Last Updated on September 28, 2019 by Nancie
5 Fun Things To Do In Canmore, Alberta, contributed by Pari who blogs at Traveling Pari, is the eighth small town exposé in the series Small Town Explorer. You can find Pari’s bio and social media links at the end of this post.
The villages and towns we visit in our travels are often the hidden gems of a country or region. In this series readers are introduced to small centers around the globe, from travel bloggers who have experienced the location firsthand; featuring their uniqueness, their history, what to see and do, and often where to stay and where to dine.
Previous towns featured in the series:
Bourtange, Ravello, Italy, Sanzhi, Taiwan, Ollantaytambo, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Lafayette, Lousiana, Kota Bharu
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Canmore, Alberta: Things to Do
Every summer for the past four years, I have traveled from Toronto to the Rockies in Banff National Park. On the way, I usually stop at Canmore and get a coffee at the Tim-Hortons on the Trans-Canada Highway. Beyond the cup of coffee, I had never paid any attention to this small town until a year ago, when all the hotels in Banff were fully booked. Fortunately, some Canmore hotels still had rooms left. So, I chose a room at the Drake Inn, a good low-budget option right in downtown Canmore, beside the Policeman Creek.
During my stay, I discovered that Canmore, Alberta is more interesting than I initially thought. There are a range of activities that you can do in Canmore itself and a major advantage is, it is far less touristy and less crowded than Banff. If you visit Canmore, consider trying out the following activities:
#1. Hike
Canmore, Alberta is located in the midst of the Rockies. Needless to say, there are some great hiking trails in this area. Another advantage is, Canmore has hiking trails suitable for all levels. If you are looking for some easy trails with no increase in elevation, hike the Policeman’s Creek Trail and the Bow River Loop. Both these trails are scenic and have great views of the Rockies. If you want a more challenging hike, try the Power Line Trail or the Grassi Lakes Hiking Trail. Beware of Grizzly bears on these trails. Always carry a bear spray with you and make enough noise while hiking so that you don’t surprise a bear. If you are a looking for a difficult trail, try hiking to the Ha Ling Peak. For this hike, make sure you have proper hiking boots and a hiking stick as the trail is dangerous at times. For trail maps, check out this website.
#2. Bike
Many of the hiking trails mentioned above lend themselves to biking as well. However, in my opinion, the best biking trail in Canmore is the Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail. This paved biking trail connects the town of Canmore to Banff. The 26.8 km trail runs along the Trans-Canada Highway and has amazing scenery along the way. The trail also passes through some forested parts of Banff where you may come across wildlife. At the entrance and exit of these parts, electrified mats have been placed to contain the wildlife to those regions. Be careful to stay on the cycle and ride continuously through the parts with the electric mats without getting off. Pedestrians are not allowed here, and there is a dedicated pedestrian path. You can rent a bike at the bike rental shop at the corner of 8th St. and 8th Avenue in Canmore.
#3. Explore A Cave
If you are not afraid of cold dark tight spaces, then you may enjoy exploring the Rat’s Nest caves in Canmore. Access to the caves is managed by Canmore Cave Tours. They conduct two types of tours – “The Explorer tour” and the “Adventurer Tour”. If you just want to explore the cave, then go with the first option. The Adventurer tour is for the more experienced adventurer who likes rappelling, crawling for extended periods in the cave and squeezing through tight spaces.
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#4. Shop and Eat
Canmore is a small town so the shopping area is not extensive. Most shops and restaurants are on 8th Street between 6th and 8th Avenue. However, there are a couple of art galleries and shops that sell local art that are worth visiting. Also, don’t forget to visit the home decor and souvenir stores. They have some unique items that will make cool collectibles. There are plenty of restaurants along 8th Street as well that serve a variety of cuisines. My favorite was the Mexican restaurant right at the corner of 8th St. and 8th Avenue. They had good food along with a festive atmosphere.
#5. Indoor Fun
Canmore, Alberta is all about outdoor fun. However, on a day you want to relax and spend some time indoors, then Canmore has a few options for that as well. There some great spas in the downtown area that offer facials and relaxing massages. Another great place to spend some time indoors with your family is Elevation Place, which has an indoor aquatic playground, climbing gym, a library, and even child minding services. Many facilities are available on a drop-in basis. Check the schedule of the activities here: Elevation Place.
Getting to Banff From Canmore
As I said, many people visit or stay in Canmore because of its proximity to Banff. So, how do you get to Banff from Canmore?
By Public Transit
You can get from Canmore to Banff within a half hour, on public transit. Roam Transit, the regional bus service offers the Banff-Canmore route. The bus service runs every 60 minutes from 6 AM to 9 AM and 3 PM to 7 PM. During Peak tourist season, the bus runs every 30 minutes, and since September 2017 has been extended to 10 PM.
By Car
Getting to Banff by Car is pretty straight-forward. Get on the Trans-Canada Highway from the Palliser trail. Follow the Trans-Canada Highway to Improvement District no.9, then take the exit to Banff. Turn left onto Banff Avenue.
By Bike
As mentioned before, you can also bike from Banff to Canmore using the Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail. If the 26.8km ride is too tiring to do a roundtrip, you can bike one way and then load the bike on the Roam Transit buses to get back to Canmore.
I hope this post inspires you to visit Canmore and try out the activities I have listed here. Feel free to contact me on social media or my blog if you need any advice or tips on Canmore.
Have you been to Canmore, Alberta in the Canadian Rockies? Let us know in the comments.
Author Bio: Pari is a former academic who realized that she was more interested in the places she visited during conferences rather than the subject of the conference itself. So, she decided to take the plunge and make travel her full-time job. Now, she writes a travel blog on travel, food and fashion.
Follow her travels on social media:
Instagram: Instagram.com/traveling__pari, Facebook: Facebook.com/travelwithpari, Twitter: Twitter.com/travelingpari,Pinterest: Pinterest.com/travelingpari
64 responses to “5 Fun Things To Do In Canmore, Alberta”
Wow, it’s gorgeous there! I haven’t made it to Alberta yet but I’d love to see the beautiful landscapes. That river walk seems like the perfect spot for a romantic stroll with my husband.
Hi Ann. Anywhere in the Canadian Rockies is worth a visit. Canmore and Banff are easily accessible from Calgary. All you need to do is rent a car or go on a day tour.
Very stunning photos and that is like a nice place to go and to visit. These things that you mentioned looks like a lot of fun to do in this beautiful place.
Hi Geraline. If you enjoy getting out into nature, you’ll love Canmore and the surrounding areas.
Those hiking and biking trails look stunning! I would definitely love this place! It seems like there is something to do to fill every day!
Hi Laura. There is always something to do in Canmore, or anywhere else in the Canadian Rockies. You would never be bored.
Hiking and biking are two of my favorite things to do while vacationing. When I go to Alberta again, I’ll have to do some of these other activities as well as the hiking and biking!
Hi Chris. I’m sure you’ll enjoy these biking and hiking activities. You’ll be surrounded by such gorgeous scenery.
These are great lists of things to do in this beautiful place. I love to do hiking and biking because I always wanted to feel the and smell the fresh air and always wanted to connect myself to our beautiful nature.
Hi Emma. You will definitely enjoy Canmore, Alberta and other towns in the area.
What a nice place! I think I’m going to do these things in case I go here in the future but I will add one activity, which is to spend some quality time alone. The place seems great for that!
Hi Kevin. Great addition to the list. I usually travel solo and always enjoy spending time by myself.
Lots of outdoor fitness fun ideas here, love it!
Hi Shannon. Canmore, Alberta and the Canadian Rockies are the perfect destinations for an outdoor-centred vacation.
Canada is at the top of my bucket list. Their lakes and rivers just look so beautiful!
Hi Heather. I’m a proud Canadian and wherever you go in our huge country you’ll find amazing lakes and rivers.
Wow the pictures of this place look amazing and it seems like a really gorgeous place to visit. I love that you provided some fun ideas for people to do if they visit!
Hi Elizabeth. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Perhaps you’ll get to visit Canmore, Alberta one of these days and enjoy some of these activities.
Id love to explore caves, it seems like a big adventure.
Hi Kansan. That’s the one thing on this list that I don’t get excited about. However, if you like caves, go for it!
I love the view of the mountain in the background. This looks like a breathtaking trip to take someday with my husband, when the kids are all grown.
Hi Kayla. It is a beautiful part of Canada, and I think you and your husband would it.
Oh how fun…it looks like you had a blast. This is definitely a place worth visiting.
Hi Holly. Canmore, Alberta and the Rocky mountains are well worth a visit.
I would love to visit Alberta someday. My family would love a trip to our northern neighbor!
Hi Sara. Come and visit. You won’t be disappointed.
I do enjoy outdoor activities. I would love to visit Alberta someday! it looks like yous had a blast 🙂
I love hiking with my family. And should we be lucky enough to travel, hiking will definitely a nice activity for us.
Great view! I love the pictures that you’ve shared. Especially your advises on what to do, seems like a total guide for a vacation.
That place looks so beautiful! I will keep these activities in mind if we ever visit!
Loving this series! And I’m not sure that I would have thought of a visit to Canmore without it. But it looks like a beautiful city.
looks like a real nice place to commune with nature and enjoy the sun, wind, and trees. i love to sometimes be alone and be in the woods, water, and even on the road.
Beautiful photos! I’d love to see more of the Canadian Rockies someday, especially Banf.
Hi Pat. I live in Banff many years ago, and it’s a beautiful town. If you ever get the chance to visit, I highly recommend the town and the surrounding areas, including Canmore.
It must feel like a dream to hike in such a gorgeous place. The views are breath-taking!
Hi Cristina. The views throughout the Canadian Rockies are not to be missed.
This looks like such a gorgeous place! I would love to go here and experience nature and get away from the hustle for a while.
Hi Becca. I lived in Banff, Alberta (just down the road from Canmore) many years ago. The entire area is a must for nature lovers and hikers. Very popular in the summer, especially Banff. If you want to beat the crowds, spring or fall are good choices.
Hi Becca. I lived in Banff (just down the road from Canmore) many years ago. It’s a huge tourist destination in the summertime. If you want less bustle, try the spring or the autumn.
I’ve never been to Canmore ALberta, but it really looks beautiful. Hopefully I’ll get to see it if I ever return to Canada. Banff is another one I want to see.
Does the bear spray really work? That would be scary running into a bear. Your photos are beautiful. And Canmore looks like a fun, outdoorsy place to visit.
What a lovely area! We visited Banff a few years ago and are hoping to make it back to Canadian Rockies again sometime soon.
I would use your photos for inspiration, they are gorgeous! I believe that biking in such a wonderful place is a true pleasure!
I would love to hike and explore the caves, sadly I can’t bike ?
The husband has been nudging to go to Canada since a year or so. I think I should listen to him. Alberta looks amazing. What season do you suggest for Canmore?
I don’t know about the hiking but I will definitely be down for the shopping and eating portion. Thanks for sharing. I’ve been visiting the eastern part of Canada for years, maybe a trip to Alberta will be nice one day.
Hi Kelly. There’s lots of good eating and shopping in Canmore and other towns in the Canadian Rockies!
Exploring the caves would be my top choice I think! I love the look of Alberta – gorgeous!
I lived in Alberta for a few years. It is a beautiful province. Of course, every Canadian province has its own beauty.
This place will surely make your day one of the amusing and memorable experience you ever had.
Truly awesome place! I am just imagining a river walk & biking. Would definitely visit Alberta some day.
Yes, I’ve been to Canmore, and coincidentally, we went for your #1 reason! We hiked up Canmore Mountain. It was a great escape from the educational sessions at the Toastmasters conference we were attending in Calgary, Alberta.
Hi Doreen. I hiked Canmore Mountain many years ago when I was living in Banff. It’s a gorgeous hike.
Gorgeous place! Banff seems like a place with lots of things to do and see! I would love to visit it one day! 🙂
After reading this awesome blog i am really exciting to visit Canmore Alberta. I would live to hike and explore the place. Thanks for sharing this wonderful blog with us.
Useful. Thanks for sharing.
The first thing i did after reading the title was google search “Alberta” hahah. I was planning to visit Canada last year but that trip couldn’t materialized. Hopefully, will visit next year and will try to include canmore mountain in my itinerary.
What I would like the most is bike around and explore the beauty of this place 🙂 Cave exploration also sounds like a must try adventure. I like the way you have summarized the activities at the beginning of the post!!
Guess this place has a lot of interesting options for me. Hiking and Biking definitely on my list but the most important one for me would be the caves. I love exploring those. Thanks for sharing information on the same with me.
Alberta sure has some exciting options for activities. The landscapes are of course spectacular and one should not let go an opportunity to go on a hike in these enchanting environs. Nice to see different types of hiking so that even those not very fit can enjoy the pleasures. Caving is another activity that appeals to us and something that we are sure to enjoy in Alberta.
I have been to Alberta and it is fun there. I especially loved the cave exploring thing. It was exciting.
I’d love to visit Rat’s Nest Caves, but I might just stick with the low level tour. Squeezing through tight spaces is not my forte (or very fun for the claustrophobic in me). Although I do like the sound of rappelling. I guess you can’t please everyone all of the time!
Hi Catherine. I’m not big on tight spaces either.
I’ve been to Canmore!! It’s beautiful!!! I want to go back!
Hi Queenie. I lived close to Canmore many years ago, and I came to enjoy the town. It was always a nice alternative to Banff at the height of the summer crowds.