Banff is indeed a perfect base that is located in the magnificent Canadian Rockies offering a combination of both the stunning powerful scenery and the softer nature landscapes. Banff region is characterized by turquoise water bodies, high mountain ranges, and an abundance of wildlife and has several attractions for every traveler whether it is hiking, Skiing or sightseeing. Due to its attractiveness all seasons, Banff still attracts tourists from all over the world hence you need to plan for an amazing Canada trip.
The first thing which foreign visitors interested in the sightseeing of Banff should do is to get a Canada Visa. A legitimate visa to Canada allows one to access the major attractions in Banff National Park including the beautiful Lake Louise, and the exciting Sulphur Mountain. Here are the top 10 tourist attractions in Banff and all the information you’ll need to fully enjoy your vacation in this part of Canada.
Here is The 10 Best Tourist Places to Visit in Banff Canada
1. Lake Louise
Known internationally for its glacial waters and surround by mountains, the Lake Louise is a famous area of Banff. The summer visitors can hire a canoe to navigate through the lake, take beautiful shots of the mountains and the Victoria Glacier. Winter is a special season as the lake turns into a beautiful place for skating, as it is covered with ice.
2. Sulphur mountain and Banff Gondola
If you want to take in the views of Banff National Park and the Bow Valley, this is a great day trip to the top of Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola. On top, there are the boardwalk that leads to the Cosmic Ray Station and Sanson’s Peak. Photographers will love this place and there is an interpretative center where one can get more information concerning the geology and the history of the area.
3. Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake is world famous as one of the most picturesque lakes and it is also located near Banff. Light is reflected off the rock flour which gave the lake its bright blue color which I found stunning. Weekdays are best for visiting Moraine Lake, especially in the early morning or evening; the Rockpile Trail provides the best view of this glacial lake.
4. Johnston Canyon
This is a well known hiking area for the many and a picturesque trail running by a series of waterfalls and pools. There are bridges over the gushing creek to the Lower Falls and the Upper Falls on this trail. The park is also famous for the ice formation during the winter when water falls have frozen and people use the area for ice climbing, and photographers.
5. Bow Lake
Bow Lake is another stop on the Icefields Parkway that is pretty close to Banff. The beauty of the lake is that it reflects the mountains on its surface – the scenery is very calming. Hiking the Bow Glacier Falls Trail allows hikers to view a waterfall, as well as the glacier that supplies the lake. Bow Lake is quite a calm place suitable for photography and having a lunch.
6. Peyto Lake
It has a very special shape of a wolf head from the bird’s eye view and is a glacial lake situated on the Icefields Parkway. The most popular lookout point is Bow Summit Lookout – nevertheless, it is better to arrive there early in the morning or in the evening when sunlight makes the water of the lake to glow in greenish-blue color. There are other trails in the surrounding area that will take you to some great overlooks.
7. Cave and Basin National Historic Site
This site is thought to be the starting point of Canada’s first national park, Banff, with hot springs and a park history exhibit. The park has many attractions including the cave where natural hot springs were originally found, the native people’s history and heritage, and an opportunity to see the threatened Banff Springs Snail in its native environment.
8. Banff Upper Hot Springs
This is especially true when one has been out all day skiing or hiking, the best way to end it is by taking a dip in the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Located at the Banff National Park, Alberta, these hot pools of water here are natural hot springs and are scenic. It is open all year round and is well suited to relaxation, although it is most striking in the winter when one can sit in hot water gazing at the snow.
9. The Icefields Parkway
Stretching from Banff to Jasper, Icefields Parkway is among the best roads to be driven in the whole wide world. During this route, the travelers will come across glaciers, high mountains, greenish lakes and so many beautiful sights to photograph. Some of the highlights are the Columbia Icefield, the Athabasca Glacier and waterfalls. Take a day trip on this route for an amazing ride through the middle of the Canadian Rockies.
10. Banff Avenue
Banff Avenue is the main street and the social artery of Banff town and consists of shops, galleries, cafes, and restaurants. From here one can look at Cascade Mountain while shopping in the small upscale shops or dining in one of the restaurants. As a main street of the town, Banff Avenue is an ideal place to begin a tour of town and view the art and culture of the area.
Conclusion
Banff is one of a kind destination where tourists are presented with many opportunities to indulge in natural beauty, history and adventure. From the scenic view of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake to the history everyone learns at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Banff offers a vacation of a lifetime for every tourist. Visiting these ten sites will help you appreciate the beauty of the Canadian Rockies and its people.
When planning your trip, do not forget that in order to enter Canada you need a valid visa for those travelers who are planning to explore the treasures of Banff. This is a beautiful town which has many natural resources, including wildlife, natural hot springs and friendly people to make your holiday unforgettable. Well, grab your suitcase, fasten up your seat belts and start off for a wonderful tour of Banff, Canada.
