June 2022
General Tips / Notes
- These recs are obviously not fully encompassing, I only had about 4 full days for activities. There’s plenty that I missed
- Rent or bring a car
- Cannot emphasize this enough. If the airport car rentals say they don’t have any available online, just try going to the desk
- There is wildlife absolutely everywhere off the roads. I’m talking bears, elk, caribou, deer, etc. If you see a bunch of cars pulled over, it almost 100% means there are wild animals there. People just pull over on the side of these big roads and hop out of the car for pics / viewing. The number of cars pulled over is directly correlated to the wow-factor of the animal. Would advise keeping your eyes peeled even as a passenger when driving, you never know what you’ll spot
- Try to plan so that the activities you are doing at similar times are close to each other and try knocking them out that way as the drives in general are not very short
- The weather changes quickly, especially when you’re on a hike that changes level of activity/altitude often. Would recommend bringing sweatshirts/gloves/etc. and dressing so that you can shed layers as needed
- Download a hiking app (I use AllTrails) and use that to map your route as you go. Helpful for not getting lost and also nice to keep track of what you’ve done
- I’m not a big shopper but shopping is mentioned at different places throughout these recs. At least during the time I took this trip and when this was written, shopping in Canada as an American is like automatically starting with a discount on all products due to the value difference between the US dollar and Canadian dollar
- Plenty of dispensaries in every town if that’s what floats your boat
Calgary
Canada’s 4th biggest city, this is where you’ll fly into. About an hour and 15 minutes drive to Banff.
Food
Cactus Club
- Fantastic food and great ambiance. Go here if you’re having a meal around Calgary
Activities
Crescent Heights
- There is a trail to walk on from the outskirts of the city that goes into the city
Shopping
- CORE Shopping Centre
- 17th Ave Retail & Entertainment District
Banff
Medium-sized town thriving off of tourism for the unbelievable nature in the surrounding area. Lots of shops & places to eat.
Food
Chuck’s Steakhouse
- Best meal of the trip. Absolutely make a reservation. Tableside Caesar Salad is awesome
The Grizzly House
- Awesome and unique fondue place. Probably will need a reservation
Park Distillery
- Like the name might suggest, they distill gin & vodka here. Some incredible cocktails, and food is solid too
Una Pizza + Wine
- Great pizza / Italian
3 Bears Brewery / Block Kitchen + Bar
- Both were recommended to me but I didn’t get the chance to check out
Masala
- Indian restaurant where I had a lunch buffet. Butter chicken was really good but otherwise the place wasn’t too special
Activities
Banff Gondola
- Takes you to Sulfur Mountain where there is a boardwalk & summit ridge to chill at. Great views and takes a couple of hours, about CAN$65/person
Fairmont Banff Springs
- Not in the same league as the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise but still an amazing building and can be easily checked out
Lake Minnewanka
- Not a far drive from town, can check out if you have time. There is a hike but it was pouring so did not go
Tunnel Mountain Drive
- Right near town, cool to sightsee and there are animals. There may be a hike (or bike) trail here, but I’m not sure
Biking / Hiking
- Plenty of trails to check out and can rent bikes from in town. I didn’t get time to do any of these trails near the town
Banff Hot Springs
- Didn’t do this or look too much into it but something where you hang out in hot tubs with a view
Golf
- Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course
Shopping
- Dozens of souvenir / gift shops, Lulu Lemon, Canada Goose, & more
Lake Louise
About a 40 or so minute drive from Banff, this is the main attraction and if you can only do one thing in Banff you must visit this lake. Sits on the insane Fairmont Chateau Hotel, I can’t even fathom the amount of money this hotel rakes in on a daily basis.
Activities
Moraine Lake
- About a 10 or so minute drive from Lake Louise, worth trying to get to Moraine by sunrise and then going to Louise after
Fairmont Chateau Hotel
- This place is a beast. Really cool to check out, they have some dining options / coffee / shops / etc.
- Big thing to do here is to schedule afternoon tea. Would certainly need reservations. Seems neat but spending $80/head on tea & some small sandwiches isn’t exactly my cup of tea
Hike to Lake Agnes
- This is Banff’s most popular hike as it begins on Lake Louise. Going uphill and you will encounter snow/mud towards the top
- Pass Mirror Lake on the way up
- Tea house at the top which serves hot drinks & average sandwiches for a high price. You could pack your own sandwiches or just deal with the prices but probably bring some napkins as they are stingy with giving things out
Canoe
- Not cheap at CAN$145/hour (for 2 or 3 people in one canoe) but definitely worth it
Yoho National Park
Located in British Columbia and about an hour drive from Banff.
Activities
Emerald Lake
- Maybe the most picturesque lake I saw other than the main two of Moraine and Louise
- Extremely laid back hike around the lake (if you don’t want to get absurdly muddy, can take the sunny route going counter clockwise along the lake and turn back when you get to the 2 wooden planks after the bridge)
- Cilantro Cafe is the only restaurant on the lake, can grab a beer and a bite here. Fairly average burger, solid turkey sandwich
Natural Bridge on Kicking Horse River
- Easy stop right near Emerald Lake, can just view the bridge / river (I actually even climbed on it so that is a possibility but don’t think it’s advised)
- There may or may not be a hike here, I didn’t do it though
Wafta Falls
- About a 20 or so minute drive from Emerald Lake, and then a 30 min hike (each way) to see the waterfall
- Not an insane view or anything but waterfall is cool and hike isn’t difficult
Canmore
Smaller town sitting about 20 minutes outside of Banff, this is where I stayed. Would recommend staying here if availability / pricing in Banff is not ideal.
Food / Drinks / Coffee
Tank310 – by The Grizzly Paw Brewing Co.
- Brewery with good beer, good views, and the food looked good (can’t personally attest, didn’t eat here)
- Where they actually brew the beer (the bigger location in downtown is where they just serve it)
The Grizzly Paw Brewing Co.
- Related to place above, can confirm that the beer tastes the same
- Buffalo chicken dip very good, brisket sandwich very average
Eclipse / Rocky Mountain Bagel Co. / Blondie’s / Beamer’s
- All great coffee spots with solid breakfast options
Wildlife Distillery / Sheepdog Brewery
- Recommended to us but we didn’t get the chance to check them out, right next to each other so can go back to back
Activities
Biking / Hiking
- Plenty of trails to check out and can rent bikes from in town. I didn’t get time to do any of these trails near the town
Golf
- Silvertip Golf Course
Shopping
- Plenty of stores in town
Yoga
- Can look this up, there are definitely options for individual classes to join
Jasper National Park
National park with a small town. It is a 3 hour drive each way from Banff (with lots of wild animals en route). Worth going if you have the time. Drive itself is extremely scenic and is very surreal.
Food
The Spice Joint
- Jamaican spot, was one of the best jerk chicken sandwiches I’ve ever had
Activities
Hiking
- Old Fort Point Trail is a solid one that isn’t hard (make sure to make the detour to “The Red Chairs” on this route for the views)
- There are definitely other hikes and probably biking trails that I’m unaware of
Other Activities
Peyto Lake / Bow Summit
- About 40 minute drive from Lake Louise, definitely worth seeing as the color of the lake is incredibly blue (although can only be seen from a high-up deck viewpoint)
- “Hike” from parking lot to viewpoint, 15 min each way
Johnston Canyon
- This was a hike I wanted to do but didn’t have time, seemed pretty amazing