Summer in Banff and Lake Louise

Viator offers some nice excursions. I didn’t realize this until late in our planning game and we had a nice eBike adventure with them. (We started in Banff, were driven to Johnston Canyon for a guided hike to a waterfall (very kid-friendly) - and then eBiked back to Banff (not kid friendly). I think the Covered Wagon Tour with BBQ out of Banff looks cool!!

The Bow River is quite long, but I think most of your access to it should be from Banff rather than Lake Louise. There is a kid-friendly hiking trail around it in the town of Banff and opportunities to raft and fish it there, too.

Lake Louise itself is unreal. There are several hikes near and around it. Lake Moraine is VERY close to Lake Louise - right down the street from Chateau Lake Louise, in fact. So I would not recommend selecting a tour of Lake Moraine from Banff.

Definitely take the Gondola up to the top of Sulphur Mountain. What. A. View. WOW! There is an interactive “museum” including a moving video in the theater. A walk/hike to the tippy top original weather station, and two restaurant options: one buffet (Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen) and one sit-down (Sky Bistro)- both family-friendly, but know that reservations can be hard to come by so go ahead and take a look. We ate at Sky Bistro. I did see horses on some trails.

Hiking

Banff: There are a few good hikes in/around the town of Banff. Check out the previous link as well as this one - but make note of hikes that would make more sense to start in Lake Louise!

Hike Lake Louise: Easy and fun for all! A flat out and back just through the backdoor of your hotel…and a great way to involve the kids and get acclimated to Lake Louise upon arrival. From the back end of the Lake, you could continue up a path and eventually arrive at the Plain of 6 Glaciers. That addition is not little-kid-friendly.

Lake Agnes and the Tea House: Advertised as a “moderate” hike taking 3-4 hours; I think kids and adults will enjoy this one. Hikers wind their way up the adjacent mountain to Lake Louise, past Mirror Lake (which truly looks like a mirror, reflecting the natural surroundings, in the mornings and evenings), and ultimately up steps to the Lake Agnes Tea House where a snack and lemonade or tea is a must (CASH only. No electricity! Outhouse style potty.).The descent is easier and faster than the ascent. Bring a water bottle!

Big Beehive: From Lake Agnes and her Tea House, you can continue “up” Big Beehive. It’s a quick, steep ascent. My hands just got clammy thinking about it (but I don’t like heights/roller coasters/etc.), but the views from the top were amazing. Use that link to read up on more hikes - like one to Helen Lake. Lake Moraine is not as easily accessible by foot, but the Chateau has a shuttle service as it is right up the road.

Banff

Turkey Club Wrap and Brisket Sandwich on the Banff Springs Golf Course (this course is beautiful, by the way.) Only applicable if you play golf there!

1888 Chophouse

Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel: Delicious food and drink. Great service. Too much for kids.

Park Distillery, in town: Good, varied menu for lunch. We had a chicken caesar salad and a burger. Nice options for kids. Right in town. They offer a tour of their distillery (they make their own vodka, gin and rye whiskey) every day at 3:30pm.

Three Bears Brewery, in town: The sister restaurant to Park Distillery. New. Clean. Lively. We had great pizza for dinner and tried their beers. Kid friendly.

Sky Bistro, Sulphur Mountain: View would have been cooler had a massive rain cloud not rolled in at dining time. BUT, fun atmosphere. Good food. Great service. There were kids there (time it right!).

Lake Louise

Breakfast at Louiza in Chateau Lake Louise is a must. You get two complimentary breakfasts per room with your STEP perks through Fora Travel. The cool thing is that you can order off the menu and have the buffet (which is European style, not American, thankfully) so you will be pleasantly satisfied. They will also make you any sort of coffee/latte, and have fresh squeezed juices. The downside is that if it’s not comped, it seems pricey (even though it’s so good and so much!). There is a to-go cafe in the lobby of the hotel that some/all could enjoy for breakfast, too.

Fairview Bar and Restaurant: We ate here our first night in town. It was very good. And very pricey. Unbelievable views of Lake Louise. There were kids at neighboring tables.

Mount Fairview Dining Room, Deer Lodge: Do not go here. It’s a short walk from the hotel and has good reviews on Trip Advisor. But frankly, it was NOT good. Our server was British and super cute, but that was it. Food wasn’t good. Took ages to arrive. Don’t go there. (So, I’d try other restaurants at the hotel. The town is not but so big, and I’m not sure what your other options would be!!)