Top 25 Places to Visit in
Banff | Alberta
The page created by Rylan Ewen | Anmoldeep Sekhon | Dylan Gow | Manpreet Kaur | Kupaw Wah | Red River College 
| Photo by Vlad Umnov
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Fairmont Banff Springs
National Historic Site In the heart of Banff National Park, in the Canadian Rockies, the luxury Fairmont Banff Springs hotel has provided legendary hospitality for over 130 years. The hotel was opened in 1888 by the Canadian Pacific Railway. It was one of the earliest of Canada’s grand railway hotels. They served passengers on the […]
Banff Gondola
Timeless Rocky Mountain views Soar 698 metres on an 8-minute journey to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. Glide over the treetops and arrive at a jaw-dropping mountaintop experience. The epic mountain views are truly endless from the rooftop deck or with a stroll along the mountain boardwalk. Photo and videos: Vlad Umnov
- End of Mountain Avenue, Box 1258, Banff, AB, T1L 1B2
- (866) 756-1904
- https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/attractions/banff-gondola/
Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk
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Several scenic hiking trails lead away from the summit complex. One of the most popular is the self-guided interpretive Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak. The Sulphur Mountain boardwalk sits 2,300 m in the sky and spans one full kilometre of scenic sights. Photos: Vlad Umnov
- 100 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1B2
- (866) 756-1904
- https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/attractions/banff-gondola/
Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station
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National Historic Site At the peak, step back in time and experience the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station. The cosmic ray station was completed by the National Research Council in 1956. The study of cosmic rays held a prominent place, with 99 cosmic ray stations (nine in Canada) in operation worldwide. Due to its high […]
- 100 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1B2
- no data
- https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=5
Sulphur Mountain Weather Station
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Recognized Federal Heritage Building Follow in the footsteps of Norman Sanson, who walked to the top of Sulphur Mountain weekly for 30 years to check the weather until 1945, when he was 84 years old. The station was constructed in 1902 for the collection of meteorological data. Photos: Vlad Umnov
Banff Upper Hot Springs
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Europeans first became aware of the springs in 1883. In 1886, the first hot springs were open for visitors. Now, the hot pool is outdoors. While in the pool, you can look across the valley to Mount Rundle. Banff Upper Hot Springs is located at 1,585 metres elevation. It makes it the highest hot spring […]
Banff Sunshine Village
Longest non-glacial ski season in Canada Banff Sunshine Village’s unique location will make you feel miles away from civilization, even though it is only a 15-minute drive from Banff town. The village is located 7,200 feet high on the Continental Divide in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Three mountains offer vast terrain and will […]
Mount Norquay Ski
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Don’t miss this ski resort & tubing park. It is not so big as Sunshine Village, but it offers year-round recreation activities. Locals name it “Banff’s Backyard”. Mount Norquay offers a cozy, local-friendly atmosphere. Known for its family-friendly vibe and shorter lift lines, it’s perfect for skiers and snowboarders seeking a relaxed and authentic winter […]
Mount Norquay Lookout
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Don’t miss the fantastic panoramic views of the Bow Valley, Banff and the Canadian Rockies. This iconic spot is accessible via a scenic drive. If you are lucky, you have a lot of chances to meet wildlife. Photos and video: Vlad Umnov
- Mt Norquay Scenic Dr, Banff, AB
- no data
- https://girthhitchguiding.ca/article/mount-norquay-lookout-adventure/
Town of Banff
The town of Banff is a spirited place, alive with adventure and wonder. In all directions, you’re surrounded by strikingly beautiful and rugged mountains that seem to burst straight out of the ground. You might see a herd of deer wandering down the main street during your early morning jog. The lively streets of downtown […]
Banff Town Sign
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One of the best places for selfies. Be ready to stay in line! Photo: Vlad Umnov
- 101 Mt Norquay Rd, Banff, AB T1L 1C3
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- https://www.banfflakelouise.com/experiences/banff-sign
Bow Falls
Not like your typical waterfalls, the Bow Falls is wide and short. You might feel some mist from the waterfalls during the mid-summer due to the high water levels. You can also see the valley eroded by glacier activity and the Bow River over the years. Across the bridge from the town, turn left […]
- Bow Falls drive, Banff, AB
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- https://www.banff.com/banff-helpers/things-to-do-in-banff/bow-falls/
Bow River Trail
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This quiet riverside trail, mostly paved, is only a few steps away from downtown. Plenty of benches allow you to take in the views or enjoy a picnic lunch. Bow River Trail is wheelchair-friendly from the Muskrat Street access to the northwest end of this trail. Photos and video: Vlad Umnov
Hoodoos
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Over thousands of years, rain, snowmelt and wind have scoured the glacial material that makes up the ridge you can see there, creating deep and narrow gullies. These hoodoos were once partially protected from erosion by caps of sod or harder rock material, which acted like umbrellas for the pillars. The origin of the […]
- Hoodoos Viewpoint, Improvement District No. 9, AB, Canada
- no data
- https://banff.com/banff-hoodoos/
Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
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The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies serves as a gathering place to explore the evolving history, peoples, cultures, environment, and ideas of mountain cultures. Historically, there is a longstanding connection to the Bow Valley around Banff for many Indigenous nations – the Iyârhe (Stoney Nakoda), Blackfoot, Tsuut’ina, Ktunaxa (Kootenay), Secwépemc (Shuswap), Dene, Mountain Cree, […]
Banff Park Museum
National Historic Site Built in 1903 and dignified with heritage status for being the oldest park facility in the Canadian National Park system, the Banff Park Museum is also the oldest natural history museum in western Canada. Located on Banff Avenue in the heart of the town of Banff, the Museum – a.k.a. the “University […]
Cave and Basin
National Historic Site Cave and Basin has been a special place for Indigenous peoples for over ten thousand years and continues to be so to this day. In 1883, three railway workers found the thermal springs, sparking a series of events that led to the creation of Canada’s first national park. Visit the Cave and […]
Buffalo Nations Museum
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Journey into the extraordinary heritage of the First Nations People of the Northern Plains and Canadian Rockies, at the Buffalo Nations Museum. Visit the museum and see the richly ornamented regalia, beautifully decorated tipi, exquisite quillwork, and unique hunting equipment. The museum displays a wealth of native arts and daily life. Photo: Vlad Umnov
Cascade of Time Garden
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An iconic Banff view, seen on many postcards, is taken from the front of the Cascade of Time Garden building. This spot offers a great view down Banff Avenue towards Cascade Mountain, which towers at the end of it. Peak blooming season runs from late May to early September, but you can enjoy a stroll […]
- Cave Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1K2
- (403) 762-1550
- https://banffandbeyond.com/escape-the-crowds-of-banff-avenue-in-cascade-gardens/
Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course
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Don’t miss the fantastic old road around the golf course. From 1911, this Alberta golf course offers just two simple things for the perfect golf vacation. First, a breathtaking view in every direction and second, a magnificent layout that thrills every golfer fortunate enough to spend a day hereFrom hole design to optical illusions created […]
- 405 Spray Avenue, Banff, AB T1L 1J4
- (403) 762-6801
- https://www.fairmont.com/banff-springs/golf/the-fairmont-banff-springs-golf/
Bankhead Railway Station
After the coal mines closed and the town of Bankhead was deserted, many buildings were moved to nearby towns. The Bankhead Railway Station is now located at the HI Banff Alpine Hostel on Tunnel Mountain Road. This hostel has outstanding views of the Rocky Mountains, a café, a bar, a full-service restaurant, equipment rentals and […]
- 801 Hidden Ridge Way, Banff, AB T1L 1B3
- (403)762-4123
- https://hihostels.ca/en/destinations/alberta/hi-banff
Old Banff Cemetery
Established in 1890, Old Banff Cemetery is now the resting place for over two thousand souls. This cemetery also served the nearby community of Bankhead and is home to the Bankhead Miners Memorial, which honours the fifteen miners killed during its operations. At the time, mourners would travel nine kilometres by foot to the cemetery […]
St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church
St. Paul’s Presbyterian is a church located in Banff, Alberta which perfectly fits in with the picturesque resort town. The tall and intricately detailed spire is unique and nicely complements the white snow-topped mountains behind the church. The interior of the church is nothing remarkable, yet one would still feel connected to the church. Photos: […]
St. Mary’s Church
St. Mary’s of The Assumption is a Catholic church surrounded by beautiful scenery, including towering mountains, beautiful green forests, and angelic white snow in the winter. The church is not very tall, and the inside is warm and comforting. The altar is relatively simplistic yet stunning nonetheless with artificial light making the altar the center […]
Recommended by Mark
- 305 Squirrel St, Banff, AB T1L 1B1
- (403) 762-3450
- https://www.stmarysparishbanff.ca