3 days in Banff

Day by day

1. Day 1: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

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

   1. Morning

      Lake Louise

      The emerald-turquoise lake beneath Victoria Glacier is coloured by fine glacial rock flour.

   2. Late morning

      Moraine Lake

      Book the earliest shuttle or a sunrise tour for calm water and softer light on the peaks.

   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

      Two classic hikes start at Lake Louise: about 3.5 km uphill to the Lake Agnes Teahouse, a log cabin serving tea beside a small alpine lake, and about 5.5 km along the lake to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse below Victoria Glacier.

   5. Evening

      Banff Avenue

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

2. Day 2: Banff Gondola and Banff Upper Hot Springs

   Banff Gondola, Banff Upper Hot Springs and Bow Falls, then Caribou and Bear Streets in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Banff Gondola

      Go late in the afternoon in summer; the ridge walk is quieter and evening light falls across the valley.

   2. Late morning

      Banff Upper Hot Springs

      A heritage bathhouse on Sulphur Mountain with an outdoor pool fed by natural hot springs at around 37–40°C, looking across to Mount Rundle.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bison and elk

      Restaurants focused on Canadian ingredients in Banff and Canmore.

   4. Afternoon

      Bow Falls

      Combine with the Hoodoos trail or the Surprise Corner viewpoint for the classic view of the Banff Springs.

   5. Evening

      Caribou and Bear Streets

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

3. Day 3: Johnston Canyon and Bow Valley Parkway drive

   Johnston Canyon, Bow Valley Parkway drive and Lake Minnewanka, then Canmore Main Street in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Johnston Canyon

      Catwalks bolted to the limestone walls lead through a narrow canyon to the Lower Falls (about 1 km) and the Upper Falls (about 2.5 km).

   2. Late morning

      Bow Valley Parkway drive

      Part of the parkway has seasonal restrictions to protect wildlife; check Parks Canada before planning a dawn or dusk drive.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cheese fondue

      Fondue restaurants downtown and some hotel restaurants in winter.

   4. Afternoon

      Lake Minnewanka

      The largest lake in the park, about 10 minutes' drive from town, is 21 km long and edged by peaks.

   5. Evening

      Canmore Main Street

      Brewpubs and bars with a more local crowd 25 km away.

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 Fairmont Banff Springs (Spray Avenue and the Banff Springs): Afternoon tea or a drink in the lounge is the easiest way to see inside without staying.
• Swap in Cave and Basin National Historic Site (Spray Avenue and the Banff Springs): Walk or cycle the flat Sundance trail beyond the site for an easy river outing.
• Swap in Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies (Downtown Banff): A good rainy-afternoon stop on Bear Street, a block from Banff Avenue.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Downtown Banff keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Spray Avenue and the Banff Springs ($$$$) suits luxury, couples and quiet stays. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 16–27 hours of visiting over 3 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.

More or fewer days

• One day in Banff
• 2 days in Banff
• 5 days in Banff

Questions travellers ask