2 days in Banff

Day by day

1. Day 1: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

   Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Lake Agnes Teahouse and Plain of Six Glaciers and Banff Gondola, then Banff Avenue in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Lake Louise

      A flat shoreline trail follows the north side, canoes can be rented in summer, and the lake freezes into a skating rink in winter, with ice sculptures during January's Ice Magic Festival.

   2. Late morning

      Moraine Lake

      A short climb up the Rockpile gives the classic view. Personal vehicles are not allowed on Moraine Lake Road, so visitors arrive by Parks Canada shuttle, Roam bus, commercial tour or bike.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Alberta beef

      Steakhouses on Banff Avenue and Caribou Street, and the Fairmont restaurants.

   4. Afternoon

      Lake Agnes Teahouse and Plain of Six Glaciers

      Both teahouses operate in summer only.

   5. Late afternoon

      Banff Gondola

      Up top, a boardwalk leads along the ridge to the Cosmic Ray Station and a weather observatory, with views over six mountain ranges, the town and the Bow Valley.

   6. Evening

      Banff Avenue

      Pubs, a brewpub and bars with live music and sports screens, busiest during ski season.

2. Day 2: Banff Upper Hot Springs and Bow Falls

   Banff Upper Hot Springs, Bow Falls, Fairmont Banff Springs and Cave and Basin National Historic Site, then Caribou and Bear Streets in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Banff Upper Hot Springs

      It is run by Parks Canada and is especially atmospheric when snow is falling.

   2. Late morning

      Bow Falls

      The viewpoint near the hotel looks down the valley to the falls.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bison and elk

      Restaurants focused on Canadian ingredients in Banff and Canmore.

   4. Afternoon

      Fairmont Banff Springs

      Non-guests can visit its great halls, shops and restaurants, and the hotel's spa and golf course are among the best known in Canada.

   5. Late afternoon

      Cave and Basin National Historic Site

      Exhibits tell the story of the parks system, a tunnel leads into the warm, sulphurous cave, and boardwalks cross the marsh outside.

   6. Evening

      Caribou and Bear Streets

      Cocktail bars, wine bars and smaller lounges just off the main avenue.

Before you go

• Lake Louise: Parks Canada shuttles to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake run in summer and early autumn and are reserved online.
• Moraine Lake: Shuttle and tour seats for the main summer season sell out; reserve as soon as bookings open.
• Banff Gondola: Tickets are cheaper and faster online, and timed slots can sell out on summer days.

If it rains

• Swap in Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies (Downtown Banff): A good rainy-afternoon stop on Bear Street, a block from Banff Avenue.
• Swap in Banff Park Museum (Downtown Banff): Visit with children before a hike so they can recognise the animals you might see.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 13–19 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 7.9 hours in December to 16.5 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

Getting between stops: Bus. Roam Transit runs local routes around Banff and regional routes to Canmore and Lake Louise, plus seasonal routes to Johnston Canyon and Lake Minnewanka.

More or fewer days

• One day in Banff
• 3 days in Banff
• 5 days in Banff

Questions travellers ask