Sights and landmarks in Banff

Sights and landmarks 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. See

   Bow Falls

   Below the iconic Banff Springs Hotel is the beautiful Bow Falls. It's not the most dramatic waterfall in Banff National Park, but Bow Falls is in the town of Banff and is worth a visit. Easily accessible with plenty of parking for private vehicles and tour buses. You can take in the view from either side of the river.

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

   Cascades of Time Gardens

   Cascade Gardens

   Designed and built in the 1930s, the Cascades of Time gardens cover 1.6 hectares (4 acres) in the Banff townsite, in front of the Administration Building and behind it. The rustic timber and stone pavilions in the garden are Recognized Federal Heritage Buildings.

   Flowering from late June to early Sept·Free

6. 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

7. See

   Lake Minnewanka Loop

   This scenic driving loop is a short distance from the Banff townsite. It goes up the side of Cascade Mountain to Lake Minnewanka, and back down by a different route. Sights along the way include Cascade Ponds, Bankhead (former site of a coal mining town and the mine), Lake Minnewanka (picnic area, hiking, boat cruises, motor boat rentals), Two Jack Lake, and Johnson Lake. The area is also well known for the bighorn sheep that can be seen on and near the road.

   Free

8. See

   Moose and Squirrel

   Rather, the intersection thereof, about 2 blocks east of the train station, diagonal from the school. Nothing more than the signpost, but good for a chuckle.

9. See

   Mount Norquay viewpoint

   As you drive the winding road up to the Mt Norquay ski area, there are several viewpoints that let you see the town of Banff below, Vermilion Lakes, and the surrounding mountains.

10. See

    Surprise Corner viewpoint

    You can see the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Bow River, and Sulphur Mountain from this viewpoint on the lower slopes of Tunnel Mountain.

11. See

    Vermilion Lakes

    These three shallow lakes make a marvellous foreground to dramatic Mount Rundle in the background. Come at sunrise or sunset to see muskrat and beaver and get great lighting for photos.

12. 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-5PM·Admission by donation

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