Banff Avenue Attractions in Banff
Banff Avenue is busy. Some long weekends, there's not even enough sidewalk space to hold the crowds. It's hard to find parking on busy days. And, the shops and restaurants are jammed. But, it's not always that busy. Some weeknights there's only a handful of people out on the streets. Because of the protective mandate of the National Park, there is very limited amounts of commerce in Banff. Banff Avenue is one of the only areas where business is done. There are a number of unique shops that you can't find elsewhere. But, there's a number of cookie-cutter souvenir shops, too.
At the end of Banff Avenue, across the bridge from all the shops, is the Banff Administration Building, formerly known as Canada Place. This building is an iconic sight in Banff, an appropriately located heritage building that seems to cap the busy street with an authoritative stamp. The grounds around the building are open to the public. There's a fairly big area to stroll through, enjoy a picnic, or take photos. The Cascades of Time Gardens are the nicest publicly maintained gardens in the Rockies, but they are only open from June to September because of the short growing season.
Along Banff Ave, some of the noteworthy shops are Welch's Chocolate Shop (aka "the Banff Candy Store"), the Spirit of Christmas, and Monod Sports. These businesses feel like they've been around forever. They are institutions on Banff Avenue. Also, Harmon Gallery is worth popping into. It is one of Banff's oldest art galleries, featuring the Harmon family's collection of mountain photography. The Fudgery is also a delicious place to drop by!
The Museums, such as Banff Park Museum and Luxton Museum, provide a look at the natural and First Nations history of the Bow Valley. It's always a good thing to learn something new about the area you're staying in.
At the end of Banff Avenue, across the bridge from all the shops, is the Banff Administration Building, formerly known as Canada Place. This building is an iconic sight in Banff, an appropriately located heritage building that seems to cap the busy street with an authoritative stamp. The grounds around the building are open to the public. There's a fairly big area to stroll through, enjoy a picnic, or take photos. The Cascades of Time Gardens are the nicest publicly maintained gardens in the Rockies, but they are only open from June to September because of the short growing season.
Along Banff Ave, some of the noteworthy shops are Welch's Chocolate Shop (aka "the Banff Candy Store"), the Spirit of Christmas, and Monod Sports. These businesses feel like they've been around forever. They are institutions on Banff Avenue. Also, Harmon Gallery is worth popping into. It is one of Banff's oldest art galleries, featuring the Harmon family's collection of mountain photography. The Fudgery is also a delicious place to drop by!
The Museums, such as Banff Park Museum and Luxton Museum, provide a look at the natural and First Nations history of the Bow Valley. It's always a good thing to learn something new about the area you're staying in.
More Top Lists
Popular Places
Neighborhoods
