Activities to do in Banff?

Question

And here are all the things I already know:

Lake Louise

Moraine Lake

Lake Minniwonda

The Gondola/Sulpher Mountain

Cave and Basin

Johnston's Canyon/Ink Pots

Emerald Lake

Bankhead

Hot Springs

Anything else...?

Answer 1

You've pretty much got Banff covered.   Lake Louise and Morraine Lake are about an hour away from Banff.

If you have time, you should drive up to Jasper.  It's one of most beautiful drives in the world.   You really shouldn't miss it if you can help it

Answer 2

Good list.  In addition...

- johnson lake (optional crazy rope swing)

- numerous mountain hikes

- check out the BIG secret swing on the Muleshoe trail

- the Hoodoos are there (and overated)

- Fairmont Banff Springs hotel

- cascade gardens (in town flower gardens)

- stewart canyon

- sundance canyon

- norquay road lookout over town aka  the bald spot, the green patch

- tunnel mountain is a cool hike in town, VERY EASY, 30min up and views 270 degrees

- just in general, the 1A highway and Minnewanka Loop are your best wildlife viewing drives.  the golf course road is also great, accessed from the Bow Falls parking lot

- whitewater rafting (all ages and classes from float to insane)

- horseback riding and trips

- oh, PEYTO LAKE is not to be missed, one of the most beautiful glacial lakes in the world, accessed by a very easy (wheelchair accessable) 5 minute walk.

- columbia icefields tour

- exploring caves and caverns in canmore

- Zona's diner in canmore has a great off beat atmosphere

- the whole Icefields Parkway drive (including columbia icefield and peyto lake) is probably the nicest drive in north america

update june.16 @ 11:40pm...

today I just leisurely biked 7 km (round trip) to Sundance Canyon then did the 2.5 km hike through the Canyon.  pretty nice!  osprey, deer, elk... no bears today.

tomorrow night i have a campsite at Aylmer Canyon (lake minnewanka) booked.  getting dropped off in a boat ($45) and hiking back the next afternoon! (9km)

If you're looking for a backcountry hike trip (1-5 days) then I HIGHLY recommend the Sawback Trail.  Mystic Lake being one of my favorite places on earth - visited by few people annually and a very 'mystical' place to see the true unspoiled pristine Cdn Rocky Mountains.

For a very easy hike (smooth forested trail, no elevation gain or rocks) a great one is the Fenland Trail loop.  It's only 2km long and right on the side of town.  You can comfortably do it in 30-60 minutes.  Don't forget to stop by Vermillion Lakes while you are there to get one of the most famous photographs of the Rockies... Mt.Rundle from this viewpoint.  Expect waterfowl, deer, elk, eagles.   Instead of hiking the Fenland Trail, you could also rent a canoe from in town and paddle up the stream to Vermillion Lake (about $20).

The Hoodoo Trail (starts at Surprise Corner - another AMAZING photo location in town) is pretty moderate.  Takes about 45 mins, and loops around the backside of Tunnel.  Good views of Rundle's towering cliff above, a stream with a nice little beach.

An easy Google search of any of the suggestions above will reveal more detailed information and maps.

Some of them you can do quickly and easily yet are very beautiful - easy to fill up spots in the day with.  (ie:  norquay viewpoint, bow falls, surprise corner, vermillion lakes, banff gondola, banff upper hot springs, banff springs hotel, minnewanka loop scenic drive, etc)

Hotel suggestions....

low - voyager or bumpers

mid - the juniper, hidden ridge, brewsters mtn lodge, caribou lodge, banff park lodge

high - rimrock (luxury), banff springs (historic)

Camping suggestions...

the only 2 options close to town for public campground are Tunnel Mtn (better if you don't have a car, it has bus service) and Two Jack Lake (nicer, water beside, choose this one if you have a car)