Banff National Park is renowned around the world! And rightfully so. It’s incredible.
As Albertans, we are so lucky to have access to this space right in our backyard.
In October, I worked with Banff & Lake Louise Tourism on a fall trip to the area to highlight the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival, and brought along my parents and son for the fun.
While I normally produce fairly comprehensive Travel Guides (see a listing of my other Canadian Rocky Mountain Travel Guides here), sometimes I simply run out of time.
So this post is to share a few Family-Friendly ideas for Things to do in Banff, Alberta via a short Travel Guide Video I shared on my Instagram. I figured it would be useful and more accessible if linked from my blog as well.
Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need more suggestions on activities to do in Banff National Park!
Travel Video Guide: Family-Friendly ideas for Things to do in Banff, Alberta
Just a few suggestions for family-friendly activities in📍 Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Note: I was hosted by Banff & Lake Louise Tourism for this trip! This does not affect the recommendations or opinions featured in the blog or video.
View this post on Instagram
1. Banff Gondola
Head up the Banff Gondola to Sulphur Mountain! I love how this gondola makes summiting a mountain accessible for all ages and ability levels. The ride up is just 8 minutes taking you to 2,281 m or 7,486 ft. above sea level. Wild. My low mobility parents really appreciated the ease of this adventure. Though I do think our pre-toddler Benjimin would be down to hike the whole way.
2. Banff Upper Hot Springs
Soak in 100% natural mineral water at Banff Upper Hot Springs! The water is geothermally heated 3km into the Earth’s crust and the pool has been around helping heal muscle aches and tension for more than a century. My dad really loved it here and said his sore legs hadn’t felt that loose in a long time. There’s even a small extra shallow section for babies / toddlers. And you can rent “historic” swimsuits for some fun photos here too!
3. Cave and Basin National Historic Site
Visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, considered to be the birth place of Banff National Park. The cave portion you can view itself is pretty small but cool to see, and there are other interactive exhibits about conservation and the connection between people and the land here. Plus some really lovely views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
4. Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival
PLUS: if you plan to visit late October / early November each year, you can experience the biggest festivals of the season: the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival (2025 is its 50th anniversary!) 🎞️ 🎥 and the Taste for Adventure Food Festival (featuring food specials from dozens of mountain eateries) 🍽️😋.
… and obviously, a lot more to do in Banff, Alberta!
Click to see a listing of my other Canadian Rocky Mountain Travel Guides to help plan your visit!
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Linda
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