Located just a minute's walk from downtown Banff, Moose Hotel & Suites offers cozy accommodations with a touch of mountain elegance. With 174 air-conditioned rooms, including one and two-bedroom suites, guests can enjoy amenities like the Meadow Spa & Pools, rooftop hot pools with stunning mountain views of Cascade Monutain, and Pacini Italian Restaurant for delicious meals.

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.

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.

Right on Banff Ave, with an awesome summer patio, Fax Ox is one of the newest establishments in the Banff restaurant scene. Here, diners can enjoy a modern take on classic Italian. Created by Chef Glen Manzer, we've coined the phrase "alpine Italian." The creations combine Northern Italian cuisine's various aspects with the Rocky Mountains' best.

Must-tries on the menu include imported Burrata, spiced Tuscan fries, and Shrimp Fazzoletti. If you want to feed the entire table, some delicious items are on offer, like the whole lobster risotto. Or go big and get the 36-oz Bone-in Rib Steak. The restaurant's interior is beautifully decorated, but the patio won't disappoint on a nice summer day.

Surprise Corner Viewpoint in Banff offers a stunning view of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and the Spray Valley, making it one of the most iconic photo spots in the area. It's just a few minutes outside town along the Tunnel Mountain Road. We love to take photos here or stop with visitors to take in the views of the "Castle In The Rockies."

You can hike to the viewpoint from the Bow River Trail or hike from Surprise Corner to the Hoodoos. If you're nervous about tackling the more difficult and remote trails in the park, both are very easy hikes close to services.

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.