Banff | Alberta - 1000 Towns of Canada
Top 26 Places to Visit in
Banff | Alberta
The page created by Rylan Ewen | Anmoldeep Sekhon | Dylan Gow | Manpreet Kaur | Kupaw Wah | Red River College | Photo by Vlad Umnov
Region:
Canadian Rockies
Known For:
World-class ski resorts | Banff National Park setting | Rocky Mountain peaks | Banff Avenue streetscape | Bow Falls and Bow River | Historic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Best For:
Skiers | Hikers | Wildlife viewing | Mountain photography | Alpine getaways
Fairmont Banff Springs
Selfie Spot Stay
- 405 Spray Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1J4
- (403) 762-2211
- https://www.fairmont.com/
National Historic Site In the heart of Banff National Park, in the Canadian Rockies, the luxury Fairmont Banff Springs hotel has provided legendary hospitality for over 130 years. The hotel was opened in 1888 by the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Banff Gondola
Kids & Family Selfie Spot
- End of Mountain Avenue, Box 1258, Banff, AB, T1L 1B2
- (866) 756-1904
- https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/attractions/banff-gondola/
Timeless Rocky Mountain views Soar 698 metres on an 8-minute journey to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. Glide over the treetops and arrive at a jaw-dropping mountaintop experience. The epic mountain views are truly endless from the rooftop deck or with a stroll along the mountain boardwalk.
Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk
Outdoor Selfie Spot
- 100 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1B2
- (866) 756-1904
- https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/attractions/banff-gondola/
Several scenic hiking trails lead away from the summit complex. One of the most popular is the self-guided interpretive Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to Sanson's Peak. The Sulphur Mountain boardwalk sits 2,300 m in the sky and spans one full kilometre of scenic sights.
Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station
History Outdoor Selfie Spot
- 100 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1B2
- no data
- https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=5
National Historic Site At the peak, step back in time and experience the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station. The cosmic ray station was completed by the National Research Council in 1956.
Sulphur Mountain Weather Station
History Outdoor Selfie Spot
- 100 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1B2
- no data
- https://banff.ca/492/Norman-Sanson
Recognized Federal Heritage Building Follow in the footsteps of Norman Sanson, who walked to the top of Sulphur Mountain weekly for 30 years to check the weather until 1945, when he was 84 years old. The station was constructed in 1902 for the collection of meteorological data.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
Kids & Family Outdoor
- 1 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1K2
- +1 800-767-1611
- https://hotsprings.ca/banff/
Europeans first became aware of the springs in 1883. In 1886, the first hot springs were open for visitors. Now, the hot pool is outdoors. While in the pool, you can look across the valley to Mount Rundle. Banff Upper Hot Springs is located at 1,585 metres elevation.
Banff Sunshine Village
Selfie Spot
- 1 Sunshine Access Rd, Banff, AB T1L 1J5
- no data
- https://www.skibanff.com/
Longest non-glacial ski season in Canada Banff Sunshine Village's unique location will make you feel miles away from civilization, even though it is only a 15-minute drive from Banff town. The village is located 7,200 feet high on the Continental Divide in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.
Mount Norquay Ski
Kids & Family Outdoor
- 2 Mt Norquay Road, Banff, AB T1L 1B4
- 403-762-4421
- https://banffnorquay.com/
Don’t miss this ski resort & tubing park. It is not so big as Sunshine Village, but it offers year-round recreation activities. Locals name it “Banff’s Backyard”. Mount Norquay offers a cozy, local-friendly atmosphere.
Mount Norquay Lookout
Outdoor Selfie Spot
- Mt Norquay Scenic Dr, Banff, AB
- no data
- https://girthhitchguiding.ca/article/mount-norquay-lookout-adventure/
Don’t miss the fantastic panoramic views of the Bow Valley, Banff and the Canadian Rockies. This iconic spot is accessible via a scenic drive. If you are lucky, you have a lot of chances to meet wildlife.
Town of Banff
Food Selfie Spot Shop
- 110 Bear St, Banff, AB T1L 1H7
- no data
- https://www.banfflakelouise.com/town-banff
The town of Banff is a spirited place, alive with adventure and wonder. In all directions, you’re surrounded by strikingly beautiful and rugged mountains that seem to burst straight out of the ground. You might see a herd of deer wandering down the main street during your early morning jog.
Banff Town Sign
Selfie Spot
- 101 Mt Norquay Rd, Banff, AB T1L 1C3
- no data
- https://www.banfflakelouise.com/experiences/banff-sign
One of the best places for selfies. Be ready to stay in line!
Bow Falls
Selfie Spot
- Bow Falls drive, Banff, AB
- no data
- https://www.banff.com/banff-helpers/things-to-do-in-banff/bow-falls/
Not like your typical waterfalls, the Bow Falls is wide and short. You might feel some mist from the waterfalls during the mid-summer due to the high water levels. You can also see the valley eroded by glacier activity and the Bow River over the years.
Bow River Trail
Outdoor Selfie Spot
- Bow Ave, Banff
- no data
- https://banff.ca/649/Bow-River-Trail
This quiet riverside trail, mostly paved, is only a few steps away from downtown. Plenty of benches allow you to take in the views or enjoy a picnic lunch. Bow River Trail is wheelchair-friendly from the Muskrat Street access to the northwest end of this trail.
Hoodoos
- Hoodoos Viewpoint, Improvement District No. 9, AB, Canada
- no data
- https://banff.com/banff-hoodoos/
Over thousands of years, rain, snowmelt and wind have scoured the glacial material that makes up the ridge you can see there, creating deep and narrow gullies. These hoodoos were once partially protected from erosion by caps of sod or harder rock material, which acted like umbrellas for the pillars.
Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
History
- 111 Bear St, Banff, AB T1L 1A3
- (403) 762-2291
- https://www.whyte.org/
The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies serves as a gathering place to explore the evolving history, peoples, cultures, environment, and ideas of mountain cultures.
Banff Park Museum
History
- 91 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1K2
- (403) 762-1558
- https://1000towns.ca/szjr
National Historic Site Built in 1903 and dignified with heritage status for being the oldest park facility in the Canadian National Park system, the Banff Park Museum is also the oldest natural history museum in western Canada.
Cave and Basin
History
- 311 Cave Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1K2
- (403) 762-1566
- https://1000towns.ca/0a7w
National Historic Site Cave and Basin has been a special place for Indigenous peoples for over ten thousand years and continues to be so to this day. In 1883, three railway workers found the thermal springs, sparking a series of events that led to the creation of Canada’s first national park.
Buffalo Nations Museum
History
- 1 Birch Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A8
- (403) 762-2388
- https://www.buffalonationsmuseum.com/
Journey into the extraordinary heritage of the First Nations People of the Northern Plains and Canadian Rockies, at the Buffalo Nations Museum. Visit the museum and see the richly ornamented regalia, beautifully decorated tipi, exquisite quillwork, and unique hunting equipment.
Cascade of Time Garden
- Cave Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1K2
- (403) 762-1550
- https://banffandbeyond.com/escape-the-crowds-of-banff-avenue-in-cascade-gardens/
An iconic Banff view, seen on many postcards, is taken from the front of the Cascade of Time Garden building. This spot offers a great view down Banff Avenue towards Cascade Mountain, which towers at the end of it.
Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course
Outdoor Selfie Spot
- 405 Spray Avenue, Banff, AB T1L 1J4
- (403) 762-6801
- https://www.fairmont.com/banff-springs/golf/the-fairmont-banff-springs-golf/
Don’t miss the fantastic old road around the golf course. From 1911, this Alberta golf course offers just two simple things for the perfect golf vacation.
Bankhead Railway Station
Drink Food
- 801 Hidden Ridge Way, Banff, AB T1L 1B3
- (403)762-4123
- https://hihostels.ca/en/destinations/alberta/hi-banff
After the coal mines closed and the town of Bankhead was deserted, many buildings were moved to nearby towns. The Bankhead Railway Station is now located at the HI Banff Alpine Hostel on Tunnel Mountain Road.
Old Banff Cemetery
History
- 604 Buffalo St, Banff, AB T1L 1E6
- (403)762-1240
- https://banff.ca/493/Old-Banff-Cemetery
Established in 1890, Old Banff Cemetery is now the resting place for over two thousand souls. This cemetery also served the nearby community of Bankhead and is home to the Bankhead Miners Memorial, which honours the fifteen miners killed during its operations.
TransCanada Highway
Selfie Spot
- TransCanada Highway, Banff AB
- no data
- no data
TransCanada Highway is the fastest way from Calgary to Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise and other gems of the Rocky Mountains. Enjoy the fantastic mountain views all the way!
St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church
History
- 298 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1B3
- (403) 762-3279
- https://stpaulsbanff.ca/
St. Paul’s Presbyterian is a church located in Banff, Alberta which perfectly fits in with the picturesque resort town. The tall and intricately detailed spire is unique and nicely complements the white snow-topped mountains behind the church.
St. Mary’s Church
History
- 305 Squirrel St, Banff, AB T1L 1B1
- (403) 762-3450
- https://www.stmarysparishbanff.ca
St. Mary’s of The Assumption is a Catholic church surrounded by beautiful scenery, including towering mountains, beautiful green forests, and angelic white snow in the winter. The church is not very tall, and the inside is warm and comforting.
Buffalo Mountain Lodge
Stay
- 700 Tunnel Mountain Rd, Banff, AB T1L 1B3
- +1 800-661-1367
- https://crmr.com/resorts/buffalo-mountain
Tucked into nine acres of old-growth forest on the slopes of Tunnel Mountain, Buffalo Mountain Lodge is proud to be part of the Banff community, offering guests a peaceful mountain retreat just a short drive (or scenic 15-minute walk) from downtown.