Top Oz Tours offers a great range of Banff tours and experiences. You can browse the options here.
Banff National Park in the Canadian province of Alberta is a magnet for those looking to ground themselves in the gobsmacking beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
Many visitors choose to stay in the hub town of Banff — the gateway to just about everything the Rockies have to offer. Peak tourist season is June through to September; the weather is warm and pastimes include hiking, canoeing, white water rafting, horse-riding, and generally living it up in the cosmopolitan town centre. From December to March, snow sports are king. Banff boasts two ski hills — Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay — and there are shuttles to Lake Louise (one hour away).
Banff has a work hard/play harder culture. Young people from across the globe are drawn here to take up employment in the tourism and hospitality industries. They come for the same reasons as everyone else — to climb or ski the mountains, to kayak the rivers, to gawk at elk, deer, and bear (keep your distance and never feed wildlife), and to enjoy life in this extraordinarily beautiful place — and they bring a buzz that’s catching.
Here’s a checklist of our top ten things to do in Banff on a first visit.
Browse Banff tours and experiences
Watch our video of ten great things to do on a Canadian Rockies road trip:
Ten Top Things to Do on a Canadian Rockies Road Trip | Victoria, Whistler, Banff, Jasper, Vancouver
Related | https://topoztours.com.au/ten-top-things-to-do-in-canada/Welcome to The Big Bus tour and travel guide’s YouTube channel. In this video, we bring you…
1. See art inspired by the landscape
Art is an important part of the cultural scene in Banff, and for nigh on 90 years the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity has offered programming that cultivates imagination, innovation, and creative excellence. Much of the work you’ll see on display here is inspired by the pristine natural landscapes that frame the town. Check the centre’s website to find out what’s on during your visit.
2. Learn about the past
The Stoney Nakoda (also called Sioux) tribes lived in the mountains and valleys of the Bow River region long before Canada’s first national park was created at Banff. To learn about the lives and cultural heritage of the First People, drop by the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum. It houses costumes, hunting gear, creative beadwork, and also a traditional and very beautiful tipi. You can also visit the excellent Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies for a broad introduction to Banff’s backstory.
3. Enjoy a geothermal soak
It was during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway through the Bow Valley in the late 1800s that workers discovered geothermal mineral springs on the slopes of Sulphur Mountain — ten minutes’ drive south of Banff. Known as the Banff Upper Hot Springs, today you can book an outdoor bathing session in the warm mineral infused water and soak in stunning mountain vistas as steam rises around you. The facility has change rooms, showers, and cossie and towel hire if you need them.
If you can’t make it out to the Springs, don’t worry. Just about every hotel in Banff has a hot tub for guests.
4. Take tea at the Banff Springs Hotel
The combination of natural beauty and the reputed healing powers of the newly discovered springs quickly sent visitor numbers from simmer to boil-over. It prompted construction of the original iteration of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in the late 1880s. The castle-like structure you see today largely came into being in the early 20th century, and it’s a fitting setting for a formal afternoon tea. Settle in for fluffy scones and other tasty morsels, washed down with a cheeky glass of bubbles.
5. Fly high on Sulphur Mountain
Filling your lungs with fresh mountain air is just one of the attractions of a trip from town up to the top of Sulphur Mountain. The epic views are another. Take the Banff Gondola up to the peak and enjoy a stroll along the mountaintop boardwalk. There are eateries, a cafe, and an interpretive centre in the main terminal.
6. Get a great steak
Carnivores will want to devour some prime Alberta beef during their stay in Banff and a good place to do it is Melissa’s Missteak. This rustic venue has been favourite of locals and visitors alike since 1978, and serves hearty breakfasts, filling lunches, and juicy steak dinners. Try the slow-roasted prime rib (a thick piece of beef served with au jus and Yorkshire pudding).
7. Indulge in a beaver tail
Leave room for dessert — a deep fried delight from Beavertails (a five-minute walk from Melissa’s). This Canadian success story was also founded in 1978 (by Grant and Pam Hooker) and now has hundreds of outlets across the country. A beaver tail is basically a donut — but instead of being round, it’s a flat paddle shape (like a beaver’s tail!). Choose toppings such as cinnamon sugar, maple syrup, Nutella, caramel, chocolate, and the list goes on. They’re incredibly sweet, but very moreish.
8. Shop for cool souvenirs
Banff caters abundantly for souvenir junkies and there are countless shops along Banff Avenue that basically sell the same things for the same prices. For something a bit different, check out Cool As A Moose — a family business offering unique souvenirs and locally made keepsakes.
Banff Trading Post is also well worth a browse. It’s been operating for more than a century and stocks a wide range of Native Canadian handicrafts. Shop for dreamcatchers, beadwork, moccasins, and blankets.
9. Sample top local drops
Aprés-ski debriefs and drinks are a longstanding tradition in ski resorts like Banff, and there are plenty of venues around town in which to get social over the beverage of your choosing. Banff Ave Brewing Co offers a friendly vibe, a range of craft beers brewed onsite, and a meal if you’re hungry. Their tasting flight of six brews will set you back CAD $19 (at the time of writing).
10. Stay in a traditional lodge
If your vision of a dream holiday in the Rocky Mountains encompasses a log cabin and flickering, open fire, book a stay at the Banff Caribou Lodge. You’ll be greeted with a rustic cabin vibe, melded with all the creature comforts of a modern hotel. Think a welcoming lobby fireplace, and amenities such as a spa, fitness centre, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary underground parking. There are 184 rooms and suites in total — each with a mountain theme.
Banff Caribou Lodge is situated on Banff Avenue — an easy 10-minute walk from the main shopping and dining precinct. However, if it’s too cold to step out for a meal, cosy up at The Keg — a popular steakhouse and bar inside the hotel.
For more travel inspiration, visit www.banfflakelouise.com.
Browse our range of Banff tours and experiences here.
Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of the top things to do in Banff on a first visit? We would love to hear from you. Join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Cover image: Banff Lake Louise Tourism/Paul Zizka. Additional images: Depositphotos and Bigstock
About the writer
Jennifer Morton is a freelance writer and photographer. The Canadian expat has lived all over Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. She also spent six months working on a cruise ship in Europe. When Jennifer is not writing about travel, you may find her lounging on the beach, fishing with her son, sipping coffee at a cafe, reading a book, or zooming in on a beautiful scene.
About the writer
Adam Ford is editor of Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas, and a travel TV presenter, writer, blogger, and photographer. He has travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Adam worked as a travel consultant for a number of years with Flight Centre before taking up the opportunity to travel the world himself as host of the TV series Tour the World on Network Ten. He loves to experience everything a new destination has to offer and is equally at home in a five-star Palazzo in Pisa or a home-stay in Hanoi.
Travel essentials
You can book many aspects of your holiday on the Top Oz Tours & Travel Ideas website, including flights, hotels, car hire, travel insurance, and more. When you purchase a product or service using the following links from our partners, we receive a small commission. It does not affect the price you pay, and it enables us to continue to provide readers with amazing travel inspiration.
Flights
Compare airlines, flights, and fares in one place with Booking.com. They don’t charge any credit card fees and you can always see exactly what you’re paying for in the price breakdown. You can book one-way, round-trip, and multi-city flights, and change your travel dates with ease when you opt for a flexible ticket option (an additional cost applies). It all adds up to a great flight! Search for flights with Booking.com
Hotels
If you’re looking for a great deal on your next hotel or homestay, look no further than Booking.com. Their mission is to make travel affordable and accessible to more people, and to deliver seamless accommodation experiences that complement your holiday. Search for hotels and homestays with Booking.com
Car hire
Discover Cars is an award-winning (World Travel Awards) car rental comparison website, which helps customers find, compare, and hire cars at the most competitive prices globally. Search for hire cars with Discover Cars
Day tours & experiences
Search and book day tours, guided experiences, and attraction tickets and passes worldwide with Top Oz Tours and Viator. There are no booking or credit card fees when you book through us, and you’ll have access to the widest choice of activities and most competitive prices. Browse day tours and experiences
Multi-day tours & trips
Top Oz Tours has joined forced with Tour Radar to bring you a fabulous range of multi-day tours and trips from the world’s leading operators. Travel with like minded people and get the best possible price on the holiday of your dreams. Browse multi-day tours and trips
Travel insurance
World Nomads aims to be a part of every traveller’s journey by providing a reassuring range of travel insurance services. Benefits include coverage for emergency medical and evacuation or repatriation, lost baggage, trip cancellation, and more than 150 adventure activities. Get an insurance costing
