Exploring Banff- the town and National Park you’ve never (probably) heard of.

If you have never heard of Banff- one of Canada’s most popular National Parks, which admittedly sounds like it’s pulled from a book of onomatopoeia words, you aren’t alone. A few people that I mentioned it to in the days leading up to the trip had never heard of it, and only 30 percent of people answered yes to an IG poll on whether they knew of Banff.

If you’re not really into the outdoors, chances are visiting that this beyond picturesque resort town hasn’t crossed your mind, but I’m confident that after reading this, you’ll be more than eager to plan a trip to this destination that offers snow-capped mountain peaks, wildlife and stunning turquoise-coloured lakes that will make you think you are in the Caribbean. 

 Aside from being an avid traveler who likes to find the beauty in every destination, as evidenced by my yearning for locations that aren’t always seen as “hot destinations “ (which can be relative to which demographic of people you speak to), I happened to go to undergrad in New England. With the Canadian border being a mere 42 miles from my school’s campus, you can bet that there quite a good number of Canadian students and through conversations with them and visits to Montreal and Kingston, I learned of the popular national park, Banff. Up to that point though, your guess would have been as good as mine! 

My friend, Aaron, a world traveler in his own right, and I had been meaning to take a trip together for years so when our schedules finally aligned, we didn’t hesitate to put a trip in motion.  After some deliberation on locations that included Alaska, Monaco and Croatia, we decided on Banff. I’d been just once, but had skipped over downtown Banff and only visited Lake Louise so I was excited to return and experience more of what the park has to offer. 

 For the course of three days, we explored downtown Calgary, two of the many lakes you can find in Banff National Park and spent time in the town of Banff, which is flanked by beautiful mountain ranges such as Mont Cascade, Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle that bestow the town with spectacular postcard-worthy views. Whether you’re an active traveller that likes to get up early and explore or go at a slower pace, Banff has something for everyone. 

Whether you’ve heard of Banff before or reading this post is your first introduction to Banff National Park, I hope by the time you’re done reading this, I would have managed to convince you to add this Canadian treasure to your travel list. There’s wildlife, hiking trails, turquoise-coloured lakes that will make you think you’re in the Caribbean and luxuriating mineral-infused hot springs and spa treatments. So what are you waiting for? Start thinking about your 2020 trip! For a personalized itinerary to suit your travel tastes, be sure to send me an email for trip planning and pricing. Invest in your best trip yet!

Getting to Banff:

You’ll most likely fly into Calgary International, which is about a 25-30 minute drive to the downtown Calgary area and a 1.5-2hr drive to Banff National Park. Calgary major city in the Alberta province and offers a range of restaurants, shopping and nightlife. We decided to stay in Calgary as opposed to driving directly to Banff and staying there, to be closer to the airport for our early morning return flight. 

Unless you’re travelling with a tour group, rent a car, either at the airport or to avoid those pesky airport rental fees, you can always call an Uber to a nearby rental company. 

To Stay:

 Carriage House Inn

 If exploring Banff is what brings you to Calgary, then you don’t need to stay in a downtown hotel. I would recommend one that’s not too far from the airport and downtown, like the Carriage House Inn-which offers free breakfast, wifi and parking (the latter being a free amenity that most downtown hotels do not offer). 

 Fairmount Chateau Lake Louise

 If you’re looking to be closer to Banff National Park, you can stay at the 4-star luxury hotel, Fairmount Chateau Lake Louise. Aside from its 4-star rating, it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a stone’s throw from Lake Louise. I’ve never stayed, but just from a stroll through its lobby and reviews I’ve read, it’s an impressive stay.

Moose Hotel & Suites

Located in the heart of downtown Banff, literally right on the main Banff Avenue where you’ll find plenty of shops and restaurants, this hotel exudes mountain elegance with its warm and natural wood design. 

 To-Do

Banff

Lake Louise 

Arguably one of the more popular lakes in the park, Lake Louise is known for its emerald green waters and rugged snow-capped mountain peaks.  As you enter the lakeside path either from the parking lot or the Fairmount hotel, you’ll be met with one of the most stunning displays of nature you’ve ever seen, a beautiful juxtaposition of verdantly colored lake with seemingly endless mountain ranges in the background.

With canoes for rent which I highly recommend doing (weather depending) in the spring, summer and autumn seasons, ice skating in the winter and multiple hiking trails 

 Moraine Lake

 I only had time for Lake Louise my first time to Banff, so aside from the pictures I had previously seen of it, I didn’t know what to expect. All I can say is that Moraine Lake delivered and then some! Nestled in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, the lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, rock piles, and waterfalls.

My favorite part of the lake is the short and relatively easy Rockpile Trail that delivers a breathtaking scene of blue-green color that the lake is known for. It’s referred to as the “Twenty Dollar View” because it was once featured on the back of Canadian twenty dollar bills between 1969-1979. 

 You can also canoe,(again, weather depending) or walk and hike the many trails nearby trails. 

BEAR in mind, that you could encounter grizzly bears (clearly couldn’t resist the pun!) so some trails will have signs that say you must travel in groups in four. Not doing so could result in a fine, or potential harm to your person. Safety first! 

Also, due to its elevation of 1,885 metres (6,183ft), the road to the lake is closed during the winter season due to heavy snowfall and high avalanche risk. It was already snowing and hailing during the last week of September whilst there last, so I can only imagine what’s it like in the dead of winter! Don’t expect to be able to drive up to the lake between October and May, as the lake reopens between the third week of May and the first week of June. 

Meadow Spa & Pools

What better way to unwind after your morning and afternoon visits to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, than a relaxing self-care visit to a spa? Initially, my friend and I were just going to relax at the Banff Upper Hot Springs, but it wasn’t as we imagined, (see below) and coupled with the fact that it was still snowing a bit, we decided on an alternative.

Located in the town of Banff, within the Moose Hotel & Suites, this spa is worth is a few hours of your time. Equipped with a private outdoor hot pool, a Jacuzzi and more it’s an indulgent atmosphere to enjoy one of their many massages offerings and other spa treatments.

We did the hot stone massage and it was exactly what our bodies needed after two days driving to and from Banff and exploring the lakes and surrounding area. The stunning mountain views should help to seal the deal!

Banff Upper Hot Spring

If you’re looking to visit the highest hot spring in Canada, then this is where you need to go. Located atop the town, at an elevation of 1,585 metres (5,200ft) this hot spring gets its source of water from either Sulphur Mountain or Mount Rundle, and naturally flows down a big crack in Sulphur Mountain, lining it with plenty of minerals that eventually work their way down to the outdoor pool.  The mountain views are nice, but we were expecting an outdoor pool experience more akin to The Blue Lagoon in Iceland, so after a quick tour of the venue and pool, we decided to do a spa instead. I will most likely go for a dip in the pool during my next visit. 

Banff Gondola

Within walking distance from the Banff Upper Hot Springs (where we parked because there were no other available parking spaces), you’ll find the Banff Gondola. The ride to the top is about 8 minutes, and there you’ll be met with panoramic views of the Canadian Rockies and the town of Banff, at an elevation of 2281metres (7486ft). There’s also an observation deck, hiking trails and dining options.  Since it was snowing, we decided to skip it for another visit, especially given its price tag. But if you purchase tickets in advance online, you’ll be able to save a few dollars.

Stroll Banff Avenue

Take in the stunning views of Mount Rundle and the Cascade Mountains, whilst strolling down the quaint Banff Avenue. Along this bustling main street, you’ll find plenty of options to eat, shop (especially souvenirs) and relax at.

We stopped by twice during our trip and spent the first-afternoon browsing through multiple stores whilst trying to decide on a place to eat. At the edge of Banff Avenue, you’ll find the entrance to Cascade Gardens, which is included in your ticket to the Banff National Park. If you are visiting late May to early September and have interest in strolling through a well-landscaped garden with a variety of flora, then be sure to stop by. 

 To eat

 Banff:

 Pacini

They say that the best things are saved for last and on our final day afternoon in Banff, after a luxuriating experience at the Meadow Spa just a few floors above, this Italian restaurant in a warm and inviting setting was perfect. The food was great, the staff was polite, (had to return a salad because it came with bacon on top and I don’t eat meat and it was no issue), great selection of wine and to top it off, they have a bread station (I love BREAD-Oprah voice/moment). What made this bread station stand out to me was its grill station where you could toast the assortment of bread to your liking and add a variety of spreads to it. I would go back just for more bread!

Boston Pizza:

We didn’t know this was a chain before sitting down and we both like to eat at non-chained restaurants when abroad, even though it’s a Canadian chain we have never heard of, we were too hungry to resume the search for food. The dishes are nothing to rave about, but still enjoyable and affordable. It’s also located on Banff Avenue and a safe food option. 

 Calgary 

Cactus Club

 Up until writing this, I didn’t know that that this too, was a chain restaurant, however, the food and décor are definitely a step up from Boston Pizza. There are currently three locations in Calgary and we went to the Stephen Avenue one and for a Tuesday evening, it was pretty lively. Aaron ordered the Peppercorn Steak and I the Beyond Burger with Truffle Fries. We were both more than satisfied with our selections and paired it with cocktails. Tip: Go between 3-6 pm or 9 pm -close for their happy food and drink prices. 

Peanuts Public House

 If you decide to stay at the same hotel as I did, -the Carriage House Inn, and may not be in the mood to leave your hotel for lunch or dinner, then this sports bar is a solid choice. Friendly wait staff, (our first afternoon there our waitress provided plenty of recommendations for things to do in downtown Calgary and places to check out in Banff), coupled with good food, daily food specials and a selection of beer and wines at a reasonable price, it’s worth your time if staying at the Carriage House.