Best Banff Hidden Gem Attractions
THE 10 BEST Hidden Gem Attractions in Banff
Best Banff Hidden Gem Attractions
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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13 results sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
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What travellers are saying
- Stephen & SueCanberra, Australia2,772 contributionsSunshine Meadows would be the least publicised of the 4 chairlifts or gondolas in this area, but wow, what an absolute gem.
It’s about half an hour out of town, and starts with a gondola ride, then change to a chairlift, then a short walk to a viewing platform that brings you to just about the most beautiful spot in the Rockies.
From there you can walk a short distance into the wildflower meadows and back, or continue on to the longer 2 hour circuit down to the lower lakes, and then back around to the gondola (no need to walk back up the steep slope to the chairlift).
And the lack of publicity means no crowds. We couldn’t believe how few people knew about this place.
There was heaps of free parking, no queue for the gondola or the chairlift, or the cafes at the base station or chairlift station.
And if, as we did, you extend the walk beyond the first platform, you will rarely encounter another person.
Instead you get waterfalls, running streams, lakes, stunning views and wildflower meadows.
As the little boy next to us said when he reached the lookout “mum, I can’t believe it’s real”. Neither could we.
Weather plays a big part here so, choose a sunny day, but if you can only do one gondola or chairlift, ditch the rest and journey out to Sunshine Meadows.Written 15 December 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - travelwhileukanMarietta, GA73 contributionsGreat 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 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- L0d0London406 contributionsWorth 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 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - KellyNagle553 contributionsExcellent trail, even if it's a bit smoky. Cirque Peak is close enough to see well in the morning sunlight. Highly recommend going past Helen Lake up the Dolomite Ridge and then down past Katherine Lake. Very colourful rock formations with interesting textures and layers. Awesome views. Lots of wild flowers and butterflies. Some horseflies escorted us most of the way. Minimal mosquitoes July 15th. There is a hidden glacier and lovely waterfall if you continue past Katherine lake and go a bit right off the main trail. The Dolomites look better in the afternoon once the sun comes around.Written 26 July 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Bryan WhiteBanff, Canada5 contributionsOH MY GOD!!! Maybe I should wait for this post massage euphoria to wear off, but I'm currently on cloud 9 after a visit to this amazing Spa! The location was great, right downtown with a parking lot beside the building and amazing views out the window while you wait for your turn. The spa is absolutely stunning inside, very relaxing atmosphere with big windows in the waiting space. Even the waiting space is amazing, it's a big cozy room, looks like the kind of space people would do fancy yoga in. Lots of different seating options, all of which look super cozy, and stunning mountain views. There's even little outdoorsy touches around the space making everything feel very down to earth. I'll upload a photo.
The treatment room was also very nice. A Canadian cabin in the mountains feel. Perfect calming music playing.
My therapist, Nicole, was super friendly and calm. After a quick discussion about my needs she seemed to be inside my mind as to what I was after. Just the right amount of pressure at a perfect pace made for an outstanding massage. Clearly an absolute professional with just enough communication to keep things calm without interrupting the experience.
This place is far more than your average massage place, it truly lives up to its name as a day spa. A must visit if you are in Banff!!!Written 30 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Taylor O1 contributionAwesome experience with friendly staff. We did the Marvin’s diner room with 4 people and it was a good amount of time for the difficulty level that it was. Next time we are in Banff we want to try the other escape room they have! Looking forward to it.Written 24 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lol2603East Sussex, UK64 contributionsReally well organised and safe. Great fun.
All equipment supplied plus free photos and refreshments at end. Friendly guides; we had Ugo and he even taught us how to move the raft if it got stuck in low water! Fun with other rafts too.
Chance to swim off raft at end.
Could not fault it.Written 12 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Joey W5 contributionsA cant-miss experience in the Banff area and a highlight of our trip! We had the best guide, Matt, who made our experience great. He was calm, encouraging, and made a great coach! His optimism and attitude toward life will stick with me long past this excursion.
Highly recommend Mt Norquay Via Ferrata and especially Matt!Written 16 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - WheelieJLoNailsea, UK80 contributionsFabulous place to visit. 3-night stay, which felt long enough to do everything we wanted to. Banff Gondola. Hiked along Bow River and hiked up Tunnel Mountain. Hiked around Vermillion Lakes and Rafted the Bow River.Written 25 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- D S58 contributionsWe eBiked from Banff to Johnston Canyon and then hiked to lower falls with Scott. Amazing adventure! Scott was so kind and cared about each individual in our group.
We had never ridden eBikes before but quickly caught on. It was so fun and Scott encouraged us all along the way. Oh and he is an excellent photographer as well!
Thanks for a great day Scott!!Written 22 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Jesse K3 contributionsSo much fun going up along the sides of the mountain. With such amazing views with a mix of beautiful weather it made for a great day. Getting to go around the powder bowl at the end is a nice touch of excitement just before lunch.Written 15 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jeus Benedict C5 contributionsJeremy was a great instructor. He was patient and very thorough. This was my first time ice-climbing and it was really enjoyable. I felt safe and that allowed me to grasp as much as I could from Jeremy. I would definitely recommend this company for introductory ice climbersWritten 15 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Cindy4030Canada73 contributionsI had a great time and learned so much on Kristin's night photography workshop in the Banff area. Kristin did a great job adjusting the itinerary to deal with smoky conditions caused by forest fires in B.C. She's an excellent teacher and provided plenty of individual instruction for each of us. I hadn't fully understood the technique for shooting the night sky until this workshop. Kristin also provided tons of useful photography tips on any questions we had, "cheat sheets" to use after the workshop, and detailed suggestions on other great photography locations in the area. I highly recommend this workshop for anyone who wants to take their photography to the next level!Written 20 September 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
