22 Ideas to Enjoy Banff at Night

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With stunning mountains, bright blue lakes, and world-class skiing, there’s plenty to keep you busy during the day in Banff, but there’s also a ton to do here after nightfall. Given just how popular Banff is, it should come as no surprise that there’s a fun party scene here and tons of cool bars. There are also fun nighttime tours and evening activities, from ghost tours to stargazing. 

Bailey grew up in the Rockies and we both lived in Canmore, which is just 20 minutes away from Banff, so we’ve spent many nights here. So with that in mind, here are 22 awesome ways to spend a night in Banff. 

1. Ride the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain

Riding up the Banff Gondola is easily the most popular thing to do in Banff. While it’s really beautiful during the day, we love riding up at night! 

Because Banff is situated so far north, the sun doesn’t set until quite late during summer. Even if you take the last gondola up at 8:30 pm, you’ll catch the golden hour, sunset, and twilight. Can you imagine how beautiful that is over the Rocky Mountains?! It is easily one of our favorite times to visit. 

The gondola ride is 8 minutes up Sulphur Mountain and the ride itself is awesome, but there are even more exciting things at the top! We love going for a stroll along the boardwalk (as long as there’s still enough daylight!) and this is a great time to see wildlife. 

For a truly epic experience, plan to have dinner at the Sky Bistro. We’ve been here a few times and never tire of these mountaintop views. The food is just as good as the views – we had the ratatouille and lemon garlic chicken last time and I recommend both! They are open for dinner from 4-9 pm, and it’s best to book a table in advance. 

If you’re visiting during the winter, an especially cool event happens at night – Nightrise! This is a digital art experience, using lights and projectors to tell stories. But we thought riding the gondola in the dark and seeing the silhouettes of the mountains was pretty magical in itself! You can check all the details and operating hours for Nightrise here. 

The Banff Gondola is open year-round and tickets start at $71 CAD per person. I highly recommend booking tickets in advance, as this is the most popular activity in Banff town, and you don’t want to wait in queues all night! 

Check out the thousands of 5-star reviews and book your Banff Gondola tickets here!

2. Relax in the Banff Upper Hot Springs

Is there anything more relaxing than a nighttime soak in some gorgeous hot springs? Taking a dip in the Banff Upper Hot Springs is one of our favorite ways to cure achy muscles from hiking all day, and the Rocky Mountain views are the cherry on top!

One of the things that we love about these hot springs is that they are very accessible. They are just a 10-minute drive from downtown, and it won’t totally break the bank to visit. Hot spring resorts are often very expensive or exclusive, but these are only $17.50 CAD! 

After visiting the Banff Upper Hot Springs many times (and I mean many times!), we have found that the best time to go is in the evening. They can get pretty busy during the day, but at night, it’s a pretty quiet and relaxed environment. It is open until 10 pm, and the last entry is at 9:30, but try to get there sooner so you can enjoy it for longer! The closing times are subject to change by season, so double-check the hours before you go. 

There is a nice big parking lot here, but if you don’t want to drive, the ROAM bus number 1 operates until 11:30 pm and can take you to the hot springs!

3. Party on Banff Ave

We often find ourselves wandering around Banff Ave, it’s always buzzing with activity. The same goes at night, and it’s the place to go partying in town! Whether you’re looking for a casual place to relax or want to get your groove on, there’s a handful of spots to enjoy. Here are our three favorites to get you started!

Banff Ave Brewing Co.

If you love craft beer as much as we do, stopping by Banff Ave Brewing Co. is an essential addition to your itinerary! You can visit at any time, but this is our typical first stop on a night out. They have their own delicious beers on tap, as well as a full bar and an extensive food menu. It’s a great spot to fill your belly before going out. 

They have live music and events too, so the vibe is always lively in the evening. Banff Ave Brewing is typically open until midnight or 1 am.

The Dancing Sasquatch

Next up, we like to head to the Dancing Sasquatch! While you likely won’t see Sasquatch here (it’s a bit too crowded for his liking) you will see a lot of dancing. There is a DJ and themed events which typically draw in a young crowd. They are open from Thursday to Sunday from 9 pm to 2 am, so stop in and get your party on!

St James’s Gate Irish Pub

Irish pubs are great for a cozy party spot and St James’s Gate is no exception! There is a fun and lively crowd, but it has that small and cozy vibes that make Irish pubs enjoyable. I actually love the food here, it’s perfect when I get munchy late at night. They also have a full bar, but a pint of Guinness is the obvious choice!

4. Do an open top tour

This open top bus tour is an ideal way to visit some of Banff’s most beautiful viewpoints. Sitting in the open top bus really makes the experience so much better, because you can breathe in that famous fresh Banff air. (Seriously – did you know there’s a company that makes millions every year from selling canned air from Banff?).

While the tour itself is cool, we especially loved that this was a vintage bus! Our guide one-upped the experience by telling us stories of Banff town and the national park, some of these stories were pretty juicy too. This crisp mountain air can get a little cold even during the summer, so I was thankful that they included a hot chocolate stop along the way.

Since days here are long during the summer, the last tour of the day departs at 7 pm from May to October, so you can enjoy the picturesque Tunnel Mountain Drive and Mount Norquay scenic drives during the evening. There are plenty of photo stops along the way, and the 1950s-style tour bus makes for a great prop. 

This tour costs $63 CAD. It’s a really fun experience and if you arrive in Banff during the day, we think that this would be the perfect way to spend your first night here! 

I recommend booking this tour in advance here with FREE cancellation!

5. Ride in a big Canadian Canoe

Traditional Canadian canoes are much bigger than the ones you might see in other parts of the world. They were designed for long trips related to Canada’s fur trade in the 1600s, and you can enjoy a ride in one on a summer’s evening in Banff! We had so much fun when we joined this big canoe tour, I know you will too!

Departing from Banff Canoe Club, you’ll head down the river in a 12-seater canoe, working as a team while you take in the views from the water. This is also a fantastic opportunity to spot wildlife, especially in the evenings when creatures like bears tend to be most active. 

The great thing about this tour is that you don’t need any experience, and kids of all ages can join, so it’s perfect for the whole family. It’s actually a really relaxing experience, and the paddling isn’t too strenuous. In fact, you mostly just coast with the current on the way back! 

The last tour departs at 5 pm, and the ride lasts for about 1.5 hours, finishing with drinks and snacks next to the river. It costs $76 CAD per person and is only available during the summer.

Don’t miss out on this unique activity- book your big canoe tour here!

Related Read: Looking for more outdoor adventure to fill your daytime schedule? Check out the best hikes in Banff – spoiler alert: there are 35 on our list!

6. Stroll down the pedestrian-friendly Bear Street

The famous Banff Ave can get busy, but you can get some respite from that on the pedestrian-friendly Bear Street. This street was reconstructed fairly recently and isn’t as famous as Banff Ave, so it tends to be quieter, although there’s still a good atmosphere, not to mention plenty of patios to check out! 

After a day of exploring, we like heading to Bear Street Tavern to refuel with their yummy pizzas and craft beers, which you can enjoy by the pint or by the stein! They also run some great specials from Sunday to Tuesday, so this can be a pretty cheap place to grab a drink and a bite to eat in Banff. 

Three Bears Brewery and Restaurant is located on Bear Street in town and offers a trendy atmosphere and plenty of tasty beer. Be sure to try their tea-infused beers – so delicious!

We also love hitting Banff Poutine for some traditional Canadian fare. If you’ve never had poutine before, it’s pretty much the best dish in the world (okay, I’m a bit biased!), but doesn’t french fries smothered in gravy and cheese curds sound amazing!? They are open Monday through Sunday from 11:30 am to 9 pm and fair warning, poutine is so filling you might have to head straight to bed after.

On a cold night, you can also get cozy with a movie at Bear Street’s Lux Cinema. It’s a friendly little theater with a vintage vibe, but they play the latest flicks, and you can see a movie for as little as $8 CAD as part of their “Cheap Tuesday” deal!

7. Go stargazing 

There’s very little light pollution in Banff, especially when you get out of town into the broader National Park, so it’s an ideal place to go stargazing. The night sky looks absolutely magical here and on a clear night, you can see the Milky Way! Although there are no guarantees, Banff National Park is also a good spot to see the Northern Lights, especially during the winter.

So basically, a stargazing tour at night is a pretty incredible experience! You will need to go with a guide though, as wandering off into the wilderness at night is pretty dangerous without one. 

This evening tour sets off close to downtown Banff around sunset and takes you on a 2-hour hike through the National Park as the stars begin to twinkle. You’ll be in a small group of no more than 5 people, so your guide will be able to give you their full attention and help you to spot nocturnal wildlife along the way, which you may not have seen otherwise. The main event, though, is gazing at the spectacular night sky, spotting constellations while your guide tells you stories about astronomy and the history of Banff. 

The tour costs $88 CAD per person and departure times vary according to the time of year, but it does run year-round from Monday to Friday. The price includes headlamps and ice cleats during the winter. Plus, when you book here through Viator, you can change or cancel for free within 24 hours to ensure that you get a clear night! 

Alternatively, this stargazing tour takes you through the Kananaskis Forest to an open meadow, where you can marvel at Banff’s night sky. We had the most amazing guide, Claude, who was really friendly and entertaining, and has an infectious passion for astrology. Group sizes are kept small to ensure everyone gets their fair share of time on the telescope, and you also get hot drinks and cookies to warm up. 

This tour is about an hour’s drive outside of Banff but trust us, it’s definitely worth it. This one is similar in price to the previous tour at $85 CAD, but it’s only available during the winter months. However, that does mean that you get the best chance of seeing the northern lights, and the stars are at their brightest during the winter. 

Book the year-round Banff stargazing tour or the Kananaskis winter stargazing tour here!

8. Go on a horse-drawn wagon tour with dinner

A nice dinner in Banff is always a good way to spend an evening, but you can take it to the next level by booking this tour. Not only do you get to chow down on a good old-fashioned Western-style cookout, but you’ll be transported there in a prairie wagon, which is an iconic symbol of the wild West! 

You can choose between a steak or vegetarian dinner. If you’re going for the former then you’re definitely in for a treat, as you’ll be served AAA steak, which basically means it’s very high quality. And you’re in Alberta, after all, so it’s bound to be good! 

We think this tour would be great for families, too. Kids love the pre-dinner games, such as lassoing or throwing horseshoes. Just make sure to stand clear!

This tour costs $136 CAD per person and is available during the summer only. You’ll leave Banff at around 5 pm and return to town by 8 pm, so it’s not too late for children, and if you’re not traveling with kids then you can hit Banff Ave for drinks afterward! 

Check all the details and book this top-rated dinner experience here!

9. Bowling, pizza, beers at High Rollers

One of the most underrated activities in Banff is High Rollers. This is a bowling alley, but not just your average bowling alley, it also has a bar and pizza restaurant, and is super cute! They also have DJs and frequent events, so it’s always a fun night out. 

They have 6 bowling lanes, and this is a pretty popular spot in Banff so we always try to reserve our lanes in advance. There is a bar with 48 rotating craft beers on tap because obviously, Albertans love their craft beer! All of this with their high-quality pizza and three pool tables, it’s quite the popping place. 

You can reserve a lane for $59 CAD an hour and bowling shoes are available to rent for $6 CAD. They also have some great happy hour deals, as well as daily specials. High Rollers is open until 2 am every day of the week, so grab your group and have a fun night out no matter what day of the week you’re there!

10. Hit the slopes for night skiing at Mt Norquay

Mt Norquay is the place to be for night skiing! We love night skiing and try to go at least once a season – it completely changes the experience. Mt Norquay is only a 13-minute drive from Banff town, so it’s super easy to get to. While the ski runs aren’t my preferred option in town, they are the only ones that offer night skiing, so that’s a definite perk. 

Night skiing is available on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 9 pm. The ski runs are lit with flood lights, and you can see incredible starry skies while riding on the chairlift. This is a family-friendly activity, and kids really love this experience. Lift tickets for an evening ski are $46 CAD for adults, $38 CAD for youth, and $26 CAD for children.

If you want a bit of thrill in your night activities, this is the best way to find it! Check out all the details on night skiing at Mt Norquay here. 

11. Explore Johnston Canyon on an evening ice walk

Johnston Canyon is one of my top places to explore in Banff. We take our friends and family here whenever they are visiting, and we personally hiked around here so many times that I’ve lost count. It is beautiful in the summer, but honestly, my favorite time to visit is during the winter! The canyon turns into a snow-covered winter wonderland, and seeing the massive waterfalls frozen in place is simply amazing.

You can explore the ice-clad canyon on this evening icewalk, led by a local guide to ensure your safety. Icewalks are an iconic Canadian activity, but if you’ve never hiked on ice before it’s best to go with someone who knows where to go, how to use ice cleats, and can make the experience more enjoyable.

They also provide headlamps, ice cleats, hiking poles, and hot chocolate, so you don’t have to plan anything! We also love that this tour has a max of 12 people so you don’t get lost in a big crowd.

The tour lasts for 2.5 hours, departing at 6:30 pm, and you’ll have about 1.5 hours to explore the canyon itself. I think this is plenty of time as the hike isn’t terribly long, and you’ll get cold if you’re out there much longer! This tour is available from December through mid-April (you need snow for an icewalk of course) and is $106 CAD per person.

You can book this tour with FREE cancellation 24 hours before it starts – check it out here!

12. Spend a night at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Staying at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is a total bucket list item. This hotel looks more like a castle, and they provide luxury fit for royalty – so if you have the means to splurge a little, treat yourself to a stay! 

You won’t even need to leave the hotel grounds to have a memorable weekend, with a handful of on-site restaurants and swanky bars, tennis, golf, bowling, and a relaxing spa. The rooms are high-class and provide incredible views, no matter which room you get. 

A stay here starts around $700 CAD a night, so it’s perfect if you’re on a honeymoon or romantic getaway in Banff. Even if you only stay one night, it’s definitely an experience worth having! 

You can check the prices and availability for the Fairmont Banff Springs here. 

Related Read: Heading out on a romantic getaway? Check out our guide to planning the most romantic honeymoon in Banff and Lake Louise!

13. Go night tubing at Mt Norquay

While I always love skiing, it can be a lot of work at times! That’s why I like to change it up and go mountain tubing, which is pure fun and a great way to experience Banff’s epic snow scene. 

Just like night skiing, Mt Norquay offers night tubing. Mt Norquay has the longest tube lanes in Alberta, so you can pick up some serious speed. It’s not as relaxed as it sounds, my adrenaline was definitely pumping at the end of my first run!

They provide the tubes and also have a “magic carpet” that will tow you back up to the top. So no need to tromp up the snow hill!

From December 29th to March 16th, you can enjoy night tubing on Friday and Saturday evenings. Night tubing runs from 5-8 pm, and it’s a popular activity so I highly recommend purchasing passes in advance! Ticket prices are $45 CAD for adults, $38 CAD for youth (13-17), and $29 CAD for children (4-12). 

I also suggest double checking the hours of operation before you go, just to be safe!

14. Go on a ghost tour 

Ghost tours are always a hoot and, of course, they’re best enjoyed at night! Banff may be famous for its beautiful scenery and mountain adventures, but booking this ghost walk will certainly show you another side of this popular tourist town. 

We’ve taken a handful of ghost tours throughout our travels and they are always a highlight of the trip! It’s a unique way to experience the city and we end up learning a lot too (whether it’s all true or not is up for you to decide!).

This tour is led by a local theater performer who injects spookiness and mystery into the tales they tell. You visit haunted houses, and sites where gruesome murders and paranormal happenings have taken place, and goosebumps are guaranteed (and not just because Banff gets chilly in the evening).

The tour costs $38 CAD per person and departs at 7 pm from May to early November. It’s definitely a very spooky way to spend an evening! 

Ready for a spook? Book this ghost tour in advance here!

15. Ride in a helicopter

If you’re looking for the wow factor, then this helicopter tour over the Rockies is sure to deliver. The mountains look even more incredible from above, I felt as though I was dreaming as we soared over snow-capped mountains, lush green valleys, glaciers, and gorgeous lakes. The views are next-level, and there’s no hiking involved! 

There are a few different flight durations available. If you select a 20 or 30-minute tour, you can go as late as 8 pm. There’s also a 55-minute tour, which leaves at 7 pm. 

Now, a helicopter tour in Banff doesn’t come cheap – there are no two ways about it. We decided to go for it though because there are few better places to do one. In the end, we felt like it was worth every penny. 

Prices for helicopter tours start at $253 CAD per person for a 20-minute tour, but they can go upwards of $850 CAD. At least when you book through Viator you can reschedule up to 24 hours in advance, so you don’t spend your hard-earned money on a flight, only to experience poor visibility on the day! 

Don’t miss out – join the same helicopter tour we took here!

16. Visit the local breweries

If you’re a craft beer enthusiast like Dan and I are, get ready to indulge here in Banff! The Pacific Northwest is home to some of the best breweries I’ve ever been to, so it’s an easy addition to your list of “must-dos”. 

Banff Ave Brewing is located right downtown (bet you can’t guess what street it’s on!) and all of their brews are good. Their flagship IPAs are always a solid choice, but I also love trying their seasonal brews, such as the Hibernation Hazelnut Porter in the winter or the Paradise Swirl Sour in the summer! They typically open around 11:30 am/12 pm and close around 12 or 1 am.

Three Bears Brewery is another great option, located on Bear Street. My suggestion is to try both, simply for the sake of comparison (or something like that)! I like the atmosphere here, and their food is equally amazing. But of course, this is a brewery, so you can expect top-tier brews too, like their tea-infused beer! They are open from 11:30 am to 9 or 9:30 pm (depending on the day). 

If you’re visiting in late November or early December, check out the Banff Beer Festival! Dates change from year to year, so check the most up-to-date ones here. It’s one of my favorite events and starts at 5 pm, so it’s the perfect evening activity! There are over 40 vendors with some of the best craft beer you’ll ever try!

17. Get tipsy at Park Distillery Restaurant and Bar

Breweries aren’t the only craft beverage producers in Banff, Park Distillery is another impressive option! As Banff’s first craft distillery, they make a mean cocktail and serve tasty bites as well. I was blown away the first time I tried their whiskey, and I’m not even a huge whiskey fan!

You can stop in for a cocktail or there’s a sales counter to take some to go. I recommend joining the free distillery tour in the afternoon, and then staying for happy hour afterward! 

As far as cocktails go, you can’t choose wrong. But our favorites are the Sawback, made with their own chili vodka, as well as the Monarch, using their Park Exploratory Whiskey. We paired these with the chicken sandwich and seared BC Salmon and it made for a lovely evening!

The Park Distillery is located on Banff Ave and is open until 9 pm on weekdays, and 9:30 pm on weekends. It can get quite busy, so making a reservation before you go isn’t a bad idea!

18. Spot wildlife on an evening tour

Seeing wildlife is a quintessential Banff experience – you are in the Rocky Mountains after all! The best time to see wildlife is in the evening, as all the critters are out looking for dinner or heading to bed. 

We joined this guided wildlife tour because it’s actually a bit difficult to see wildlife on your own! The animals have become accustomed to people being around, so they know where to avoid (i.e. Banff Ave). So going with a guide made seeing these animals safely and respectfully much easier, and they also told us tons of information as we went along.

We spent 3 hours driving to all the local guides’ animal sighting hotspots and were fortunate enough to see deer, bighorn sheep, elk, and coyotes! This tour runs year-round but is $100 CAD during the winter and $155 CAD during the summer. Keep in mind that the winter tours are only available in the afternoon, whereas the summer tours are available in the evening.

Check the dates and times available and book your guided wildlife tour here!

19. Watch a show at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is an educational arts center that’s all about fostering creative talent, and you can catch a show here in the evening. It was founded in 1993 and is now a world-leading institution, with very modern facilities. They host lots of performances here, from talks and art exhibitions to music concerts, as well as week-long book and film festivals every autumn. 

The Centre is only a 5-minute drive, or 20-minute walk, from the downtown area and their events are usually reasonably priced. In fact, some of them are free to attend! It’s definitely worth checking out what’s on while you’re here, as this is a very cultured way to spend an evening in Banff. 

20. Enjoy time at Lake Louise

You’ve likely already got Lake Louise on your agenda while in Banff, but I’ll let you in on a little secret. Visiting in the evening is far less busy than the peak of the day! Many people flock to Lake Louise to go on hikes, jump in a canoe on the lake, or enjoy the stunning views under the sun. But, by late afternoon the crowds have somewhat cleared, which means you can enjoy this magical place with fewer people (and maybe have a chance to snag a parking spot!). 

While I wouldn’t advise going on any hikes as it gets darker, you can enjoy the foreshore and catch the beautiful colors of the sky right over the turquoise lake – it really is stunning!

Lake Louise is technically open 24 hours, although overnight parking is not allowed. But you can definitely go for some late-night stargazing. Paid parking is in effect from mid-May through mid-October from 3 am to 7 pm, so if you want to skip the flat rate of $36.75 CAD to park, I suggest going after 7 pm. Keep in mind it still will be difficult to find a parking spot, so for more options check out our guide to parking at Lake Louise here!

Train Station Restaurant

I highly recommend stopping for dinner at the Station Restaurant, located in Lake Louise Village. This restaurant is in a historic train station, and they even have a dining car that is still in use. We love visiting here for its historic charm, but the food is really good too!

The decor is rustic, with brick walls, hardwood floors, and a roaring fireplace that is oh-so-cozy during the winter! There is a little museum downstairs and lots of old trains that are cool to see. For dinner, we tried the beef stew which was full of yummy veggies and Alberta beef. The Alberta bison ribs were also really tasty! 

The station is open from 12-8:30 pm Wednesday through Saturday. It is by far the best restaurant in Lake Louise and a great way to spend an evening!

Go ice skating in the winter

One of my favorite winter activities is ice skating at Lake Louise! This area is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and when it’s covered in snow and ice, it’s somehow even more breathtaking (and I’m not just talking about the temps!). 

They even light up the ice rink at night, so you can go skating under the stars. The iconic Fairmont Château Lake Louise is also all lit up and it feels like you’re skating next to a castle. Not to forget the actual ice castle that is crafted on the lake – it’s seriously stunning! 

You can rent skates from the Chateau Ski and Snow Rentals located in the Fairmont Hotel for $23 CAD for 4 hours. The rink is open from mid-December to mid-April, depending on the weather conditions. 

21. Go dog sledding on an overnight trip

This might be the most epic experience on our list, but if you’ve ever wanted to try out dog sledding Banff is the perfect place to do it! This is a thrilling way to explore the snowy beauty of Banff National Park, surrounded by cute, highly trained dogs, as well as guides who have a passion for both the outdoors and animals!

Snowy Owl Dog Tours is the best company to go with. They offer 2-hour, 4-hour, and 8-hour tours and overnight excursions – but since this is a list of things to do at night, we are going to focus on the overnight experience!

The overnight dog sled tour is truly an amazing experience, you’ll cover approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) on the sled, get to camp in the snow (using top-of-the-line gear, buffalo hides, and sheepskin to stay warm), and they provide all meals and snacks for you. Two days and one night in the snowy Rocky Mountains is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, plus you get to dog sled! 

We haven’t gone on this exact experience, but we did go on a 10 km (6.2 mile) ride through Spray Lakes Provincial Park, and I would have loved to keep going. We rode for a while, stopped and played with the dogs, drank hot chocolate, and then made our way back. 

The most important thing is choosing a reputable company to do this experience with, and Snowy Owl Dog Tours is certainly that! They keep the dog’s health and safety as a priority, as well as yours. This epic experience doesn’t come cheap, it is $4,500 CAD (plus GST) for two people. If you’re looking for a bucket-list activity and have a budget for it, this overnight dog sled experience is totally worth it!

22. Eat a romantic dinner at Juniper Bistro

The Juniper Bistro is the crème de la crème of Banff’s food and drink scene. Not only is the food amazing (we’ll get to that in a second) but the views are unmatched! The Juniper Bistro is located in the Juniper Hotel and has actually won awards for having the best views of any restaurant in Banff, so that’s truly saying something. 

The food is as high quality as the views, and the menu rotates seasonally to use the freshest ingredients possible. We went here on a date night and had some amazing cast iron brie and the catch of the day – both were so good it’s making my mouth water writing about it!

They are open for dinner from 5 to 9 pm daily, and we loved sitting on the patio to enjoy the evening. It can get really busy during peak tourist season and on the weekends, so it’s best to book a table!

Where to Stay in Banff

You’ll need somewhere to stay to enjoy all of these nighttime activities! Luckily Banff National Park is full of options, so many that it can be overwhelming when deciding where to stay! Of course, cost is a big factor when deciding on your accommodation, as well as comfort and all the amenities on offer.

From hotels in Banff town to ones that are a little more out in nature, we’ve put together a list of our favorites that would be our top picks for each budget category:

Fairmont Banff Springs – $$$

The Fairmont Banff Springs is easily the most luxurious hotel in Banff. As you can expect, it’s not cheap but the place is simply incredible – it seriously looks like a castle! If you’re visiting Banff on a honeymoon then this should be the hotel you choose.

Inside the hotel, you’ll find 11 restaurants, 14 shops, a bowling alley, bars, a top-rated spa, a couple of pools, and so much more. With so much to do in this one-of-a-kind luxury hotel, you’ll honestly feel like you’ll never want to leave!

Rooms here at the Fairmont start from around $750-$1,000 CAD per night, but can rise further in peak season. For the best deals, it’s best to book as far ahead as possible! You can check prices and room availability online here.

Banff Rocky Mountain Resort – $$

For those with a mid-range budget, the Banff Rocky Mountain Resort has a beautiful swimming pool, hot tub, and gym, and all the rooms come equipped with kitchenettes or full kitchens. We’d say this is the perfect option for families, since two and three-bedroom units are also available.

The hotel is also in a good location that’s just a 5-minute drive away from town, so it’s a great place to enjoy the wonderful peace and quiet of the Banff countryside!

Rooms here average around $500-600 CAD per night in the high season, but dip as low as around $129 CAD in the low season. You can check availability and book Banff Rocky Mountain Resort online here.

Banff Inn – $$

Rooms at the Banff Inn have a very affordable price tag, but are also chock-full with all the amenities you could want to have a great stay! This way, you can splurge on those once-in-a-lifetime tours and experiences that make a trip to Banff so memorable.

The hotel is located right on Banff Ave and all rooms are air-conditioned. Inside, you’ll find a hot tub, steam room, and sauna, as well as a restaurant and bar – perfect for a little bit of relaxation after a long day out exploring Banff.

Rooms here start at $159 CAD, but don’t forget to book the Banff Inn well in advance as this is one of the most popular hotels in Banff!

Samesun Banff Hostel – $

For folks looking to save some cash while having a blast in Banff, it’s definitely worth checking out the Samesun Banff Hostel. It’s a great place for backpackers or anyone who’s fine with making some new friends and doesn’t mind sharing a dorm. But if you’re keen on privacy, keep in mind that there aren’t any private rooms available here.

A bed in a dorm here starts from around $54 CAD, including breakfast, and can be booked on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.

Important info: Accommodation in Banff can be tricky. For starters, you need to book well in advance if you want to have a large selection. Using Booking.com is great because lots of hotels offer free cancellation so just lock in a place (or two) for now and make the final decision later!

Thanks for reading!

A trip to Banff isn’t complete without a little nighttime adventure, so we hope this list helped you find lots of fun activities! We are always moving from one activity to the next, whether it’s an evening icewalk or simply relaxing in the hot springs – there’s something for everyone in Banff at night!

If you found this blog helpful, be sure to check out our other Banff blogs! We have a ton of helpful resources. If your travels take you further, check out our Canada blogs as well. Here are a few to get you started!

ULTIMATE Guide to Visiting Banff this Summer +Top Activities

Our 16 FAVORITE Tours in Banff (and Why We Love Them!)

33 FREE Things to do in Banff, Canada