5 Days in Banff Itinerary: The Perfect Canadian Rockies Adventure
My siblings and I reunited and spent 5 days in Banff! My sister lives in Australia but would be traveling in the US and Canada, so we all met up in Banff. This destination has been on all of our lists and I can confirm the scenery lived up to my high expectations!
We arrived on a Monday and left on a Sunday, giving us a full 5 days in Banff! This ended up being perfect and while you can’t do everything, there is so much you can fit into your 5 day trip.
There are newer rules for visiting Moraine Lake and I have a friend in Calgary who gave us so much great information! I’ll share our 5 days in Banff itinerary, as well as extra tips my friend offered that we couldn’t get to, so you can create a perfect trip that suits your preferences! Oh and I’ll gladly offer my perspective (sea level lungs) for the hikes in Banff! So let’s dive into how to spend 5 days in Banff.
My Go-To Travel Tools
Hotels | Booking.com
Hotels & Cars | Expedia
Tours | Viator
Research & Hotels | Tripadvisor
Travel Insurance | Insubuy
5 Days in Banff
We arrived on a Monday and left on a Sunday, giving us 5 days in Banff. This itinerary is only including the full days though we did enjoy dinner in Canmore on our first night. It was my nephew’s birthday and we headed to Bridgette Bar, which was recommended by my friend in Calgary. Though it also ended up being mentioned by other locals during our 5 days in Banff. It was delicious and a great start to our trip!
Day 1 | Sulphur Mountain Hike + Sky Bistro + Falls
Sulphur Mountain Hike
One recommendation made by my friend in Calgary was to hike up Sulphur Mountain and take the gondola down. My sister, her Aussie husband, and their son go on hikes a lot! My brother stays super fit and his 17 year old son is young and reasonably fit. Then there’s myself and my younger sister. We both have some current health issues, but I definitely struggled the most on both the hikes we did during the week.
Difficulty of the Hike
My health issues have been frustrating, though the week before this trip I finally understood more what was going on with my body. It’s likely Hashimoto’s, then combine that with my knee complications, I’ve been struggling getting back into shape. On top of that, the elevation was tough on my sea level lungs and my family members are not slow walkers!
Giving context for why I found the hike very difficult, but my family breezed through it! We took our group photo at the start of the hike at 9:18AM and after several minutes with all of us at the top, we took a photo at 11:22AM. Some of my family made it to the top in around 90 minutes, while the rest of my family was held back by my slow, two hour pace.
Sulphur Mountain Hike Stats
- Distance | 5.5 km (3.4 mi) one-way — about 11 km (6.8 mi) round-trip
- Elevation Gain | ~655 m (2,150 ft) to 700 m (~2,300 ft)
- Estimated Duration | 2-3 Hours (our group was 90 minutes to 2 hours)
- Steps | I logged 10,000 steps going up (19K for the day)
- Difficulty Level | Considered moderate — steady switchbacks, not technical; strenuous due to ascent
Summit of Sulphur Mountain
After surviving the hike, we got our group photo before heading different ways. The summit has one beautiful building that includes the gondola, a cafe, gift shop, and two restaurants. I think there was also a museum, but I never spent time in it to confirm.
There is also walkways and viewpoints to explore and really soak in the stunning views! Some of our group headed to explore the viewpoints, but I was definitely in the group grabbing a bite to eat first!
Sky Bistro
When researching for our 5 days in Banff, I read it’s recommended to make reservations for Sky Bistro. Since our group was so big, there weren’t really any reservations for the time we would need. For that reason, I thought we’d end up at Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen, which is a buffet that doesn’t take reservations. However, there ended up being four of us and we were able to get a table at the bar of Sky Bistro!
My younger sister and I split a salad and burger and both were delicious! Add a mocktail to replenish my electrolytes (yes, I did a lot of sweating) and the meal was perfect! Even though we weren’t by the window, the view was exceptional! If they don’t have openings, you can try for a seat at the bar, but overall I’d definitely say it’s worth making a reservation!
Gondola or Walk Down
We were going off what my friend from Calgary suggested, but in the end only my younger sister and I took the gondola down. We didn’t have a booking, so after lunch we booked the earliest option which was 1:40PM.
The rest of my family opted to walk down! It took them less than one hour, so they actually beat us back to the parking lot. If you do want to take the gondola down and prefer a certain time, book the return immediately when you arrive at the summit.
If you want to take the Banff Gondola round trip, be sure to book in advance! There were plenty of people on the summit even in mid June, so reserve your spot weeks to months in advance.
While my family made excellent time walking down, they did mention how hard it was on their knees! However, down is much easier on the lungs, which I learned later in the week for our second hike. Regardless how you approach the gondola or Sulphur Mountain in general, this is definitely worth a spot on your 5 days in Banff itinerary.
Parking for Banff Gondola
When we arrived in the morning, around 9AM, there was plenty of parking! However, when we returned around 2PM, the parking lot was full. There was a smaller lot we passed first, which was a little higher up, but we wanted to park near the gondola. Also, I don’t think there were restrooms in the other parking lot.
Once in the Banff Gondola building, we checked with the ticket counter that we didn’t need to pre-book the down ticket. The line to book round trip tickets wasn’t terrible, so if you aren’t able to pre-book, be sure to get there early!
The building also has a cafe, souvenir shop and restrooms, making it worth a stop whether you hike or ride.
Downtown Banff
After Sulphur Mountain, we headed to downtown Banff. It’s nearby and you’ll pass it on the way to the gondola. Parking was easy enough to find, though it wasn’t free. Compared to Miami, the parking prices aren’t bad and there is an area for free parking and plenty of signs to direct you!
My family loves ice cream, so naturally we went on a search in Banff for ice cream. The first choice was COWS, but the line was SO LONG! As a result, we ended up at Little Wild: Coffee & Gelato which had no line at all! It was pretty good and we never ended up trying COWS, so I can’t compare. However, the ice cream we would have in Calgary (the next day) was definitely better!
Bow Falls
After ice cream, we lost a couple in our group to naps. The rest of us headed to Bow Falls. Thankfully, we didn’t have to hike anything to see them! The falls are small, but the area is absolutely beautiful!
The color of the water is mesmerizing! Combine it with the scenery and even the crowds can’t diminish its beauty! We didn’t explore the area much, but there is a rafting company here and that would be a beautiful experience!
Dinner in Canmore
I usually wing it when it comes to meals, but my brother and younger sister are foodies and made sure to book dinners for the week! This night they booked The Wood Restaurant & Lounge in Canmore, close to where we are staying.
The Stanley Cup was on and the food was good! If you are a traveling in a smaller group, you may not always need reservations, but it’s definitely recommended! This is especially true if you have a bigger group like we did, or are visiting during high season.
Day 2 | Calgary Day Trip
My brother-in-law flew in this day, so we just made the trip to Calgary! My friend had made some recs for Calgary, but since we weren’t staying in the city, we kept it simple. Overall, I wouldn’t suggest a Calgary day, as there is plenty in Banff to see.
First Street Market
For lunch we enjoyed the First Street Market: Food Hall & Bar. It’s an upscale food hall and it had so many great options! I got Indian food, and a sample size of the Korean Barbecue chicken. I loved both, but espcially the Indian food. Someone in our group got an epic Italian sandwich from the Pizza spot, but mostly we were an Indian and Korean food group.
Ice Cream
There were two ice cream shops mentioned by my friend in Calgary. One is Village Ice Cream and the other is Made By Marcus Ice Cream. Both were about a twenty minute walk from the market, but in opposite directions.
We ended up choosing Made by Marcus and we all agreed it was definitely above average! I loved the two honeycomb flavors. One was a permanent flavor, chocolate with honeycomb, and the other was a seasonal flavor. Overall, they had great options and the ice cream was delicious!
Early Night
Calgary was fine, but didn’t inspire us to keep exploring. Additionally, it looked like rain was rolling in, so we headed back to Canmore. Once back at the Airbnb, we played games and eventually ordered in or just prepared something light.
The next morning would be an early start, so we kept the evening simple and the bedtime early.
Day 3 | Lake Louise + Agnes Tea House + Fairmont
How We Visited Lake Louise
Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are likely to have a spot on your 5 days in Banff itinerary! They are the two most visited lakes in Banff, but rules have changed in recent years for Moraine Lake and I wouldn’t be surprised if Lake Louise follows suit.
When researching, I was seeing various kinds of advice for visiting Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. While you can still drive and park at Lake Louise, one blog suggested you’d have to arrive before sunrise to get a spot! As a result, we opted to book a shuttle.
Shuttle
We booked the shuttle to Lake Louise with the Moraine Lake Bus Company about 3 weeks in advance. The Parks Canada Shuttle was full or couldn’t accommodate our group of 8 people! Even though mid June isn’t in full high season yet, many options were filling up!
We booked the 7:30AM shuttle, which meant we had to be at the meeting spot by the Lake Louise Gondola by 7:20AM. Since it would take an hour to drive from Canmore, we left at 6AM to be safe.
The shuttle experience was smooth, but when you book you have to choose a return time as well! When we arrived to Lake Louise, there was parking available so ultimately we could have driven. However, the shuttle was very well run and we managed to guess a perfect time for our return.
We arrived around 8AM to Lake Louise, and our return was 2:30PM. This gave us enough time to do everything we wanted without being rushed! Though I think we could have parked in hindsight, the shuttle wasn’t too expensive and I really wasn’t sure what the crowds would be like. There did seem to be plenty of parking when we arrived, but the crowds were already present at the lake!
When to Drive to Lake Louise
If you do want to drive to Lake Louise during your 5 days in Banff, consider sunset! My friend in Calgary mentioned doing sunset for Moraine Lake, which we booked a tour to see. The weather prevented a sunset, so we actually got to see Lake Louise as well!
There was one other small group there at sunset! It seems like most people make their dinner plans and head home, so sunset is likely to be a good time to visit Lake Louise. Considering sunset is also about 10PM, most of the crowds are gone. The drawbacks might be if you want to visit the Fairmont or if you want to do any hikes, but for the lake itself sunset is a good time to consider!
Lake Louise Access Options (2025)
✅ 1. Moraine Lake Bus Company
- Private shuttle (book in advance)
- Departs from Samson Mall in Lake Louise Village or Lake Louise Gondola
- Great for sunrise, sunset, or combo trips (like yours)
✅ 2. Parks Canada Shuttle
- Book in advance at https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/parkbus/louise
- Operates June–October
- Departs from Lake Louise Ski Resort Park and Ride
- Includes connections to both lakes with a transfer system
✅ 3. Roam Transit (Public Bus)
- Route 8X (Banff ➝ Lake Louise), Route 10 (seasonal to Moraine Lake)
- Good for Banff-based visitors without a car
- Free transfer to Parks Canada shuttles with a valid Roam Super Pass
✅ 4. Guided Tours (Viator, GetYourGuide, etc.)
- Tour buses that include both lakes, some timed for sunrise or sunset
- Great for hands-off planning or photography-focused visitors
- We booked a Sunset at Moraine Lake & Stargazing Tour from Canmore/Banff and you can read about it on day 4.
✅ 5. Parking
- Generally fills up by 6–7 a.m. in peak summer (late June–early Sept)
- Paid parking: $21 CAD/day during summer (6 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
Lake Agnes Tea House Hike + Little Beehive
Once we arrived at the lake, we took some photos in between dodging the crowds. Then we headed to the start of the Lake Agnes Tea House hike. I was told and read that this hike is a gentler ascent than the Sulphur Mountain hike, but I still couldn’t keep up with my family.
I was on the fence whether I’d complete this hike and even had a book in my backpack. However, I chose to keep going but stick to my own pace. There are beautiful views along the way, including Mirror Lake and a waterfall just before the teahouse!
My family made it to the Agnes Tea House at varying times, and it turns out I wasn’t terribly far behind like I had thought. We started at 8:20AM, and with some breaks to catch my breath and stops for taking photos, I made it to Lake Agnes at 9:35AM! My family had just been seated at the table and I found out the long line was for takeout and the dine in was actually a short line, while we were there anyway.
It’s recommended to take cash (USD or CAD) for the Lake Agnes Tea House, and that is due to the unreliable service at the tea house. Since it was working during our visit, we paid by credit card. After enjoying some tea and treats, we grabbed some photos of Lake Agnes.
There are bathrooms up there, but the line was long and I never used them. My sister managed to time it well and didn’t have a long line to wait. They are drop toilets and there’s only two of them so keep that in mind.
Little Beehive
Despite being exhausted, we all headed up to the Little Beehive lookout. It’s definitely worth the extra effort for the views over Lake Louise, but it’s a climb for about half a mile! We made it to this little square concrete spot, but I would say the best photos of Lake Louise are before this point.
However, there is plenty of mountains and views to enjoy at the Little Beehive!
Big Beehive
My sister and her family considered doing the Big Beehive, but decided they wanted time to enjoy Lake Louise. However, if you’re an avid hiker, consider planning for the Big Beehive hike!
It’s approximately 10–11 km (6.2–6.8 mi) round-trip from Lake Louise. It generally takes three to six hours to complete and has an approximate elevation gain of 520–650 m (1,700–2,130 ft).
Lake Agnes Tea House Hike
- Distance: ~7.5 km (4.4–4.7 mi) round‑trip
- Elevation Gain: ~384–405 m (1,259–1,325 ft)
- Estimated Time: 2.5–5 hours round‑trip (most take ~3–5 hrs including breaks)
Little Beehive Add‑On
- Detour Distance: ~1.5 km (0.9 mi) round‑trip from Lake Agnes
- Elevation Gain: ~100 m (320 ft) above Lake Agnes
- Estimated Time: ~30 minutes round‑trip (each way)
The Descent
We explored the top of Little Beehive and took some photos. The family abandoned my younger sister and I but we were enjoying the views and taking photos. Thankfully, my older sister waited for us and had a knee brace with her! I forgot mine and it was a lifesaver on the descent.
We started the descent around 11AM or so from Little Beehive. My family all beat me down! While the descent is WAY easier, it’s a lot harder on the knees! Both of my knees were struggling but especially my right knee. With my smaller steps, I still made it down by 12:09PM. I didn’t stop much on the descent, so it was just a matter of taking it slower for my knee.
Lunch at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
My older sister and her family opted to visit the takeout spot at the Fairmont and then continue exploring the lake. The rest of us enjoyed lunch at Louiza inside the Fairmont. Despite signs everywhere saying it’s for guests only, we asked the host at the restaurant and they confirmed we can eat lunch there.
I certainly enjoyed the rest and my meatball sandwich was delicious! It wasn’t cheap but also wasn’t outlandish either. After eating, we headed up to the lobby and my brother found the spot he was looking for with the famous window and view of Lake Louise.
Since we weren’t guests, you couldn’t simply have a drink, so we ordered desserts as well! While the Lakeview Lounge has the stellar view, the donuts were awful! Thankfully, the chocolate dessert we ordered was delicious and my family enjoyed the drinks they ordered.
Whether you visit the takeout spot, Louiza, or have a meal or dessert at the Lakeview Lounge, it’s worth a visit to the Fairmont during your 5 days in Banff!
Takakkaw Falls
Since we had driven an hour, I suggested we add on a visit to one more place in this general area. I had Emerald Lake bookmarked and Takakkaw Falls. Once we were dropped off at the car, I asked the shuttle driver if he had any suggestions and he said the Takakkaw Falls are really beautiful. With the melting snow, the falls were pumping!
From the Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola where our cars were parked to the Falls, it was about 38 minutes to drive. When we arrived, the parking was full, but we managed to find a couple spots.
You can see the falls before you even get to the carpark, but the walk to the falls is worth it! You can get up close and feel the spray of the water, plus the view of the area is also beautiful from that point! The walk will take about 15 minutes or so and it’s paved.
I’m not sure what the Takakkaw Falls are like at other times of the year, but it was definitely worth visiting for our 5 days in Banff in June!
Dinner in Canmore
We headed back to Canmore from the falls around 4:15PM and enjoyed a quick rest before dinner. My brother had booked the Drake Pub and it turned out to be trivia night! The food was decent and the trivia was fun, though we didn’t win!
Day 4 | Downtown Banff + Scenic Drives + Moraine Lake
The weather on days 4 and 5 for our trip took a turn. As someone born in Barbados and raised in Florida it blew my mind that the temperature in June could drop that low. Rain was predicted for later in the day, so we got off to a late start trying to sort out the day.
Downtown Banff
My older sister and I went to the tourist center in Banff for advice. The rest of the family met us in Banff and we enjoyed exploring the shops downtown for a while. There are plenty of restaurants and cute shops in downtown! It’s definitely worth spending a morning or afternoon during your 5 days in Banff.
One of the first places I went was to Mountain Folk Coffee Co. I wanted to try the coconut infused cold brew, but I have to admit I wish the coconut flavor was stronger. The pastry I got was good, as was the green juice. However, the place was packed and no seats were available.
Eventually the rest of my family arrived in Banff and we proceeded to peruse various shops. There are plenty of outdoorsy or souvenir shops to stay occupied for a while! My brother-in-law bought hats for the guys, but my sisters and I never quite landed on a matching item. Either way, we all enjoyed downtown Banff!
Scenic Drives
The tourist center employee mentioned some scenic drives worth doing in the area. Of course, I was glad to take a break from hiking, and the rain would be rolling in soon.
The first drive was to the Banff View Point. It’s an easy drive and gives a great viewpoint of Banff! We even saw the first mountain we hiked up! While I wouldn’t make this a priority, it’s certainly an easy add-on to your 5 days in Banff.
The second drive was a scenic drive by Lake Minnewanka. The first stop we made was at Two Jack Lake. The views were beautiful and the air temperature was shocking! It was dropping so fast!
Just around the corner from Two Jack Lake is Lake Minnewanka. There are boat tours here, and I’d imagine in better weather it would be absolutely gorgeous! The mountains on either side would be a beautiful view from the boat.
After the lake we followed it around and eventually made a stop at Bankhead. It had information on the history of the area and its coal mining past. We didn’t stay long in this area, but you can definitely spend more time! We were good with the view, but there is more to see!
Overall, these drives didn’t take long, but are beautiful and worth doing. They are both close to downtown Banff as well, which makes it very accessible during your 5 days in Banff.
Moraine Lake Sunset Tour
We booked a Moraine Lake Sunset Tour for this night and even though we knew the weather wouldn’t be giving us a sunset view, we still wanted to see the lake! The tour included pickup from Canmore which was a nice break for the drivers of our group!
We walked the five minutes from our Airbnb to the meeting spot in the rain! Thankfully the tour company would provide rain gear, so we just needed to be dressed appropriately for the weather and activity.
Since we were a group of eight and the tour is capped at thirteen, we knew we’d be the bulk of the tour, but we only had to pick up one other couple. Then we made the drive toward Moraine Lake.
Book the Sunset at Moraine Lake & Stargazing Tour from Canmore/Banff
Our first stop was Morant’s Curve. This beautiful area was made famous by some Banff advertisements. While we didn’t see the train come through, the view is breathtaking! We continued driving along Bow Parkway and finally spotted some wildlife. After spotting an elk through the trees, we continued onto Moraine Lake.
Moraine Lake
We arrived to Moraine Lake and grabbed umbrellas or ponchos. It was a light rain, but persistent. When we arrived, our tour van was the only one in the parking lot! There is a Moraine Lake Lodge, but no one was outside. Each lodge has a big window with a beautiful view of the lake, so they didn’t need to be in the rain to appreciate the view.
The tour would typically involve a nature walk before climbing the rocks to watch the sunset. However, since it wasn’t great weather, we visited Moraine Lake and walked for a bit and then got to see Lake Louise!
Even though we didn’t get to see the sunset, the lake is beautiful and it was nice to have it to ourselves! Also, since we couldn’t see the sunset, we got to see Lake Louise and ended up having it mostly to ourselves! The weather was bad, but the tour was still great because we didn’t have to deal with any crowds!
One drawback with this tour is you will get back very late! Especially if you stay in Canmore like we did. Since sunset is so late, it’s understandable, but worth mentioning. We took our own snacks and water bottles, but the tour provided extra water if needed and tea or hot chocolate.
Book the Sunset at Moraine Lake & Stargazing Tour from Canmore/Banff
Day 5 | Icefields Parkway Drive
I had read about this drive and bookmarked several stops long this road. However, it does require a bit of driving, so I wasn’t sure if we’d actually make this mini road trip during our 5 days in Banff. Well, we woke up on our last day to rain and SNOW! It was snowing in June!
There was a lot of considerations of what to do, but the Visitor Center employee mentioned this drive was ranked as one of the most scenic by National Geographic. The rain was supposed to clear up by the afternoon and it also seemed like it would clear up where this drive was located much sooner than in Canmore.
We had other options, but this seemed to be the best idea considering the weather. However, half the group was NOT about this drive at all and bailed sooner. They ended up at a bar and played some games, which is also great for a rainy day.
Icefields Parkway
It takes about 45 minutes to get to the start of this drive from Canmore. The plan was to only stop at places on the right, so we would mainly be driving up with limited stops, making the majority of the stops on the return. Half of our party made it to the furthest stop we planned, but refused to walk in the “rain.” It’s in quotation because it was barely raining, but we are warm weather people so I can sympathize.
Though we lost half our group, we did make stops along this road that I think are worth it! If you had more time, driving to Jasper National Park would be beautiful, but we didn’t venture that far. It’s also worth noting there is no service on this road, so download a map if needed.
Mistaya Canyon
The first major stop we made and the furthest point we drove on Icefields Parkway was to Mistaya Canyon. Though half of my family turned around, our car decided to make the “short walk” to see the canyon. It’s relatively short, but I’d call it a hike. This is especially true when we were there because the rocks and trail were wet. The short hike to the canyon is downhill, which means the return is a bit rough.
Regardless of semantics, the short journey is worth it! The sounds of the rushing water, and the epic views of the river with the mountains in the background are stunning! We stayed in this area a good amount of time taking photos and admiring the beauty!
Waterfowl Lake
The next stop we made was an easy one, but so beautiful! The views of Waterfowl Lake are just off the road, so you don’t even have to walk anywhere to appreciate this lake! I loved this stop! The color of this lake with the mountains behind it, and then add some fresh snow resting in the veins of the land is so stunning!
Peyto Lake
Next stop was to Peyto Lake. I read on a blog this lake is pronounced PEE TOE Lake and while there my sister saw a sign confirming such. We tried to park at the closer parking lot so we (or I) could have a shorter walk to the viewpoint. However, there aren’t many spaces for cars, so unless you have a handicap sticker or are a bus, it will be difficult to find parking there.
We made our way back to the bigger lot and began our walk to the viewpoint. The whole walk was paved, but there are several hills to tackle! The nearby Bow Pass is the highest point along this road. Peyto Lake Viewpoint is just below that, so the elevation is about 6,800 feet. While there was a light rain in parts of this drive, it was SNOWING at Peyto Lake.
I still can’t believe our 5 days in Banff in June experienced snow! It’s over 90 degrees in Florida, but I’m in snow. My mind just can’t comprehend it. The snow added a fun element to the walk and Peyto Lake was a worthwhile destination.
The walk and viewpoint were crowded, but not unbearable while we were there. However, if you’re visiting during even busier months, consider trying to avoid the crowds.
Peyto Lake is a fun shape, but it was also cool to see the melting snow on the distant mountain and how it makes its way down the sand and into the lake.
The walk back was easier, of course, but it was so cold! Regardless, this lake is worth visiting! I think it’s the third most visited lake in Banff behind Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Knowing that, the crowds aren’t surprising, but all the lakes along this road were beautiful!
Bow Summit – If you’re hikers and have time, consider Bow Summit. It’s estimated to take 2.5 hours and 2.5 miles round trip. The sign in the parking lot gives a warning about avalanches, so be sure to consider the risk. The hike will take you to the viewpoint and then you continue on from there.
Bow Lake
Bow Lake is another easy but picturesque stop along Icefields Parkway. There is a The Lodge at Bow Lake, which offers a right turnoff sooner, but continue to the main parking area. This lake is another stunner and doesn’t require any major walk to see it!
You can continue up to the Crowfoot Glacier viewpoint, but we could see it and didn’t choose to stop again. This lake and Waterfowl I loved. I’m not sure if being so close to the water made the difference, but they both mesmerized me more than Peyto Lake.
That was the lost stop we made along Icefields Parkway. We continued to enjoy the view and were amazed by the extra snow now settling into the mountains all the way to Canmore.
Dinner in Banff
Our final dinner of our 5 days in Banff was at LUPO Italian Ristorante. My friend in Calgary recommended it, and we all loved it! Italian restaurants can go either way with the vibes, but we loved the airy and open quality of their decor. The food was delicious as well! I definitely recommend this restaurant if you like Italian food!
Extra Ideas for Banff
Downtown Banff to the BEAUTIFUL Banff Springs Hotel
My friend from Calgary had this on the list, but we never completed it. She recommended to walk along the river from downtown Banff to the BEAUTIFUL Banff Springs Hotel, also known as Fairmont Banff Springs. Go inside, book a spa day (the views from their hot tub are gorgeous), have a drink in one of their lounges, or enjoy a free tour.
You can also book a tea time, which we considered doing, but not enough people in my family were interested. If you do book a tea or other restaurants at this Fairmont or the Lake Louise Fairmont, be sure to check for any dress codes.
Johnston Canyon Hike
We almost did the Johnston Canyon hike, but just didn’t quite have the time. It’s something the visitor center employee said we could do in the rain. In addition to not having time, I was wrecked from the two hikes we did. Either way, this is very popular and only about 30 minutes drive from downtown Banff.
Cave and Basin National Historic Site
We didn’t make it here either, but this was another mention from the Visitor Center employee. The Cave and Basin National Historic Site had just reopened and she mentioned it could be good for rainy weather.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
Another great option for Banff are the hot springs. We didn’t visit and weren’t really interested, so I can’t speak to this experience. However, if you enjoy this type of activity, definitely add it to your 5 days in Banff.
Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake is only about 30 minutes from Lake Louise area, so it could be a good add-on for that day! I did bookmark it, but we never had enough time to do this after Takakkaw Falls. Of course, Yoho National Park in British Columbia has more to offer than just these two sites!
Lake Minnewanka Cruise
The day we did the scenic drive by Lake Minnewanka it was cloudy and misty. Even through the mist, I could see the mountains on either side of the lake, so I bet this cruise is beautiful!
Grassi Lakes Hike
My friend from Calgary recommended this hike and our Moraine Lake tour guide did as well! Even though this is in Canmore and relatively close to where we stayed, we never completed this hike. It’s worth noting this hike will cost money as your Banff pass will not apply here.
Sunshine Meadows
This was one of my friend’s suggestions and we actually had this on our list, but noticed it doesn’t open until the last week of June. If you head to Banff when it’s open, it looks amazing!
Additional Banff Tips
Here are some things to consider for visiting Banff National Park. If you’re used to northern weather or are an avid hiker, some of these tips may not seem as valuable to you, but here is what I found based on research and experience.
Buying a Pass
I read you can buy a pass online and skip the line when entering the park. We almost did this, but ended up just purchasing at the gate. When we did check online the night before, the cheapest we’d have paid was 88 CAD per vehicle. However, when we actually purchased our pass, they were running a special where you pay for three days and get the rest of the summer for free!
This ended up being a small savings, but a savings nonetheless. We had no line in mid June, but I imagine come July and August pre-purchasing could save you some time depending on when you are entering the park.
Bear Spray
When I visited Montana for a family reunion years ago, I remember being told to have bear spray. While we have bears in Florida, they are black bears and not something we worry about unless you’re in a neighborhood where they like to get into the garbage bins. So when I heard bear spray, I imagined a spray like bug spray.
Thankfully, it was explained before I attempted to spray myself! In all seriousness, you need bear spray for hiking in Banff. My sister was driving from Montana and borrowed some from our cousin. I read you can buy or rent it in Banff or your Hotel/Airbnb might provide some. If you plan to do a hike during your 5 day Banff itinerary, it’s recommended to have bear spray. Though we didn’t see much wildlife when we were there, it’s better to be prepared.
Dry Air + Elevation
If you’re wondering what to pack for Banff in summer, consider that this part of North America is more dry. The east coast has a lot more humidity and will feel colder than the west coast at the same temperature.
While I’m used to sea level, I think the dry air is more difficult for me to handle. After spending 4 days in Mexico City which actually has a higher elevation than Banff, I realized the elevation didn’t seem to bother me as much as it did in the Grand Canyon or Colorado!
I know my health wasn’t in top form when I was in Banff, and I didn’t really do any climbing in Mexico City, but even when in a hot air balloon over Teotihuacan I had no issues. Keep this in mind while you prepare and don’t forget to pack your lotion!
5 Days in Banff
I hope this 5 days in Banff itinerary is helpful! There are some bucket list destinations that can be a letdown, but I had high expectations for Banff and they were met! This part of the Canadian Rockies is absolutely beautiful! While I’ve only experienced the Canadian winter during 4 days in Montreal and Quebec City, I bet it’s a winter wonderland here!
I hope you have the best time spending 5 days in Banff! It’s certainly a trip I won’t forget!
