Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Banff

"The scenic blue Lake Minnewanka has much to offer the outdoors recreationalist: hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and booing. Winter activities include cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. It is a nature photographer’s dream, with gorgeous scenery and an abundance of wildlife, including deer, bears, mountain sheep and elk."

"A glacial lake, the Lake Minnewanka is famous for its scenic drive that is a 15 mile loop. Going clockwise, you can begin by exploring the abandoned coal mines and the mining community and head up to the Lake, the largest lake in the park. The natural beauty you’ll see here is par excellence."

"I recommend you walk eastward along the shore of Banff’s biggest lake. That’s where the lake usually thaws first and offers up a reflection of the surrounding peaks. Paul’s Photography Tip: Look for natural frames to add depth to your compositions (try shooting through trees, for example)."

"For those who do not wish to hike, you can take the famous Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain for a panoramic view of Banff as well as the surrounding mountain peaks. The Banff Sighting seeing Gondola is an 8 minute ride that takes you 2281m (~7500ft) above ground to the summit of Sulphur Mountain in a 4 people cabin. There are restaurants, cafes, an interpretive center and short hiking trails at the Sulphur Mountain Board Walk. The price for adults is CAD 58 per ticket, and for children aged 6-15 is CAD 29."

"Next on our list is one of the most famous things to do in Banff and that’s taking the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain. From the top, the views are absolutely stunning!. To me, the Banff Gondola is the most spectacular gondola ride in Canada."

"After exploring the Banff town, head to the Sulphur mountains. The Banff Sightseeing Gondola is located 5 minutes from the Town of Banff."

"Sitting at the foot of Mount Rundle and a 5-minute drive from the township of Banff, Vermilion Lakes are a series of 3 shallow lakes. To reach them, take Vermilion Lakes Road, a scenic 4.3-kilometre route. When the water is calm, the lakes provide a perfect reflection of the surrounding mountains."

"The trail follows the south shore of the Bow River from Banff Pedestrian Bridge to Bow Falls, the famous waterfall below Banff Springs Hotel. The trail has some up and down but nothing that little ones can’t handle. You can budget about an hour return for walking Bow Falls trail with kids."

"The Bow Falls trail is just a few minutes away from the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. It is a section of the Bow River that is easily accessible by car for you to quickly be able to watch this magnificent river flows through the Rockies. So quick, so clear and so cold!"

"This is a very little known spot in Banff that has all the views and none of the crowds. It’s perfect for a wedding, which is why you can rent it for one from the town for next to nothing (check here for rates). It’s also a great spot for a quick photoshoot with the bridal party, and can easily be accessed through the back streets even on the busiest days of summer."

"415 Banff Ave, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta CanadaItalian, Swiss, EuropeanLunch, Dinner, Late NightReservations, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service+1 403-762-3848http://www.ticinorestaurant.com"

"This new room is actually an outpost of a celebrated Quebec-based Italian restaurant, but the cabin-chic design makes the transplant feel right at home in the Moose Hotel. Though there are other Italian restaurants in Banff, Pacini is the only one serving brunch on weekends (with mouth-watering offerings like capicollo and pesto eggs benny, and breakfast lasagna crepes stuffed with ham, spinach and alfredo sauce) and breakfast everyday. If you're there later in the day, you can't go wrong with asparagus and shrimp risotto, or the Italian feast for two with steak, sausage, asparagus topped with Sicilian sea salt."

"345 Banff Ave in the Moose Hotel & Suites, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta T1L 1H8 CanadaItalian, PizzaBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner, BrunchTakeout, Reservations, Seating, Street Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service+1 403-760-8580http://moosehotelandsuites.com/pacini-restaurant/"

"There aren’t any signs leading to this beautiful spot, but you’ll know you’ve reached it when the historic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel suddenly comes into view. This spectacular and surprising viewpoint is where most of the famous photos of the ‘Castle of the Rockies’ have been taken. It’s an incredibly picturesque spot with Bow River in the foreground and Sulphur Mountain in the background."

"Your jaw might just drop when you round the corner and take in the classic view of Banff Springs Hotel at the base of Sulphur Mountain. It only takes a few minutes to drive to this scenic lookout just east of town on the north shore of the Bow River. With older kids, you could even walk there from town on the Bow River Trail."

"The Fairmont is so iconic that you can’t really ignore it and should definitely get a shot there if possible, whether you’re in wedding get up or just taking some romantic shots!"

"Two spots to check out in this region are Grassi Lakes and braving the summit of Ha Ling Peak. You can also visit the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary and get up close in person with these amazing creatures."

"I love natural playgrounds, and this one does a great job of blending into the stunning scenery. The playground features slides, a climbing wall, and several fallen trees and tree stumps for climbing. On the other side of the park, there’s a faux-mountain that kids can climb or run underneath (there’s a small opening in the middle)."

"Banff gets hip with a microdistillery to complement its microbrewery, plying spirits (gin, vodka and whiskey) and beer made from Alberta's foothills' grain. It all goes down perfectly with a mesquite beef hoagie,..."