Are you dreaming of a Canadian Rocky Mountain escape with your family? Then head to Banff! There are so many great things to do in Banff with kids, making it an ideal vacation destination for families who love the great outdoors with a touch of luxury.
So where is Banff? It is situated 60 miles west of Calgary near the border of British Columbia and Alberta. The city of Banff is home to Banff National Park, a Canadian Rocky Mountain paradise.
Explore more of the region with this incredible Banff to Jasper National Park road trip.
The Best Things to do in Banff with Kids
1. Stroll Through Downtown Banff
Families can begin their Banff National Park exploration by walking the quaint downtown streets of Banff.
Situated right in the middle of the city, the Banff Visitor Info Center is a fantastic place to get oriented with the area. Commercial tourism information and Parks Canada, representing Banff National Park, are located within the doors of this historic building.
A myriad of shopping and dining opportunities are offered on the streets of downtown Banff, with plentiful souvenir possibilities around every corner.
The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies and Banff Park Museum are located just off the main drag if you are looking for more downtown activities.
Trekaroo Tip: Don’t forget to snag a copy of the Parks Canada Xplorers booklet while in the visitor center. Similar to the Junior Ranger program in the United States, this activity guide will help orient your children to the park’s wonders and is one of the best free things to do in Banff with kids.
2. Golf at the Legendary Fairmont Banff Springs
The scenic wonderland of Banff provides the perfect backdrop for the game of golf. Mix this with the grandeur of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel & Resort, the historic hotel built in 1888, and golf-loving families have a veritable paradise.
Golf packages are available for the whole family at the internationally acclaimed Banff Springs Golf Course, including CPGA lessons for children 4-18 years old. Play the 18 hole Stanley Thompson course or get a taste of golf on the 9 hole Tunnel Mountain course which is significantly easier for kids.
Families can also play the way the course was intended, with the Heritage Golf Experience that lets golfers utilize antique and replica equipment from nearly 100 years ago.
Tip: Green fees are significantly cheaper, albeit without the worldwide golfer hype and following, down the road at Brewster’s Kananaskis Ranch Golf Course or the Canmore Golf and Curling Club.
4. Explore Cave and Basin National Historic Site
The official starting point of Canada’s national park system, Cave and Basin National Historic Site is an ideal starting place for your Banff adventure.
Kids can secure an Xplorer certificate and dog tag while completing a scavenger hunt through this landmark that takes families through the history of the region, the cave and water basin of its namesake, and Canada’s national park system.
Trekaroo Tip: Got a kiddo afraid of caves? This small, well-lit cave provides ample peace of mind for frightened little ones, and the assortment of other activities and offerings onsite will keep them entertained if the cave still scares them away.
4. Ride the Banff Gondola
Taking a trip to the top of Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola offers not only some of the best views of the surrounding area and its gorgeous six mountain ranges in every direction but also an exciting ride on the one-mile gondola ride to the top.
The Above Banff Interpretive Center, 3 restaurants and a gorgeous look-out patio as well as numerous hiking trails (you can even hike up if you want!), greet you at the top of the mountain. The Above Banff Interpretive Center is one of the hidden fun things to do in Banff with kids. Learn amazing facts about Banff while sitting in tents and other nature displays.
An easy 1km, self-guided, interpretive boardwalk is a great way to enjoy your time at the top of Sulphur Mountain. The path also leads to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site and the Sanson’s Peak Meteorological Station.
5. Take a Dip at Banff Upper Hot Springs
The lake and rivers in and around Banff are filled with freezing glacial water making swimming an option only for the very hardy. The mineral water temperatures at Banff Upper Hot Springs, however, range between 98ºF and 104ºF, making a dip in these natural, albeit modernized, pools a must while visiting Banff.
Trekaroo families recommend arriving early (when the college crowd is sleeping) and renting the old-timey bathing ‘costumes’ for a fun twist on your typical pool experience.
Trekaroo Tip: Radium Hot Springs also offers a similar water experience within a short drive from Banff National Park.
6. Ride Horseback Though the National Park
Although hiking trails abound in and around Banff, a great way to take in the sights of the backcountry without breaking a sweat is by taking a horseback ride.
At the Warner Stables, operated by Banff Trail Riders, families with kids six and up can take guided horseback rides through the mountain trails that surround the city, offering incredible views and the chance to spot wildlife in their natural habitat.
Consider taking a Cowboy Cookout ride that stops midpoint for a hearty cowboy meal; kids under six and anyone who prefers not to ride horseback can ride in a covered wagon making it convenient for the whole family to enjoy of the most memorable things to do in Banff with kids.
7. Hit the Slopes
We would be remiss to not mention the numerous possibilities for family fun during the wintertime in Banff. Just as busy around Christmas as it is during Canada Day, the region comes alive if there is a chance of powder in the forecast.
Lake Louise Ski Resort boasts killer views and a kids’ ski program that is top notch. It is steep and deep, definitely a good option for those who want the wow factor of the scenery.
Sunshine Village welcomes families with an incredible kids program, tons of diverse terrain from green to double black, as well as the only on-hill hotel in Banff. A stay at Sunshine Mountain Lodge means waking up to Banff’s best snow and making first tracks as well as a quick on-ski commute to the hot tub after a day out. Deals and packages are available that include hotel, lift tickets and even lessons.
Family-friendly Mt. Norquay, just minutes from the heart of downtown Banff, offers some of the same great slope side experiences while avoiding longer car rides to the other two mountains.
Visiting Banff in Winter? Don’t miss these 8 Incredible Things To Do in Banff in Winter or these top spots for snow tubing in Banff.
8. Enjoy the Views and Wildlife from the Lake Louise Gondola
Take an open-air or closed gondola to the top of the Lake Louise Ski Resort aboard the Lake Louise Gondola for one of the region’s best chances to see wildlife.
During your 14-minute journey to the top of the mountain, the 6,850-foot altitude gives you ample opportunity to see Lake Louise, glaciers, majestic mountain peaks, wildflower meadows, and plenty of wildlife.
In fact, this gondola is one of the region’s best chances to see grizzly bears, with sightings almost daily in the spring and summer months.
Once at the top of the mountain take the short walk to the Interpretive Centre for self-guided natural heritage presentations, guided talks, and guided hikes and tours.
9. Take a Hike
One of the best ways to explore Banff National Park is by hitting one of the numerous trails that take visitors out of the tourist stops and into the heart of this beautiful country.
Great trail options from the Town of Banff include the Fenland Trail, a mostly shaded 1.3-mile self-guided loop; Silverton Falls, an easy 0.6-mile trail; and the hikes to the Upper and Lower Falls of Johnston Canyon (both of which can be seen in under three hours round trip).
From the Lake Louise area, consider the hike to the Lake Agnes Treehouse, a moderate 4-mile hike that rewards travelers with tea, pie, and a beautiful waterfall view. The Bow River Loop & Interpretive Trail, and Lake Louise & Lake Moraine Shoreline trails are also best bets.
Families will also enjoy taking the gondola to the top of Sunshine Meadows in summer and hiking back down. Sunshine Mountain Lodge is open and located at the foot of Sunshine Meadows, one of the most photographic and isolated places to hike in Banff with kids. Stay the night to experience the hike early in the morning or at dusk.
Trekaroo Tip: Be sure to chat with a Parks Canada Ranger before beginning your hike to get trail suggestions based on your family’s ability. Whenever you hike in Banff, be ready to encounter wildlife, including bears, and take proper precautions.
10. Enjoy the Glacial Lakes
Little compares to your first glimpse of a glacial lake. The stunning aquamarine color supplied by the glacier as it slowly glides down the mountainside produces some of the most vibrant blues and greens on earth.
Lake Louise is one of the world’s most famous, and the Fairmont Lake Louise, situated on the shoreline, boasts pristine views.
Moraine Lake, a very short drive off the main road, features similarly stunning views with a bit less of a crowd and a fun rock pile trail that kids will love scampering up to explore the fantastic views.
Families can rent canoes and kayaks at most of these glacial lakes to experience the beauty of these marvels from a unique vantage point.
Where to Eat in Banff
Families won’t be short on dining options while visiting Banff National Park. The well-developed town of Banff boasts plentiful dining options from familiar chains to fine dining experiences for every budget.
From fresh sushi to incredible pizza, Banff offers a ton of food from different cuisines. Trekaroo families recommend dining at the Bear Street Tavern, Hello Sunshine and The Balkan.
For a special treat head to Cow’s on Banff Avenue to enjoy Canada’s best ice cream.
Where to Stay in Banff
Lodging opportunities abound in Banff National Park. For the ultimate splurge, consider staying at the historic Fairmont Banff Springs or Chateau Lake Louise, both of which made our top list for ultimate hotel splurges in North America.
Trekaroo families also recommend the Douglas Fir Resort and the Hidden Ridge Resort, where families can spread out in a massive three-story condo with full kitchen for making those budget meals.
Easy Day Trips from Banff
Columbia Icefields
Located a 3-hours from Banff, a trip to the Columbia Icefields along the Icefields Parkway is a must-do day trip while in the area.
Along the gorgeous drive, you’ll pass a seemingly never-ending array of postcard-ready backdrops and destinations including the Crowfoot Glacier, Peyto Lake, the Saskatchewan River Crossing, Bow Lake, Bridal Veil Falls, and the Weeping Wall.
The “end” of this tour, which is really the start of Jasper National Park (another national park jewel), is the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefield, the most accessible glacier in North America.
Kids and adults alike will love taking the impressive 6-wheeled Ice Explorer vehicles that transport you on to the glacier where you can get out, walk on, and take pictures of this natural marvel.
Driving from Banff to Jasper? Check out our guide to the Banff to Jasper Drive: The Ultimate Canadian Roadtrip!
Calgary
Just east of the rocky crags, glacial lakes, and tree-lined forests of Banff National Park, the great plains stretch out in mass leading the way to Calgary.
Families visiting this city will enjoy the TELUS Spark Science Centre, Heritage Park Historical Village, and Fort Calgary, in addition to the world-famous Calgary Stampede. Read more about the fun things to do in Calgary.
Special thanks to Katie Bodell who wrote the original version of this article.