Best Free Things to Do in Banff
THE 10 BEST Free Things to Do in Banff
Best Free Things to Do in Banff
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Scenic Drives
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Showing results 1-30 of 39
What travellers are saying
- 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.
- 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. - 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.
- SBRochester, NY143 contributionsExcellent visitor center with great location and great service: only difficulty was the incredibly long lines. Not sure whether it would be possible to add more staff given the size of the facility, which is a terrific historic building in town.Written September 8, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lerrie P1 contributionThe group of friends went in Two Jack lake yesterday, it was a long weekend so the place was busy. The Parks Canada staff told me the lake parking was full. I told the staff I will just unload my stuffs as my group of friends were already inside. So I drove in to the exit area because she blocked the entrance gate. The staff told me, "Hope you understand that this is an exit door", I do understand it but where to get in, right? Even she was mean and rude to me, I still thank her for allowing me to drive in for a short time. I told her "Thank you" at the end then she answered me back "You're not welcome!". I don't think this kind of person would be accepted as an employee for a tourist scenery place. Her behaviour is not acceptable and she acted like she owned the place. Anyways, myself and the group enjoyed the amazing scenery of the place, minus the negative behaviour of the lady staff assigned at the gate. The 3 stars I gave is for the stunning scenery, and -1 for the Parks Canada lady staff.Written September 2, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- L0d0London406 contributionsWorth a drive or take the bus to the Hoogoo view point for great views of the river below.
Very scenic drive just outside town.Written June 22, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Stewarts Vacation1,535 contributionsWe found these rock formations, on the banks of the Bow River, intriguing. Composed of sedimentary rock covered by harder rock that is more difficult to erode, a needle or tower like natural obstacle is created as the softer rock erodes away. Well, that's the explanation we were given. There is a clear path from the car park to the viewing areas, though some people may struggle with the incline. If you are on Tunnel Mountain, stop by to see these unique formations!Written January 1, 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 get to, scenic lakes/ponds on the outskirts of the town of Banff.
There is ample parking for those who visit Cascade Ponds.
There are two ponds with small scenic foot bridges that allow visitors to walk out to the small islands on the ponds. There are also a couple of large red chairs available to sit on at the small island.
This is an ideal area for bar-b-ques and picnics.
The mountains provide a beautiful scenic back drop to the ponds.
It is easy to view a nearby waterfall cascading down the side of an adjacent mountain.
Definitely worth a visit.Written October 4, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Nik BMuskego, WI22 contributionsThis is an easy relatively flat hike on a smooth trail. Its a beautiful, peaceful lake framed by the gorgeous mountains of Banff NP. There is one fork in the trail (if you are going counterclockwise around the lake) where you may take a wrong turn. If you do, it dead ends in about 100m, so not really a big deal. Highly recommended, especially for a first hike of your trip or those with some physical limitations.Written July 23, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
