Into the Rockies: Exploring Calgary and Banff
Some places are beautiful in pictures. Then there are places that make you stop, look around, and realize the pictures didn’t even come close to doing them justice.
That was Banff for me.
I went to the Canadian Rockies for the landscapes, the towering mountains, turquoise lakes, dramatic clouds, and those views that somehow look too perfect to be real. Banff National Park was the star of the trip, and it didn’t take long to understand why. Everywhere I turned, there was another view that made me stop and stare. Of course, I was secretly hoping I’d get lucky and spot a bear along the way. Unfortunately, no bears or roaming cows made an appearance. But honestly, I didn’t need them. The scenery alone was more than enough.
I spent most of my trip exploring Banff, but I used my last full day to explore Calgary. I actually stayed in Calgary for the entire trip, which meant making the roughly two hour drive to Banff each day to hike and explore. It was a much more budget friendly option than staying in Banff itself, and honestly, I didn’t mind the drive. If anything, it became part of the experience.
While Calgary gave me a completely different side of Alberta, it was the mountains, lakes, and endless landscapes of Banff that stayed with me the most. But there was one thing about Calgary that genuinely surprised me: the food scene. I hardly ever hear people talk about Calgary as a food destination, so I wasn’t expecting much going into the trip. I was very wrong. The food was AMAZING. Honestly, there were no misses.
And then there was the ramen.
I’m not exaggerating when I say it was the best ramen I’ve ever had. So while Banff may have stolen the show with its mountains and turquoise lakes, Calgary had a few surprises of its own.
Tips:
A few things I learned during my trip that can make planning your Banff adventure a little easier:
Get a Canada Strong Pass. If you’re visiting multiple national parks or attractions, it’s worth looking into before your trip.
Rent a car. If you’re planning to explore beyond Banff town, having a car gives you a lot more flexibility. I stayed in Calgary and drove to Banff each day, so having a rental car was essential for my trip.
Book your Moraine Lake & Lake Louise shuttle early. You can book the Parks Canada shuttle here. Reservations go really quickly. When I booked, the available reservations seemed to disappear within about five seconds of going live at 10 AM EST. But here’s the thing: don’t give up immediately if you see that everything is sold out. I stayed on the website and kept refreshing, and eventually more slots became available. I was able to grab an 8 AM reservation this way.
The shuttle was also significantly cheaper than booking a tour, so I’d definitely try this route first. Just be ready when reservations open and don't panic if you don't get a spot immediately.
Where to stay
Airbnb - Here's the Airbnb i stayed at. The host was incredibly nice and responsive, which made the whole experience even better. I especially loved the balcony and the view of the Calgary skyline. The sunsets were amazing, and it was such a nice way to unwind after a long day of hiking and exploring Banff.
Another major plus was the free parking on the premises, which was super convenient since I was driving to Banff every day. The Airbnb was also close to a ton of great food spots, which ended up being a huge bonus because Calgary’s food scene seriously surprised me.
Where to eat
Brunch: Komorebi Brunch, Cafe Namo or Blue Star Diner
Lunch/Dinner: Class clown hamburgers, Francine's, Caesar's Steak House, *Wakado Ramen* (best ramen I ever had)
Itinerary
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