|
|
Banff Sightseeing |
|
Banff National Park is filled with magnificent scenery. The snow-capped
peaks of the Canadian Rockies create a natural backdrop for ancient
glaciers, pristine lakes, fast-flowing rivers, and the Town of
Banff and
the Hamlet of Lake Louise. One of the main attractions of Banff is that the best scenery is accessible to everyone. A panorama of mountains surrounds the townsite, framing photos of our main street, creating a memorable backdrop for restaurant diners who talk their way to a window table, and distracting golfers on the Banff Springs Golf Course.  Lookouts and parking areas are strategically located along park roads. The Bow Valley Parkway between Banff and Lake Louise provides a scenic alternative to the main highway, while the Icefields Parkway takes visitors north from Lake Louise and treats them to breathtaking views of the glaciated northern reaches of the park. Two of the park’s most photographed scenes, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, are linked to the road system, so you can drive right up and enjoy their picture-postcard beauty. Sightseeing at some of Banff's natural attractions is made easier by commercial operations. At Lake Minnewanka, tour boats provide access to a remote corner of the park where the vertical walls of Devil’s Gap rise impressively from the deep, cold water. Banff Gondola transports visitors to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, where the 360-degree panorama includes the Town of Banff, the Bow River, and distinctive Mount Rundle. Views from the top the Lake Louise Gondola are equally impressive, with the bonus of walks leading through flower-filled meadows. Wildlife viewing in Banff National Park is a major attraction for visitors. You may come across bighorn sheep at the top of the Banff Gondola, elk grazing on the golf course, deer wandering through downtown, or a black bear feasting on dandelions along the Bow Valley Parkway. As long as you stay safe and keep your distance, wildlife sighting can make the Banff sightseeing experience all the more memorable. Rainy day sightseeing diversions are many. The story of the park’s creation unravels at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. The Banff Park Museum is an old-fashioned wildlife display that says as much about changing values as it teaches about natural history. The Whyte Museum holds the world’s largest collection of Canadian Rockies art and literature. Built like a stockade, the distinctive Buffalo Nations Museum is dedicated to the natives who once hunted and fished in the region. Traveling independently to the park’s major sightseeing attractions allows for a flexible schedule, but by joining a guided tour, you’ll be assured of not missing anything. |
Accommodations in Banff
Banff Aspen Lodge |