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Is Banff Town Worth Visiting? 7 Great Reasons Why You Must Visit Banff, Alberta – OUR CROSSINGS
Last Updated on the 7th of August, 2025
As we made our way through Canada, travelling on a tour bus along the TransCanada Highway from Calgary to Vancouver, the landscape of infinite patterns and textures stretched towards the distant horizon.
For a moment, I let my eyes rest on the soaring mountain tops before I swept the grounds for wildlife, hoping to catch an elk grazing by the road, when the bus suddenly came to a full stop and our tour guide announced arrival at Banff Town.
We are admittedly drawn to places where nature has the upper hand, yet nothing prepared me for the sheer scale of infinite rock formations, seductive pine tree forests and eye-catching lakes glistering under the spills of sunlight we had a chance to see in Alberta.
Seeing the Canadian Rockies for the first time and how they rise out of the Earth was experiencing nature on an entirely different level.
In this post, we share some of the reasons to visit Banff. We hope you find a few spots to spark your interest and get you outside!
How much time do you need to spend in Banff?
How long you should spend in Banff will depend on your budget and travel plans.
And just like with any other place, the longer, the better is what makes sense. A long weekend is just enough time to go for a full day’s hike, learn about Banff’s history and enjoy an unforgettable dinner.
A full week in Banff is even better because this means that you’ll be able to see and do so much more: a day trip to Lake Louise, horseback riding, going on a cruise on Lake Minnewanka and more.
Our time in Banff was limited, and with so much to see and do and with only a day and a half to spend at the park, we had to plan everything thoroughly. On top of that, we stayed in Canmore, just outside Banff, and had to find an efficient way to travel back and forth.
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Highlights of visiting Banff
The thing we loved best about Banff was the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors in as many ways as possible.
Depending on the season, there are endless biking, hiking, horseback riding, skiing and snowboarding activities.
- Poutine & mountain cuisine & off-slope festivities are aplenty
- Winter wonderland activities like & beautiful Marble and Johnston Canyons
- It’s a wonderland of trails & wildlife such as elk, moose, and bears
- Most beautiful lakes in the world & endless forests, glaciers, meadows and rivers
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#1. Banff is in the middle of Canada’s first national park
In 1883, three railroad workers stumbled upon clouds of steam spilling out of a cave in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.
What they found were the hot springs that would lead to the creation of Banff Town and Canada’s first national park.
To protect the area around Banff’s hot springs, the Canadian government declared the land off-limits for sale, ultimately establishing Banff National Park, a seemingly endless landscape of pristine forests, soaring mountains and turquoise glacial lakes.
Today, Banff Town and Banff National Park are UNESCO World Heritage sites, meaning that the views everywhere in this area are simply incredible.
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#2. You Can Experience the Power of Glaciers
Situated at the southern end of Jasper National Park, the Athabasca Glacier is as fascinating as it is fragile.
If you are visiting Banff and wish to discover the power of nature, you can ride onto the Athabasca Glacier aboard a massive Ice Explorer for a timeless adventure.
It does take a full day to get to the awe-inspiring massive glaciers of Alberta’s Rocky Mountain region from Banff, but you’ll be following one of the world’s most famous mountain drives and get a chance to see Peyto Lake, Lake Louse and Crowfoot Glacier before the tour culminates in an all-terrain ride on the Ice Explorer through the incredible Columbia Icefields.
Once you board the huge ice explorer for a guided tour of the glacier, you’ll learn about the local ecosystem, glaciers, and environmental changes.
Then you’ll be off to walk on the glass-bottom Skywalk for photo-worthy views over the cliff’s edge.
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#3. You Can Glide in a Gondola To The Top of a Sulphur Mountain
To get a fantastic birds-eye view of downtown Banff and the surrounding landscape, soar above the treetops up Sulphur Mountain in the Banff Gondola.
Perched on the shoulder of Sulphur Mountain rises 7,486 feet above sea level and is located just 5 minutes from Banff Town.
Riding in a glass-enveloped gondola takes 8 minutes, and it brings you from the base station at 1,583m to the upper terminal at 2,281m.
From the gondola station, you can follow the boardwalk all the way to the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station and learn the story about the devoted Park meteorologist Norman Sanson, who hiked up the mountain more than 1000 times to take readings at the observatory.
The building still stands today, and you can even peek through the window to see the original interior.
- Admission: CAD 55 per adult | CAD 27.50 per child
- Alberta Local Admission: CAD 44 per adult | CAD 22 per child
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#4. You Can Visit the Stunningly Beautiful Moraine Lake
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Moraine Lake is known as the Jewel of the Rockies.
The lake is situated less than a 10-minute drive away from the beautiful Lake Louise, and the very first person to lay eyes on this natural marvel was a Yale College student, Walter Wilcox, who was hired to help map the area around Lake Louise.
Hiking through rain and snow in search of a new route to Mount Temple, he stumbled upon Moraine Lake.
Originally, Ten Peaks were named by Samuel Allen by using the numerals from one to ten in the Stoney First Nations language, but gradually, all but three mountains were renamed.
*Good to Know – Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles year-round
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#5. You Can Visit Canada’s Most Famous Lake
The glacier-fed Lake Louise, also known as the Lake of the Little Fishes, is a quintessentially Canadian destination and one that shines in all seasons with its iridescent turquoise waters and dramatic mountain vistas.
If you’re planning a trip to Banff National Park, then it should be high on your must-see list as it’s an absolute dream to canoe, kayak, skate, and snowshoe on the lake.
Nestled on its shore, you’ll find the wonderful 5-star luxury hotel Chateau Lake Louise, an easy accommodation spot where you can unwind with an indulgent spa treatment after a day of exploring.
Leave the crowds behind and go for a short hike to admire snow-kissed mountains from afar.
One of the best hikes, just 3.5 km in length, is to the family-run Lake Agnes Teahouse, initially constructed in 1901 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, where you can sample more than 100 different varieties of tea.
*Good to Know – The best way to access Lake Louise is by Parks Canada shuttle or Roam Public Transit
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#6. You Can Stay In One Of The Most Iconic Hotels
The (arguably) most historic and iconic hotel in Canada, the Fairmont Banff Springs, was built between 1911 and 1928 and is situated at the foot of Sulphur Mountain.
Few hotels in the world rival the grandeur and majesty of the iconic hotel known as “Canada’s Castle in the Rockies”; therefore, you can’t visit Banff and not set your eyes on it.
The 768-room hotel, built in the style of a Scottish Baronial Castle, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a landmark in its own right, which has been providing hospitality for more than 125 years.
Even if you are not staying at the hotel, you can still visit the public areas such as the lobby, restaurants and bars. Always contact the concierge if you have a particular interest or activity.
*Our Crossings tip – Check out the Rundle Bar for its luxe and inviting atmosphere, and look for a secret room behind one of the bookshelves.
- Address: 405 Spray Avenue, Banff, Canada
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#7. You Can Soak in Geothermally-heated Springs
What can be better after a full day of exploring than to soak in natural, mineral-rich waters to relax and unwind, all while taking in the surrounding alpine views?
The historic hot springs are rich in minerals such as magnesium, sodium, calcium, bicarbonate, and sulfate and have muscle-relaxing and skin-healing properties.
Originally discovered by Canadian Pacific Railroad workers, Banff Upper Hot Springs is located at 5,200 feet above sea level and was considered a sacred healing site by First Nations people.
The complex includes a bathhouse, a large pool, and changing facilities and can be accessed by the public Banff Roam Bus service, which runs every 40 minutes.
- Opening times: Open Daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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How to get to Banff
The closest city to Banff is Calgary.
Numerous North American and international airlines fly directly to Calgary International Airport (YYC).
To get to Banff and Banff National Park from the Calgary airport, you can use a shuttle bus connection to Banff or rent a car and drive for 90 minutes (140 km) along a very scenic road.
Alternatively, you can treat yourself and travel in style with The Rocky Mountaineer, which departs from Vancouver and stops at Banff.
Day trips to Banff from Calgary are another popular option with visitors, and you can choose from multi-day tours stopping at Icefields Parkway, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake.
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Finding accommodation in Banff
If you are plotting a trip to Banff National Park, you may be debating where to stay.
The biggest pros of staying in Banff are that all the major sites like the tourist information bureau, shops and restaurants are within easy reach, and after a long day spent outdoors, you will be glad to get back to your hotel in no time.
In Banff, there are loads of accommodation options, with most of the hotels located just a few blocks away from the main shopping and dining areas.
- Banff Aspen Lodge | If you like hot tubs, a sauna and a hearty breakfast, then Banff Aspen Lodge, located a 10-minute walk from Banff Park Museum, is a great place to base yourself in Banff.
- Elk + Avenue Hotel | Guest rooms feature iPad docking stations and flat-screen TVs, and Elk + Avenue Hotel also offers luggage storage, express check-in/check-out, free parking, ticket service and a tour desk. In-house bistro Ricky’s All Day Grill offers excellent lunch and dinner menus.
- Moose Hotel and Suites | With a spa centre, an on-site bar and breakfast available each morning, Moose Hotel and Suites make for a lovely base in Banff. An exercise room and an indoor pool are located on the 4th floor, and rooftop hot pools offer fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.
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Useful Tips and Hints You Need To Know
- If you are arriving by car, you will need to buy a Parks Pass, costing CAD 10.50 per person per day, to enter Banff National Park. The pass is valid until 4 pm the following day, and if you plan to stay for longer, consider the Annual Discovery Pass, as it is valid for a full year.
*Good to know – The park gates are located 100 kilometres on Highway 1 west of Calgary, and passes can be purchased there.
- If you want to save a few loonies and toonies, dress appropriately and hike to the top of Sulphur Mountain for the fantastic 360-degree views of the Bow Valley. While the Banff Gondola is a great way to see some seriously incredible scenery, the entrance fee is around 60 + CAD.
- Fuel is much cheaper outside of Banff, so fill up your car in places like Canmore or even Calgary to stretch your budget further.
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Now, over to you!
Have you been to Banff? Let us know in the comments!
Let us know if you are plotting a visit to Banff and have travel-related questions!
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