Banff is an incredibly beautiful place. There is beautiful scenery anywhere you go.
We traveled mid September and took our daughter (1.5 years old)!
Long weekend in Banff? Follow our footsteps! Above is a Map of places we visited!
Canmore, Alberta, Canada
This is a great place to set up your base camp for a lower cost option. BOOK HOTELS EARLY! The cheapest places sell out quick. Canmore is less than an hour and a half (Approx 1.33 hr) drive from Calgary Airport.
Lake Minnewanka
This lake took us by surprise. Away from the hustle and bustle of the other lakes, this one had just a few people around and was very relaxing, Incredibly family friendly, and an easy stroll to the lake. I highly recommend stopping here for some solitude.
Banff – Town
The town center is a great place to grab some lunch or dinner and shop for Banff gear. Parking is a pain so be sure to rent a small car. It was a bit busy so we didn’t grab a photo, but worth checking it out.
Johnston Canyon
Johnston Canyon is a beautiful scenic walk, but is a bit overcrowded. We advise going here if you have time, but don’t go out of your way for it. Its about a mile and a half uphill return hike following a small river.
Castle Mountain (View Only)
We found a great place to view Castle Mountain. Castle Mountain Junction has a picnic area, a small shop, and chalets. If you enjoy sleeping in a chalet, these are a fantastic place to spend your trip. It is a great location with a short drive to major attractions.
Moraine Lake
MUST SEE:
Most photogenic lake in Banff. Incredibly breathtaking. Parking is very limited. Get here early if you can.
Lake Louise
MUST SEE:
Lake Louise is the most well known lake in Banff and is located near Moraine Lake. Its crowded, but stunning. Get there early to avoid the crowds. Very family friendly. Follow the hike up to the Lake Agnes Tea House.
Hike to Lake Agnes Tea House
Its an uphill battle to get to Lake Agnes Tea House. Its only about 2.2 miles each way to the Tea House, but every step is an elevation gain. If you’re an experienced hiker, its well worth it. If you get tired after a mile back home, you may want to consider a different hike. The Tea House has food and beverages for purchase and bathrooms. BRING CASH AND A JACKET. Be prepared to pack out any trash from the Tea House as well.
Hector Lake (View Only)
Hector Lake is just a quick stop along the highway. The lake glows out from underneath the treeline. Great place to stop for a few pictures as you’re heading north.
Bow Lake
We stopped here twice. Once just along the highway, but the better view is if you take the side road. There’s a beautiful field in which has a few beaten paths. You can walk up to the lake; it is a great place to spend some time.
Peyto Lake
MUST SEE:
One of the best overviews I’ve seen in my life. Its a decent uphill walk on a paved path from the parking lot to the overview, but well worth it.
Icefields Parkway
Icefields Parkway is really a long road between Banff and Jasper (shown) that goes through a valley that was carved out by a glacier. They have designated overlooks for taking pictures. Excellent place to stop and get a breathtaking view!
Columbia Icefield
Columbia Icefield has Its a short hike up from the parking lot. Bring a jacket. The glacier creates its own weather. It cools air which sinks. This sinking air has to go somewhere so it creates cold wind at the bottom that can be brutal if you aren’t prepared.
Our Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Calgary around 10 PM. Grab rental car and head to the hotel for the night.
Day 2: Head to Banff. Get park pass. Hike Johnston Canyon. Rest at Castle Mountain Junction with a view of Castle Mountain. Head to Moraine Lake. Head back to Canmore and check into hotel for the night.
Day 3: Stop for pictures at Hector Lake and Bow Lake. Walk the path to Peyto Lake. Drive the Icefields Parkway to Colombia Icefield stopping for pictures and side adventures on the way. Hike to Colombia Icefield. Return to Canmore stopping at Bow lake again and other scenic locations for pictures.
Day 4: Get to Lake Louise early. Hike trail to Tea House. The rest of the day drive around looking for bears on the scenic route back to Canmore. Explore Banff town and grab souvenirs.
Day 5: Go to Lake Minnewanka. Explore around the lake. Head back to Calgary Airport. Return rental car. Fly home.
Cost
 Flights for Us (HSV to Calgary) (United): $277 x 2 = $554
Taxes for Lap child (Flies Free) = $16.61
Rental Car: $122.39 (Dollar)
1st Night in Calgary: $99.84 (Holiday Inn Express)
2 – 4 Night in Canmore: $618.73 (We booked late) (Coast Canmore Hotel)
Park Pass: Approx $60 for 4 days (Pay by the car)
Total: $1461.67 for 5 Days/2 adults and 1 child under 2
The biggest mistake we made was not booking a hotel early. We could have found a cheaper hotel if we had booked hotels in February when we booked our flights (Travel dates were in September).
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