Well hello to you my reader chums! Banff National Park is everything I dreamed it would be and I miss it so much already. It was one of those locations which wowed me wherever I went and I could have easily spent longer than 3 days, simply to just exist and admire the 360 views. Whether you're a mountain lover or new to wilderness exploring, Banff, Canada is a destination with low-key activities and more intense hikes.
If you're planning a trip to Banff National Park, here is my guide to everything you can see and do.
What to see and do in Banff National Park
Banff Town
Banff Town has a gorgeous and wholesome ambience with its fairytale setting, wooden buildings and mountainous surroundings. Whether you're staying in Banff or Canmore, it's worth spending some time in the actual town to mooch around the independent shops, buy some souvenirs, enjoy the restaurant scene and wander along the nature trails.
Banff Gondola
Wherever there's an opportunity for a viewpoint, always take it! The Banff Gondola is a gorgeous experience to see Banff Town and the entirety of Banff National Park from up high. The gondola is incredibly fun to ride but also allows you to experience amazing views, especially if you're only in Banff for a short amount of time, without doing many of the hikes. You can purchase tickets to the gondola in the tourist centre, however, I'd recommend buying a PursuitPass online, as it can cover several of the other attractions in the Canadian Rockies national parks.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
Next to the entrance of the Banff Gondola is the Banff Upper Hot Springs. These are heated pools, which overlook the mountains and make for a fab time to relax. It can get pretty busy here and the pools aren't massive, so I'd recommend going towards the end of the day.
Bow River and Falls hike
Within Banff Town, you can explore some of the nature scenes and one of the favourite and easy walks is the stroll to Bow River and Falls. You can reach the falls in under 30 minutes from the town centre and the stroll is mainly a woodland walk along the river.
Canoeing on Bow River
Canoeing in Banff was a dream-worthy experience because the scenery was unreal and I'm so grateful we were able to do it. You can canoe in various places in Banff, however, along the Bow River was one of the cheapest locations we found, rather than destinations like Moraine Lake.
Lake Louise
Prepare to be wowed at Lake Louise. You can reach Lake Louise in a few ways, such as by booking a shuttle and driving yourself or by a tour bus. It's one of those lakes I still can't believe is real. The beauty is something I can only describe as WOW. The colour of the lake was crystal clear and the weather was perfect on our visit. From the lake, you can also hike up to Lake Agnes and enjoy some lunch at the Lake Agnes Tea House, passing Mirror Lake along the way.
Moraine Lake
From Lake Louise, you can visit Moraine Lake by catching a shuttle. Moraine Lake has its own unique beauty and is a completely different setting from Lake Louise. With its mountainous terrain and rocky hills, it's a tranquil spot to relax.
Vermillion Lakes
One of my favourite things about travelling around Banff and the Canadian Rockies was how there were many places you could stop along the road to enjoy lake views. Vermillion Lakes is one of those lakes you can admire from the roadside at whatever time of the day.
Lake Minnewanka
Another lake to add to your agenda is Lake Minnewanka which is surreal, just like Vermillion Lakes and a lovely stop-off. To explore more of this lake, you can also go on a Lake Minnewanka cruise (which can be included in the PursuitPass).
Johnston Canyon
Another amazing hike in Banff is the Johnston Canyon as it's a picturesque place to admire gorgeous waterfalls and rugged cliffs. It's one of those places where you can appreciate the endless trees and nature - I just loved it.
Bow Lake and Peyto Lake
If you're visiting Jasper National Park on your trip as well, on the way there (by car), you can stop off at some gorgeous lakes, including Bow Lake and Peyto Lake. Bow Lake, you can park along the roadside and witness, whilst Peyto Lake takes a small hike (around 20-30 minutes). Bow Lake is beautiful and Peyto Lake looks surreal with its bright blue water.
Drive to Canmore and Grassi Lakes
Canmore is a nearby town to Banff that many tourists stay at because it's a lot cheaper and honestly, deserves time on its own to enjoy. Drive to Canmore and have a mooch around the town and restaurant scene, and then make your way to Grassi Lakes. Grassi Lakes is a hike which surprises me about how amazing it was. There were two different routes you could take, one that was pretty steep or a slightly tamer version. The end goal is beautiful with bright green lakes that look like magic.
Where to eat in and near Banff National Park
Good Earth Coffeehouse
I loved it in here as it had an independent coffee shop vibe, with homemade goods and local produce, offering everything from sandwiches, cakes, warm dishes and various drinks. Plus, they have a sweet outdoor area with a mountainous backdrop.
Farm and Fire Restaurant
Next door to the Good Earth Coffeehouse was the Farm and Fire Restaurant which was highly rated for many reasons. The dishes are all designed to be shared; me and my partner could choose a few dishes to enjoy together. The portions were also massive and the food - amazing quality.
Three Bears Restaurant
Considering you are in Banff, going to a restaurant named after bears is a necessity. Three Bears is very popular in the heart of the town. You can enjoy various dishes, from burgers, and mac and cheese to curries and banana splits.
Lake Agnes Tea House
If you go on the hike from Lake Lousie to Lake Agnes, you'll see the charming tea house located at the top. This place does daily specials of sandwiches and cakes, various teas and snack bits. It's a great stopping-off point after a hike but can get very busy.
Wild Flour Cafe & Bakery
Another gorgeous coffee shop with homemade goods, you can enjoy various sandwiches, cakes and desserts and plenty of fresh drink options.
Take a Hike Market
In the heart of Canmore, this has got to be one of my favourite eating spots and I wish I could have gone here more. It has a deli set up to it but also offers hot breakfasts and lunches, such as pancakes and egg dishes.
Bridgette Bar
Another Canmore spot is Bridgette Bar, a meal me and my partner have been raving about since. With homemade pizzas and an array of other dishes such as pasta and meat options, you can enjoy loads of delicacies.
The Bro'kinYolk
Probably the biggest portion ever but I'm still thinking about the eggs benedict I had here with pesto on waffles - it was just insane. The perfect place to enjoy a hearty breakfast in Canmore.
Where to stay in Banff National Park
Staying in the heart of Banff Town and across the National Park can be pretty expensive and choosing where to stay can depend on your budget. Many people choose Canmore as it's cheaper and only a 20-minute drive to the national park. If you're driving on your trip, Canmore is an easy option, especially if you're on a budget too. You can also stay in Calgary and do a day trip to Banff as it's 1.5 hours away by car.
I hope you enjoyed this post. When are you planning a trip to Banff?
Thank you for reading <3
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