Banff

Downtown Banff is a charming hub nestled in the heart of Banff National Park, offering a mix of stunning mountain views, vibrant shops, and cozy cafes. A must-see in the area is the Banff Avenue, where you can explore local wildlife exhibits, historical sites, and take a ride up the Banff Gondola for panoramic views of the Bow Valley.

If you are interested in hiking, which I think we all are if we want to see the beauty of Banff’s mountains and lakes, Banff offers an array of stunning trails, including the famous Johnston Canyon Trail. This simple hike goes through a green forest alongside a creek and ends at stunning waterfalls, with walkways offering great views of the steep canyon cliffs. Moraine Lake is another iconic stop, famous for its striking turquoise waters surrounded by towering mountains and provides access to trails such as the Moraine Lake Rockpile Trail. For a peaceful yet rewarding hike, the Lake Agnes Trail leads to a serene alpine lake with a historic tea house perched on the shore. The tea house remains open from early June to early October. These hikes and the charm of downtown Banff make it an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts and anyone looking for a real mountain getaway. Keep your eyes out because you are bound to see some bighorn sheep roaming around!

If you are renting a car and have time to extend your trip, I highly recommend a road trip from Banff to Vancouver. This 9-hour drive is one of the most beautiful drives as it takes you through the mountain roads among the tall trees along the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1).

You’ll travel through the majestic Canadian Rockies, passing stunning sights like the glacier-fed Kootenay National Park, the serene town of Revelstoke, and the impressive Shuswap Lake. As you get closer to Vancouver, the landscape shifts to lush forests and coastal beauty. Ending in Vancouver, you can enjoy the vibrant city’s mix of mountains, beaches, and urban culture. It’s a perfect blend of wilderness and modern life, making this road trip an experience to remember.