Strolling down Banff Avenue is well worth a few hours of your time. The view down the street, looking north from its end near the bridge, is iconic, offering an amazing view of Cascade Mountain. Pretty much everyone needs to take at least one photo down the street!

Grab a coffee or hot chocolate, depending on the season, at our favorite coffee shop in Banff – Whitebark. Then, take a bit of time to stroll into all the stores on Banff Avenue.

There are plenty of cheap souvenir-type shops, but there are also some unique places. Don’t miss Rocky Mountain Soap Company or the many art galleries.

For a breathtaking view close to town, go to the Banff Pedestrian Bridge. This bridge takes you over the Bow River, offering stunning views of Mount Rundle and the river’s gentle curves. It's pretty common to spot elk along the river shores. Those after an easy hike can continue along the Bow River to the Bow Falls on the Bow River Trail. The trail is paved and an easy hike that takes around an hour.

Nestled in the heart of Banff, the Cascade of Time Gardens (also known as Cascade Gardens or Banff Gardens) is the ideal spot for a stroll from the town center. Whether you’re a nature lover, a plant aficionado, or simply seeking to breathe in the fresh mountain air, we highly recommend making the Cascade Gardens a must-visit!

Completed in 1935, these gardens were built on the grounds of a hotel that sadly burned down in 1930. Since then, the Cascade Gardens have become a breathtaking year-round attraction in the heart of Banff.

As you wander through the gardens, you’ll notice the different sections of plants. In addition to the stunning flora and fauna on display, you’ll also spot ponds, a waterfall, and winding paths that lead to breathtaking views. The best part? This beautiful site is completely free!

Bow Falls is a classic viewpoint and scenic waterfall for visitors to Banff. It's locaiton just outside the town and below the famed Banff Springs Hotel makes it popular with visitors. While the scenic waterfalls drops a short it 9 meters it's the waterfalls breadth across the Bow River that makes it worth visiting. This makes it one of the most popular things to do in Banff.

It's natural setting also makes for a serene spot near town, as it offer nice mountain views craggy cliffsides. Despite its natural setting Bow Falls is easily accesible from with a car park, picnic facilities, and a scenic walking path from the center of town. The falls can be seen from various viewpoints, the Bow Falls Trail, Bow Falls Viewpoint, and Surprise Corner.

We love the Waldhaus for its cozy Bavarian vibes and excellent summer patio. As the name suggest the restaurant serves Bavarian food and beer. It's famed for its fondue, but there is a lot more than just the cheese. It's great for a nice evening in the mountains or a relaxed summer lunch outside.

Cascade Ponds is one of our favorite places to head to Banff when we just want to chill and enjoy my surroundings. Located right off the Trans-Canada, before you reach Two Jack Lake or Lake Minnewanka, you'll come across Cascade Ponds. They are easily seen from the highway, but you could miss them if you don't know what you are looking for.

Cascade Ponds are a series of ponds that lie under Cascade Mountain. There are plenty of picnic benches and firepits here to enjoy a picnic at, but it's also a fantastic place to come year-round and grab some photos of the bridges that make walking between the ponds accessible.

Two Jack Lake is a picturesque emerald green lake in Banff National Park with a sweeping view of Mount Rundle. The landscape attracts both visitors and locals in search of some fresh air. Its easy accessibility from Banff makes it a great place to catch sunset or sunrise.

No matter the season, Two Jack Lake is always a great stop in Banff. Visitors can enjoy swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and hiking in the summer. In the winter, it's a popular place to go for an ice skate, take some photographs, or snowshoe along the surrounding trails.

Lake Minnewanka is a beautiful lake in Banff that is just a ten-minute drive away from the town of Banff. The lake is 21 km long and 142 meters deep and helps power Banff with hydroelectric power. One of the top things to do in Banff National Park is to stroll along or take a boat ride on Lake Minnewanka.

In the summer, it's a busy place to hike, picnic, and go canoeing. In the winter, Lake Minnewanka can make for one of the grandest ice skating rinks in the world. The mountains towering over Lake Minnewanka are awe-inspiring all year round. Oh yeah, and there's also a Canadian resort ghost town right under the lake! Read on for a helpful guide to visiting Lake Minnewanka.

Marvel at one of Alberta's largest lakes by following the lakeshore trail that winds around the mystical Lake Minnewanka. You can continue along the shore for as long as you like, but reaching the Stewart Canyon Bridge is a great objective for novice hikers, with a total out-and-back distance of 6 km and very minimal elevation gain. Crowds thin out the further you hike, and continuing beyond the bridge will provide superb views over the alluring lake and surrounding mountains. Minnewanka's lakeside trail is an excellent early season hike as the lower elevation keeps it snow-free for longer periods. 

Three Bears is one of our favorite restaurants on the Banff beer scene, and boy, is it a good one! Located on Bear Street, this is a great restaurant to head to after a long day in the mountains. They've got some great cocktails, pizzas, burgers, and eclectic gastropub mains.

While their brews are delicious, I love that they serve vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options like their gluten-friendly Tuna Tostada or amazing vegan Three Bears Summer Salad. If you hit them up between 3 and 5, you can take advantage of their awesome Happy Hour specials: $6 Shrimp Bao Buns and cheap cocktails.

Vermilion Lakes are a fantastic series of lakes that can be used in any season. It's one of our favorite spots in Banff for sunrise and sunset. Mount Rundle, arguably the most famous mountain in the park, towers over the lake, creating an epic backdrop at any time of the year. It's the perfect place to come early in the morning and enjoy your coffee or sunset.

You can also take a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard out here and enjoy the water. The lakes are pretty calm even on a windy day, and they are home to a plethora of birdlife. If we're ever in town in the evening, this is where we'll head to catch the sunset.