Q: First time going to Banff.? I will have 15 days to spend in Banff. Any must visit places, restraunts, stores, etc? Should I get a rental car at the Calgary Airport?
A: Here's the same answer I gave to another person who asked the exact same question the other day. I hope you are able to go hiking, do some driving away from Banff?? Spending all your time in town is like spending all your time in a tourist trap. *grin* I love wandering around Banff as there are some neat stores but the best part of the mountains, is indeed - the mountains. Just north of Banff is Lake Minnewanka. There is a place for picnics and swimming. A ghost town (Bankhead) to stop and walk through (an old coal mining facility). If you drive around the loop you are almost guaranteed to see wildlife - usually elk and big horn sheep. Sometimes bear. If you drive west from Banff you'll find Highway 1A - It runs between Banff and Lake Louise. You'll need to stop at Johnston Canyon. A beautiful walk up to the falls! Lake Louise is a wonderful stop as well. The lake and glacier are beautiful and it's an easy walk walk around the lake. On the drive up to Lake Louise you'll see a turn off for Morraine Lake. It's my favorite place in the mountains. Oh, in Banff - I love the Christmas Store. :) Hope this helps a little. Plus since you have a little more time I would suggest you head to Jasper. The Icefield Parkway is the most scenic drive anywhere. Stop at the Glacier and take a Snowcoach ride up onto the glacier and go for a short walk up on top. The trip to Jasper is worth a couple days at least as there are a number of wonderful places to stop.