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Banff Springs Hotel – Normally, a hotel is not
a "must do" but this one is. Built as part of the Canadian
Pacific railways spectacular chain of chateau-style grand hotels, kids will
love the "medieval" corridors, fairy-tale turrets, tapestries
and mysterious chests around every turn. Relax in style, even if it's just
for a drink. Buy a few postcards in the hotel shop and let the kids write
a few postcards at a wonderfully ornate writing desk under the light of
a grand chandelier. Tip: In the main lobby you'll see pricey jewelry
shops, but hidden away in the basement are a cluster of shops better suited
to small pockets – polished stones, local crafts, photography
and books. |
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Ride up to the sky – This is one gondola you have
to take, even if you're acrophobic! As wonderful as Banff is, and as beautiful
as you think the Rockies are, you'll still be knocked out by the 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. Click
here for the Banff
Sulpher Mountain Gondola |
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Soak in the springs – Banff was originally made
famous as a health spa, complete with natural "healing hot springs."
There are lots of ways to have the experience. Most economical: in-town
the Banff Upper Hot Springs Pool and outside town the Radium
Hot Springs both offer family passes to enjoy 105/40 degree hot
outdoor co-ed pool and steam rooms. At the Banff Springs Hotel, it's
quite a bit more up-scale, with luxury (waterfalls, whirlpools, saltwater
pools, saunas, etc.) and also quite a bit more expensive. There are a number
of other spas in the area that offer decadent herbal wraps and mud packs. |
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Walks and hikes – Stop by the Banff
Information Centre and sign up for one of the "Friends of Banff" guided walks. Volunteers give various free walking tours of the area (both
town walks and nature hikes). You'll get all the local lore on both the
history and the wildlife in the Bow Valley (and the chance to ask a local
for some insider tips.) |
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If you want to hike on your own, at the Centre, ask for the "Day Hikes in Banff National Park" brochure for info on
marked trails. 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. |
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Rent a bike – There are several places in town where
you can rent bikes, helmets, even those kiddy carts to pull behind for
really little kids. Explore the town (traffic is slow here, so no worries)
or ask for a biking map at the rental shop and head out along the Spray
River, cruise Lake Minnewanka, or Sundance Canyon. If you're feeling
really adventurous and have the time, there are a few bike tours available
for longer, guided trips. |
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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. Combine camping, fishing, hiking with horses to make it
just right for your family. |
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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: Horseback |
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Take a carriage ride – If you're not the saddle
and stirrup type, try cruising around the countryside behind a two-horsepower
"engine." Check local sites for the picture-book sled ride in
the snow or a more rowdy hay-ride any time of year. |
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Mush! – Can you resist the
chance to do this? A little ways from town in the Spray Lakes area you can
actually rent a dog team and go dog sledding for a couple hours -- or half
a day! Not for small children, but this is one adventure you're unlikely
to find many places you visit... Click here for Howling
Dogs. |
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Let it snow – Banff is a world-class
ski resort, and the wintertime options are endless: down hill, cross country,
snow shoe, toboggans, whatever you like, you can do it here in spectacular
scenery. 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 if inexpensive and low key is your choice. Click
here for details on lift tickets, etc. |
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Museums – Soak in some culture. For
a small town, there are a surprising half dozen museums here. |
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Start
at the Banff Park Museum, oldest natural history museum in Canada
(the building itself is a National Historic Site), and its display of local
animals. |
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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. Videos and exhibits tell the story, then walk along the
boardwalk above the Centre to the Marsh Trail, with wild vegetation warmed
by the hot springs. |
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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. |
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Head
for the Natural History Museum for the geological history of Banff
with its displays of gemstones and fossils (oh – and a model
of Sasquatch: the Bigfoot of local legend). |
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Whyte Museum
of the Canadian Rockies has three art galleries, with contemporary
and historic art exhibitions of local artists. While there, tour the historic
homes and cabins also on the grounds, furnished with period furniture. |
