What to do and where to eat in Banff National Park, Canada

Banff Gondola will take you to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Image by Milan Suvajac, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 cropped from original

The simplest way to explore the surroundings in just one day is to take the Banff Gondola and ascend to Sulphur Mountain. The lift station is just a short drive from the town and boasts state-of-the-art, fully enclosed glass cabins. In just 8 minutes, they'll whisk you to the summit, offering a breathtaking 360-degree view and a unique perspective on the grandeur of Banff and its environs. At the top of Sulphur Mountain (2280 meters), you'll find interactive exhibitions, a souvenir shop, dining options, and an observation deck for nice shots.

From here, you can stroll along the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk or take the Banff Skywalk, a 1-kilometer self-guided path leading to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site and Sanson’s Peak Meteorological Station.

While the gondola ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain may be a bit pricey (CA$62 for adults 16 and over), it's undoubtedly worth the cost, especially on a clear day when all the peaks are visible. However, if you want to save money and get some exercise before your upcoming hiking adventure, you can walk to the top of Sulphur Mountain on foot – it will take about 2 hours if you're reasonably fit.

Sky Bistro is, quite literally, the topmost restaurant in Banff, as it sits at the peak of Sulphur Mountain, right beside the upper gondola station. Its floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows provide an incredible view of six mountain ranges and the Bow River Valley below. The spacious dining room seems to hover above the ground, bathed in sunlight and fresh air, seamlessly blending with the surrounding landscape thanks to its décor made of natural elements – even the designer chandeliers look as if they were woven from branches.

The menu at this mountain chalet has garnered praise from critics and rave reviews from guests. To begin your meal, you can opt for strawberry caprese and vegan ratatouille with a delightful smoky flavor. Then, enjoy rich and creamy seafood chowder featuring Canadian mussels and clams, and for your main course, treat yourself to delectable Alberta bison sirloin. If you're in the mood for true luxury, consider booking the Winemaker's dinner menu (available in a vegetarian option), where each of the 5 courses is paired with exquisite wine. For instance, wild mushroom risotto accompanied with Terrazas De Los Andes, Malbec, Reserva 2019 is something you'll remember for a very long time.

Incredible views of the Valley of the Ten Peaks and Lake Moraine. Image by DiveshTheReal, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 cropped from original

In Banff National Park, there are numerous stunning, crystal-clear lakes that look like they're right out of a postcard. Their beauty is genuine, and you can capture exquisite photographs by visiting at least one of them. There are plenty of lake tours to choose from.

For instance, you can book a cruise tour on Lake Minnewanka, a 27 km long glacial lake, and be sure not to overlook the opportunity for some scuba diving. If you'd rather stay on solid ground and enjoy a leisurely walk, there are several hiking trails leading to Stuart Canyon and the Cascade River. For a more relaxed journey, rent a car and head out to the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive, where you'll witness an abundance of natural beauty.

Near Lake Louise, there's a trail that serves as a starting point for several multi-day hiking routes. During the winter, it becomes an outstanding choice for cross-country skiing. By the way, when this body of water freezes over properly, you can also have a fantastic time ice skating on it.

And you certainly won't want to miss Canada's most famous and photographed spot, just an hour's drive from the town – Lake Moraine. Its turquoise waters mirror the reflection of ten majestic peaks, a sight so beloved that it graced the old twenty-dollar bill.

The Grizzly House is a real local treasure. Established in 1967, it started as a coffee shop and disco club, where the creative crowd in the neighborhood would gather. At that time, alcohol flew like water, and food was served through a hole in the wall from the Chinese restaurant next door. Later on, the concept of the place changed, and its owner, a Swiss immigrant, came up with the idea of serving various types of fondues.

Today, for those looking for an adventurous culinary experience, the restaurant offers exclusive fondues and sizzling hot rock selections, including Alberta beef, buffalo, caribou, elk, shark, and exotic game meats. If you prefer more traditional options, choose from classic dishes like French onion soup, escargots de bourgogne, or buffalo and Alberta wild game sausages.

Inside, the restaurant has kept its 1970s charm, with wood-carved animal mounts, a totem pole, and even a mannequin riding a motorcycle adding character to the space. The tables still have working phones in case diners want to call an attractive stranger at the other end of the room.

Banff Upper Hot Springs and satisfied yet weary tourists. Image by Vigorous action, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 cropped from original

A short stroll from the gondolas, you'll discover a beloved tourist spot, Upper Hot Springs, boasting pools filled with soothing thermal waters. After purchasing a ticket (CA$16 for adults), change into swimwear in the comfortably heated facilities and step outside to take a dip in the open-air pool. From this high vantage point, situated at 1,585 meters, you will relish a breathtaking view of Mount Rundle and the entire alpine valley.

The hot spring water bubbles up from deep within the Earth's crust through a significant fissure in the mountain rock, known as the Sulphur Mountain Thrust Fault. Along the way to the surface, it picks up heat and gathers an abundance of beneficial minerals and salts. The pool keeps the water at an ideal temperature, ranging between 37-40°C (98-104°F), ensuring maximum comfort for visitors.

In the winter, the hot springs are particularly popular. Skiers frequent the spot to ease their muscles after exhilarating descents down the nearby slopes and warm up in the chilly Canadian weather. But even in the summer, the place buzzes with numerous tourists and hikers, as the therapeutic water provides relief for joint issues, internal organ problems, muscle strains, and fatigue.

Three Bears Brewery & Restaurant is one of the coziest spots in Banff. With its retractable roof, which lets you dine under the starry sky, a beer garden, several inviting patios, a towering 25-foot pine tree growing right inside, and life-sized figures of wild animals, this place truly captures the essence of the small mountain town.

They serve fresh craft beer from the brewery located next door, and it pairs perfectly with their crispy Alberta bison ribs, mouthwatering thin-crust pizza, delectable crab & shrimp doughnuts, and a baby kale salad followed by avocado cream and toasts. For a delightful combination, try bacon-wrapped Alberta Angus with a pint of their signature The Boss brown ale (4.4%), which boasts notes of biscuit, caramel, and chocolate. Another highlight of the menu, Thai green curry, goes excellently with Wishing Tree IPA (6%) that offers a floral, citrusy, and fruity flavor.

While you can have their superb food delivered to your hotel, we strongly recommend taking the time to visit in person. It's a fantastic opportunity to connect with tourists from all corners of the world and have a great time in a trendy, authentic setting with melodic tunes playing in the background.

Skiing in Banff is a unique pleasure of its own. Photo by form PxHere

To truly understand the magic of Banff National Park, you need to know that it also boasts 3 world-class ski resorts – Mt. Norquay, the Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Banff Sunshine Village, collectively known as SkiBig3. Together, they offer nearly 8,000 acres of ski terrain with slopes of varying difficulty, and around 30 feet of light, dry Canadian Rockies powder annually. Every skier and snowboarder dreams of experiencing this place at least once, given the abundance of breathtaking vistas, fantastic snow conditions, and long, thrilling runs.

But the winter excitement in Banff doesn't stop there. Just put on ice cleats and grab walking poles for a hike up Tunnel Mountain. At Lake Louise, explore cross-country ski trails, ice skate on the lake, or simply sit back and take in the awe-inspiring views of the Victoria Glacier. Or you can also rent a fat bike to pedal your way to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, cycling along the river.

In the summer, you have the opportunity to cool off as well. Rent the necessary equipment and embark on a 2-3-day trek to altitudes of around 3000 meters covered with untouched snow. Alternatively, take a leisurely walk along the Glacier Skywalk trail, where you'll find yourself suspended 280 meters above the Sunwapta Valley. From here, you can gaze down through the glass-floored observation platform, sharing the skies with the soaring eagles – and trust us, these emotions will stay with you forever.

Farm & Fire is not just a name, it's a promise of a warm and welcoming evening in a cozy setting. The restaurant's standout feature is its use of fresh local ingredients sourced from Canadian farmers, skillfully prepared by chefs in a wood-fired craft kitchen. The natural-style décor invites you to unwind and forget about formalities, and their patio is widely regarded as one of the finest in Banff.

The menu boasts a variety of dishes made from organic meats, delicious forno pizzas, burgers, and hearty lunch plates designed for sharing with friends. Don't miss their brunch bowls – try one with braised Canadian duck, tater tots, and a range of nutritious extras. Check out the From the Pasture section for slow-roasted rotisserie chicken, bone-in ribeye, scotch eggs, pickerel, and other farmers’ delights. Kids will love puff waffles with berries and maple syrup, or chia parfait and strawberry cream cheese French toast.

Their genuine wood-burning fireplaces, both indoors and on the patio, consistently draw everyone in, creating a snug and friendly ambiance that fosters new connections.

Step inside to discover plenty of interesting insights about the region. Image by Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 cropped from original

If you’re up to some serious shopping, make your way to Banff Avenue and Bear Street. Here, you'll find a wide variety of stores selling everything from mountain gear and clothing to Canadian crafts and souvenirs. If you're interested in buying items from Indigenous artisans, be sure to visit the Banff Indian Trading Post, with a plethora of beadwork items, dreamcatchers, gloves made from deer hide, and more.

But if shopping isn't your thing, why not delve into the rich history of the town? In the heart of Banff, you'll find numerous museums with fascinating exhibits that reflect the region's cultural and natural history spanning thousands of years. The Whyte Museum, for instance, boasts a splendid gallery that is constantly changing. You can also opt for their guided walking tours, which cover the history of Banff and its historic homes (tickets from CA$10).

And, of course, don’t pass by the best ice cream in Canada at Cows café on Banff Avenue with more than 30 flavors on offer – no wonder there are often lines here anytime of the year.

Añejo Restaurant, located just a short walk away from the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, offers Mexican cuisine and, of course, an impressive selection of tequila. Housed in a historic 120-year-old mansion, this establishment seamlessly fits into the surroundings, decorating its spacious interior with comfortable sofas, wooden and metal accents, and cushions in the style of Mexico's Day of the Dead, which never fail to charm visitors.

You'll be hard-pressed to find such a diverse range of top-notch authentic dishes, even in Mexico itself. To start, enjoy salsa de molcajete, served in a black stone pot, mussels in mezcal adobo sauce with crostinis, braised mushroom tacos, and marinated fish ceviche with deliciously seasoned prawns. Also, be sure to try their signature chili relleno, a perfect match for a shot of El Tequileño Gran Reserve.

The tequila collection boasts around 200 of the finest varieties, and if you're into it, tasting the entire menu will require more than a single visit. For those who prefer lighter drinks, we recommend blueberry basil margarita or exclusive Oaxacan Negroni, made with joven mezcal.

What will you choose – a dip in Lake Moraine or a thrilling downhill ski ride? Share your Banff National Park experience with us to inspire our readers who've been cooped up at home to explore this incredible destination.