A Guide to Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

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Banff is a town within the Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is situated along the Trans-Canada Highway in the Alberta’s Rockies and the town with the second highest elevation in Canada. There are lots of mountains framing the town, namely Sulphur Mountain, Cascade Mountain, Mount Norquay and Mount Rundle.

Banff National Park

The small community is located above the famous Bow Falls and is the first locality to be turned into a National Park in Canada. This resort town is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country for its scenic beauty and warm springs.

1. Banff Gondola

Banff Gondola takes you to the top of Sulphur Mountain for the most breathtaking view and excellent photographs in the Banff National Park. You will reach the top in about seven minutes witnessing some of the most spectacular views all through the ride. The mountains and downtown look stunning from the top as you raise your eye level to 2300ft above sea from base to mountain top. You will find a gift shop and lots of restaurants and cafeterias to choose from while catching some amazing views from the top of the earth. The additional hike to the apex of Sulphur Mountain provides you even better views of downtown, the mountains and the clear blue of Bow River. You can also explore wondrous views on your own via gondola, to relax at your favorite point and enjoy the beautiful vistas that spread for miles.

2. Lake Louise Ski Area

Enjoy the heavenly beauty of Lake Louise, with a spectacular, vast and varied terrain all around the green landscapes. The majestic Lake Louise is located at the very heart of Banff National Park and provides the world’s finest terrain. There is a grand 2400 acres space for skiing – one of the largest skiing areas in North America. Take your skiing kit with you for a memorable sporting action amid the best designs of Mother Nature.

Lake Louise

3. Banff Hot Upper Springs

The Banff Upper Hot Springs are close to the Banff Gondola and it is advisable to enjoy them both on the same visit to save a few bucks. The hot spring is a pool area and offers wonderful views from atop to its visitors.

4. Icefields Parkway

Icefields Parkway is actually a scenic highway cutting through stunning mountain passes and taking your breath away at every turn you take with heavenly views. You can also stop at many excellent points during your drive, including Peyto Lake, Bridal Veil Falls and Bow Lake. The ride on this highway is full of dazzling vistas, be sure to use your camera at every turn to capture the spectacles of nature.

5. Parker Ridge Trail

Some of the best views of Banff can be enjoyed in a 45 minute hike involving a fairly steep incline. The wind atop is quite pleasant along with the great views of Saskatchewan Glacier, greenery and lovely mountains sites. The high peaks around the top set with secluded glaciers are worth the short hike.

Banff Springs Hotel

6. Cave and Basin National Historic Site

Enjoy the Cave and Basin with hot springs and get informed about the railway workers who really found these springs. Learn about how the Banff Springs were found and then turned into a memorable National Park.  There are some displays on the history of Banff and you can also see the underground pool of Sulphur water inside the cave with a magnificent cascade. It is great to see how the workers discovered this place which is now a magical land for thousands of tourists every year.

7. Bow Falls

Marilyn Monroe’s fans will refresh the scenes from the movie ‘River of No Return’ at the historical Bow Falls which is a famous attraction in Banff. In both summer and winter, the sight is too amazing to be missed. The beautiful falls have spectacular scenery to offer in every season. There is an ice rink near the falls and the venue is easily accessible, as you can take a hike or rent a bicycle to reach the land of wild beauty.

8. Cascade Plaza

Cascade Plaza is the biggest indoor shopping mall in Banff featuring 50 stores, restaurants and an excellent food court in the multi-storey dome. You can find anything you want in the good collection of shops. Fashionable clothes, accessories, sportswear, art, cameras, books, electronics and whatever you need are inside the Cascade Plaza. Buy gifts for your family and friends back home with convenience and refresh in the food court after a day of shopping.

Mount Rundle

9. Aurora Night Club

Amid the stunning views, Banff has a magnificent nightlife which will keep your entertained through your nights. Aurora Club is the biggest and best nightclub in town and features a chic contemporary interior and a lovely mix of classical, house and latest dance music to keep you grooving on the dance floor. The club also hosts weekly entertainment events from Wednesday to Sunday. There is an Onyx Bar for you to charge up before heading to the dance floor. The private lounge has leather sofas and a fireplace; to enjoy the best nightlife in Banff, head to Aurora Club for a perfect partying experience.

10. Hoodoo Lounge

This is undoubtedly the hippest bar in the Banff that welcomes you to its modern interiors to catch some of the latest beats. The DJ mixes your favorite tunes which will drag you to the dance floor. The bar also offers special events and drinks promotions.

Banff is a lovely destination to travel to if you are outdoorsy and with a spark for sports and love for nature. Excellent sports such as hiking, biking, skating and skiing can be enjoyed to the fullest in the town. A piece of beauty surrounded within mountains, glaciers and lakes provides the best destination for a naturally magnificent Canadian holiday.

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