Best things to do in the town of Banff, Canada

last updated: October 2023

Whether you are a snow sports enthusiast visiting the Canadian Rockies in winter, or a hiker enjoying the lush forests and aquamarine glacial lakes of Banff National Park in the summer, you are bound to also spend a day, or more, in the town of Banff. And so you should. This is a proper North American mountain town with a true western vibe offering plenty of relaxation, entertainment, and a lively social scene. A perfect complement to your adventure packed days in the wider area, here is the ultimate list of the best things to do in the town of Banff.

SOME BACKGROUND INFO

Nestled high in the Canadian Rockies, the town of Banff is located within Banff National Park. Once ‘Siding 29’ on the Canadian Pacific Railway, the town of Banff was intended to be a tourist town from its very inception. The Park’s first superintendent even oriented its first street so that it offered the best possible view of Cascade Mountain. The view, while walking on Banff Avenue, is indeed breathtaking. 

Banff town has a population of around 8,000 permanent residents in an area of approximately 4 km2 (1.5 square miles). It is the highest town in Canada, with an elevation of 1400m (4600 ft). Banff is flanked on all sides by towering mountains, including Mount Rundle, Sulphur Mountain, Mount Norquay and Cascade Mountain.

Banff is indeed a small town but quite the special one, with plenty of things to do. Enjoying brunch on a sunny outdoor terrace, learning more about the local history and culture, shopping, or indulging in some hearty Canadian cuisine… These are a few ways of spending a day or two in the town; the perfect addition to your Banff trip itinerary. So, without further ado, here is the list of the best things to do in the town of Banff.

THINGS TO DO IN BANFF: A WALK AROUND TOWN

First things, first. The leisurely, exploratory walk… It’s all about the thrill of discovering a new place!

AROUND BANFF AVENUE

Depending on your starting point, walk around the streets on either side of Banff Avenue and get a glimpse of north American architecture and its characteristic timber houses. While it might not impress some of you, my European friends and I felt like we are in a filmset! Furthermore, I think that most people will specifically enjoy reading the street signs, with most roads being named after indigenous wild animals. I am not the only one finding this super cute, am I? Before we knew it, we were able to name all different types of Canadian deer! 

ALONG BOW RIVER

Continuing towards the south end of the town, the bridge over Bow River creates perfect photo opportunities throughout the year. Admire the stillness of the frozen water in the winter or the colourful canoes floating calmly in the summer. Crossing the bridge also brings you to Banff Trading Post, a native American goods shop. Operating since 1903, this cool place is filled to the brim with authentic indigenous handicrafts.

Finally, a bit further down, at the confluence of Bow and Spray Rivers, you will find the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Built in 1888, it marks the beginning of tourism in Banff and is well worth a little look on the outside and the inside if you are looking for a pitstop for some fancy drinking and dining.

If you have more time on your hands, or you are a history buff, there is also a couple of small museums dedicated to the history of the local area. 

THINGS TO DO IN BANFF: BOOK YOUR TOURS & ACTIVITIES

Head back towards the town centre. It’s time to plan your adventures in Banff National Park. 

The list of things to do around Banff is amazingly diverse as the town is nestled within an incredible natural habitat. No matter the season, there is a wide range of activities for people of all ages, abilities, and interests. If you are visiting Banff in winter, like I did, bookmark my blog posts on the best winter activities and experiences in Banff National Park and our unforgettable winter’s day in Lake Louise. If you are a skier, my Sunshine Village and Lake Louise ski resort quick guides but also my skiing Canadian Rockies comparison to the Alps will come in handy. 

Scattered around the main streets of town, there are many tour operators in addition to Banff Visitors’ Centre. Even though everything can be booked online these days, it’s worth walking in and having a chat with the guys there; hearing their recommendations is always useful. Furthermore, by asking questions, you can also gauge whether some of the activities can be done incognito, without an organised tour! We booked our excursions through Discover Banff Tours and everything turned out great.

Finally, if you don’t have all the necessary gear for your planned adventures, now is the time to rent some. There are plenty of rental shops in Banff Avenue where you can hire anything you can think of. Skis, snowboards, boots, crampons, summer hiking gear, torches etc…

THINGS TO DO IN THE TOWN OF BANFF: SHOPPING

On the topic of shops, the town of Banff is a good place to stock up on two things.

• Gear on any nature related activity possible.
• Canadian souvenirs. 

When I say outdoor sports gear shops, I am not talking about a store or two with a few random items from seasons past to cover those who left their packing to the last minute! Right on Banff Avenue, there is a variety of shops with extensive collections dedicated to all nature related activities. Moreover, there are many branded stores for outdoor sports gear such as Helly Hansen, Patagonia, Arcteryx, Canada Goose, the North Face, Fjallraven…

Apart from the investment buys noted above, you can also indulge in a shopping spree of Canadian souvenirs. The variety of shops cater to all budgets and tastes. We particularly liked the vintage skiing posters and traditional plaid flannel shirts! Lastly, there is an incredible amount of candy stores with local sweets, in case your energy levels have been depleted from the shopping frenzy! 

THINGS TO DO IN THE TOWN OF BANFF: WELLNESS

Given the fact that any trip to the Canadian Rockies is bound to be action packed, taking some time pampering those tired limbs is absolutely recommended! While researching for my spa visit, the following caught my eye, before making a booking at the Meadow Spa. 

• Fairmont Spa Banff Springs
• Meadow Spa at the Moose Hotel & Suites
• The Red Earth Spa at Banff Caribou Lodge
• Cedar & Sage Co

MEADOW SPA AT THE MOOSE HOTEL & SUITES

On our free day in Banff town, I visited  Meadow Spa at the Moose Hotel & Suites. I was not a hotel guest, but, happily, I was able to book a deep tissue massage on the day. The moment I stepped into the spa… complete relaxation. From the reception area and the friendly staff to the fluffy bath robe and slippers in the luxurious changing rooms… Heaven. Before my massage, I filled out a questionnaire to let the therapist know of my intention. She then selected massage oils specific to my needs, from a wide variety of Aromatherapy Associates products. They smelled and felt amazing and so was my treatment.

After the massage, I could spend as much time as I felt I needed in the peaceful relaxation lounge and outdoor hot tub. I pretty much had the space to myself, as most spa guests headed for the roof, to the larger hot pools which I visited afterwards. The post treatment hot tub and the rooftop hot pools all have panoramic views of Banff and the mountains; access was complimentary for the day.

All in all, it was a lush experience. Also, in the grand scheme of spa & wellness centres, it was good value. Definitely a luxurious start or end to a day in Banff. 

P.S. The bar and open fireplace lounge at the Moose Hotel & Suites is super inviting, so, allow some time to have a coffee or drink before or after your spa session!

THINGS TO DO IN THE TOWN OF BANFF: BEST COFFEE SHOPS, RESTAURANTS & BARS

Oh my, you will be seriously spoiled for choice for such a small little town. The list below is by no means exhaustive, and it is focused on local and Canadian (traditional / modern / inspired) cuisine. We wanted to immerse ourselves in the local culture as much as possible! Here we go.    

COFFEE & BREAKFAST

We had a delightful start to the day in Evely’s Coffee Bar with good quality coffee as well as hot and cold breakfast, snacks, and nibbles, right on Banff Avenue. 

A little further down the road, closer to all the big hotels, Whitebark Café is another excellent choice for coffee, tea, pastries, and ‘niche’ snacks. We liked the modern environment and the nice outdoor patio. 

Last but not least, Wild Flour Bakery, on Bear Street, is a cosy bakery and the perfect pitstop for comfort food throughout the day. 

COOL & EASYGOING RESTAURANTS

Farm & Fire offers slow roasted and wood fired dishes made with fresh ingredients from local farmers. A farm to fork experience with an outdoor patio open for brunch, lunch, and dinner in a beautiful environment.

Another beautiful space, inspired by the great outdoors, open for lunch, dinner, and drinks is the 3 Bears Brewery & Restaurant. These guys literally brought the outside in: A stargazing retractable roof, beer garden, several patios, a huge pine tree & even some wildlife! Scrumptious comfort food created to pair with beer made here.

Park Distillery Restaurant & Bar is both cosy and sophisticated. Open for lunch, dinner and drinks, the locally sourced campfire inspired cooking is scrumptious. For me, though, ‘les pièces de résistance’ are the small batch spirits distilled in house. Vanilla, chilly or espresso vodka, alpine gin, glacier or maple rye… Leave your car keys at home!

FINE DINING 

Maple Leaf is fancy but not so much that you can’t just pop in for brunch, lunch or dinner while strolling on Banff Avenue. And I am glad we did! Our burgers were exceptional, on a whole different level than your average burger. There are also more fancy dishes such as seafood or prime cut beef. You can easily splurge or have a more reasonably priced meal here, depending on what you order. 

Another fine dining option, The Bison offers sophisticated farm to table cuisine, the taste of Alberta as the chef calls it. And it is GOOD. The patio with the mountain view is beautiful; it is actually a shame that they are only open for dinner and Sunday brunch. Well worth the little bit extra on our bill. 

Last but not least, Chuck’s Stakehouse. When it comes to steak, these guys don’t mess around. Alberta raised Wagyu beef grilled over hardwood and abundant ranch style dinners in an elegant indoor and outdoor space where every table has a view of the mountains. Open for dinner only, prepare for a dent in your wallet and a big happy belly. 

HOW TO GET TO & AROUND BANFF, CLIMATE & WEATHER

Banff is a 90min (140kM or 87miles) drive west of Calgary, Alberta with the closest airport being Calgary International Airport. If you are coming from the west, it is a scenic day’s drive (850km or 530miles) from Vancouver.

The town of Banff itself is small enough that you can pretty much walk everywhere. My friends and I hired a car to get to and around Banff National Park. This is Canada, so roads are wide and smooth, even at high altitudes. They are also meticulously cleared of snow. However, if you don’t fancy driving, there are many affordable bus and shuttle services to the town and key attractions in the area. You can find extensive information on how to get to and around Banff in the official Banff & Lake Louise Tourism website. 

Weather-wise, we visited Banff in March and we encountered proper winter conditions; this is typical in Alberta. Have a look at my blog post on what to expect in Banff during March if you are planning a trip then. Furthermore, don’t forget to check out Banff National Park in winter & early spring: 7 things you need to know where I summarised the most essential information you need to plan your winter trip.

FINAL THOUGHTS

So, there you have it. The ultimate list of the best things to do in the town of Banff. I hope I was able to convey the fact that this is a unique place… cosy, yet adventurous and outgoing. Its main street may be lined with world class restaurants, bars, and shops, but you might see a lonely deer wandering past you on your way to breakfast! Surrounded by a 360-degree panorama of tall, rugged mountains, the town of Banff effortlessly offers you plenty of excellent options for excitement or relaxation any day of the year.