Surprise Corner, Banff: Address, Surprise Corner Reviews: 4.5/5
Surprise Corner
Surprise Corner
4.5
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The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
131 within 5 kms

Three Ravens Restaurant & Wine Bar
608
0.4 km$$$$ • Contemporary • Canadian • Vegetarian Friendly

Chuck's Steakhouse
582
0.4 km$$$$ • Steakhouse • Canadian • Gluten Free Options

BeaverTails
649
0.4 km$ • Fast food • Canadian

Block Kitchen and Bar
1,159
0.5 km$$ - $$$ • Asian • Fusion • Canadian

Balkan Restaurant
1,557
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Greek • Healthy

COWS Banff
637
0.5 km$ • Dessert • Canadian

Tommy's Neighbourhood Pub
533
0.4 km$ • Bar • Pub • Canadian

The Maple Leaf
2,398
0.5 km$$$$ • American • Canadian • Vegetarian Friendly

Banff Ave Brewing Co
1,329
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Brew Pub • Bar • Pub

Eddie Burger & Bar
1,438
0.5 km$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Canadian
Attractions
47 within 10 kms

Lake Minnewanka
3,790
0.4 kmBodies of Water

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
369
0.5 kmArt Galleries • Theatres

Banff Park Museum
437
0.4 kmSpeciality Museums • Natural History Museums

Roam Public Transit Service
577
0.5 kmPublic Transportation Systems

Banff Avenue
1,476
0.5 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas

Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
581
0.5 kmSpeciality Museums

Central Park
93
0.4 kmParks

Banff Visitor Centre
1,114
0.6 kmVisitor Centres

Cascade Gardens
422
0.6 kmGardens

Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum
355
0.6 kmNatural History Museums • Educational sites
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
725 reviews
Excellent
338
Very good
259
Average
115
Poor
8
Terrible
5
Ron
St. George, UT12 contributions
I always enjoy this view and bring friends to check it out. Not too many tourists know about this place but very near to downtown and easy to get to.
Written 30 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sharon R
Tucson, Arizona240 contributions
A fun place to drive with mountain and river views. There is a viewing platform which gives a fantastic view of the hotel.
Written 18 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ruth S
Bellevue, WA693 contributions
Coach driver stopped here for us to look and take pictures…probably would not have seen it otherwise.
Written 10 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Joni K
Jerome, ID264 contributions
Just driving along in the middle of nowhere ... you come around the corner and this stunner reaches to meet the sky - What a feat of engineering. The Queen Mother saw it and said, "What a surprise," hence the name.
Written 18 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SoozClues
Tampa, FL280 contributions
Went to capture a nighttime photo of the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel from Surprise Corner. It was a little dodgy as there are no lights on the steps. Going up was easy, but coming down in the dark was a bit tenuous.
Written 12 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JFLeBlanc
Moncton, Canada3,361 contributions
Couples
Recently came at this viewpoint and visited the area. There is a magnific view of the Fairmont Banff Springs.. Free parking, but limited..
Written 4 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Corinna H
Winnipeg, Canada489 contributions
Friends
We were driving and just did not expect to see such beauty as we turned the corner. We pulled in and parked. Enjoyed seeing from the roadway then walked up the stairs on the other side of the road. Both are beautiful and we could have stayed all day!
Written 15 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Shai & Huvi
Thornhill, Canada257 contributions
This is the best view of the famous Banff Springs Hotel! While it was some sort of a local secret, it is certainly more on the map and easy to access with a car.
Written 8 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jercilla93
30 contributions
Family
We were expecting good views and were met with great ones. Lovely beautiful place to stop at. There are also 2 trails you can do from here as well I think one of which is the Hoodoo Trail. We walked this trail for about 30 minutes and then turned back from the steps leading up the side of the mountain. Very beautiful easy hike to that point.
Written 3 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1girl_1passport
Vancouver, Canada1,038 contributions
When you think of Banff you think of the Fairmount Hotel and this is the viewpoint to get that classic "postcard" view/picture.
The viewpoint frames the famous Canadian hotel perfectly!
You can also take a trail down to the Bow falls viewpoint. Though we did not have the time on this trip, it will be added for next time!
The downside is the parking lot is very small.
The viewpoint frames the famous Canadian hotel perfectly!
You can also take a trail down to the Bow falls viewpoint. Though we did not have the time on this trip, it will be added for next time!
The downside is the parking lot is very small.
Written 17 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Frequently Asked Questions about Surprise Corner
- We recommend booking Surprise Corner tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 28 Surprise Corner tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Surprise Corner:
- Winter Tour: Banff and Its Wildlife (From $106.05)
- Summer Tour: Banff and its Wildlife (From $103.33)
- Classic Banff Day Tour: Banff, Sulphur Mountain, Johnston Canyon (From $168.23)
- Lake Louise and Banff Day Trip (From $1,198.00)
- Super DEAL! Canadian Rockies visit Banff, Jasper and Yoho, 5-days tour (From $1,595.69)
- Hotels near Surprise Corner:
- (0.14 km) Tan - Y - Bryn B&B
- (0.29 km) Beaujolais Boutique B&B at Thea's House
- (0.12 km) Banff Bear Bed & Breakfast Suite
- (0.11 km) The Banff Bear B&B Suite
- (0.15 km) Banff - A Mountain Suite, perfect getaway for two couples, friends, or family
- Restaurants near Surprise Corner:
- (0.37 km) Three Ravens Restaurant & Wine Bar
- (0.41 km) Chuck's Steakhouse
- (0.43 km) BeaverTails
- (0.41 km) Balkan Restaurant
- (0.30 km) Maclab Bistro