ride is both scenic and exhilarating. In fact they loved it so much that they almost booked another one!

If you’ve never been in a helicopter before, it’s a great place to give it a try. This is a bucket list experience with simply awe inspiring scenery. The difficulty will be stopping yourself from booking round 2!

Booking a Banff Scenic Helicopter

We chose the helicopter ride for them after a fair bit of research and chose Alpine Helicopters who operate out of Canmore. A 12 minute ride over the iconic Three Sisters Peaks costs CAD $150 per person. There are many other rides you can take which cost significantly more.

8. Walk on the Columbia Glacier

If you’ve never walked on a glacier before, head to the Columbia Discovery Centre on the Icefields Parkway. Getting on to a glacier has never been easier as you simply ride a special ice explorer bus to the ice and then hop off!

The bus ride itself is an adventure as you are given an informative talk about the glacier, the surrounding area and the machine you are riding in which is specifically made for exploring glaciers! You’ll then go down what feels like the steepest road in the world (some people panicked but the ice explorers have got you, don’t worry!) before hopping on to the glacier itself.

From here you’ll get incredible views of the ice, the blue pools and rivers and that unique feeling of walking on a glacier. If you’re looking for an epic glacier hiking adventure this isn’t for you as you only get 20 minutes on the ice and you can’t go far, this is an easy taster of what ice hiking is like. For a more adventurous option you need to take one of the guided ice walks (please don’t explore the glacier alone - it is so dangerous).

*Best things to do in Banff: walking on the Columbia Icefield*

Essential info about the Columbia Icefield

The Columbia Icefield adventure costs CAD $87 for adults and $44 for children at time of writing for 2020 earlybird rates. I can’t find the full price rates but I’m pretty sure we paid more than this. This includes entry to the Glacier Skywalk as well. You need to allow roughly 2.5 hours for this activity and in peak season it is a good idea to book online in advance as time slots do sell out.

9. Road trip the spectacular Icefields Parkway

No trip to Banff is complete without at least a day on the Icefields Parkway. This incredible road is not just one of the best things to do in Banff, but one of the best in the whole of Canada! As a self confessed New Zealand fanatic I declared that no road could beat the one into Mount Cook National Park but I have to confess that the Icefields Parkway did - I can give it no greater accolade than that!

On this 230km stretch of road you’ll leave all civilisation behind and be surrounded by towering mountains with glacial lakes, waterfalls and stunning hiking trails right beside the tarmac. Whether you’re looking for a drive up viewpoint or an epic adventure, the Icefields Parkway has something for you.

*Best things to do in Banff: road tripping the Icefields Parkway*

10. Lake Louise Combo hike (well that’s what we call it!)

Prepare yourself as this is a biggie! The Lake Louise combo is a combination of the Lake Agnes Trail, The Plain of Six Glaciers and the Lakeshore Walk for a 22km epic hike! This is a mind-blowing trail and one of the best we’ve done anywhere in the world.

It will take you to the best views of Lake Louise, to the tops of mountains, the foot of glaciers and throughout the most beautiful landscape you’ll see anywhere in the country. Sprinkle in a few teahouses for refreshment along the way and you have a stunning hike which made it into our top hikes in the world list.

You can read more about it in detail in our post about the best hikes in Lake Louise, this isn’t the hike for you if you aren’t much of a walker but for any hiking enthusiasts you really can’t beat it!

11. A stroll around Emerald Lake

Anywhere else in the world Emerald Lake would be the premier tourist attraction. Vast jagged mountains and conifers surround this beautiful lake and taking a stroll around the perimeter is one of the top things to do in Banff.

The trail is almost completely flat so it’s a very leisurely walk. Alternatively, you can hop on a canoe and take it all in from the middle of the lake!

*Best things to do in Banff: Emerald Lake*

Canoe prices on Emerald Lake

Canoeing on Emerald Lake whilst still pricey is a more affordable $70 per hour. Canoe carry a maximum of three adults or two adults and two small children.

12. The Larch Valley

There is no hike we’ve ever done quite like the Larch Valley trail in the fall. In September/October, these trees turn a vivid golden colour and when you add in the surrounding Ten Peaks, you get one unforgettable hike. If you’re not visiting in fall don’t worry because it is a spectacular trail at any time of year. You can just walk to the valley or continue on to Sentinel Pass which we also highly recommend.

You can see a detailed guide on what to expect from the hike in our post dedicated to the beautiful Larch Valley Trail.

13. Be blown away by Takakkaw Falls

If you like your waterfalls big and dramatic, then look no further than Takakkaw Falls. Tucked away in Yoho National Park, Takakkaw is huge and dramatic, a must visit when in Banff. If you arrive in the late afternoon, you may get lucky and see it turn into a rainbow falls as well, something we were not expecting and completely blew us away.

Getting to Takakkaw is straightforward as you can simply walk from the car park to the foot of the falls. The road into the car park is slow, steep and has a lot of sharp corners, but is paved. We saw larger vehicles struggle on this road.

Note that the access road to Takakkaw Falls closes outside of peak season, roughly mid October to mid June.

*Best things to do in Banff: Takakkaw Falls*

14. The Via Ferrata

If a standard hike sounds a bit too sedate for you, then the Via Ferrata could be right up your alley. Via Ferratas originated in Europe and translate to mean “Iron Road”. Essentially it a hiking trail that uses cables and metal rungs to help you climb up what would otherwise be pretty dangerous and out of most people’s limits on a normal hiking trail! It’s a step above hiking, but a level below full rock climbing and you are strapped into a safety harness.

The Via Ferrata in Banff is a lot of fun and offers unrivalled views from the top of Mount Norquay. It’s an adventure that includes some rock climbing, hiking and scrambling which you do as a part of a small group. It’s certainly one of the more memorable hikes we’ve ever done!

Via Ferrata isn’t for everyone and I wasn’t even sure it would be for me when I saw it, but if you love a bit of adventure it really is a must for your Banff bucket list. I wrote a detailed guide on what to expect from my perspective of being very nervous about it which you can read here.

15. Sunset on Vermillion Lakes

If you only have the chance to see one sunset in Banff town itself, the wharf at Vermillion Lakes is a great option. At just a six minute drive from Banff town, Vermillion Lakes is perfect for your first night or when you’ve had a busy day and don’t want to travel too far.

It’s tranquil and picturesque, with still water surrounded by epic mountains. It’s also a very quiet spot, we visited in the height of tourist season, August, and enjoyed getting to sit on the jetty and watch the sunset entirely alone.

If you get lucky, you may see some wildlife here too. Whilst we didn’t, we have heard about people who saw moose, beaver and even a bear around Vermillion Lakes, and sunset (or sunrise) is a great time to try to see wildlife here.

*Best things to do in Banff: Vermillion Lakes*

16. Hop on the Sulphur Mountain Gondola

The gondolas in Banff aren’t just there for the ski season and they offer a different opportunity in the warmer months. You can hop on one and within a few minutes you’ll be at the top of a mountain and able to see for miles in all directions.

Aside from the Lake Louise gondola our favourite was the Sulphur Mountain gondola. There are incredible views of Banff town and the surrounding mountains and we enjoyed the extensive boardwalk which allows you to explore much further than many gondolas we’ve done around the world.

*The views from the top of Sulphur Mountain*

It’s one of those must-do experiences in Banff, especially if you aren’t planning on hiking up a mountain. Though if you do want to get to the top of Sulphur Mountain without taking a gondola you can hike up there too.

You can also go for dinner at the top - which looks like a truly unique experience. We headed up for sunset and though the weather wasn’t really co-operating we still loved the softer light and moody clouds. The gondolas are fully enclosed and the journey takes 8 minutes.

Essential info about the Sulphur Mountain Gondola

The Sulphur Mountain Gondola doesn’t come cheap but there are a few ways to save money. At full rate adults pay CAD $64 and children are $32 (under 5’s are free). If you book in advance adults pay $58 and children pay $29.

If you follow our advice and head up for sunset you’ll pay the after 5pm rate (which is the same as the Alberta residents rate) at $49 per adult and $25 per child.

If you’re a hiker then the best option is to hike to the top and then take the gondola down which is half price!

17. Cruising on Lake Minnewanka

Lake Minnewanka may not have quite as dazzling a glacial blue colour as Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, but it is still very dramatic and picturesque (and we’re comparing Ferraris and Lamborghinis here!). It looked like a lot of the photos we have seen from the Dolomites with a small pier and a series of boats with a backdrop of a jagged mountain range.

The main attraction is the boat cruises as it is the only lake in the Banff area which allows motorised boats. It’s a good place to start your trip to Banff as they will tell you about the history, the landscape and a lot of information about places you can visit in the area. If kayaking is more your thing you can do that too.

*Best things to do in Banff: Lake Minnewanka*

Cruise prices on Lake Minnewanka

The classic one hour cruises cost $59 for adults and $30 for children. There are other options such as family cruises and beer explorers too.

18 - Soaking in the hot springs

The Banff Hot Springs is where tourism in this part of the world began. As soon as they were discovered, the European settlers were determined to create a tourism industry around people experiencing the unique sensation and health benefits that the hot springs provide.

They are still one of the most popular things to do in Banff and you can see why when you soak in the pools and take in the mountain views. They can get very, very busy though, so we recommend going early or very late. Otherwise you may feel like a sardine as the pools are - understandably - not very big! Choosing early is a better option for the hot springs being at their cleanest. For reference when we say go late we mean very late as the picture below is taken at 8.30pm and as you can see it’s still heaving!

Essential info about the Banff Hot Springs

The good news is the springs won’t break the bank. An adult ticket costs CAD $8.30, children 3-17 are $6.30 and children under 3 go free. You can also rent towels and swimsuits if you need.

Touring the local dining scene

Whilst the mountains and lakes grab the headlines, the dining scene in Banff is well worth exploring. There are a few gems that will complete your alpine experience.

19 - Taking in the views at the Fairmont in Banff

The Fairmont Chateaux in Banff town centre is an institution and a grand building you can see from many vantage points around Banff. Whilst we couldn’t afford a night’s stay here (sadly, that will be for when we’re millionaires!) we went for a coffee and to enjoy the views.

We weren’t disappointed as the views are incredible, especially if you get a seat on or near the balcony. Non-guests can also visit for lunch or dinner for a truly memorable experience. Expect to pay slightly more than in town, for example our coffee cost $6.

*Balcony dining at the Fairmont in Banff*

20 - Then head to their sister restaurant for lunch at Lake Louise

If you thought the Fairmont in Banff was grand, then you haven’t seen anything yet! There’s nothing that beats the views over lunch from the Fairmont at Lake Louise. Built metres from the shore of this incredible lake, you can have great food with an unreal view. If you are choosing between the one in town or the one at Lake Louise then in our eyes there is no contest, Lake Louise wins every time.

As with the Fairmont Banff prices are a little higher than in town but not so very much more considering the views, atmosphere and overall grandeur of the experience.

What makes it even better is that you can park for free if you dine, so you don’t have to make a sunrise trip or queue up for the bus.

21 - Sip on local spirits at Park Distillery

Yep, Banff has its own distillery and you can sample the local spirits right on the main street in town. You can sample vodka, whiskey or gin that has been made from the water of the Six Glaciers in Banff, a truly unique experience! They run free daily tours at 3.30pm.

The Park Distillery also has a restaurant if you fancy staying on for dinner. It gets busy, so if you want to take a tour or have dinner, you should book in advance in peak season. We personally sampled the gin and can vouch for it being the perfect aperitif.

22 - Gorge on gourmet food at The Bison

If you’re a big foodie, then look no further than The Bison. Sourcing ingredients from the surrounding area and the best of Canada, The Bison serves up incredible food that will leave you wanting more! It’s the kind of place where you plan on visiting once and keep coming back. The food was absolutely outstanding and we also liked the atmosphere which was completely buzzing - in fact we highly recommend making a reservation in high season because it was definitely a full house.

*Fresh mozzarella and local beer at The Bison in Banff*

23 - Indulge in a fondue at Grizzly House

You’re in the mountains and nothing says mountain food to us more than a good fondue. It reminded us of menus we’ve seen in the Alps.

With quirky, but cosy decor, the Grizzly House is an institution in Banff with lots of character. The menu is full of hearty food - perfect for when it gets cold in the mountains. Try one of the many different fondue options, and save room for the chocolate fondue for desert! 😂

Banff National Park Entrance Fee

Almost all of these activities require a Parks Pass. You can buy it online by clicking here to go to the Banff & Lake Louise Tourism website. It costs $9.80 CAD per person per day ($7 USD).

If you plan on visiting multiple National Parks in Canada, you could look at the annual pass. It costs $136.40 CAD ($102 USD) for a whole car and will get you entry to 80 parks in Canada.

Where to stay in Banff

Banff is a pricey place to stay at any time of year and you won’t really find a bargain. We’ve picked three options for three different budgets.

We personally stayed in the midrange choice but our budget and luxury options are included because we personally spoke to people staying there and they came highly recommended.

Budget - Samesun Hostel

This hostel is a bit of an institution and right in the heart of Banff town. When we returned to Banff in mid September as the peak season was winding down the Samesun was one of the few places to stay that still had a no vacancy sign up every single day. They have both mixed and single sex dorms and a friend of ours said there was a great, friendly vibe.

Check the latest prices on: Booking.com | Tripadvisor

Midrange - Ptarmigan Inn

This is where we stayed on our third visit to Banff and we loved the really central location, we could walk everywhere in town and having previously stayed in Canmore it was a treat to be so much closer to the lakes and other attractions surrounding Banff - when you’re heading to Moraine Lake for sunrise those extra 30 minutes in bed really count!

Our room wasn’t huge but it was big enough and very comfortable, the bed in fact was so comfy that sometimes it was hard to drag ourselves out! The bathroom was also great and I loved the local Rocky Mountain shower products. There is a free underground car park and also a pool and sauna which we sadly never had time to use!

Check the latest prices on: Booking.com | Tripadvisor

Luxury - The Fairmont Banff or Lake Louise

Both Fairmont options are grand and luxurious so where you stay depends on whether you want to be in town or out by Lake Louise (just over 40 minutes drive). If you can, staying in both areas would be great and when we return to the area we will stay at Lake Louise for at least part of our trip as we loved that whole area so much. These are bucket list hotels when you’re really looking to treat yourself and one day we’d love to stay.

The Fairmont hotels don’t come cheap but if you have the budget they do come highly recommended. Rooms look stunning and a blend between modern and old world style - think marble bathrooms. There are onsite pools and jacuzzi with spectacular views. A major downside of the Fairmont in Banff though is that parking is charged in addition to the room rate which we think is quite tight. That is not the case at Lake Louise.

Check the latest prices at Banff Fairmont on: Booking.com | Tripadvisor

Check the latest prices at Lake Louise Fairmont on: Booking.com | Tripadvisor

If you’re undecided between Banff and Canmore as a base, why not check out our post all about Banff vs Canmore.

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