Bow Valley Guidebook
Food scene
A “French-inspired bakery with a Canadian flair”, they serve the most delicious croissants, danish, bread and pastries. Their Almond Croissants are the best in town. They also have espresso-based coffee and a great selection of teas. We always stop by and bring a box of goodies home.
69 locals recommend
Le fournil Bakery
101-1205 Bow Valley TrailA “French-inspired bakery with a Canadian flair”, they serve the most delicious croissants, danish, bread and pastries. Their Almond Croissants are the best in town. They also have espresso-based coffee and a great selection of teas. We always stop by and bring a box of goodies home.
Best bagel sandwiches we have ever had! The long lineups over the busy weekend days are totally worth the wait. We recommend the BCLT on jalapeno cheddar bagel with their house made herb and garlic dip. Gluten free and vegan options available :)
99 locals recommend
Rocky Mountain Bagel Co
830 8 StBest bagel sandwiches we have ever had! The long lineups over the busy weekend days are totally worth the wait. We recommend the BCLT on jalapeno cheddar bagel with their house made herb and garlic dip. Gluten free and vegan options available :)
This is one of the many chef-driven restaurants located at a not-so-busy part of Canmore. The place exudes both a formal vibe with its fancy interiors, but also an inviting atmosphere with its friendly service and casual fare.
158 locals recommend
Crazyweed Kitchen
1600 Railway AveThis is one of the many chef-driven restaurants located at a not-so-busy part of Canmore. The place exudes both a formal vibe with its fancy interiors, but also an inviting atmosphere with its friendly service and casual fare.
An all time favourite for us. We highly recommend the Trust the Chef menu option for a 3-course, fine dining experience! All menu items are sourced locally and are absolutely delicious.
24 locals recommend
The Sensory & Wit Bar
101-300 Old Canmore RdAn all time favourite for us. We highly recommend the Trust the Chef menu option for a 3-course, fine dining experience! All menu items are sourced locally and are absolutely delicious.
A local hot-spot! Locally roasted coffee beans with delicious house made snacks. Highly recommend for a casual cup o' joe!
84 locals recommend
Eclipse Coffee Roasters
1516 Bow Valley TrailA local hot-spot! Locally roasted coffee beans with delicious house made snacks. Highly recommend for a casual cup o' joe!
Beer fans? Look no further! This is the location for you! Not only do they offer tours and tastings, but the food menu is spectacular.
160 locals recommend
Where The Buffalo Roam Saloon
626 8 StreetBeer fans? Look no further! This is the location for you! Not only do they offer tours and tastings, but the food menu is spectacular.
Bowling, pool, drinks, food and fun - all wrapped into one. We love bringing our boys to High Rollers for a fun night bowling in Banff. This is a great location!
26 locals recommend
High Rollers
110 Banff AveBowling, pool, drinks, food and fun - all wrapped into one. We love bringing our boys to High Rollers for a fun night bowling in Banff. This is a great location!
4296 - Canmore's Speak Easy!
"Dining at 4296 is an experience for the senses. The dining room interior is beautiful and intimate. The service is fantastic. The food is like no other place, it's like eating art."
626 8 St unit 3, Canmore, AB T1W 2B5, Canada
4296 - Canmore's Speak Easy!
"Dining at 4296 is an experience for the senses. The dining room interior is beautiful and intimate. The service is fantastic. The food is like no other place, it's like eating art."
Neighbourhoods
Every summer, downtown Canmore's main street is closed to vehicle traffic for lots of room to explore this old mining town. From shopping, to coffee stops to dining out - downtown has everything you need.
10 locals recommend
Downtown Canmore
Every summer, downtown Canmore's main street is closed to vehicle traffic for lots of room to explore this old mining town. From shopping, to coffee stops to dining out - downtown has everything you need.
Great hanging spot for the day, quarry lake is the warmest swimable lake in the area. Boasting plenty of picnic tables, restrooms and life vests.
Parking is paid, 2hr is $10.
Quarry Lake, Canmore, AB T1W, Canada
Great hanging spot for the day, quarry lake is the warmest swimable lake in the area. Boasting plenty of picnic tables, restrooms and life vests.
Parking is paid, 2hr is $10.
City/town information
Banff is just a short 20-minute drive West of Canmore or around a 1.5 hour cycle if you plan to take the legendary Legacy Trail. With panoramic mountain views every direction you look, you won't want to miss taking a trip to this iconic mountain town! Do not forget to download your Spotify playlists or schedule your phone calls for times not during this ride as there is very poor service.
Banff is a beautiful mountain town just 1 hour away from Lake Louise and the perfect mix of nature and nightlife.
614 locals recommend
Banff
Banff is just a short 20-minute drive West of Canmore or around a 1.5 hour cycle if you plan to take the legendary Legacy Trail. With panoramic mountain views every direction you look, you won't want to miss taking a trip to this iconic mountain town! Do not forget to download your Spotify playlists or schedule your phone calls for times not during this ride as there is very poor service.
Banff is a beautiful mountain town just 1 hour away from Lake Louise and the perfect mix of nature and nightlife.
Looking for a night out in the big city? Calgary is 1-hour East of Canmore and has everything you need from nightlife to shopping and everything in between.
81 locals recommend
Calgary
Looking for a night out in the big city? Calgary is 1-hour East of Canmore and has everything you need from nightlife to shopping and everything in between.
Sightseeing/Activities
Looking for an amazing view? Take the Banff gondola to check out the panoramic mountain views. Be sure to book your ride online before to secure your spot as this is a very busy tourist attraction that you do not want to miss!
86 locals recommend
Banff Gondola
100 Mountain AveLooking for an amazing view? Take the Banff gondola to check out the panoramic mountain views. Be sure to book your ride online before to secure your spot as this is a very busy tourist attraction that you do not want to miss!
Ski or snowboard? You don't want to miss hitting the slopes on one of Canada's most popular mountains.
142 locals recommend
Sunshine Village
Ski or snowboard? You don't want to miss hitting the slopes on one of Canada's most popular mountains.
Lake Louise is a beautiful 1.5 hour drive from Canmore and has gorgeous blue waters that you do not want to miss checking out. A starting point to lots of hikes and adventures in the area.
371 locals recommend
Lake Louise
Lake Louise Lakeshore TrailLake Louise is a beautiful 1.5 hour drive from Canmore and has gorgeous blue waters that you do not want to miss checking out. A starting point to lots of hikes and adventures in the area.
This is a must-do for first time visitors. It’s the only way to get 360- degree views of the Bow Valley. The Sulphur Mountain Trail at the top feels literally like you are walking in the clouds.
94 locals recommend
Banff Upper Hot Springs
1 Mountain AveThis is a must-do for first time visitors. It’s the only way to get 360- degree views of the Bow Valley. The Sulphur Mountain Trail at the top feels literally like you are walking in the clouds.
Be sure to pack your spikes and poles. Johnston Canyon Trail to Upper Falls is an extremely scenic trail in Banff National Park that has an spectacular frozen waterfall in the depth of winter.
99 locals recommend
Johnston Canyon
Bow Valley ParkwayBe sure to pack your spikes and poles. Johnston Canyon Trail to Upper Falls is an extremely scenic trail in Banff National Park that has an spectacular frozen waterfall in the depth of winter.
A shorter, moderate hike for all fitness levels. There are options for an easier route or a more moderate options. Pets, strollers are welcome.
155 locals recommend
Grassi Lakes
A shorter, moderate hike for all fitness levels. There are options for an easier route or a more moderate options. Pets, strollers are welcome.
A fantastic 27km link from Canmore to Banff, that runs alongside the #1 Highway and wraps around Mount Rundle and Tunnel Mountain, with plenty of vistas along the way. We recommend renting ebikes to makes this return journey that much more enjoyable!
33 locals recommend
Legacy Trail station
A fantastic 27km link from Canmore to Banff, that runs alongside the #1 Highway and wraps around Mount Rundle and Tunnel Mountain, with plenty of vistas along the way. We recommend renting ebikes to makes this return journey that much more enjoyable!
They are non-profit sanctuary for wild wolves, located near Canmore AB. Great experience!
35 locals recommend
Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
263156 Range Rd 53They are non-profit sanctuary for wild wolves, located near Canmore AB. Great experience!
Ride Banff’s biggest gondola (8-passenger cabin capacity) with the whole family. Start at the base at an elevation of 1,659 m and ride the gondola to the top Village terminal at 2,159 m. Take in all the views of the valley and wildlife.
From the Village, ride the Standish Chairlift to 2,385 m (7,825 ft) and experience the 360 degree breathtaking views.
Sunshine Meadows Viewing Deck
Ride Banff’s biggest gondola (8-passenger cabin capacity) with the whole family. Start at the base at an elevation of 1,659 m and ride the gondola to the top Village terminal at 2,159 m. Take in all the views of the valley and wildlife.
From the Village, ride the Standish Chairlift to 2,385 m (7,825 ft) and experience the 360 degree breathtaking views.
Sightseeing
An easy trail that meanders through Canmore, giving you the feeling your far away from a town.
Accessible for all ages.
15 locals recommend
Policeman Creek Trail
610-M 8 StAn easy trail that meanders through Canmore, giving you the feeling your far away from a town.
Accessible for all ages.
The old mining rail has been reinvented to be a lovely walking trail for all ages. We love this as it shows off Canmore’s Mining Heritage.
6 locals recommend
Canmore Engine Bridge
Spur Line TrailThe old mining rail has been reinvented to be a lovely walking trail for all ages. We love this as it shows off Canmore’s Mining Heritage.
Discover this 7.2km hike, considered moderate to hard route, taking around 4hours to complete.
It has an elevation gain of 748m and you’ll be standing at over 2000m.
We have hiked this in the past, last was when our eldest boy was 9 weeks old and had to change a dirty diaper at the top 😂
Ha Ling Peak, Kananaskis, AB T0L 2C0, Canada
Discover this 7.2km hike, considered moderate to hard route, taking around 4hours to complete.
It has an elevation gain of 748m and you’ll be standing at over 2000m.
We have hiked this in the past, last was when our eldest boy was 9 weeks old and had to change a dirty diaper at the top 😂
Extremely popular canyon hike that brings you past 2 falls. Great in summer and winter!
It is generally seen as an easy hike, at 5.3km and taking around 2 hours to hike in and out.
18 locals recommend
Johnston Canyon, Upper Falls
Extremely popular canyon hike that brings you past 2 falls. Great in summer and winter!
It is generally seen as an easy hike, at 5.3km and taking around 2 hours to hike in and out.
One of the most picturesque lakes in the world! If you can get there to see the sunrise hitting the peaks in the distance you will probably not experience a more beautiful sight.
Only accessible by Roam transit from lake Louise as of 2023, and only open in the summer months.
Moraine Lake
One of the most picturesque lakes in the world! If you can get there to see the sunrise hitting the peaks in the distance you will probably not experience a more beautiful sight.
Only accessible by Roam transit from lake Louise as of 2023, and only open in the summer months.
Beautiful hike especially in fall when the larches are turning yellow.
A moderate hike that’s an hour drive into kananaskis country, very popular so parking isn’t always guaranteed.
Ptarmigan Cirque, Kananaskis, AB T0L 1K0, Canada
Beautiful hike especially in fall when the larches are turning yellow.
A moderate hike that’s an hour drive into kananaskis country, very popular so parking isn’t always guaranteed.
One the most beautiful lakes in all the Banff national park. Approximately 2 hours from Banff town.
Peyto Lake, Improvement District No. 9, AB T0L, Canada
One the most beautiful lakes in all the Banff national park. Approximately 2 hours from Banff town.
Takakkaw Falls is a waterfall located in Yoho National Park, near Field, British Columbia in Canada. The falls have a total height of 373 metres (1,224 ft), making them the second tallest waterfall in Canada.
The main drop of the waterfall has a height of 254 metres (833 ft).
"Takakkaw" translates to "magnificent” in Cree. The falls are fed by the meltwater of the Daly Glacier, which is part of the Waputik Icefield. The glacier keeps the volume of the falls up during the warm summer months, and they are a tourist attraction, particularly in late spring after the heavy snow melts, when the falls are at peak condition.
32 locals recommend
Takakkaw Falls
Takakkaw Falls is a waterfall located in Yoho National Park, near Field, British Columbia in Canada. The falls have a total height of 373 metres (1,224 ft), making them the second tallest waterfall in Canada.
The main drop of the waterfall has a height of 254 metres (833 ft).
"Takakkaw" translates to "magnificent” in Cree. The falls are fed by the meltwater of the Daly Glacier, which is part of the Waputik Icefield. The glacier keeps the volume of the falls up during the warm summer months, and they are a tourist attraction, particularly in late spring after the heavy snow melts, when the falls are at peak condition.
Great in and out trail. Minimal elevation gain. Kid and dog friendly. You will cross over the creek 8 times, and learn about the flood in 2013 that shaped this landscape.
Heart Creek Trail
Great in and out trail. Minimal elevation gain. Kid and dog friendly. You will cross over the creek 8 times, and learn about the flood in 2013 that shaped this landscape.
Hard and long hike, but worth the views. Hike along a ridge and have panoramic views of mountains a lake below.
Tent Ridge Horseshoe Trail Head
Hard and long hike, but worth the views. Hike along a ridge and have panoramic views of mountains a lake below.