fun to do kids banff alberta canada   Travel for Kids
Canada
  | Alberta | Canadian Rockies | Banff National Park
     
   

Banff

bow river banff
Banff is one of the world's great ski resorts – but in summer Banff has wonderful hikes and bike riding too. This is a picture-postcard town, with elk roaming the main street and log buildings contrasting quite nicely with some elegant spots.
    Soak in the springs – Banff was originally made famous as a health spa, complete with natural "healing hot springs."  In town, enjoy Banff Upper Hot Springs Pool, and outside town the Radium Hot Springs, both offer family passes to enjoy  hot outdoor pools and steam rooms.
  Ride up to the sky – This is one gondola you'll want to take, it's a knockout view from the platform at the top. The mountains seem much grander, the sky seems endless. Best time to go is sunset for a one-of-a-kind experience. More info: Banff Sulpher Mountain Gondola
    Rent a bike – There are several places in town where you can rent bikes, helmets, trailers (traffic is slow here, so no worries), ask for a biking map at the rental shop and head out along the Spray River, cruise Lake Minnewanka, or Sundance Canyon.
 

Walks and hikes – Stop by the Banff Visitor Information Centre to get information about day hikes in the area.

    There are lots to chose from – some short and easy, some quite challenging, a few even have interpretive signs about local plants and animals. A short hike from town will take you past dramatic Bow Falls, and along the scenic Bow River on easy-to-follow trails.
  Horseback riding – Half a dozen outfits in the Banff area have horses you can ride for an hour or spend a week riding and camping in the mountains.
    You don't even have to saddle up to enjoy the ranches here. Check out local barn dances complete with local bands and BBQ. Click here for the biggest outfit in town: Banff Trail Riders.
    Museums
      Start at the Banff Park Museum, oldest natural history museum in Canada and its display of local wildlife exhibits.
      At the Cave & Basin National Historic Site you squeeze through  a tunnel to "discover" the cave where the hot springs were first seen by pioneers. Then walk along the boardwalk above the Centre to the Marsh Trail, with wild vegetation warmed by the hot springs.
      Check out the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum display of Stoney, Blackfoot, Blood, Sarcee, and Peigan tribes peoples with dioramas of both First Nations and "pioneer" life styles.
      Head for the Natural History Museum for the geological history of Banff with its displays of gemstones and fossils and a model of Sasquatch - Bigfoot of local legend.
child snow tube
  Let it snow – Banff is a world-class ski resort, and the wintertime options are endless: down hill, cross country, snowshoe, sledding, tubing, you can do it here in spectacular scenery.
    Skiing – You can virtually ski in town at Norquay with it's great runs and beautiful lodge, then there's the big one –  Sunshine just north of Banff is state-of-the-art, huge, the fastest lifts, stunning runs. Try the smaller Nakiska  and  Fortress Mountain about 45 minutes south of Banff.
      Sleigh rides – Take horse drawn family sleigh rides across the meadows in Banff. Sleigh rides are December to April.
      Sledding – Go sledding on Spray Meadows Hill (Banff Springs Hotel) or Casacade Ponds (good for little kids). Pick up inexpensive sleds in town.
      Dog sled tours – Experience the snowy wilderness on a dog sled! Two hour rides through the forest are perfect for kids, offered by Howling Dogs.
   

Fun food

      Like most international ski resorts, Banff offers lots of choices: Tex-Mex, sushi, BBQ, but for something uniquely Banff, try buffalo, venison, or rattlesnake fondue, or maple sugar candy and cookies.
   

Shopping

      The town is a wonderful place to stroll, window shop and pick up treasures. Explore little passages off main streets that may lead to home-made sweets shops or artisan displays.
family travel tools banff national park canada

Take a day trip from Banff to explore lakes and and ride the Ice Explorer out onto the Athabasca Glacier. (April to October, children 5 and under are free.) "My granddaughter and I had a fantastic experience."

Glacier Trail
Banff National Park is a fantastic nature experience for kids, but it's a big help to have an expert guide who knows were to spot the elk or beaver. Children 5 and under are free, April to October.
Banff Wildlife Safari
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