Shopping · Banff · Canada
Shopping in Banff
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ken Thomas, Public domain
Quick answer
Shopping in Banff is mostly outdoor gear, Canadian-made clothing and souvenirs along Banff Avenue, with galleries showing Rocky Mountain art. Prices are high, so stock up on everyday supplies in Calgary or Canmore. Best souvenirs: Maple products, Outdoor gear and Indigenous art and crafts.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 3
- Markets
- 1
- Top souvenir
- Maple products
Where to shop
Banff Avenue
Outdoor outfitters, Canadian clothing brands, candy shops and souvenir stores.
Cascade Shops
Small indoor mall on Banff Avenue with chain shops and a food court.
Canmore Main Street
Independent boutiques, galleries and outdoor shops with lower prices.
Markets
Banff Farmers' Market
Weekly summer market in Central Park with produce, baked goods and crafts.
What to buy
Maple products
Maple syrup, candies and maple butter in tins and bottles that travel well.
Outdoor gear
Canadian outdoor brands and park-themed clothing.
Indigenous art and crafts
Beadwork, prints and carvings; look for pieces signed by the artist.
Rocky Mountain art prints
Prints and photographs of the park from local galleries and the Whyte Museum shop.
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Poutine, BeaverTails, Teahouse tea and biscuits and Caesar. Pubs on Banff Avenue and ski-resort cafeterias. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Banff | $$$ | Banff Avenue hotels, restaurants and outfitters beneath Cascade Mountain |
| Spray Avenue and the Banff Springs | $$$$ | South of the Bow River: Bow Falls, the castle hotel and the road to the gondola |
| Tunnel Mountain | $$ | Hillside lodges, condo hotels and campgrounds above the town |
| Lake Louise Village | $$$$ | Small hamlet near the famous lake, 58 km northwest of Banff |
| Canmore | $$ | Mountain town just outside the park, 25 km from Banff |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in CAD. Tip about 15–20% in restaurants and bars, a dollar or two per drink, and tip guides and tour drivers at the end of a trip if service was good.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in April and October–November; the busiest months are July–August.
- January: Ice Magic Festival — ice-carving competition at Lake Louise (usually mid-to-late January)
- January: SnowDays — winter festival with ice sculptures in Banff (usually January)
- October: Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival (usually late October to early November)
- December: Christmas and New Year festivities in town and at the Fairmont hotels
Staying near the shops
$$$ · Best for first-timers, families, nightlife and shopping
Downtown Banff
Banff Avenue hotels, restaurants and outfitters beneath Cascade Mountain
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Banff?
Maple products, Outdoor gear, Indigenous art and crafts and Rocky Mountain art prints.
+Where is the best shopping in Banff?
Banff Avenue: Outdoor outfitters, Canadian clothing brands, candy shops and souvenir stores.
+What are the best markets in Banff?
Banff Farmers' Market.