Alberta is a province in Western Canada mainly known for the Canadian Rockies. The two largest cities are Edmonton and Calgary, but Banff and Jasper National Park are probably what the province is most known for.
Calgary, Alberta
Calgary is Alberta’s largest city. It’s known for hosting the annual Calgary Stampede (rodeo) and is also the city you’ll fly in to if you want to visit Banff National Park.
Top 10 Things To Do in Calgary Alberta (and some to Skip!)
There’s a unique mix of downtown city vibes with nearby nature escapes. Here are my top things to do in Calgary with some recommendations on what’s not worth it.
Banff National Park
Banff National Park is home to the Canadian Rockies with Lake Louise and Moraine Lake as the two most popular places to visit. They aren’t just popular attraction in the National Park, or Alberta, but all of Canada! Banff is home to some of the best outdoor experiences and jaw dropping views.
To make the most of planning your trip to Banff National Park, check out my digital and printable Banff travel guide, with a checklist of the top things to do in the park!
Banff National Park Travel Guides
- 15 Banff Souvenirs that Capture the Canadian Rockies Spirit
The best Banff souvenirs transport you back to the Canadian Rockies and you won’t regret buying them. Whether it’s through taste, art, or those cozy cabin vibes, the key is bringing back the spirit of the mountains. - 10 Spectacular Things to do in Calgary (& Some to Skip!)There’s a unique mix of downtown city vibes with nearby nature escapes. Here are my top things to do in Calgary with some recommendations on what’s not worth it.
- 25 Things To Do In Banff National Park to see the Best of the Canadian RockiesThese are the top things to do in Banff National Park to explore the best of the Canadian Rockies. I spent a wonderful week in Banff in June discovering all it had to offer, so here were my must-dos from hikes, to viewpoints, to history!
- Canmore Alberta: The Hidden Gem Between Calgary And BanffCanmore Alberta is a small town in the Canadian Rockies. Although it isn’t technically a part of Banff National Park, there are some pretty impressive scenic spots in Canmore that are worth checking out.
- The Truth About Banff In June: Is It The Best Time To Visit?Banff in June is one of the best times to visit the park (if you can). But there are a few things to know before booking a trip to Banff in June.
- Guide To The Banff Gondola (Is It Worth The High Cost?)I was very skeptical whether the Banff Gondola in Banff National Park was worth the cost, but I was happily proven wrong. Here’s what to know!
- Johnston Canyon: What To Expect & How To Make It Worth ItI didn’t know what to expect from visiting Johnston Canyon and I was pleasantly surprised… but it could have easily gone the other way for us. Depending on when you visit, your experience could be wonderful hike through a canyon, or a complete mess of waiting in lines and walking in a crowd.
- Should You Stay At The Deer Lodge Lake Louise? An Honest ReviewThe Deer Lodge Lake Louise has quite a few quirks to say the least. But the compromises were well worth it for the unbeatable location.
- Top 5 Things To Do In Lake Louise: A First Timers GuideThere’s actually more than enough things to do in Lake Louise (and around it) that I recommend spending at least one night here, if not more (p.s. this way you can also visit Lake Louise at the best time (without the crowds!).
- How To Drive The Icefields Parkway & The Best Places To StopThe Icefields Parkway starts just after Lake Louise and take you all the way to Jasper National Park.
- Do You Need To Visit Lake Louise (& When Is The Best Time To Visit?)If you’re visiting Banff National Park, an absolute must stop on your itinerary is Lake Louise, don’t listen to people who say otherwise. Let’s just say, Lake Louise didn’t become such a popular tourist destination for nothing…
- Is Moraine Lake Worth It? The Ultimate Visitors GuideWe visited many beautiful lakes in Banff National Park, but Moraine Lake came out on top as one of the best. Here’s what to expect from Moraine Lake and how to make the most of your time there.
Banff Travel Guide
Use it digitally on your phone to check off top attractions as you do them. Or print it out in one of three size formats.
9 Pages included:
- Cover page
- Banff at a Glance: with tips for travelling to Banff National Park
- Packing Guide (summer & winter)
- Things to do on the way to Banff (Canmore)
- Things to do in Calgary
- Banff National Park checklist
- Souvenirs to Buy
- Additional notes
Banff Hotel Recommendations
You have to book your hotels EARLY in Banff. We booked the Buffalo Mountain Lodge for June back in February… and most hotels were already fully booked at that point.
The place to stay is at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel – but that will cost you. We opted to just visit the Banff Springs instead, but you can check rates and availability on Booking.com.
We stayed at the much more affordable Buffalo Mountain Lodge. They have some renovated rooms, which I recommend booking. It was more of a resort hotel, with a cozy room and balcony to enjoy! Breakfast is also included which is a great way to start the day of hiking! It is a 15 minute walk to the town of Banff though. Check availability and room rates on Booking.com.
If you’re looking for a more reasonable priced hotel, in the town of Banff, we really wanted to book the Mount Royal Hotel (see it on Booking.com). Although the rooms are a lot smaller, there’s a fun jacuzzi on the roof, and you cannot beat the location on Banff Avenue – you can’t get a better location than that! Check availability and room rates on Booking.com.
My Banff National Park Amazon Must Haves
There’s no denying that a trip to Banff is outdoor focused. Even if you aren’t planning on doing any intense hikes or outdoor activities, there are a few essentials I pack. For example, these protein bars and a refillable water bottle. You’re visiting more remote locations, that won’t have a place to buy any food or water so it’s important you always have something on hand.
I also like these Columbia Newton hiking boots because they also double as my waterproof shoes during the summer months and they also worked in the winter as a pair of lighter boots.