Location: Banff

Day 1 - 19 Jun 2019

Samesun Banff

Content: If you’re after a cheap and fun hostel vibe in Banff, then the Samesun is a great choice. It includes breakfast and has its own bar and food. Hello dinner and karaoke?!

Banff Ave Square

Content: Start your first morning off in Banff with a walk around the town. Grab some coffee and a Beaver Tails, which is quintessentially Canadian and delicious. I loved to get my coffee and a treat from Wild Flour Bakery.

Bow Falls

Content: First up, take a small drive from town, to Bow Falls. There is a large car park so parking shouldn’t be an issue. Bring sunscreen and layers, as the weather is changeable in the mountains.

Surprise Corner Viewpoint

Content: Drive a short way to Surprise Corner for a famous postcard view of the Fairmont Hotel- the castle of the Rockies! Drive slow around here as the parking lot is small and people are always crossing the road from the car park.

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Day 1 - 19 Jun 2019

Tunnel Mountain Trail

Content: If you’re up for a short but rewarding hike with views over Banff, Tunnel Mountain is a favourite for locals and tourists alike. Bring proper walking shoes and watch your step if going in fall or winter, as this trail can get really slippery.

Sulphur Mountain

Content: I’d suggest getting some lunch before going up Sulphur Mountain because the food can be a bit pricey here and by now you’re probably starving! You can either hike up the mountain, which you might want to do if you have loads of time and on a tight budget. The gondola down is free if you’ve hiked up. Or you can get the gondola, both up and down, if you’re on a time crunch and don’t want to hike!

Block Kitchen + Bar

Content: With all that running around and sight seeing, you’ll want a good feed in town! My faves for dinner were Block Kitchen and Bar, Eddie Burger for all your burger desires and The Bear Street Tavern for the best pizzas and calzones in town. Get some sleep - another big day tomorrow!

Location: Banff

Day 2 - 20 Jun 2019

Vermilion Lakes

Content: Nothing like some tranquility in the morning mountains. Head to Vermilion Lakes as early as you can (maybe even sunrise!) and soak up this beautiful lake. Optional: In the summer you can rent a canoe and paddle on the river until you reach this lake.

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Day 2 - 20 Jun 2019

Johnston Canyon

Content: Johnston Canyon is an easily walkable trail through a canyon, and alongside a raging river and waterfalls. It’s beautiful and popular, so go early in the morning or late in the afternoon if possible. If you do the entire trail you’ll be rewarded with the ink pots, which are bright blue pools of water. Not many people make it all the way here.

Cascade Ponds

Content: If you have time and energy left and feel like seeing some more lakes, take a short drive to Cascade Ponds, Two Jack Lake and Johnson Lake. These lakes are all very close together and the perfect spot for a dinner picnic!

Location: Moraine Lake

Day 3 - 21 Jun 2019

Moraine Lake

Content: Moraine Lake is the crown jewel of Banff and because of this popularity and small car park it is essential that you get here early! People love to catch sunrise here so the car park can be full sometimes at 5am! You might have to drive up the road and wait until the car park opens again (yes they close it when it’s full). Spend a good amount of time here because it is one of the most beautiful sights you’ll ever see.

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Day 3 - 21 Jun 2019

Sentinel Pass

Content: For the hiking lover, it’s well worth picking a trail which starts at Moraine Lake. My favourite (if I really had to pick) is Sentinel Pass. If you’re not much of a hiker, or on a time crunch, you may want to see Moraine Lake and Lake Louise on the same day, as they are in the same kind of area.

Location: Lake Louise

Day 4 - 22 Jun 2019

Lake Louise

Content: Today you’re going to see Lake Louise and understand why this is one of the most famous attractions in Canada! You can hire a canoe (although it is expensive) and explore the lake that way, pick a trail and go hiking or just sit and relax. The car park is very large and there is overflow parking with a shuttle bus in the summer. However as of 2021, there is a $12 parking fee, which is pretty steep, so I suggest making the most of your time here and picking a hike that starts at the lake.

Lake Agnes Tea House

Content: Enjoy a hike at Lake Louise. You can’t go wrong with the Lake Agnes Tea House trail. Here you’ll be able to buy handmade treats and a beverage in the tea house, right in the heart of the mountains. They only take cash! And for the most epic views over Lake Louise, continue hiking past the tea house, to either the Little Beehive or the Big Beehive trail. The sun stays up for a long time in June so you’ll have plenty of light to do this!

Location: Banff

Day 5 - 23 Jun 2019

Tooloulous

Content: Have a bit of a leisurely morning today. You’ve earned it! My favourite breakfast spot in Banff is Tooloulous. It’s a creole/New Orleans inspired cafe and the breakfast there is to die for. Any of the eggs benedicts are amazing and there’s a whole section of their menu dedicated to them!

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Day 5 - 23 Jun 2019

Bow Lake

Content: Today we’re driving some (or all if time allows) of the Icefields Parkway. This parkway is one of the most stunning drives in the country or even world! And it links the small town of Jasper, to Banff. If you have time, please allow a couple of days to hike and explore the Icefields Parkway and Jasper. Today we’re going to see just a few of the main sights, starting with Bow Lake.

Peyto Lake

Content: A short walk from the parking lot will take you to one of the most spectacular views on this drive! Peyto Lake can get very busy so just be patient. Also check with Parks Canada or online to see if the viewing area is open yet in 2021, as they were doing some work to it. Just continue driving up this glorious parkway as long as you like and stopping at the various stops and viewpoints. There’s no shops or food options along the Icefields Parkway so make sure you pack food and fill up on gas before you head out.

Location: Canmore

Day 6 - 24 Jun 2019

Canmore

Content: Today, let’s take a short drive to Canmore - another adorable mountain town and Banff’s neighbour. There’s loads of places to get breakfast and a coffee. Just have a wander and a browse in town.

Grassi Lakes

Content: For a nice mellow hike, head to the Grassi Lakes trail. You’ll be rewarded with multiple greeny blue lakes set amongst the forest.

Riverside Park

Content: After your hike, head back to Canmore and enjoy the afternoon by walking along the Bow River and grabbing some lunch.

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Day 6 - 24 Jun 2019

Lake Minnewanka

Content: If you’ve still got the energy, we’ve got one last major lake near Banff to check out! Lake Minnewanka is huge and beautiful. In the summer you can get a fun boat tour out on the lake where you’ll see how far it stretches and hear about the history and geology of the area. Well folks, you’ve seen a lot of what Banff and the surrounding area has to offer! Hope you enjoyed.