Itineraries for Your Trip to Banff
2 Days in Banff for First Timers
Banff National Park is the stuff of Canadian Rocky Mountain dreams: snowy mountains (that are way more than snow-capped in winter), bright blue and green lakes, icy rivers and glaciers, and pine forests inhabited by grizzly and black bears and other wildlife. I visited on a family trip with young kids and we packed as much into a few days as we could, with sights and attractions to suit all ages. While you could easily spend two weeks here, with two days in Banff you can experience some of its many highlights. Whether you’re into hiking or soaking in hot pools, scenic drives or stargazing, here’s how to make the most of two days in Banff.
If you only have time for one thing, take a ride on the Banff Gondola to admire the views.
Banff town sits at about 4,537 feet (1,383 meters) altitude, and many area attractions are even higher: Pack warm layers in summer, and even warmer ones in winter.
The Banff Gondola provides some of the best views in town, with minimal effort to get to. Ride up to the 7,500-foot (2,286-meter) terminus near the summit of Sulphur Mountain. Admire views of the Banff and Bow valleys and surrounding landscape and follow easy hiking trails around the mountain. Drive here from town, take a public bus (free with a gondola ticket), or join a morning tour of the area.
After spending the morning atop the mountain—perhaps with a picnic lunch—descend in the afternoon and head to the Banff Upper Hot Springs, near the gondola’s lower terminal. The outdoor pools—heated with 100°F (38°C) natural water—overlook Mt. Rundle. They’re open late into the evening so you could even spend most of the day hiking atop Mt. Sulphur and you’d still have time to enjoy the pools after. Spending time here is a must-do when visiting Banff.
The clear skies of the Banff National Park offer great stargazing opportunities (when there’s no cloud cover). If you’re a typical traveler and don’t go on vacation with your own telescope, join a guided evening tour with stargazing and even aurora chasing when the conditions allow. Tours run from both Banff and Canmore, a larger nearby town that’s a good alternative base when staying in the area.
The Banff area is famous for its beautiful lakes, tinted a dazzling turquoise hue due to the presence of glacial flour (ground up rock particles). Visit some of them this morning, including Moraine Lake and Lake Minnewanka, where there’s a Lake Minnewanka cruise. Alternatively, head to Lake Louise, perhaps the most famous of the lakes, where you can hike the Lake Agnes Tea House trail.
Connecting Banff with Jasper National Park to the north, the Icefields Parkway is a spectacular 144-mile (232-kilometer) stretch of road through the mountains that passes glaciers, waterfalls, and more. While you may need a full day to drive the whole route, you can spend the afternoon driving to spots closest to Banff town, including Bow Lake and Bow Falls, Peyto Lake, and the Crowfoot Glacier.
After an evening wildlife-watching tour, head back to Banff for dinner and drinks to toast your last night in the mountains. As this is a touristy town, you can find all kinds of food to suit most tastes, including pizza, barbecue and grill, burgers, Japanese, and more. Wash it down with a highly recommended locally brewed craft beer from Sheepdog Brewing, Banff Ave Brewing Company, Three Bears Brewery, or elsewhere.