Itineraries for Your Trip to Banff
1 Day in Banff for First Timers
Alberta’sBanff National Park is unbelievably pretty. Turquoise glacial lakes, wildlife-filled pine forests, and ice-cold rivers and glaciers work their way into the spaces between the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The resort town of Banff, which sits at about 4,537 feet (1,383 meters) altitude, is a convenient base for exploring the park, with many accommodation and dining options. But if you’re short on time, you’ll need to have a fine-tuned Banff itinerary to make the most of it. If you visit in summer, as I did, you’ll have to contend with crowds and parking hassles, so don’t leave anything to chance. Here’s how to spend one day in Banff so you experience a bit of everything the town offers.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a ride on the Banff Gondola.
Pack warm layers in summer, and even warmer ones in winter, to suit up for high-elevation activities.
Get your bearings in Banff this morning with a ride on the Banff Gondola, which takes you to a 7,500-foot (2,286-meter) terminus near the summit of Sulphur Mountain. The views of the Banff and Bow valleys and surrounding landscape from the viewing platforms are unparalleled. There’s also an information center, restaurants, and easy hiking trails, so you can easily spend a whole morning here. The gondola is south of Banff town so you can either drive, take a public bus (free when presenting a pre-purchased same-day gondola ticket), or join a morning tour of the area that includes the gondola.
After a quick lunch back in Banff (even better, pack a picnic in the morning), head to one of the gorgeous lakes in the national park. Some of the most beautiful—and popular—are Lake Louise (with a side hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House), Moraine Lake, Lake Minnewanka, Bow Lake, and Peyto Lake. You won’t have time to see them all in an afternoon, but you can get a sample of the dazzling blue and green waters surrounded by contrasting gray peaks at any of these. Splurge on canoe or kayak rental for some of the best photo opps.
Head back to Banff for dinner—although the town is quite touristy, there are many places to get hearty Canadian mountain fare. Alternatively, drive about 25 minutes to nearby Canmore, a larger town with more nightlife options. If you prefer your nightlife au naturel, join a stargazing or aurora-chasing tour, or visit the Banff Upper Hot Springs, near the Banff Gondola lower terminal. These are open until 10pm, so a soak in the natural hot waters is an ideal way to spend an evening in the mountains.
