22 Great Things To Do In Banff If You’re Visiting For The First Time
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Banff is, in my opinion, one of the most magical places I’ve been. It’s a big claim for somewhere I’ve only spent a week of my life but honestly Banff just has a good energy about it.
We visited in September but it’s a place I want to return to in all seasons as it really is a destination that can be enjoyed all year round. There really are a lot of things to do in Banff whether it’s winter, spring, summer or autumn.
You can get out into the mountains and hit the trails to enjoy a good hike, go canoeing on the bluest lakes, or top up your outdoor wardrobe on Banff’s high street. It’s a place that’s centered around the mountains and the inspiring nature of Canada’s Rocky Mountains and you won’t ever fit in everything you want to do on your first visit.
This is not necessarily a list of the best things to do in Banff, but I think it’s a good selection of the main activities and things to do in Banff if you’re visiting for the first time. Yes it includes a lot of tourist attractions but they’re popular for a reason – so go tick them off and have the best time in this beautiful Canadian mountain town.
No time to read now? Here’s some quick links of the best things to do in Banff if you’re visiting for the first time.
👉 Stay at either Moxy Banff for fun hotel vibes or Hotel Canoe and Suites for a more luxurious home away from home.
👉 This day trip to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake is the best option if you don’t want to battle Parks Canada reservations.
👉 Enjoy a leisurely boat cruise on Lake Minnewanka.
👉 See Banff from above on the Banff Gondola
👉 Rent a car for your road trip up the Icefields Parkway and tick of activities such as the Columbia Icefield Skywalk and stepping foot onto the Athabasca Glacier.
👉 Take a guided walk on many of Banff’s hiking trails.
Here’s 22 Of The Best Things To Do In Banff
Lake Louise
It’s impossible to write about things to do in Banff without mentioning Lake Louise. This along with visiting Moraine Lake was one of my favourite days while staying in Banff. We booked a day trip through Get Your Guide but a lot of people book their shuttle pass for Lake Louise and Moraine Lake through Parks Canada.
The day trip with a flexible shuttle bus between both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake worked perfectly for us and it meant we were able to enjoy a really good half day at Lake Louise. I’d really recommend the walk to Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse. It was a great walk which combined a flat lakeshore walk with an uphill climb to the teahouse, with panoramic views of the blue Lake Louise along the way.
There are lots of other walks around Lake Louise but equally, you could come here and just take a short stroll to admire Lake Louise, enjoy afternoon tea at the Fairmont Lake Louise. Or you can take a classic Canadian canoe ride on the glacial waters and then hop on the bus to Moraine Lake.
In winter, take to the frozen Lake Louise on ice skates for the ultimate winter experience.
How To Get To Lake Louise From Banff
You can drive 62km from Banff to Lake Louise although there is limited parking and there is also a fee for parking from May to November. Alternatively, there are buses running from Banff with the Roam Route 8X doing a daily service year round.
Moraine Lake
It’s easy to combine a day trip Lake Louise with a visit to Moraine Lake. For me this was the more peaceful and calm lake compared to Lake Louise, but is equally as stunning.
We visited mid-afternoon and took the short walk up to the view point – which is well worth doing for that classic photo of Moraine Lake. But I can understand why people come to Moraine Lake at sunrise, I bet it’s just magical.
How To Get To Moraine Lake From Banff
You can only access Moraine Lake from June to October via shuttle, guided tour or public transit. Options can be found on the Banff Lake Louise website.
The Best Options To See Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
👉 Enjoy a flexible day which allows you to take in Lake Louise and Moraine Lake at your own pace. This shuttle bus has an hourly timetable and runs between Lake Louise and Moraine Lake giving you plenty of time to explore both on a day trip, rather than run to someone else’s schedule.
Check it out: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Big Bus Shuttle
👉 This tour includes 2 hours at Moraine Lake and 2 hours at Lake Louise – plenty of time to enjoy both lakes. Not only that but you get to enjoy sunrise at Moraine Lake and watch as the morning light wraps the Ten Peaks in a golden glow. A bucket list experience if you do it!
Check it out: Sunrise and Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
Early Morning Walk at Johnston Canyon
You can go for a walk at Johnston Canyon at any time of day but I’d recommend early in the morning as it’s quieter and you get more chance to enjoy the views and the waterfalls. This walk is suitable for all levels of walking ability and has a small elevation of 120m. As it’s mainly a boardwalk, you don’t need to bring much hiking gear to enjoy a couple of hours in the great Canadian outdoors.
At 1.2km to Lower Falls and 2.5km to Upper Falls, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll that takes you through Johnston Canyon, evergreen forest, and trails that are suitable to walk on all year round.
👉 Visiting Banff in winter? Check out this Johnston Canyon Frozen Falls Guided Adventure to experience this well known spot safely in the colder months.
How To Get To Johnston Canyon From Banff
You can drive 25km from Banff along the Trans Canada Highway or the Bow Valley Parkway. Alternatively, there are buses running from Banff with the Roam Route 9 doing a daily service from May to September and weekend service from October to April.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
Need a hot soak after a day in the mountains? Or maybe you just want to warm your bones in the winter weather? Banff Upper Hot Springs is the perfect place to do this. We enjoyed an hour up here one evening just before the sun set and it was pure bliss watching the mountains turn dark grey with a hint of pink from the golden hour glow.
There’s no need to pre-book here and tickets are on a first come, first served basis. During busy periods there may be a queue but it’s worth it to plunge yourself into the steaming warm water with the Canadian Rockies as your backdrop.
The Banff Upper Hot Springs contain minerals such as calcium and magnesium and the water is kept between 37°c and 40°c – perfect for a toasty hour!
How To Get To Banff Upper Hot Springs From Banff Centre
You can easily drive from Banff to Banff Upper Hot Springs however parking is limited. The easiest way to get to Banff Upper Hot Springs is via bus on the Roam Route 1 to Sulphur Mountain. Buses run every 20 minutes or so, meaning you have plenty of options getting there and back.
Enjoy The Views From Banff Gondola
Banff Gondola is one of the top things to do in Banff. It’s an incredible experience and allows you to see Banff from a completely different perspective. Hop on the Banff Gondola for a smooth ride 700m up Sulphur Mountain to the Gondola Summit. From here you can take a stroll on the boardwalk to Sanson Peak.
How To Get To Banff Gondola From Banff Centre
You can easily drive from Banff to Banff Gondola however parking is limited. The easiest way to get to Banff Gondola is via bus on the Roam Route 1 to Sulphur Mountain. Buses run every 20 minutes and if you have a pre-booked ticket for the Banff Gondola, just hop on the Roam Route 1 and show your ticket for a free trip to Banff Gondola.
👉 Book your admission ticket for the Banff Gondola here, just choose your time slot and you’re ready to go.
Walk The Boardwalk To Sanson Peak
Speaking of Sulphur Mountain, why not walk to Sanson Peak? If you’ve made the journey up Sulphur Mountain, then it’s really worth taking the 500m walk along the boardwalk to the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site and the 1903 weather observatory on Sanson Peak. There is some slight incline on this route but you can take it steady and enjoy the 360 degree views of the Rocky Mountains along the way.
Shop on Banff High Street
One thing Banff is great for, especially if you love the outdoors, is shopping. On the highstreet you’ll find Patagonia, Colombia, Arc’tyrex as well as Fjallraven and North Face – all perfect for new outdoor gear for your Banff adventures. There’s also Lululemon, Banff Tea Co. and Paper Den. My absolute favourite, and will probably be yours if you love the festive season, was The Spirit Of Christmas shop – if you’re looking for a Christmas souvenir to take home with you, this is the place to do it! I picked myself a festive beaver, complete with Santa hat and Canadian flag.
It’s worth spending a leisurely afternoon making your way down Banff’s high street, maybe stopping for a cocktail, beer, or coffee along the way.
Hot Chocolate Trail
If you have a sweet tooth like me, a Hot Chocolate Trail is probably right up your street. This winter activity, usually from November to February, involves around 30 venues all over Banff creating their own special hot chocolates so you can tick them off one by one on a convenient trail. From smoked cinnamon and spice hot chocolates to a lavender and rosemary warm cocoa, there’s plenty of unique flavours as well as traditional concoctions to try. You can even try out spiked boozy hot chocolates if you want to make the hot chocolate trail a little more lively!
Unfortunately I visited Banff at a time of year when the Hot Chocolate Trail wasn’t on but it’s one big reason I want to head back to Banff as soon as possible!
Enjoy Banff’s Happy Hours
One thing I loved about Banff: it’s Happy Hours. From bars serving up half price cocktails to restaurants offering meals for bargain prices, Banff’s Happy Hours are definitely worth taking advantage of if you’re travelling on a budget.
My favourites were at Sudden Sally and Three Bears Brewery and Restaurant. It’s worth noting that you might have to take a late lunch or early dinner to make the most of the happy hour offers but some restaurants do have specials each day which are worth looking out for while you’re in Banff.
Boat Cruise On Lake Minnewanka
A cruise on Lake Minnewanka is a great thing to do when your legs might be aching from doing many of the wonderful hikes around Banff, but you still want to enjoy the great outdoors. You can do a short trail walk up to Stewart Canyon Bridge, then hop on a boat to learn about the stories of Lake Minnewanka.
We visited on a particularly misty day which gave the lake a very eerie vibe. It also meant we couldn’t see the surrounding mountains very well but it was still an activity I’d fully recommend whatever the weather. I loved hearing about the history of this lake from our skippers as well as trying out some Spirit Tea – we even popped into Jolene’s Teahouse in Banff to pick up some as a souvenir to enjoy at home.
The boat cruise varies in time depending on which option you choose but all boats are covered and heated with outdoor viewing areas to enjoy the scenery and take photos.
👉 Book your Lake Minnewanka Cruise here – perfect for a more leisurely day outdoors in the Canadian Rockies.
How To Get To Lake Minnewanka From Banff Centre
You can easily drive from Banff to Lake Minnewanka however parking is limited. We drove but we set off early in the morning, if we were visiting later in the day I can imagine it would be a lot busier. You can get to Lake Minnewanka on public transport – just check out Roam Transit information for the best available route.
See Bow Falls
Another easy walk in Banff is the Bow Falls River Trail to Bow Falls. We did this during our first few hours in Banff and it was a great thing to do so we could stretch our legs and enjoy and it’s easy walk to one of the main viewpoints to see Bow Falls. You don’t have to travel anywhere and can walk the short 1.2km trail from the centre of Banff. Why not grab a coffee or a sandwich along the way and enjoy a picnic next to the waterfall?
If you’re lucky enough to visit between July and September, you’ll get to enjoy Banff’s Art In Nature Trail along the way!
Start Your Road Trip Up the Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway, or Highway 93, is a must-do road trip during your time in Banff. It’s one of the most beautiful drives in the world and is a great way to tick off some of the best things to do in Banff.
Ideally you need a car to enjoy a fully flexible journey along the Icefields Parkway – that way you can stop on a whim and pull over whenever you see a gorgeous view (which is fairly frequently!) If you don’t have a car though, don’t worry! There are still plenty of ways you can enjoy the Icefields Parkway.
There are many tours available so you can see and enjoy the highlights of this iconic road trip through the mountains. See the reflection of the outdoors on Bow Lake, step foot on the Athabasca Glacier, stand in awe above postcard perfect Peyto Lake, and take a daring walk on to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk.
If you do the whole journey, the Icefields Parkway is 232km from Banff to Jasper and is great if you’re splitting your stay in Canada between the two.
The Best Activities On The Icefield Parkway
👉 Tick off photo stops at Lake Louise, Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake and visit Peyto Lake and Waterfowl Lakes Viewpoint. You also get a guided tour of both the Columbia Icefield Glacier and Columbia Icefield Skywalk.
Book Now: Columbia Icefield Skywalk, Crowfoot Glacier, and Lakes Tour
👉 See Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Athabasca Glacier, Sunwapta Falls, and Athabasca Falls. If you enjoy this tour in the winter, you’ll get the chance to see the ice bubbles at Abraham Lake!
Book Now: Athabasca Falls or Abraham Ice Bubbles with Sunwapta Falls and Peyto Lake
👉 Take a look at more Icefield Parkway tours and activities!
Hop On The Rocky Mountaineer
This is one activity to do if you really want to treat yourself, and if you’re heading towards Vancouver. The Rocky Mountaineer is a luxury train that takes you through the Canadian Rockies and on the First Passage to The West Route to Vancouver, you’ll get an overnight stay in Kamloops along the way.
It’s a 2 day journey and on your travels you’ll not only enjoy great food and impeccable service from your Rocky Mountaineer hosts, but you’ll get to enjoy sights such as the Spiral Tunnels, Castle Mountain and Pyramid Falls.
If you’re not enjoying the Rocky Mountaineer Train as part of your Canadian holiday, then see if you can catch a glimpse of this train while you’re in town down at Banff Station!
Banff Park Museum
If you want to learn a little bit more about Banff and its natural history during your stay, why not visit Banff Park Museum located right in the heart of downtown Banff? Full of botanical and zoological specimens – over 5,000 of them – Banff Park Museum is not only great to understand Rocky Mountain Wildlife, but the building itself is the oldest surviving federal building in Canada’s National Parks. Built in 1903, the building was named a National Historic Site of Canada in 1985 and was fully restored in 2010.
Opening times: May 15th to October 15th, Thursday to Monday: 9:30am to 5pm.
Go Horseback Riding
I think one of the most beautiful ways to experience a destination is by taking a trip on horseback. There are a few choices to enjoy in Banff and could be a great way to introduce yourself to Banff and its surroundings. Take an hour long walk to Bow Falls or enjoy a longer trek around Sulphur Mountain.
The Best Horseback Riding Activities In Banff
👉 1-hour Bow River Horseback Ride
👉 4-hour Horseback Tour of Sulphur Mountain
👉2-hour Sundance Loop Horseback Ride
Go Wildlife Spotting
There’s one thing about Banff and that is you’re almost guaranteed to spot wildlife. From elk and moose to deer and bears, you’ll see some kind of wildlife while you’re in and around Banff. Even wandering down Banff’s high street you might see deer – we did a few times – so always keep your eyes open and your binoculars ready!
Go Skiing Or Snowboarding at Sunshine Village
This is one for the adrenaline junkies and the snow lovers. Banff turns into a winter wonderland in the colder months and is a great place to enjoy some skiing and snowboarding. Head up to Sunshine Village – said to have Canada’s best snow – to enjoy some fresh powder and enjoy easy greens up to double black runs.
Sunshine Village is only 5 miles from Banff so it’s easily accessible if you’re staying in the centre of Banff. You can either drive there or take advantage of the free Sunshine Village shuttle bus from Banff!
Other Things To Do In Banff On Your First Visit
If you exhaust the above list, here are some other things to do on your first visit to Banff. I personally didn’t do any of these activities but I’ve done the hard work in researching the best tours to do and places to visit in Banff so you can start ticking them off or adding them to your Banff bucket list!
Go On A Guided Hike
Don’t fancy going out on the trails yourself? Why not go out on a guided hike so you can be safe in the knowledge that you won’t get lost and you’ll also get to learn a lot on your walk at the same time.
Choose from 4 walks (Stanley Glacier, Larch Valley, Consolation Lake and Plain of Six Glaciers) and enjoy Canada’s nature with a qualified guide, lunch included, and with a small group of up to 12 people.
Guided Hikes In Banff National Park
👉 Mondays and Saturdays: Hike to Larch Valley
👉 Tuesdays: Hike to Consolation Lakes
👉 Wednesdays and Fridays: Hike to Plain of Six Glaciers
👉 Thursdays and Sundays: Hike to Stanley Glacier
Grotto Canyon Icewalk
Explore Grotto Canyon Icewalk and see a part of Banff that most visitors don’t visit. This 2.1km hike will take you along the frozen creek bed while your guide points out ancient native pictographs and the stunted pine forest. Warm up with a hot chocolate and a maple cookie snack before making your way back to Banff.
Stargazing Night Adventure
Step into the dark skies of the Rocky Mountains around Banff and go on a stargazing adventure one evening of your holiday. You’ll get set up in a comfy spot and be equipped with head lights, comfy chairs and a warm hot chocolate – then it’s time to look up at the stars to spot planets constellations and maybe even the northern lights.
Stargazing Adventures In Banff
👉 Moraine Lake Stargazing Adventure
👉 2-hour Sunset and Stargazing Walk in Banff
Wolfdog Sanctuary
What could be more fun than getting to hang out with wolfdogs? Spend some time at the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary and learn about this amazing rescue organisation with a tour and presentation from an experienced staff member. You also get to enjoy a self-guided walk and take photos along the way!
👉 Check it out: A Visit To The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
Experience a Canadian Canoe Ride
If you don’t want to fork out to enjoy a classic Canadian Canoe ride on Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, take a leisurely row along the Bow River in Banff. Keep your eyes open for wildlife and enjoy the nature around Banff from the water.
👉 Check it out: Canadian Canoe Ride On The Bow River
Which of these things to do in Banff are you doing if you’re visiting for the first time?
