Anyone familiar with Banff, Canada

[crawf061]

I'm going on a honeymoon to Banff in just under a month and I'm trying to figure out what the best things are to do there.

There are a ton of websites out there with all kinds of different things, but I'm looking more for personal recommendations.

Your input will be greatly appreciated.

[Dent]

I went to Banff In the winter skiing. I live In the province right beside it. Im 16 so maybe the things I like to do are different. But there is definatly excellent golfing.

for something you'd like to do I recommend Taking a trip to "Sunshine Mountain" and Riding the Gondola to the top of the mountain or hike it, (Take some kind of tour there) you'll really enjoy it.

[Pat007]

Make sure to visit Lake Louise and take a swim there (it's a beautiful lake formed by glaciers). If you have a chance, the Banff Springs Golf Course is a must play (it's right there), but it isn't cheap (it'll run you about 200$, but its wel worth it).

Jasper National Park is another must-visit. A very nice car ride through the Rockies will get you there.

The coolest thing I visited there was the city of Drumheller. It's a city built in the badlands and there is a wicked dinosaur museum call the Royal Tyrell Museum thats worth visiting (there are a million fossils around). A 2 minute drive from there gets you to Dinosaur Trail Golf Club (really cool and only 50$). The front nine is nice and the back nine is spectacular, playing through fescue, cactus, rocks and stuff. A definate must play. Check it out: www.dinosaurtrailgolf.com/photogallery.com

You can always go to Calgary to see the Calgary Tower, Olympic Village, Saddledome, Calgary Zoo (pretty big + nice) and the Calgary Stampede.

Edmonton isn't a far drive either, with lots of cool things to see.

[Dent]

Make sure to visit Lake Louise and take a swim there (it's a beautiful lake formed by glaciers). If you have a chance, the Banff Springs Golf Course is a must play (it's right there), but it isn't cheap (it'll run you about 200$, but its wel worth it).

To be Specific, From Calgary-Banff = about 2.5 hrs, Calgary-Edmonton= 1 hr. Driving

[MountainHip]

I live there!

When are you going to be here?
You certainly should hike a mountain.
Try Johnston Canyon.
The Golf Course is fully open on May 15th.

Vermilion Lakes is a great place to take pictures.
A Helicopter ride is a must do.

How long are you here for?
I've been here for 10 years. Ask away, there's not such thing as too many questions.
Need Restaurant recommendations? Where are you staying

[MountainHip]

To be Specific, From Calgary-Banff = about 2.5 hrs, Calgary-Edmonton= 1 hr. Driving

Actually Banff and Calgary are about 2 hours apart,

and Edmonton is a good 3 hours away from Calgary From Banff to Edmonton it's AT LEAST a 4 hour drive "Sunshine Mountain" is a ski area actually called "Sunshine Village" it traditionally has wide open skiing until the 3rd week of May. They just received 50 cm of snow in the last 24 hours. Sulphur Mountain has a gondola you can take to the top Sulphur Mountain: http://www.banffgondola.com/ Sunshine Village: http://www.skibanff.com/

[Mr Eagle]

Your going on your Honeymoon and are asking for things to do???

Visited the town in 98 ,great fun lots of nice walks in the woods with the Mrs(hint)

[Dent]

Actually Banff and Calgary are about 2 hours apart,

Oh woops! I apolgize sorry, I knew i got something mixed up, Now i remember being it 3 hrs, Forgot sorry. Also, 2.5 hrs with the way my parents drive

[Clubswinger21]

I live in B.C., Canada.. Banff is in Alberta (about a 8-12 hour drive from here)

I hope the weather is nice for you, i went skiing at Lake Louise when i was young but i dont remember much.

The Fairmont is in Banff Springs and is a championship course designed by stanley thompson. They had the Telus skin games there last yeay. Play it if you can. If you enjoy huge mountains and lush green scenery you're in for a treat.

[crawf061]

I live there!

Wow, I'm sorry about the forgotten thread. Things got crazy at work last week so that kept me away for a bit.

Alright, so we will be getting into Banff late Sunday night (May 18th), then leaving again on the next Sunday (May 25th). My bride-to-be is not a big golfer, but I think that I can sell her on the prospect if the course is photo-worthy (which includes all the courses that I have seen in Banff). I think that she is pretty much expecting that I will take her for one round while we are there. Here are a few things that we have seen that we want to do:

• Gondola
• Ice field (maybe by tour)
• Dinosaur museum (potentially)
• Lake Louise

I figure we will also do a day trip (or perhaps an overnight trip) to Jasper. It sounds like there is cool stuff there, and it would also be neat because I grew up in a town named Jasper. We are also going to want to become more familiar with the local establishments, restaurants and whatnot. If you have any suggestions of quality (and mostly affordable) local restaurants I would love to hear them! On a similar note, what is this I hear about Poutine ? Is it easy to find all over Canada? Are there any other Canadian soul foods that we need to try?

[bigboom]

Wow, I'm sorry about the forgotten thread. Things got crazy at work last week so that kept me away for a bit.

Poutine should be relatively easy to find jsut hit up any A&W; or even Burger King and they will have poutine usually.

I live in Calgary which is just over an hour away from Banff. On your list you have Dinosaur Museum. The dinosaur museum is in Drumheller which would probably be about a 2.5hour drive from banff as Drumheller is north east of Calgary. So depending on what your range for travel here is a few suggestions that are about 3-4 hour drive time distances from banff. banff: sulphur mountain gondola banff springs golf course Banff Hot Springs (naturally heated sulphur smelling water from the ground) Johnstons Canyon The Grizzly House (restaurant that specializes in oil and cheese fondues, definitely give it a try) Coyotes ( a restaurant that i throuroughly enjoy, great for lunch) Maple Leaf (a restaurant that does canadian type foods, try it for dinner) lake louise (30 minutes away): check out the hotel the lake (its going to be insanely cold in may and i dont remember if they allow swimming or not) take a hike to the teahouse/bee's nest jasper (2-3 hour drive from banff) maligne lake columbia icefields (to get to jasper you have to go on the icefields parkway and there you will see the columbia icefields on your way there, the parkway is probably the most scenic drive in alberta, a definite must do.) Angel glacier- you can hike up to this glacier and see it up close, it is in the shape of an angel, have to take a quick 20 minute hike from parking lot to get there. if you go to jasper this is a must see. calgary (1 hour away) calgary tower glenbow museum walk down 17th ave (trendy area of shopping) eau claire market (take a walk along the bow river) drumheller dinosaur museum/badlands if you have any questions pm me and ill try and help.

[MountainHip]

To get the best poutine in town you have to go to Barpa Bill's , a small hole in the wall place, family owned. It happens to be authentically Greek. However there's a need to for good poutine in this town, and Barpa's fills the gap. There isn't REALLY good poutine anywhere in this part of the country. Poutine is traditionally made with cheese curds, and the air is too dry to produce curd.

For dinner, Maple Leaf has great food. The atmosphere is great there, and the service is hit or miss. The Grizzly House has exotic meats & fondue. The Bow Valley Grill has consistently great food and great service. Located in the Banff Springs Hotel the View is the best in town. You can also go to the Rundle Lounge before dinner at the springs, with the same "Million Dollar View" Coyotes is a personal favourite of mine as well. The Maple Leaf and BVG being Canadian of those choices.

The above restaurants will average $25.00 - $30.00 for entree's.

Affordable places that I like, would be St. James' Gate , an Irish pub, amazing food. Also the Elk and Oarsman make some awesome food as well. For a lunch with an amazing view go to The Clubhouse at the Banff Springs, almost 360 degrees of nature. And the Aforementioned Barpa Bill's . There's great Asian cuisine in town as well; try Chaya or Banff Sushi House , AKA "the sushi train". Don't let me forget about Bruno's Cafe , named for a famous skier/photographer.

You will want to overnight it in Jasper . With sightseeing being a priority the drive there can be 8 hours, making stops along the way. You can try http://www.brewster.ca for sightseeing tours of all kinds, they are the most comfortable and professional operator in town. You can also check out their itineraries, and drive yourself.

You can take Brewster (or drive yourself) to Jasper stopping at the icefields along the way. I would not go to the icefields, come back to Banff, then back up to Jasper. You will be essentially doing the same thing twice. The icefields are 3/4 of the way to Jasper.

You will want to make the Dinosaur museum an overnight trip too. 6 hours of driving, add to that sightseeing, makes for a long day.

Other sightseeing near town, would be Johnston's Canyon - you must do that hike/walk. Also you can talk to your hotel's front desk or concierge and they can tell you all the sights to see. Tour companies call it the Discover Banff tour . (not to be confused with the tour company "Discover Banff Tours" ) Lake Louise makes a nice day trip from Banff, also check out Moraine Lake , (near Lake Louise) if it is open.

Best thing to do for sightseeing, if your driving yourself is to stop in at the information center , and they will give you all the information you need on all activities imaginable.

Check out Taxi Mike's page for the information you are looking for. If you want to meet Taxi Mike, just call Taxi-Taxi and ask Mike to pick you up. (FYI - I'm not Mike) http://www.taximike.com/

[crawf061]

That was some great information guys. Now we know our options for everything. Thanks so much for your help!

[tmoult]

I live in Calgary 45minutes to an hour away from Banff depending on road conditions. Its an amazing place with lots of wildlife and scenery. Definitley check out lake louise and the banff springs. Also, if you get the chance about a 2 hours drive from banff is a place called Emrald Lake Lodge. Many nice walks and a fantastic restaurant are there. The Kananaskis golf course is also amazing! and world class. Rated in the top three Canada if you want a chance to play golf in the mountians this is the one, watch out for bears tho they enjoy lieing in the fairways! :). If i think of anything more i'll let you know.

[Guest]

I'm going to be visiting Canmore, Alberta for two weeks. Does anyone know of discount tee times for the area (Banff, etc.)? I'm not sure I can afford to play $150+ green fees every day. Thanks!