THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Banff
Things to Do in Banff
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Banff Gondola, Lake Minnewanka, Nature and Wildlife Tours, Hiking Trails. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Banff Gondola, Lake Minnewanka, Nature and Wildlife Tours, Hiking Trails. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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Book these experiences for a close-up look at Banff.
- fromper adultC$160
Likely To Sell Outfromper adultC$59
Historical Toursfromper adultC$107- fromper adultC$255
Private and Luxuryfromper group (up to 2)C$249- fromper adultC$159
- fromper adultC$140
- fromper adultC$115
Likely To Sell Outfromper adultC$89- fromper adultC$220
Mountain summit experience with a scenic boardwalk leading to an old weather station, panoramic views from viewing platforms, and a restaurant with regional cuisine.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Bodies of Water
Waterfalls
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Hiking Trails
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Pedestrian-friendly avenue lined with diverse shops and eateries amidst striking mountain scenery, ideal for a leisurely stroll and local wildlife encounters.
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Nature & Wildlife Areas
Scenic drive through a national park with picturesque views, opportunities to spot local wildlife, and tranquility. Features cycling paths and tranquil look-offs.
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Hiking Trails
Moderate hike through well-maintained trails, providing panoramic views of valleys, rivers, and a golf course. Features switchbacks and several viewpoints, ideal for a short outdoor excursion.
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Historic Sites
Historical hot springs site with interpretive trails, educational displays, and a unique ecosystem. Features include a boardwalk and an endangered species exhibit.
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Gardens
Serene garden retreat with paved paths, terraces, and water features set against a mountain backdrop. Enjoy colorful flora, unique wood carvings, and picturesque views by the river.
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Bodies of Water
Hiking Trails
Scenic viewpoint with panoramic scenes of a historic hotel and river, popular for sunset photography. Trails and platforms provide serene photo spots amidst occasional crowds.
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Other Top Attractions around Banff
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travellers are saying
- Disorienteer17 contributionsWe did a combo deal that included gondola and buffet dinner at Northern Lights — it ran about CAN$103/person. This worked out great — we were “uploaded” about 70 minutes before our dinner reservation. This gave us enough time to walk out to Samson Peak and enjoy the boardwalk scenery before we ate. Then we could dine as the sun went down and lights of Banff came on.
We didnt spend much time in exhibits or store, but those are other ways to enhance your visit and make it worth the rather steep price.Written January 4, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Lee LValhalla, NY2,290 contributionsOn the last day of our tour we stopped here to have lunch and take a boat tour. Like most of the lakes in the area a beautiful glacier fed lake with lots of mountains and scenery around. Also a great place to have a picnic by the lake before getting in the bus to finish the vacation with a drive back to Calgary.Written October 25, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- jsd26Cardiff, UK126 contributionsA nice, shady walk along the Bow River Trail, following the art in nature trail, brings you to the Bow Falls. Wide, impressive and accessible.Written December 15, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Stephen & SueCanberra, Australia2,772 contributionsSunshine Meadows would be the least publicised of the 4 chairlifts or gondolas in this area, but wow, what an absolute gem.
It’s about half an hour out of town, and starts with a gondola ride, then change to a chairlift, then a short walk to a viewing platform that brings you to just about the most beautiful spot in the Rockies.
From there you can walk a short distance into the wildflower meadows and back, or continue on to the longer 2 hour circuit down to the lower lakes, and then back around to the gondola (no need to walk back up the steep slope to the chairlift).
And the lack of publicity means no crowds. We couldn’t believe how few people knew about this place.
There was heaps of free parking, no queue for the gondola or the chairlift, or the cafes at the base station or chairlift station.
And if, as we did, you extend the walk beyond the first platform, you will rarely encounter another person.
Instead you get waterfalls, running streams, lakes, stunning views and wildflower meadows.
As the little boy next to us said when he reached the lookout “mum, I can’t believe it’s real”. Neither could we.
Weather plays a big part here so, choose a sunny day, but if you can only do one gondola or chairlift, ditch the rest and journey out to Sunshine Meadows.Written December 15, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - travelwhileukanMarietta, GA73 contributionsGreat hike with expansive views at the summit. October 10, 2024. There was snow on the trail. 6 degrees Celsius at the trailhead that day. Walking poles and snow cleats were a huge help! Very blustery on parts of trail. A hat with a hood will keep you warm. Wear good boots. Leg gators or rain pants will keep snow off your feet /legs. 2.5 hours round trip for us.Written October 12, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- C KonsurLas Vegas, NV12 contributionsIt was the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the States during Thanksgiving! Highly recommend! Fabulous food and accommodations!Written December 18, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Darren BCourtland, VA667 contributionsWe enjoyed riding our e-bikes on the Bow Valley Parkway from Vermillion Lakes to Muleshoe.
The parkway was closed to automobile traffic at the time of our visit. Being able to ride on this beautiful parkway through such amazing surroundings without the fear of being run over by cars was an amazing treat.
Enjoy.Written June 13, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Christian MCopenhagen, Denmark6,232 contributionsWe, being somewhat middle-aged, huffed and puffed our way up, up, up the +2 km of Tunnel Mountain, until we reached the top with its stunning view of Banff (which is actually prettier at street level), the green valley, the blue river, and the surrounding mountains...
...while children aged 4 and up cheerfully jogged alongside their sweating parents, enjoying the unfamiliar surroundings.
The hike is highly recommended for anyone in reasonably good shape. And, seemingly, no one else experienced the mild bouts of vertigo that I did near the top (and I made it; just with a bit of a racing heart).
The +2 km descent takes less than half the time of the climb, and the sweat quickly dries off as you go down.Written August 11, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - ashleylynn722018Santa Clarita, CA76 contributionsThe Cave and Basin was a quick and easy attraction in Banff that can be added to your trip if you have a little extra time and are interested in the history of the area and site. We took the Roam Bus 4 and our driver recommended that there was a tour every half hour and it was included in the price of admission. We took the tour and it was worth it just to have someone point out the Banff Spring Snails to us and they scooped some water out of the springs so we could touch it, the only way to touch the water due to it now being a protected habitat for the snails. Overall we spent about an hour here. Recommend if you have some extra time while in Banff, but this isn't necessarily one of the must do attractions in town.Written August 15, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- jsd26Cardiff, UK126 contributionsOver the bridge at the bottom end of Banff Avenue, the National Park building provides a beautiful backdrop to the Avenue. To the side and just behind the building are the beautiful Cascade of Time Gardens. Running in a series of small terraces up the hillside, interspersed with small waterways and ponds amidst beds of stunning flowers, the gardens provides a glorious and peaceful space to sit and rest awhile.Written December 15, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Dan KArlington, United States99 contributionsEasy to reach scenic lakes right outside of the town of Banff.
There are two viewing locations for the lakes, the pullover off the main road or lakeside view.
The pullover from the main road provides a nice sweeping view of the lakes and and surrounding area, to include the mountains in the back drop.
If you have a few extra minutes, I would recommend driving down to the lakes so that you can experience the lakeside views/walk on the small piers. The lakeside view is also more relaxing/provides a better opportunity to absorb the local beauty. The road to the lakeside views is also a popular bicycle route.
Overall, the lakes are worth stopping for/taking a look at. The lakes are mere minutes from the popular Banff sign that seems like a must-do photo opportunity for tourists visiting the area.Written October 4, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - jsd26Cardiff, UK126 contributionsI guess the surprise is the sheer size of the Fairmont Banff Hotel across the road. A small parking lot is on the bend of the road and the viewing point is a platform reached by wooden steps. If you want to see the Fairmont hotel from across the river this is the best place.Written December 15, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above attraction descriptions. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information.
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