Best Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Banff

THE 10 BEST Cheap Things to Do in Banff

Best Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Banff

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Showing results 1-30 of 55

What travellers are saying

  • Lee L
    Valhalla, NY2,289 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    On the last day of our tour we stopped here to have lunch and take a boat tour. Like most of the lakes in the area a beautiful glacier fed lake with lots of mountains and scenery around. Also a great place to have a picnic by the lake before getting in the bus to finish the vacation with a drive back to Calgary.
    Written 25 October 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • David n
    Manchester, UK4,878 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Its a lovely, simple walk - even in winter - from Banff to the falls. Well-signposted and on gravel footpaths. Very picturesque and well worth a few pics. A short walk away is a road leading upwards to the Fairmont hotel which is an iconic place to visit perhaps for a hot chocolate in their lounge with super views.
    Written 9 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • David n
    Manchester, UK4,878 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Extra-ordinarily picturesque with the mountain at one end of this street. Very easy to take photos from the middle of the road which has pedestrian areas. the street itself is home to a wide range of shops - sweet shops, chocolate, soaps, Xmas shop and lots of eateries, bars and restaurants.
    Written 9 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • travelwhileukan
    Marietta, GA73 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great hike with expansive views at the summit. October 10, 2024. There was snow on the trail. 6 degrees Celsius at the trailhead that day. Walking poles and snow cleats were a huge help! Very blustery on parts of trail. A hat with a hood will keep you warm. Wear good boots. Leg gators or rain pants will keep snow off your feet /legs. 2.5 hours round trip for us.
    Written 12 October 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Darren B
    Courtland, VA662 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We enjoyed riding our e-bikes on the Bow Valley Parkway from Vermillion Lakes to Muleshoe.
    The parkway was closed to automobile traffic at the time of our visit. Being able to ride on this beautiful parkway through such amazing surroundings without the fear of being run over by cars was an amazing treat.
    Enjoy.
    Written 13 June 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Christian M
    Copenhagen, Denmark6,223 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We, being somewhat middle-aged, huffed and puffed our way up, up, up the +2 km of Tunnel Mountain, until we reached the top with its stunning view of Banff (which is actually prettier at street level), the green valley, the blue river, and the surrounding mountains...

    ...while children aged 4 and up cheerfully jogged alongside their sweating parents, enjoying the unfamiliar surroundings.

    The hike is highly recommended for anyone in reasonably good shape. And, seemingly, no one else experienced the mild bouts of vertigo that I did near the top (and I made it; just with a bit of a racing heart).

    The +2 km descent takes less than half the time of the climb, and the sweat quickly dries off as you go down.
    Written 11 August 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • ashleylynn722018
    Santa Clarita, CA76 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Cave and Basin was a quick and easy attraction in Banff that can be added to your trip if you have a little extra time and are interested in the history of the area and site. We took the Roam Bus 4 and our driver recommended that there was a tour every half hour and it was included in the price of admission. We took the tour and it was worth it just to have someone point out the Banff Spring Snails to us and they scooped some water out of the springs so we could touch it, the only way to touch the water due to it now being a protected habitat for the snails. Overall we spent about an hour here. Recommend if you have some extra time while in Banff, but this isn't necessarily one of the must do attractions in town.
    Written 15 August 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • jsd26
    Cardiff, UK170 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Over the bridge at the bottom end of Banff Avenue, the National Park building provides a beautiful backdrop to the Avenue. To the side and just behind the building are the beautiful Cascade of Time Gardens. Running in a series of small terraces up the hillside, interspersed with small waterways and ponds amidst beds of stunning flowers, the gardens provides a glorious and peaceful space to sit and rest awhile.
    Written 15 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • David n
    Manchester, UK4,878 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A short walk off the Fenland Trail leads you to the first of these three lakes. In winter, they are covered in snow but the surrounding views are super.
    Written 9 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jakab Travel Time
    Newcastle, Australia64 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Took a couple of hours out of our schedule to unwind in the hot springs. We went early. Took a little time to get checked in but once in it was great to relax. Not a bad outlook of the mountains either.
    Written 9 July 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • David n
    Manchester, UK4,878 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This "corner" is a short - maybe 15 minutes - from Banff's main street. Well-signposted and on gravel / tarmac to the viewpoint.

    The viewpoint itself is up two flights of stairs but the best views of the iconic Fairmont hotel are from the road leading the this viewpoint. When we were there mountain deer were walking around which is a bonus at this quiet time of year.
    Written 9 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Lerrie P
    1 contribution
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The group of friends went in Two Jack lake yesterday, it was a long weekend so the place was busy. The Parks Canada staff told me the lake parking was full. I told the staff I will just unload my stuffs as my group of friends were already inside. So I drove in to the exit area because she blocked the entrance gate. The staff told me, "Hope you understand that this is an exit door", I do understand it but where to get in, right? Even she was mean and rude to me, I still thank her for allowing me to drive in for a short time. I told her "Thank you" at the end then she answered me back "You're not welcome!". I don't think this kind of person would be accepted as an employee for a tourist scenery place. Her behaviour is not acceptable and she acted like she owned the place. Anyways, myself and the group enjoyed the amazing scenery of the place, minus the negative behaviour of the lady staff assigned at the gate. The 3 stars I gave is for the stunning scenery, and -1 for the Parks Canada lady staff.
    Written 2 September 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • SB
    Rochester, NY143 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent visitor center with great location and great service: only difficulty was the incredibly long lines. Not sure whether it would be possible to add more staff given the size of the facility, which is a terrific historic building in town.
    Written 8 September 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Metis gal
    Chilliwack, Canada307 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a very interesting Museum. We enjoyed all the art work and the Authentic Historical pieces on display. The amount of catalogued Cultural History here is staggering. One could spend days on going through the archives all about the Rocky Mountains. Very well done.
    We did not get to see the historic log homes due to time constraints.
    Written 4 October 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • L0d0
    London404 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth a drive or take the bus to the Hoogoo view point for great views of the river below.
    Very scenic drive just outside town.
    Written 22 June 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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