Awesome craft brewery and great food! We stopped here last time we were in Canmore and were impressed with both their selection of beer and their eclectic menu. This is a must visit!
This coffee shop is awesome!
Probably one of the most iconic of the emerald lakes, Lake Louise is a place that must be experienced to be believed. Located beyond Banff, it's about an hour drive from Canmore. You can rent a canoe from the boathouse or spend some time hiking around the lake. The hiking in the Lake Louise area is some of the most scenic and spectacular in the world. There are even two remote tea houses that can only be reached by hiking (Lake Agnes Tea House and the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House) - we made the 9 mile trek to both on our last visit and got to experience the most amazing views! Since this is one of the busiest sites in the area and parking is limited, it is recommended to get there in the morning or the evening to avoid the height of the crowds.
A little further beyond Lake Louise is Moraine Lake; another stunning emerald glacier-fed lake. We didn't make it here on our last trip, but it's at the top of our list this time. Since this is one of the busiest sites in the area and parking is limited, it is recommended to get there in the morning or the evening to avoid the height of the crowds.
Visit the Columbia Icefield. We did the glacier adventure tour and highly recommend. At the heart of the incredible Icefields Parkway is one of the largest non-polar ice fields in the world. Here, you’ll travel on a massive Ice Explorer to a place where you can walk on, feel and drink from the Athabasca Glacier. Then, take a jaw-dropping walk along the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk at the cliff’s edge.
Another of our favorites! Peyto Lake is a scenic location on the Icefields Parkway about 40 km (25 miles) north of the town of Lake Louise. Access to the viewing area for this magnificent area is immediately off the parkway and is well signposted. From the parking lot at Bow Summit, a short paved trail leads to one of the most breathtaking views you could ever imagine. Skip the viewpoint wooden balcony where hoards of tourists are common during the busy summer season. Instead, follow the paved use trail straight ahead where eventually it meets the dirt trail into the forest.
Need literally anything at all? This is the spot! It's suggested to buy bear spray if you will be out hiking, but you really don't need it unless you go to some of the more remote hiking trails. If you do buy it, you can donate it to the park rangers right outside of the park.