What to See in Banff Canada

Encompassing parts of the Canadian Rockies and Lake Louise, Banff National Park is a beautiful capsule of the area's best features. See ancient glaciers, Devil's Gap and Mount Rundle while observing wild elk and bighorn sheep.

Banff National Park
224 Banff Ave
Banff, AB T1L, Canada
Phone: (403) 762-1550
www.pc.gc.ca

See the summit of Sulphur Mountain after a breathtaking eight-minute gondola ride to the peak. Enjoy the ride plus the stunning view from the observation deck once you arrive. Have a bite to eat at the restaurant before you descend.

Banff Gondola
Mountain Ave.
Box 1258, Banff, AB T1L 1B2, Canada
Phone: (403) 762-2523
www.explorerockies.com

The Cave and Basin National Historic Site, where the national park system in Canada began, highlights the natural hot springs and cave formations in this area. While here you'll be able to visit a replica of one of the original 1887 bath houses that brought thousands of visitors to enjoy the soothing and "healing" hot springs. You also can marvel at the open-air mineral pool and walk the informational hiking loops provided by the park. Bring your snowshoes during winter visits to take advantage of the park's snowshoeing course. The site is located at the west end of Cave Avenue.

Cave and Basin National Historic Site
P.O. Box 900
Banff, Alberta
Canada
T1L 1K2
Phone: (403)762-1566
Fax:(403)762-1565
www.pc.gc.ca

This swanky hotel and spa is part of the historic Canadian Pacific Railways development of tourism in this area. Built in 1887, the original wood structure hotel burned down in 1926. It was rebuilt to its present glory in 1928 and is really something to see. The focal point when entering Banff, this castle-like structure is glorious both inside and out.

The Fairmont Banff Springs
405 Spray Avenue
Banff, Alberta
Canada
T1L1J4
Phone: (866) 540-4406
www.fairmont.com/banffsprings

Walking down Banff's sidewalks means rubbing elbows with people from around the world. Part of the fun of this great location is meeting fellow travelers, and you'll have plenty of opportunities to do that while shopping in any of the unique stores along the streets. With a few main drags near almost every hotel and just a total of 3.94 square km in the townsite, you just take a walk outside your door and head toward the view of the Fairmont Hotel for great shopping and people watching. Exchange your money at the nearby ATM and you are all set.