Banff is one of the most picturesque and family-friendly spots in all of Canada. As the gateway to the Canadian Rockies, it is situated near crystal clear lakes and snowcapped mountain peaks. One could easily spend weeks here exploring and connecting with nature, but a lot can be accomplished in three days. Read on to see how to spend three days in this idyllic mountain town!
When to visit
We visited Banff in late-August and it was absolutely breathtaking. The mountains didn’t have much snow, but the turquoise water made up for it. When you’re planning a trip, we recommend visiting some time between the months of June-October. For those that ski, you can certainly visit outside of those months, but you are less likely to see some of the sights we mention on Days 2 and 3. The Banff National Park takes safety very seriously, so roads might be closed if you venture out closer to winter.
Getting to Banff
Calgary is the closest major city and where your Rocky Mountain adventure begins. Calgary International Airport (YYC) offers many destinations and is pretty easy to fly into. Upon arrival, rent a car and drive to Banff! It’s a quick 90 minutes down the Trans-Canada Highway. Since Banff is located in the Banff National Park, there will be a tollbooth stop as you are entering. Be prepared to pay based on how many days you will be visiting, and how many people are in your vehicle.
While it is possible to visit Banff via train, to truly experience the area we recommend renting a car instead. The Rocky Mountaineer is a train that runs from Vancouver to Banff. It is a multi-day ride, and is a great experience on its own, but does not allow you to truly explore. For purposes of our three day guide, plan on flying into Calgary and renting a car. It’s the best way to see Banff as it gives the autonomy to visit not just the town and famous lakes, but all the surrounding areas as well.
Accommodations
Banff offers a variety of places to stay. There are plenty of Airbnbs and hotels available. The most famous hotel in Banff is the Fairmont Banff Springs. This luxury hotel contains rooms overlooking the mountains and a 27-hole golf course. If you are a golfer, this golf course is most likely on your bucket list. The Fairmont lives up to its reputation with prices over $500 a night for a room. Even if you don’t end up staying here, it’s worth a casual visit!
There are many other options in the area. If you are more interested in having space and affordability, the Banff Rocky Mountain Resort features both of these. There are rooms ranging from a traditional one bedroom to larger, more condo like spaces for families. We personally stayed there with our large family and everyone enjoyed it.
The two locations listed above are just two of many accommodations around Banff. Regardless of where you choose, everything will be nearby and probably quite scenic!
Day 1 – Banff
The first day in Banff features plenty of time exploring the shops and restaurants throughout the small town! With flying into Calgary, renting a car, and driving to your lodging, you’ll most likely want to take it easy on the first day.
After checking in and getting situated, it’s time to head to the city center. There are numerous paid parking spots located off the main streets of Banff, so the easiest option is to find a lot and pay to park. Banff’s city center is incredibly walkable, and after parking, walk over to Bear Street, which is your first stop. Bear Street is a great area filled with restaurants and small businesses. While visiting, stop in to one of the many charming and unique shops. Purchase any souvenirs you plan on taking home with you. For a great meal, walk over to Three Bears Brewery & Restaurant. This brewpub offers an expansive menu with tasty pub fare.
If there is plenty of daylight left and you want to walk off your meal, check out one of the many local hiking trails around Banff. The trails are typically well marked and offer stunning views of the surrounding sights. Hoodoos viewpoint is 10 minutes by car from the city center and provides a vantage point of the mountains and the Bow River that runs through Banff. Sights like these are very common in the Canadian Rockies and are always majestic.
The next few days feature a significant amount of hiking with glacial lakes and even more mountains! Plan on relaxing this evening and preparing for the upcoming action.
Day 2 – Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
Today is arguably the prettiest day of the trip! Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are the main highlights and if you’ve ever seen pictures of bodies of water in Banff, chances are it’s one of these two glacial lakes. The day will feature hiking and ample photo opportunities. Eat a large breakfast before your expedition – you’re going to need lots of energy!
Before starting your drive, make sure that you have purchased shuttle tickets to see both lakes. This is critical as parking near the lakes is very difficult and mostly unavailable. Plan on booking these as early as possible (before your trip even begins) since the tickets can sell out quickly as well. Once you’re ready to start the journey, make your way to Lake Louise – which is a town and also an exit off the highway. From there, the shuttle to the lakes is at Lake Louise Ski Resort. After arriving, show your tickets and park the car. Take a quick walk to the Ski Resort if you need to and then walk to the shuttle line marked “Lake Louise.” Hop on once the bus gets there and get your camera ready! .
Lake Louise
The shuttle drop off is only a few hundred feet from the shores of the Lake Louise and next to the luxurious Fairmont Chateau. Similar to the Fairmont in Banff, the expensive hotel offers an exclusive experience for a very steep price. The world famous lake boasts beautiful turquoise water nestled between mountain peaks that can be accessed via hiking trails. Once you arrive, start by walking along the shore. The shore is lined with well maintained walking trails and has fantastic stopping points to take pictures. If taking photos of scenery and nature is something you enjoy, Lake Louise is a perfect destination. During the summer, Chipmunks run around the trails and are unafraid of people. Don’t be surprised if a chipmunk ends up posing for a picture, they are very friendly!
If you are up to the challenge, hike the trail leading up to the Lake Agnes Tea House! The trail is a 2 mile, hour and a half hike, mostly up steep inclines. The hike rewards trekkers with sweeping views of Lake Louise below. The Lake Agnes Tea House is also a great café to stop and catch your breath. That delicious snack and tea is very rewarding before you begin hiking once more.
For the true outdoorsmen, continue on the trail to the peak of the Beehive. The Beehive is the prominent mountain towering above Lake Louise that offers even more grand views. If the hike to the Tea House was enough, walk back down to the shores of Lake Louise and get ready to catch the shuttle to Moraine Lake!
Moraine Lake
A short bus ride away, Moraine Lake is arguably even more stunning (and a little less crowded) than Lake Louise – especially if you know where to go. Less visited and less developed, the azure glacial lake is perfect for picture taking. On our About Us page, we are featured sitting overlooking Moraine Lake. In all of our travels, this lake remains one of the most magnificent and picturesque places we have ever been. Some of our friends thought our Moraine Lake pictures had a fake backdrop!
Trails are a bit more limited at this lake and after hiking up to the Tea House, you might be grateful for this. Enjoy another snack and drink at the Moraine Lake Café and take advantage of the outdoor seating. If you are in the mood for something sweet, try a Nanimo Bar! Spend some time gazing over the lake before completing one more short trek.
Situated at the base of the lake, the rockpile trail leads to a rocky overlook providing glimpses of the azure waters. The hike itself is very quick, simple and the elevation change is minimal. Even if you are tired of walking, this is not something you want to miss. Conquer the rockpile and walk back to the bus drop off. At this point in the day, you are a trooper and probably exhausted. Take the shuttle back to the ski resort, load up the car and head out. Can you believe you’re already done with Day 2 in Banff?!
Day 3 – Waterfalls, Lake Minnewanka, and Banff
The final day in Banff features waterfalls, lakes, and more of the town. There’s also hiking involved today; however, it’s significantly less than Day 2. After eating breakfast, hop into the car and take a drive to Johnston Canyon to start the day.
Waterfalls
Johnston Canyon is a small park boasting forests, waterfalls, wildlife and pools. Parking can be tricky to find, but the waterfalls make it worthwhile. When we say there is less hiking today, we mean it – the first set of waterfalls (known as the Lower Falls) are merely half a mile from the parking lot. The elevation change is minimal too, making it that much easier. The reward is a tranquil atmosphere of waterfalls flowing through a canyon. It may be crowded depending on what time of day you visit but it’s definitely an enjoyable experience. If you’re feeling up to hiking further, the Upper Falls are located another mile up the trail. There is less foot traffic, and the scenery is wonderful. The extra walk is worth it, especially if you enjoy hiking. After getting your fill of waterfalls, it is time to visit Lake Minnewonka.
Lake Minnewanka
On the other side of the highway from Banff lies the gorgeous Lake Minnewanka. The lake is not as well known as Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, but makes up for that with its beauty. Walking along the shores is an ideal way to spend the time. The park around the lake features a picnic area, a small restaurant, and a dock for boats to depart from. Check out this website if you’re interested in a cruise around the lake! Spend some time relaxing around Lake Minnewanka as this is one of the last stops of the day. Before leaving, make sure to cross the scenic drive road. This road is at the head of the lake, and offers a panoramic view of the water. Lake Minnewanka can be just as beautiful as Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, but without as many people – plus, it’s easily accessible!
Downtown Banff
With it being your last evening, unwind at Banff Ave. Brewing Co. The brewery offers various delicious dishes and fantastic drinks that are well deserved after all the trails hiked. Along the walls of the brewery are assorted beer bottles from around the world. If you are a beer nerd like us, browse through their collection and see if you can spot any rare beers!
After the brewery, hop over to the Cascade of Time Garden. The garden is located on the other side of the Bow River, near the Fairmont. It is a terraced garden showing off the different trees and flowers found throughout the Canadian Rockies. The garden is a great end to all of the nature you have seen on your time around Banff.
To complete the evening and satisfy your sweet tooth, get a BeaverTail from any of the locations around town. A BeaverTail is a Canadian pastry served hot with a multitude of toppings and ice cream. They taste delicious and were definitely a highlight on our trip. Don’t let the long lines to get a BeaverTail scare you, it’s worth the wait!
Conclusion
A lot can be accomplished in just three days in Banff. The main sights and attractions will leave anyone in awe of just how beautiful nature can be. If you are traveling on to other parts of Canada or headed home, simply drive back to the airport and drop the car off. If you are wanting to spend more time connecting with nature, Jasper National Park offers even more of the amazing scenery witnessed. It’s also possible to see the northern lights from here, if you’re lucky! Once you leave Banff, you will be obsessively looking at your pictures and already planning your next visit back to this magical place!
