Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park is more than just a destination—it's an experience that stirs the soul. With its turquoise lakes, rugged mountain peaks, and charming alpine town, Banff effortlessly blends wild natural beauty with sophisticated hospitality. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast chasing hiking trails and ski slopes or a traveler seeking tranquility and stunning vistas, Banff offers a journey into one of North America's most breathtaking landscapes. Read on for the best places to stay, must-see things to do, and how to fit it all into a 7-day itinerary. 

Banff National Park encompasses more than 2500 square miles of back country beauty, while the actual town of Banff is the area’s cosmopolitan hub with restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. Even if you’ve come to get back to nature, you’ll still enjoy some time in town. You can pair a stay in Banff with a stay at Lake Louise, which is about an hour’s drive from town. We did four nights in Banff and three nights in Lake Louise, but I recommend flipping it and spending more time in Lake Louise. I enjoyed how peaceful and picturesque Lake Louise is, plus it’s closer to must-see spots, so you do less driving from there. 

We stayed in the two most famous hotels in Banff National Park - Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, both of which are Virtuoso properties, so I can offer special rates and special perks like complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, and resort credits through my partnerships.

A mile from downtown Banff, this castle-like hotel is as beautiful as its surroundings. The views from the back lawn, pool and terraces are jaw-dropping. However, our tiny “Deluxe” room with the smallest hotel bathroom I’ve ever seen, coupled with the hotel’s high prices make it difficult for me to recommend this hotel for a family - unless you can splurge on a suite. 

In addition to all the amenities on property, the area’s most famous golf course - Banff Springs Golf Course - is close by. Now that my son is an avid golfer like his dad, golf for the boys and shopping for the girls has become part of our travel itinerary. The boys said the course lived up to the hype!

Lake Louise is one of the top must dos in Banff National Park, but it’s difficult to experience now that private cars aren’t allowed - unless you’re staying at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The hotel sits right on the lake, so as a guest here, you have prime views and VIP access to one of the most gorgeous lakes and some of the best hiking in the area. In fact, the trailheads for the two of the best hikes in Banff National Park - Lake Agnes and Plain of Six Glaciers, both of which offer teahouses at the top - start at Lake Louise. In addition, Moraine Lake and Emerald Lake are nearby, and the Icefields Parkway begins here. 

Compared to our room at Fairmont Banff Springs, our fully renovated room at the Chateau was huge, modern, and had picture-perfect views of the lake. Our favorite activity, the polar plunge, and our favorite meal of fondue at Walliser Stube were both at the Chateau. We loved it here! 

If you’re visiting Banff in the summer like we did, you can fill your days with hiking, canoeing, mountain biking, rappelling, and more. Pack layers because temperatures can swing from the 40s to the 80s over the course of the day with occasional rain. I didn’t pack well and ended up buying a coat while we were there and wore it almost every day. 

Summer is peak season, so expect crowds and start planning 9-12 months ahead for your accommodations and activities. 

 In Winter, Banff turns into a world-class ski town where you can experience SkiBig3, three ski resorts offering a variety of terrain and stunning views.

The best time to ski in Banff is typically December to mid-April, with February considered the peak month for powder. The area also offers snowshoeing, ice walks, and frozen waterfalls. 

Shoulder season at Banff National Park is spring and fall, offering less crowds and lower prices. However, some attractions may be closed due to snow or thawing. 

Everyone visiting Banff National Park must purchase a park pass for your entire stay. For our trip, we lucked out because admission was free the entire summer through the Canada Strong Pass initiative.  

Get an early morning start to beat the crowds and secure a parking spot at the trailheads.  Our kids were always whiny early morning, but they perked up with baked goods and breathtaking scenery. Consider some downtime after lunch before heading back out for more mountains! The sun sets super late in the summer - around 9:30pm - so your days can be very full! 

After the hike, we were ready to soothe our muscles with the Polar Plunge in Lake Louise where the water temperature was a cool 57 degrees! This is a Fairmont activity, and it was my favorite experience of the trip! The boys and I stayed in for 3.5 minutes, while my daughter braved the cold water for 12.5 minutes!  Our guide had to make Ava get out! The hot tub afterward was on point!  The finale to our best day was an amazing fondue dinner at Walliser Stube at the hotel!

You can’t leave without a visit to the stunning Moraine Lake, but you need to plan ahead and book spots on the shuttle because no cars are allowed. Rent a canoe as soon as you arrive, then climb the rock pile where you can get that iconic Lake Moraine photo. You can do the Consolation Lakes hike or just walk partway around the lake. Food options here are pretty dismal compared to the teahouse.

When you’re ready to experience all the beauty of Banff, Show Them the World can help make your dream vacation easy … and spectacular! Check us out at https://showthemtheworld.net