Banff Neighborhoods, Locations and Districts

(Banff, Alberta - AB, Canada)

This townsite is situated with the vast Banff National Park and stands in a mountain valley. Alongside the Bow River, the town centre is based around the main thoroughfare, Banff Avenue, with most of the amenities and attractions standing within this downtown district.

Although Banff is not really divided into categorized districts and neighborhoods as such, there are a number of nearby towns and villages, which have become closely associated with Alberta life here, including Lake Louise, Canmore and the Mount Norquay resort, which offers superb skiing during the winter months. Full of endless countryside, Banff is surrounded by appealing hiking trails, and many people choose to visit the Vermilion Lakes, which are located next to the townsite.

Downtown District / Banff Avenue

The true heart of the townsite, Banff Avenue is lined with shops, restaurants, hotels, motels and businesses, which are all centered around the three blocks in this district. With a lively, somewhat cosmopolitan atmosphere, Banff Avenue stands in the heart of the downtown core and popular shops here include fashion boutiques, art galleries and gift stores, together with coffee shops offering al fresco dining during the summer. Further downtown shops can be found along Buffalo, Caribou and Wolf Streets, which are all situated off Banff Avenue. For serious shopping in the downtown district, be sure to visit the Cascade Plaza mall, a collection of around 50 shops, housed indoors over four levels, including a popular food court. Nearby Samson Mall is an outdoor cluster of approximately 20 stores, including snow and skate boarding outlets, gift shops, an Internet café and several restaurants.

Banff National Park

Central to life in the townsite, the Banff National Park is what most people come to see and offers endless amenities, activities, wildlife, glaciers and views of the Canadian Rockies. The town is well-placed for exploration of the area. The park is known for being the official birthplace of Canada's national parks network and is now part of the prestigious Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site.

Lake Louise

Close by, Lake Louise is a small and particularly scenic village, closely linked with the townsite, offering some of the best views in the whole of North America. Standing around 34 miles / 55 km from Banff, Lake Louise is a popular excursion and is home to a range of accommodation, restaurants and attractions. The Lake Louise Alpine Resort can be found in the very heart of the vast Banff National Park and offers a range of recreational activities, including summer hiking trails, viewpoints and countless photo opportunities. With a high concentration of local flora and fauna, Lake Louise appeals to nature lovers, who visit the area to view the wildlife. However, during the winter months, many people travel here from Banff when the Lake Louise area is transformed into a major ski resort, with a number of varied slopes, over 100 ski runs, ten lifts and a snow boarding school.

Mount Norquay

Just 3 miles / 6 km from the downtown district, Mount Norquay can be reached in a matter of minutes, along a scenic mountain road on the northern side of Bow Valley. This stunning ski area has been used for winter sports since the 1920s and is particularly popular with locals from Banff. Offering a range of terrain for all levels, Mount Norquay appeals to both beginners and more experienced skiers from the townsite. A range of summer recreational activities and attractions are also on offer here, including seasonal gondola rides, hiking and nature trails, waterfalls and horseback riding.

Vermilion Lakes

Standing around 1 mile / 1.5 km from Banff, the Vermilion Lakes are a small collection of ponds, surrounded by walking trails, which are popular throughout the year. Offering magnificent views of the countryside and mountainous landscape of Banff National Park, including Mount Rundle, the Vermilion Lakes are close to Lake Minnewanka.

Canmore

Canmore is an appealing town located around 17 miles / 27 km from Banff, on the outskirts of the park. Most famous for hosting the Nordic skiing in the 1988 Winter Olympic Games, Canmore is just a short drive away and regularly visited by both locals and tourists. Highlights in Canmore include a range of shops, cheap restaurants and hotels, together with mountain views, a vibrant nightlife and popular winter sports.