Spent 5 days in Banff, Alberta and it completely lived up to expectations.
The town itself is small and really charming, with a good mix of local and boutique shops. It’s easy to just walk around and explore for a few hours. The food scene isn’t huge, but it’s surprisingly diverse, plenty of solid options without it feeling repetitive.
We checked out a few of the main spots: Lake Louise, Bow Falls, Sulphur Mountain, and Johnston Canyon. Went in May and didn’t realize Lake Louise would still be fully frozen, which honestly made it even cooler to see. Pictures don’t really capture how surreal it looks in person.
One thing I’d definitely recommend, if you’re going outside of peak summer, bring proper gear. Hiking boots are a must, and ice spikes help a lot since some trails were still pretty icy, especially at Johnston Canyon.
We stayed at Buffalo Mountain Lodge and I’d easily recommend it. It’s a little more tucked away from the main strip, which makes it feel quieter, and the restaurant there was actually really good.
Overall, easy 10/10 trip. Banff is one of those places that actually lives up to the hype.