Things to do in Banff
Banff, most famous for its magnificent national park with soaring snow-capped mountains, lush forests, tranquil lakes and variety of wildlife, is undeniably the jewel of the Canadian Rockies. Although the town is quite small, it is buzzing with tourists and is a popular holiday destination. The towns main street is lined with souvenir shops, outdoor equipment stores and upmarket outdoor clothing stores as well as restaurants and quaint cafs.
Banff is an interesting town to experience, but the surrounding areas, especially the national park and hot springs, are the main draws for visitors to the area.
Banff National Park
This is Canadas leading tourist attraction, because of its sublime scenery, which includes valleys, glaciers, forests, meadows, rivers and mountains, spread over more than 6,600 square kilometres. There are many hiking and walking trails that allow visitors to enjoy the beauty of the park, with trails leading into the inner areas of the park.
Banff Park Museum
The museum is located within the Banff National Park grounds and chronicles the changes in attitudes to wildlife in the park. There are two floors of stuffed animals including polar bears and moose, which once lived in the park. There is a lovely wood-panelled reading room at the museum, which is full of magazines and books on the indigenous wildlife.
Gondola rides
These gondolas are not like the ones you will find in Venice, but instead are cable cars that offer great views of the mountains and the surrounding country. The best time to see wildlife is on an early morning ride, when such sightings are more likely. There are two routes available; the Sulphur Mountain Gondola and the Sunshine Gondola.
Lake Minnewanka
This is the largest lake in the national park and its name means lake of the water spirit. This is a good area to enjoy the splendid scenery and perhaps a boat ride or a fishing trip in the tranquil lake area.
