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Overview 

In spite of a total area of less than two square miles, the resort town of Banff is one of Canada’s most-visited tourist destinations and draws more than 4 million tourists every year. Banff is a small town site in the province of Alberta, Canada, and is located within the picturesque Banff National Park in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. One of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites, Banff is famous for its imposing mountain backdrops and hot springs. It is also a great outdoor sports destination and offers biking, scrambling, skiing and hiking areas within the region.

Things to Do

Have a wonderful time in the Banff town site by visiting its best attractions. The major landmarks and attractions include the Banff Rafting River Tours, which offer tour packages along the Kicking Horse and Bow Rivers. The tour also passes through many of the famous landmarks in Banff: the Banff Sulphur Mountain Gondola with its cable car tours that offer spectacular vistas of the Canadian Rockies; the Upper Hot Springs with its naturally hot pools for bathing; and Lake Minnewanka, which provides fishing and boat tours in a scenic area filled with native plants and wildlife. 

Restaurants and Dining

Prepare yourself for a great gastronomic adventure in Banff’s restaurants no matter what your food preferences are. There are affordable restaurants that serve every specialty from Southwestern to Canadian cuisine. Reserve a table at Eden if you feel like splurging. Meanwhile, those looking for a more casual and relaxed atmosphere should head to Evelyn’s Coffee Bar, which serves satisfying food in a friendly ambiance. You can also check out a wide assortment of cuisines in dining places like Coyotes Deli and Grill as well as out-of-the-ordinary restaurants like Saltlik. 

Exploring the City

The town of Banff is so small that you can travel by foot to any place you want to visit. Walking is easy, convenient and enables you to make exciting discoveries through the forests, down the river, or up the slopes. What’s more, these fun adventures are just around 5 to 10 minutes walk from your hotel. You can also explore the town on a bicycle if you do not feel like walking. There are several bike rental shops that you can visit if you plan to go mountain biking, traveling around downtown, or trail riding to the Hot Springs. The Banff town site boasts numerous trails that wind through the forests, along falls and streams, which will take you to scenic mountain and lake views.

Best Museums

Some of the best museums and art galleries that you should not miss while in Banff include:

• The Canada House Gallery – It exhibits a huge collection of artwork produced by Canadian artists, as well as numerous superb Inuit paintings.

• The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies – This museum houses photo exhibits and an art gallery, and provides summer concerts as well as interesting information about the world-renowned Canadian Rockies.

• The Canadian West Ski Museum – It offers an exhaustive display that focuses on skiing in Canada, as well as information about the various ski resorts in the area.

• The Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum – It specializes in Canada’s colorful history, housing many amazing exhibits and artifacts, along with seasonal outdoor activities and events.

• The Banff Park Museum – This is a national historical landmark that features Canada’s perspective on wildlife and conservation.