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 cozy cabin vibes, the key is bringing back the spirit of the mountains.

So these are my top 15 souvenirs from Banff for yourself and that make great gifts for friends and family.

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

What To Buy in Banff

I’ve divided my list of the best souvenirs from Banff into four categories:

Food & drink Banff souvenirs
Art to buy in Banff
Outdoor adventure souvenirs from Banff
Other Relevant Banff Souvenirs to Find

For easy trip planning, check out my complete Banff National Park travel guide. It includes a packing list, top things to do in each area of the park and Calgary, and of course, all my Banff souvenirs to buy!

Food & Drink Souvenirs From Banff

These Banff souvenirs are either edible, drinkable, or related to food and drinks.

1. Park Distillery Banff

Park Distillery is Banff’s local distillery. They make everything from vodka to gin, and even whiskey. But what sets them a part from other distilleries in Canada is that they use local Banff glacier water. This gives their spirits that extra bit of freshness and smoothness. And on top of that, they make some pretty unique flavours, like vanilla or espresso vodka!

You can do a distillery tour and tasting first to see if you like any of their spirits, and buy your favourite one as you souvenir from Banff. Personally, I really like their Flaura & Fauna gin – and this is coming from someone who usually hates gin.

If you’re traveling in a carry on and can’t bring back liquid, don’t worry, pick up some Park Distillery merchandise instead. They sell everything from mugs, to Glencarin glasses, or hats and t-shirts!

2. Jolene’s Tea

Jolene’s tea is a Banff staple. For starters, the store is located in an original log cabin from 1889 – which is impressive just to see! But the company is also owned and operated by Jolene Brewster – one of the original families in Banff (you might see a lot of Brewster buses driving around, they’re the main touring company!).

You can only find Jolene’s tea in Banff and they have some incredible tea blends to try. Their most popular is creamy Earl grey, and I have to say it’s one of the best I’ve tasted. I also really enjoy their Strawberry Green Tea.

But they also make some blends based on local flavours. For example, Alberta Rose Sencha, which is a play on the fact that Alberta is officially wild rose country! And they have Banff Breakfast, which also includes Alberta’s famous roses, and is surprisingly delicious!

Upgrade your Jolene’s tea souvenir: There’s no denying that tea is perishable. So make sure you always remember your Jolene’s tea by also buying one of their cute mugs!

3. Campfire Mug

You’re out in the mountains in Banff with nature all around you! The best thing to do is warm up with a nice warm coffee, hot chocolate, or tea in your hand (maybe even a Jolene’s tea!).

Remember all the warm and cozy drinks you had by bringing back your very own campfire mug from Banff. I don’t know if they’re actually called campfire mugs, but I saw this style everywhere in Banff. It’s a wide mouth (usually) ceramic mug with a large comfortable handle to hold. Although you won’t use an actual ceramic mug camping, this style is inspired by those camping mugs.

If you can find one, I actually recommend buying an insulated campfire mug. This way, it keeps your coffee and tea extra warm while drinking (it’s been a blessing to have with a newborn at home!). I saw these insulated mugs at both Jolene’s and Roots. You’ll obviously want one that says it’s from Banff National Park!

Otherwise, buy a ceramic one from Park Distillery, or from one of the many souvenir shops throughout Banff, with a unique Rocky Mountain design.

three campfire mugs sit on display on a wood table. They are white mugs with black rims and prints on the front. The print is a unique line art of the canadian rocky mountains with a tree and bears walking in front.

Don’t Buy Maple Syrup as a Souvenir from Banff

Maple syrup production in Canada is mostly in Eastern Canada (and mainly from Quebec). The climate in Alberta is not ideal for maple trees to grow. So although you might be able to find locally made maple syrup, the most common will be from Quebec.

Because it’s not local to Alberta, it’s not one of the best souvenirs from Banff.

Art Souvenirs from Banff

Art is a great souvenir to buy no matter where you’re visiting. It’s a visual display to put up in your house that instantly brings you back to your vacation the moment you see it. Souvenirs from Banff National Park are no exception. But there are a few unique pieces of Banff art that you want to look for…

a display off all different art inspired by the canadian rocky mountains in banff national park.

4. Vintage Postcards

There seems to be an abundance of vintage posters and postcards from the 1940s. These are reprints from real ads that promoted tourism to the Canadian Rockies.

You can find a vintage postcard for pretty much every location in the Canadian Rockies. From the Chateau Lake Louise to the Lake Agnes Tea House, and Bow Lake. So you can buy one for each location you visit in the Rockies. I could never decide which one I liked best so bought a few and put them up as a gallery wall.

They’ve reprinted these as either large posters or small postcards, but you can even find the design on coasters and t-shirts sometimes.

P.S. There are also some vintage photographs that I found for sale at the Whyte Museum.

a turning shop display filled with vintage postcards as banff souvenirs. The top row has vintage postcard prints for chateau lake louise, from summer to winter vibes, the second and third row promote ski and apres ski vibes at lake louise and banff and then the last two rows are for different attractions around lake louise like the plain of six glaciers tea house and the lake agnes tea house.

5. Wildlife Photography

We all know there’s wildlife throughout Banff National Park. But you really don’t want any close encounters just to get a great photo. So bring back a jaw dropping photograph by a professional instead. If that’s the closest you’ll get with nature, then that’s a win in my mind!

There are many galleries in both Canmore, and Banff town to peruse to find the perfect photograph for your “close” encounter with wildlife.

6. Local Art Inspired by the Mountains

The mountains are inspirational, there’s no denying that. So any artwork inspired by the mountains that inspires you is also a good souvenir to buy in Banff.

This can be anything from canvas paintings to poster prints. The most important is finding artwork that speaks to you. You can find so many unique and different artistic styles inspired by the mountains.

framed paintings of the canadian rocky mountains are on display . There are horizontal and vertical paintings, all small except for the large painting that's slightly blurred in the background. On the right there are two pieces of pottery, a mug with a tree painted in the middle, and a small plate with a bear wearing glasses painted in the middle.

Outdoor Adventures from Banff

A trip to Banff National Park is all about the outdoor adventures, so buy a Banff souvenir that represents that!

7. Something with a Bear

Banff is bear country, so it’s only fitting to buy something with a bear on it to remember your trip. In fact, if you’re visiting during the summer months, you’ll most likely see a bear (hopefully from a safe distance!). I saw two bears walking on the side of the road when I visited Banff in June.

A bear souvenir can be anything, but it doesn’t have to be useless. It can of course be wildlife photography, or artwork to display. But it can also be a more practical souvenir, like a mug, ring plate, or book ends with a bear!

It doesn’t have to have a full bear either, the bear paw is actually the logo for Banff and Lake Louise. So you can also find some souvenirs with bear paws on them too!

a held up printed 4x6 black and white photograph from the 60s as a souvenir from Banff. The photograph is of a woman in a large furry jacket standing next to a bear cub, offering it a treat of some sort to stand up on its hind legs.

8. Parks Canada Memorabilia

Banff is a part of Canada’s National Park, but it’s actually so much more than that. It was the first (and the inspiration) for the creation of National Parks in Canada.

So buy a souvenir for the National Park itself, from the Parks Canada gift shop (in the visitors centre in Banff town, or they also have a shop in Lake Louise).

9. Stories from the Rockies / Survival Book

Buy a book inspired by Banff National Park. I love buying books from my travels (in fact I have an entire library just from the destinations I’ve been!). There are few types of books to buy in Banff depending on your interests.

Learn how to survive in Banff National Park with a wilderness survival guide, like How to Survive the Wilderness. Or if you’re not a survivalist, like myself, read about someone else’s story discovering the Canadian Rockies, like Train Beyond the Rockies. Or go back to the Rockies traditional roots with a book by a Stoney First Nations author.

You can even make your own campfire stories during your time in Banff with a deck to inspire your best stories.

If you’re unsure what book to buy, the Whyte Museum gift shop has an incredible selection. And you can also head to the Public library (under the Whyte Museum) to ask for their opinion.

a top down view books on a wood table. Titles include: How to Fight a Bear... and Win, How to Eat in the Woods, How to Read The Wilderness, and Forest School.

10. Outdoor & Cozy Apparel

The weather in Banff National Park isn’t known for it’s sunbathing temperatures. So it’s all about cozying up in layers. Instead of packing large cozy sweaters, just buy one when you’re there.

Buy some warmer apparel, or even outdoor fall / winter accessories in Banff. Even in the summer in Banff, I wore a tuque (a Canadian beanie). They have so many cute embroidered Banff tuques too.

For something a little bit bigger, buy a cozy sweater. These are perfect for wearing while you’re in Banff to stay warm, and cozying up back in your hotel room.

11. Ski / Cabin Vibes

A trip to Banff National Park (especially in the winter) is all about coming back to a cozy cabin after being outside all day. In Canada, we like to call it Après Ski (the time after you’ve hit the slopes and you’re warming up with a hot chocolate!).

Bring back some of those cozy cabin vibes with the ultimate Banff souvenirs. I already mentioned a large campfire style mug for your hot chocolate, and a cozy sweater. But you can also buy some cozy home decor too, like a scented candle with the smell of the mountains, or a blanket.

a white and cozy sweater hanging on a rack. The print on the sweater is for Apres Ski, there are mountains and a gondola going through evergreen trees. On the bottom is says, Rocky Mountains Canada

Other Relevant Banff Souvenirs to Find

These are more themes or entire stores that you should buy a souvenir from in Banff.

P.S. All of my souvenirs from Banff are included in my complete Banff National Park travel guide.

12. Indigenous Locally Made Souvenirs from Banff

Support locals by buying handcrafted Banff souvenirs from the Stoney Nakoda People (Îyârhe Îethka). They are the original habitants of the Canadian Rockies after all, and still live there today. They make beautiful pieces of jewellery, artwork, clothing, blankets, stories, and more. Buying an Indigenous souvenir supports culture, community, and meaningful storytelling.

You will have to make sure you’re buying something that is authentically made though. To double check, ask the shop owner. They should know more about the piece if it’s truly authentic, and tell you the full name and nation of the artist.

two moccasins are on display on the floor. They have the same design but are different colours. They are both exploding with fur from the inside and it wraps around the rim. The top of the shoe is red or brown with beads on the front creating a sun like pattern.

13. Canadian Pacific Railway Merchandise

The Canadian Pacific Railway turned the Canadian Rockies into what they are today. They didn’t just create a way to cross the Rockies — it helped define how Canadians and the world experience them.

They brought all the tourism to the Rockies which lended to the creation of Banff National Park. They were the original owners of the two infamous Rocky hotels: Banff Springs and Chateau Lake Louise. Even though they no longer own the hotels, the CPR still goes through the Rockies with cargo trains. You might even see the train go by on Morants Curve, or through Canmore during your visit.

So bring back some Banff souvenirs that commemorates the CPR. There’s an entire store in the Banff Springs hotel to buy Canadian Pacific Railway merchandise. My favourite CPR souvenir is the leather luggage tags, to stay on the travel theme. Or you can also find a vintage postcard for the railway.

14. Fairmont Banff Souvenirs

The Fairmont hotels are the original luxury hotels of the Canadian Rockies. As I mentioned, they were originally built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1886 to promote tourism. They were later bought by the Fairmont brand.

Even if you aren’t staying at either hotel, spend some time exploring them and buy yourself a Banff souvenir from these iconic hotels. There is always a Fairmont store, and the Banff Springs and the Chateau Lake Louise are no exception.

15. Roots Sweater or Shirt from Banff & Lake Louise

Roots is a quintessential Canadian lifestyle brand that is a symbol of the country’s relaxed, outdoors-inspired spirit. Although it was founded in Toronto, it has grown far beyond its city of origin to represent Canadian casual wear as a whole.

Its apparel is especially popular in iconic destinations across the country. You’ll often find exclusive T-shirts, hats, and sweaters featuring the name of the location. For example, you can buy Banff and Lake Louise apparel that you can only find here. If you were looking to buy a Banff sweater, there’s no better option than buying one from Roots. (I will warn you though, it isn’t cheap!).

Bonus! Location Specific Memorabilia

There are a lot of location specific souvenirs – some of which you can only get from hiking to (like the Lake Agnes Tea House). If you want a location specific souvenir, you have to buy it when you’re there, otherwise you won’t find it anywhere else.

For example, if you end up hiking to a tea house in Banff (like Lake Agnes Tea House), I recommend picking up something from their small shop. It’ll be on the pricier side, but you can only buy it there. This is the ultimate proof that you did this hike to the tea shop. I still regret not buying a Lake Agnes Tea House sweater, but now I guess I’ll just have to hike to it when I’m back!

banff-national-park-guide-Etsy-pinterest

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

Shop Banff National Park checklist on Etsy

Where to Shop for Banff Souvenirs

Banff town is all about souvenir shopping. Banff Avenue is where you’ll find the most iconic shops, like Roots and the Parks Canada gift shop. The Whyte Museum also has a very nice gift shop with books, art, and locally made products.

As I mentioned, you’ll also want to go to the Fairmont hotels for Banff shopping. Not only for the Fairmont and CPR shops, but they do have other souvenir shops here too. For example, at the Chateau Lake Louise there are some stores across from the Fairview restaurant, and to the right of the lobby.

But if you’re driving to Banff, you’ll also want to stop in Canmore. Main street has some of the best souvenir shopping in Banff (and it’s not even in Banff!). It felt a lot more local than in the park. Also make a point to go to the Canmore Museum gift shop.

Banff Avenue in the winter. Although there are bright red buds cmoing out on one of the branches of the trees on the right. Shops line the left side of the image, with people walking on the sidewalk. The buildings lead your eye into the cascading mountain behind the town.

Hotel Recommendations Banff National Park

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.

the room at the buffalo mountain lodge in banff national park. It's a rustic cozy vibe. A large king bed is up agains a light wood head board on the right. There's s tone fireplace in the back left with two cozy chairs facing it. And there's a balcony door leading to the forest behind the hotel.

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.

15 Banff Souvenirs that Capture the Canadian Rockies Spirit

What To Buy in Banff