5 Awesome Things To Do In Banff National Park

Banff National Park is a massive place with a ton to see and do. Much like picking 5 awesome things to do in Jasper, picking 5 awesome things to do in Banff National Park is nearly impossible. However, I have narrowed it down to 5 of my favorites. So without further adieu, here are my 5 awesome things to do in Banff National Park!

1. Icefields Parkway and Columbia Icefields

Heading south from Jasper on Alberta Highway 93 is an amazing experience. Traversing both Jasper and Banff National Parks, the world-class route offers views and access to a spectacular wilderness of pristine mountain lakes, ancient glaciers and broad sweeping valleys.
Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park, Canada, Alberta
There are majestic viewpoints almost the whole road and it is difficult to not take pictures-even when you’re driving! However, there are several places to stop and take photos so please be safe!
Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park, Canada, Alberta
The Icefields Parkway is one of the most beautiful roads I have ever driven and right in the middle of the drive between Jasper and Banff are the Columbia Icefields.
Columbia Icefields, Athabasca Glacier, Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park, Canada, Alberta
This may have been the most picturesque area of the drive and certainly the most commercialized. From the visitor center, you get a great panoramic view of the Icefields and the Athabasca Glacier.
Columbia Icefields, Athabasca Glacier, Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park, Canada, Alberta
From the visitor center, you can also get tickets for the Brewster Ice Explorer; which is one of the most unique attractions in the Canadian Rockies. These massive, specially designed machines you see here, take you on an 80-minute tour of the Athabasca Glacier.
Brewster Ice Explorer, Columbia Icefields, Athabasca Glacier, Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park, Canada, Alberta
At the midpoint of the tour you can get out and walk around the glacier for 20 minutes or so and take pictures, drink the glacial water and just explore. It is pretty neat but not exactly strenuous so it’s safe and appropriate for anyone-even elderly people.
Brewster Ice Explorer, Columbia Icefields, Athabasca Glacier, Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park, Canada, Alberta
Make sure to use the restrooms at the visitor center because there is nowhere to go between the Columbia Icefields and Lake Louise and just make sure you enjoy the beautiful scenery!

2. Lake Louise

Lake Louise is by far the most famous lake in Alberta and in the Canadian Rockies. There is good reason for that-it is gorgeous. The alpine setting is incredible, flanked by mountains on each side and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise at the base.
Lake Louise, Canada, Alberta
The Chateau itself did not impress me so much and I thought it was well overpriced for what it is. However, the views from the room are of course fabulous; which is what you are paying for. On the other hand, I did love The Walliser Stube in the Chateau. The fondue restaurant was excellent and the short rib was to die for.
Lake Louise, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Teahouse Hike, Mirror Lake, Lake Agnes, Alberta
Aside from views and the hotel, Lake Louise is great for the hikes surrounding the lake. As my time was limited at Lake Louise, my friend Mike and I decided to do the Tea House hike; which is the most famous hike.
Lake Louise hikes, Teahouse Hike, Mirror Lake, Lake Agnes, Alberta
It’s called the Tea House hike because you actually hike up to a teahouse; which sits above Lake Louise and at the base of Lake Agnes. It is actually really cool and you are thankful for the hot tea and food when you arrive-especially if you have bad weather as we did.
Lake Louise hikes, Teahouse Hike, Mirror Lake, Lake Agnes, Alberta
The hike itself was not that challenging. It took us about 45 minutes to get up to the teahouse walking quickly, or normally as I see it! It is a steady incline that can get pretty muddy when it rains as it actually poured and sleeted on us. The only other issue is that about 3/4 of the way up, you intersect the horseback trail so then there because the added issue of horseshit on the track. So it becomes even more slippery when wet. Just keep that in mind, as they don’t tell you that in the brochures!
Lake Louise, Teahouse Hike, Mirror Lake, Lake Agnes, Alberta
Along the way you pass Mirror Lake and a few other really cool photography spots. Sadly for us, the clouds made Mirror Lake just a lake but it was still pretty as you can see.
Lake Louise hikes, Teahouse Hike, Mirror Lake, Lake Agnes, Alberta
That said, there are several other hikes to choose from as well and you can go higher than the teahouse if you choose to as well. If it was sleeting and freezing, we certainly would have. Next time for sure!

3. Moraine Lake

Moraine Lake is the lesser-known sister lake to Lake Louise. However, in my view it is just as beautiful and in many ways, even more so. It is about 10 miles or so down a windy road from Lake Louise but definitely worth the excursion or a few nights.
Moraine Lake, Alberta, Banff National Park
We stayed at the Moraine Lake Lodge. The Lodge is literally on the lake and is a great value and gives you a smaller rustic feel unlike the much larger Fairmont in Lake Louise. The staff is also very helpful and personable and the cabins are top notch.
Moraine Lake, Alberta, Banff National Park
The views and pictures of Moraine Lake are actually more often used in Alberta Tourism brochures than Lake Louise believe it or not and I have to say, it is just as picturesque if not more.
Moraine Lake, Alberta, Banff National Park
Moraine Lake also has a lot of hikes of varying lengths and difficulties. We took the hike around the lake and focused more on photography at Moraine Lake as the more arduous hikes are at Lake Louise.
Moraine Lake, Alberta, Banff National Park
Another thing that is really popular at Moraine Lake is canoeing and canoes are free for guests of the Moraine Lake Lodge but it is also open to the public-and the public does come!

4. Banff

Banff National Park is massive as I mentioned but Banff Town is not. However, it is a great little town to explore and definitely amongst the things to do in Banff National Park.
Buffalo Mountain Lodge, Banff, Alberta, Canada
We stayed at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge. The Lodge is about a mile or two up Tunnel Mountain above Banff. You need to have a car or not mind walking or biking a steep hill to get to and from town. However, the accommodations are stellar.
Buffalo Mountain Lodge, Banff, Alberta, Canada
Aside from great cabin style, large rooms; the best part of the lodge was the massive hot tub. It is the perfect place to recuperate after a long day hiking, biking or golfing.
View from the Buffalo Mountain Lodge, Banff, Alberta, Canada
Down in town, walking along stunning Banff Avenue is a trip. It is the ultimate Canadian tourist town. There are more tourist stores on one road than I think I have ever seen. All pretty much selling the same stuff more or less. I have no idea how they all stay in business and make money. But I am no expert on cannibalization. I still don’t get how some cities have a Starbucks on every corner and all seem to make money!
Banff Avenue, Banff, Alberta, Canada
Banff is also the mecca for nightlife in the Canadian Rockies. There are a ton of bars and restaurants all along the main drag and the newest and hippest place is called the Dancing Sasquatch. Yes that’s really the name and yes they actually have a man dressed up as a big Sasquatch dancing around the club taking pictures with people. It’s fairly clever and very Canadian.

5. Golf

The Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course boasts one of the nicest courses in Canada. To be honest, it’s one of the most scenic courses I have ever played and have played golf in some amazing places like Maui, Lanai, Fiji and many others.
Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, Banff, Fairmont Banff, golf, Alberta, Canada
Banff Springs is truly a captivating and challenging course where you can easily be both intimidated and distracted by the massive mountains surrounding the course. Mike and I would just sit in awe of some of the views, especially the view from the 15th tee box.
Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, Banff, Fairmont Banff, golf, Alberta, Canada
Located right next to the fabulous Waldhaus Restaurant and Pub, the signature tee shot is something special-that is if you can clear the water and get it in the fairway! Easier said than done from that elevation.
Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, Banff, Fairmont Banff, golf, Alberta, Canada
We happened to play on a Sunday so it moved pretty slowly but we didn’t even mind because of the views and because of how well manicured the course is. The drink girls coming around in the carts often didn’t hurt either!
Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, Banff, Fairmont Banff, golf, Alberta, Canada
If you love golf or even if you simply just appreciate great views, you’ll love playing golf at Banff Springs. It’s a great way to spend a day in the sun but do remember sunblock or you’ll end up friend like my friend, Mike!
Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, Banff, Fairmont Banff, golf, Alberta, Canada
Oh, and when you’re done playing and walking to Waldhaus for dinner or drinks, watch out for wildlife!

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Comments

  1. Randy Sellet says

    Real nice write-up about Banff & surroundings! You’ve motivated me to get out and do more, so I think next time we get up to Banff I will hike to the Teahouse, and canoe in Moraine Lake, among other things!

    • Thanks Randy, ya it is such a great spot in the world! I only wish we had better weather to do more of the hikes at higher elevations…was simply too cold and started sleeting which hurts! Plus pictures wouldn’t have come up as anything because we were in the clouds for much of it!

  2. Such an amazing place, I loved following your trip throughout Western Canada and great to see the final post. Enjoy Saskatchewan and looking forward to seeing more pictures!

  3. Too bad about the weather but still looks pretty awesome. I am surprised you didn’t stay at the Fairmonts over there.

    • It was still awesome Brian. I feel like I got a better experience staying where I stayed. I went to all the Fairmonts in Alberta and the only one that I would have maybe liked to have stayed at would have been the Banff Springs one but our lodge was really cool and not as stuffy so I was really happy and would recommend it. Especially since we got over for golf and dinner, etc.

  4. There are so many beautiful places out there! I rode my bike across Canada a number of years ago, missing the Icefields but revelling in Banff and Lake Louise. Those were my rest days as I pedalled across country – but I couldn’t help going out for a few hikes. The hike up Sulphur Mountain made for a lovely day trip and the gondola back down was welcome relief to my road weary legs!

  5. Banff is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen and if you agree, then it must be pretty special!

  6. I love Banff! I think it is one of the prettiest places in the world! Glad you got to experience it, and share it with others

  7. I am sitting in my lakeview junior suite at Fairmont Lake Louise as I type this. The view is, well, hard to describe really. Best word to portray how it is may be…orgasmic:-) Your write up is right on by the way. About to go on the teahouse hikes and later visit Moraine lake. Tomorrow it’s canoeing time.
    For the Ice experience, do you get tickets and then get on the next tour or are those sold out in advance? We are thinking of doing this when we make our way up to Jasper in a few days.
    Just came from Fairmont Banff Springs, heck of a lot more stuffiness on that one:-)

  8. Moraine Lake used to be on the back of the Canadian $1 bill before we moved to the Loonie coin in 1987 … it is an incredible sight to see, heightened by the lack of the tourist hordes present at Lake Louise!

  9. Beautiful pics! We are planning a trip there so is good to know about things to do. Thanks for the info about Moraine Lake. How far is it to hike around Moraine Lake? Sounds like a great place to go while in Banff on our free time. Our trip does include the hike up to the teahouse and hiking on the Athabasca Glacier!

  10. Wow, that’s a really amazing blog post. Love the fact you include the beauty and the exulting details along with the practical ones that can be really uncomfortable. Great adventures… Thanks for sharing it.

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