Banff, Canada
Why We Went to Banff, Canada
While Banff has been on our bucket list for over a decade, it jumped the line and skipped to the top of the list this year when Ronnie and I had the honor of being invited to President’s Club (for those who don’t know, this is a sales incentive program used by companies to reward top-performing salespeople/sales leaders), after my team at work had a knock-out year last year. I am SO proud of them and what we were able to accomplish. Also the trip was insanely well-planned and executed largely thanks to my colleague Lindsey, who absolutely crushed every detail.
The Fairmont at Banff Springs
All that said, we’d had Banff on our radar for a few reasons — it’s a four hour, direct flight from Chicago, you’re nestled in the Canadian Rockies, you’ve got direct access to some of the most beautiful natural scenery in North America, including Lake Louise, Mt Rundle, the Three Sisters, the Bow River and the Spray River, and proximity to the insanely cool wildlife that inhabits this stunning scenery, like moose, bear (among them the most well known, is The Boss), fox, and wolves.
Things We Loved About Banff, Canada
Those of you who follow along here know how much Ronnie and I love a trip to mountain regions, from Zermatt, to Jackson Hole, Park City, and Sun Valley and more, we adore what the mountains have to offer and Banff was no exception. Nestled between the mountains are all the cozy creature comforts you want of a mountain town: fabulous restaurants, outdoor stores, cozy spas, and plenty of super nice people to boot. While had we gone to Banff on our own dime, we probably would have stayed out at Lake Louise, as we were there on my company trip, we found ourselves at the magical Fairmont Banff Springs, and were absolutely delighted. The Fairmont at Lake Louise is a bit of a drive from downtown Banff Springs, whereas the Fairmont Banff Springs is just steps from downtown (~20 minute walk), and for us it made all the difference. We LOVED being able to wake up to the gorgeous scenery, throw on some athleisure gear and head into town for coffee and a hint of exercise. We were there during May 2025 and thought the weather was a fabulous reprieve from our thawing (cough, cough, heating up dramatically) life back home in the Chicago burbs. Every day in Banff started off at around 30°F and warmed up to about 50°F, making it perfect for escaping 80° days in Chicago for one more glimpse of winter wonderland.
Know Before You Go
Me and Ronnie at Lake Louise
In large part, for Americans traveling to this region of Canada, it’s felt pretty comparable to traveling inside the US. In terms of languages spoken it was primarily English, as for currencies accepted, your American credit card will work just fine and they’ll accept your USD if you happen to need to pay in cash, and finally in terms of general culture of the town and people, you’ll quickly find community with locals and travelers alike… if you love the great outdoors, you will find your people in Banff.
One surprise (and delight!) for us was that on the way home, we actually did Customs on in Canada at the Calgary Airport, which was so clean and big, meaning we didn’t then have to do them when we landed back home. This aspect reminded me of Aruba, but whereas Aruba made you arrive at the airport 6 hours in advance of your flight to clear customs, at Calgary Airport they literally would not let you go through security more than 2 hours in advance of your flight which meant efficient lines and a very clean, not overly crowded airport, which I certainly appreciated.
One last thing worth calling out, is if you decide to stay in Banff Springs, they have really accessible, clean, and easy to navigate public buses (Roam Bus) which make getting around a breeze! While we were only there to experience one Saturday/Sunday during our stay, I did observe that both car traffic and foot traffic downtown Banff Springs was pretty heavy those days, and we were there during “Shoulder Season” (aka after the Skiers have left, but the Hikers have not yet arrived), so to the extent that you are willing to walk more than taxi (ps. Uber doesn’t exist in the area as it is part of a National Park), and to the extend that you are open to enjoying a pace that’s reliant on a bus schedule, I’d recommend you get a bus pass.
Alright, now onto the good stuff.
Eat
Breakfast/Coffee — I had high hopes for the breakfast food I would find in Banff, and even had a list of recommendations from a local (and listen I tried them too, Whitebark, Good Earth Coffee House), but what I found is that Stock Food and Drink inside the Fairmont Banff Springs was my favorite, and therefore became my go-to spot! The Bagel Lox, iced coffee, and cold-pressed juice spoke to my soul and filled my belly with goodness.
Lunch — After a long hike (especially during the colder season) there’s nothing I crave more than a warm meal, and given I was 5 months pregnant while we were there, I was not about to deny myself of something that would hit the exact right spot. One of the days, this led us to Ramen Arashi, perhaps the busies Ramen restaurant I’ve ever been to, deep appreciation to my colleague Brett for making sure I found this wonderful place. Another day, when we were feeling a bit more fancy, it led us up the Gondola (more on that below) to Sky Bistro where Ronnie had the most epic fried Chicken dish, I had a fabulous Cesar Salad, and we shared the worlds thickest cut fries, big thanks to my colleague Brian for giving us the heads up on this one.
Dinner — Of all the dinners we enjoyed in Banff, two really stood out, the first was at PARK Distillery, where the ambiance was second to none if you love a good distillery vibe (meaning industrial chic) and the food was even better, think cornbread, deviled eggs, barbecue, mac n cheese, steak, etc. and the second was at the Rundle Bar, where we enjoyed a fabulous Little Gem Salad (whipped vegan feta + radish + herbs + cured tomato + shallot + pita + za’atar), the best chili pork dumplings (served with black vinegar + crispy garlic + fried leek, OMFG), and an absolutely stunning Ora King Salmon Crudo (served with chilled tom kha + coconut + fresno + radish + shiso).
Drinks — Ronnie and I are simple creatures when it comes to drinks — dirty martinis, spicy margs, manhattans, and champagne, though Ronnie admittedly shocked me multiple times on this trip when he decided to explore some gin-based cocktails… What?! All that said, we found the best of the best at Rundle Bar, and Wallister Stube.
Snackies — I’d never heard of Beavertails before we went to this area of Canada, but apparently it’s a thing… Think “fried Elephant Ear Sunday.” It’s effectively an Elephant Ear (like the carnival food, not the animal’s anatomy) with delicious sweet toppings of your choice (I did a cheesecake style topping), and your choice of ice cream on top. Listen, it’s not for the calorie shy, but fortunately you’ll be calorie deficient after all your outdoor fun, so it’s totally worth the splurge. Thank you to my colleague, Jessica, for telling me I needed to head here.
Stay
The Fairmont at Banff Springs. Ronnie and I discussed if we went back would we move to the Fairmont Lake Louise if we went back to the area, but we agreed, being 20 mins walking distance to Banff Springs downtown was the perfect location, and waking up to Mt Rundle, Mt Sulphur, and the Bow River, was an absolutely spectacular sight that we can’t see ourselves ever getting tired of.
Workout
Hike. Hike. Hike. Whether you hike downtown, up Mt Sulphur, Tunnel Mountain, or anywhere else, you can find yourself and lose your calories on a hike. If you must find yourself into a workout class, I thought Flow State Yoga looked the cutest.
Play
Go Shopping downtown Banff, Springs! Stores like Arc’teryx, Patagonia, North Face, Canadian Goose, LuluLemon, are a dime a dozen (and with the exchange rate as of May ‘25, also made prices a bit cheaper than back home!), as for stores that you can’t find back home, we loved Big Bear Trading Co… IMO the best non-tchotchke Banff souvenir spot in Banff. Shout out to my colleague Kyle for sniffing this one out for us.
Have a Spa Day at Fairmont Banff Springs Spa. Ronnie and I both had massage and facial, and at least speaking for myself, of all the bougee hotel spas I’ve ever been to, the services here were hands-down the best I’ve had (and trust me, I’ve been to some bougee spas).
Definitely take a Gondola up Sulphur Mountain or hike up the mountain and back down. The payoff is worth it and at the top you’ll find the English-food-inspired Sky Bistro Restaurant I wrote about above.
Make time for a Calming Float Trip down the Bow River, we were blown away by the natural beauty and scenery. Our guide was also the coolest guide telling us about his 50+ years leading river tours and how he split his time between adventures on the river in Canada, and adventures on the Ganges River in India… SO cool.
If I hadn’t been pregnant… I most certainly would have made time to ride a horse up a mountain and down a river as well as going whitewater rafting, but alas, I guess I will need to return.
If it hadn’t been too early in the season… Ronnie and I certainly would have found a guide to take us Fly Fishing on the Bow River, or elsewhere.
The Perfect Day in Banff Springs
Okay, that was a lot, so let me force myself to create the ultimate ONE day in Banff. This is going to be tough.
Wake up at the Fairmont Banff Springs and grab a coffee and bagel lox at Stock to eat picnic style at the Bow River falls, about 10 minutes from the front door of the Hotel. Head back up to the hotel for a massage or facial at the Spa. After you’re glowing from your treatment, spend 30 minutes enjoying the spa pool and sauna area while sipping a cold-pressed juice from the complimentary Spa bar. Get dressed in your cutest athleisure and walk to downtown Banff Springs to get in some shopping. Catch the Roam Bus from downtown to the Mt Sulphur Gondola and either hike up to Sky Bistro, or enjoy the 360° breathtaking views as you ride up to the top via the Gondola. Enjoy lunch at the Bistro before heading back down to catch a Taxi to the Fairmont Lake Louise, where you’ll spend 45 minutes or so hiking around the lake and getting the most glorious pictures. Check out the shoppes inside the Fairmont there, and consider having a drink at the Wallister Stube before jumping a taxi back to Banff Springs. Get dropped off at the Bow River falls (yes, where you ate breakfast) and enjoy a 1 hour calming raft trip down the Bow River. Hike up the hill back to the Fairmont and go get a much-deserved shower in your room. Once you’re showered and dressed for dinner, head to Park Distillery for bites and cocktails. Head back to the hotel once more and grab a night cap at the Rundle Bar, before retiring to your room knowing that you had an absolutely epic day in Banff.
Alright, that’s it for now! Enjoy, my loves!
