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Historic places in Banff

6 historic buildings, sites and memorials in Banff.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Historic places in Banff

  1. See

    Banff Park Museum National Historic Site

    Come and learn about the animals you may see on your trip to Banff. Guaranteed bear sightings! This historic "cabinet museum" is full of Banff wildlife preserved through taxidermy. Most of the animals on display were killed roughly a century ago.

    May 14-June 30: Wed-Sun 10AM-5PM; July 1-Sept 1: daily 10AM-5PM; Sept 2-Oct 12: Wed-Sun 10AM-5PM$3.90/adult, free with Parks Canada Discovery Pass

  2. See

    Banff Springs Hotel National Historic Site

    Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

    The Banff Springs Hotel is a working hotel, and a recognized national historic site. The oldest part of the famous "Castle in the Rockies" was built between 1911 and 1914 using local Rundle stone (dark limestone) on the exterior, while the interior is that of a grand hotel. Fossils can be seen in the stone flooring. Visitors are welcome to see the public parts of the hotel, while guided tours may be available to show you some of the closed areas.

    Free to visit

  3. Do

    Banff Upper Hot Springs and Pleiades Massage & Spa

    All the amenities of a modern facility are featured in this historic spa and bathhouse, with a backdrop of spectacular alpine scenery. Relax in soothing hot water where travellers have come to "take the waters" for more than a century. For an extra apres ski laugh, guests wishing to amuse can rent a hilarious 'traditional style' bathing costume. The outdoor hot pool is a great place to soak and watch falling snowflakes or the stars. Can be quite busy at times. In late spring, the hot springs flow sometimes drops significantly and must be supplemented with artificially-heated water. The Upper Hot Springs website's "Water" page states whether they are using all hot springs water or are supplementing.

    10AM-10PM varies seasonally$7.30 per adult

  4. See

    Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum

    Housed in a reproduction of a fur trading post, this museum focuses on the history of the First Nations in the Banff area.

    May 1-Sep 30: daily 10AM-6PM; Oct 1-Apr 30: 11AM-5PM$10/adult

  5. See

    Cave and Basin National Historic Site

    See the birthplace of Canada's National Park system, where hot sulphur springs were found and the original bathhouse was built in 1887. There are also a couple of short nature trails that are free to access that explain the origin and the give you a view over the pools that are free to access.

    Hours vary seasonally, check website$3.90/person, free if you have Parks Canada Discovery Pass

  6. See

    Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies

    Offers something for the whole family: art, culture and the human and natural history of the Canadian Rockies. Visit the heritage homes or take a guided walk.

    Jun 15-Sep 15: daily 9:30AM-6PM; Sep 16-Jun 14: 10AM-5PMAdmission by donation

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Banff (CC BY-SA 4.0).