With so much to do in the Banff area, it can be challenging to know where to even start. Here's a sample itinerary you can utilize if you plan to visit in the summer or early fall.
Day 1: Fly into Calgary.
Pick up your rental car.
Drive to your lodging destination.
Oftentimes my flights into Calgary are later in the evening, so our first day is a travel day.
Day 2: Explore Canmore.
Canmore is a beautiful mountain village about 1.5 hours from Calgary, and 20 minutes from Banff. Canmore offers great lodging, outdoor activities, food and amenities.
Breakfast: I am obsessed with the breakfast at the Malcolm Hotel. Reservations are not required, but if you're there in the summer, it certainly helps. I have enjoyed everything on the menu, but typically get the Breakfast Poutine because I try to eat poutine as much as I possibly can in Canada. Another one of my favorite breakfasts is the Rocky Mountain Bagel Co. (two locations). This is filling, but not as heavy as a sit down restaurant.
Visit the grocery store. Stock up snacks, liquids and meal items (if your lodging is situated for that).
Hike: Grassi Lakes is one of my favorite hikes in Canmore. It's rated as easy, but note that it's a bit of a steep walk so ensure you're wearing appropriate shoes, have plenty of water, and necessary safety items. The view at Grassi Lakes is stunning and the hike itself is quite short. Because of this, it's a very popular hike so expect to see others on the trail. There are two different options you can take - one is longer and a bit more technical, so be mindful of your ability level.
Explore: There's plenty of places to simply walk around and explore in Canmore. There is a paved walkway great for running, walking and biking right along the Bow River. It's quite popular with locals so watch where you're walking. Walking around the town of Canmore itself is also fun. There's a neat boardwalk you can walk on near Policeman Creek right within town. There is no elevation shift on this walk so it's good for all fitness levels. There's a lot of little shops to visit and no matter where you look, mountains surround you.
Lunch and Dinner: The Grizzly Paw Pub & Brewing Company is a must-visit in Canmore. Even if you're not a beer fan, they also brew their own sodas. Here you can enjoy pub eats and if you're like me, don't worry - there's poutine! Other favorites: The Wood and Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co. (pizza). There are a ton of options, but these are just a few of my favorites.
Day 3: Explore Banff.
There's a lot to do within the town of Banff area itself!
Watch the sunrise: I love watching the sunrise at Cascade Ponds. It's generally quiet this early in the morning (no matter what time of year) and watching the sun come up is always a good start to the day!
Get your legs moving on the Fenland Trail. The Fenland Trail is on the outskirts of town and it's a great walk near the water. It's just over a mile and while it's close to town, it's quiet and peaceful. Enjoy the clarity and sounds of the running water. If you want, you can hook up with the trail that leads into town, but I typically just do the loop and it takes 30-40 minutes.
Visit Bow Falls. Bow Falls is located right within the Town of Banff. It's very well marked but gets quite busy throughout the day. I've found that it's very quiet early in the morning. You can walk around this area a bit but be mindful of golfers and there are some rafting adventures near by.
Visit Surprise Corner. Surprise Corner is another location which gets quite busy. It offers a view of the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and is a popular tourist spot, wedding photo location and more. Visit early and avoid the crowds!
Lunch: By this time, you've probably worked up an appetite. Many restaurants open for lunch around 11 or 11:30. I recommend The Eddie Burger+Bar or Banff Ave. Brewing Co. for lunch.
Paddle: Visit the team at The Banff Canoe Club and rent a canoe or kayak and enjoy the tranquility of the Bow River. The team will give you instruction. The views are great and the current isn't too strong. Keep your eye out for wildlife.
Walk along the Bow River and enjoy the beautiful water.
Visit the Banff Gondola. Advanced reservations are recommended especially in the summer. This is something that nearly everyone visiting Banff does, so if you don't plan ahead, you may be waiting for a long time. Parking can be a challenge so consider public transportation. Enjoy the ride to the top but make sure you bring some warmer clothes because it's chilly up top! You can walk on the boardwalk and learn a lot inside the building which has multiple levels. You can buy coffee, and there are two onsite restaurants. The restaurants can also get quite busy, especially Sky Bistro. Definitely make a reservation for Sky Bistro. I actually got married on top level of the building and we had our reception at Sky Bistro - I highly recommend it!
Dinner: If you don't eat when visiting the Gondola, consider eating at Eddie Burger+Bar, Banff Ave. Brewing Co., Bear Street Tavern or High Rollers. Enjoy some bowling while at High Rollers!
Day 4: Lake Louise Area
Lake Louise is generally busy, but it's popular for good reason: it's beautiful! Lake Louise is about an hour from Banff. It's very well-marked on the highway and you'll pass through the town of Lake Louise before getting to the lake which offers a grocery store, gas station and a few other shops.
Wake up early and get ready to hike! The parking lot at Lake Louise is busy but I love the tranquility of the morning so I'm willing to take the risk. If you like hiking, consider getting up early to hike Little & Big Beehives. These hikes leave from the parking lot near Lake Louise and your first couple miles are a consistent, steep incline leading the way for stellar views. These are popular trails so you'll definitely see others. Don't forget that the snow doesn't always melt until later in the summer so consider bringing cleats and poles based on your skill and comfort level. During these hikes you'll pass by the Lake Agnes Tea House which is open seasonally. Bring some cash and enjoy a scone and some tea. Depending on when you leave, you may need to visit on your way back. Expect this to take several hours based on your fitness level and how long you stay at the Tea House, enjoying the views from up above.
Not a big hiker? No problem. Walk along the Shoreline Trail. This flat trail hugs the shoreline and has minimal elevation change making it great for children and all fitness levels. Depending on how far you walk, you'll even reach a waterfall. There are benches to stop along the walk and enjoy the beautiful view.
Go for a paddle. Canoeing at Lake Louise is an iconic activity. I always recommend paddling, but be warned - it is expensive!
Explore the Fairmont Chateau Lake Lousie. The Fairmont is spectacular to see and if able, grab a drink inside. During certain times of the year, much of the hotel is restricted to guests only so be mindful of this.
Moraine Lake is right by Lake Louise and is available to visit seasonally. Reservations are required for day visits and these can be made on the Parks Canada website. Personal cars are not permitted but instead you must use public transportation. Paddling is also available at Moraine Lake. It's a spectacular sight to see so if you can make a reservation, go for it. The public transportation can also take you to Lake Louise, but be mindful of your return trip.
Eating at Lake Louise: I recommend bringing food with you to Lake Louise. It's a bit removed from everything so having extra drinks and snacks is advisable.
Enjoy the view at Morant's Curve: Morant's Curve is an iconic viewpoint in the mountains where trains passing navigate through a curved area. For photographers, it's a must visit. It's hard to time just right, but whether you see a train or not, it's worth stopping.
Dinner: By this time, it's probably nearing dinner. It will take you about an hour to get back to the Banff or Canmore area. Check out my recommendations above and hit one of the restaurants you haven't been to yet.
Day 5: Yoho National Park
Yoho National Park is about 1.5 hours from Banff. You'll hit Highway 1 and go past Lake Louise before entering British Columbia. I recommend bringing plenty of drinks and snacks with you and you may consider eating breakfast before you go as there are limited food options. Also, you'll likely lose reception at some point, so be prepared.
Natural Bridge: Visit this natural wonder and have fun walking around. There's a small parking lot and you don't need poles or cleats.
Emerald Lake: Emerald Lake has a small parking lot area which is extremely busy in the summer. At the lake, you can simply view it, walk around it (or do other more strenuous hikes) or paddle. Depending on the time of year, you can rent a canoe, but you can certainly use your own if you have it. Canoe rentals are typically available in mid June through early October (weather permitting).
Takakkaw Falls: This is a great stop when you're heading out from Emerald Lake. The falls are spectacular and you can get a great view from far away, or climb up close. There are also hiking options from this area.
Dinner: Make your way back to Banff and Canmore and enjoy dinner after another active day.
Day 6: Return home.
Depending on your flight time, you may have time to do more exploring. Make sure you have plenty of time to drop off your vehicle and check in.
If you have more time, here are some other ideas for your trip:
Rent a SUP and stand up paddle in Canmore or in Banff.
Visit Kootenay National Park.
Visit Peyto Lake.
Take a boat ride at Lake Minnewanka.
Hike Johnson Canyon.
Go golfing.
Enjoy a day at the spa.
Hike Fairview Lookout from Lake Louise.
There's a lot more that can be done, but these are some of my favorites and what I would do if I were coming to the Banff area for the first time.
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