Exploring Banff National Park

Here you can explore the beautiful Moraine Lake and have a walk on the side of it. To be honest, I think this one gives an even better view than Lake Louise and it is a very emblematic site of the Rocky Mountains. It is just picture perfect with the mountains in the background of the lake. Like everywhere, you can enjoy the local fauna and flora and there are hiking paths.

Bow falls are some nice waterfalls in the town of Banff itself. You can enjoy them from this viewpoint, but you can also follow the bow river on a nice hike. There are hiking paths on both sides of the river. You can even park the car close to the museum or to the restaurant for lunch and walk around town to the different parts. This place is iconic as it was used as a film location for the famous movie "The river of no return" with Maryline Monroe and directed by Otto Preminger.

You can visit the Banff Park museum to learn more about the national park and its fauna and flora. The museum is housed in a beautiful historical wooden building from the Canadian Pacific Railway that dates back from 1903. You will see a lot of stuffed animals. The heads will help you make the difference between the different species of caribous.
Open hours Thursday - Monday 9:30 - 17:00 Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Have lunch in this bistro with a glass window that offers beautiful views over the Bow valley. The food is good and fresh with local products and the service is friendly.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 11:00 - 23:00. You can book a table on their website.

After lunch, take the Banff Gondola, it will offer you an amazing view of the surrounding mountains of Banff National Park. It will take you to the top of the Sulphur mountain. When you get at the end of the gondola, you still have to climb some stairs to get to the summit and enjoy a panorama with 360 degrees.
You can check more information on the website.

Lake Minnewanka is a beautiful lake in Banff national park that is better enjoyed on the water. So the best way to see its wonders is to take the lake cruise. The guided cruise will tell you more about the nature and the fascinating history of the place. And you might be able to see some wildlife along the way.
Check their website to choose and book your cruise.

To go back to Jasper, you will drive back along the Icefield Parkway so you can stop on other viewpoints. If you didn't stop here on the way to Banff, you should definitely check this viewpoint. It offers an incredible view on Peyto Lake which is quite unique as it has a form of a paw. The color of the lake is also very incredibly blue, depending on the sunlight and could get pinkish at sunset time.

You can stop here to have dinner and take a break from the long drive. They have mostly burgers and sandwiches but you could also try a poutine which is a Canadian specialty from Quebec. You could even spend the night there in case you are too tired to drive back.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 9:00 - 22:00. You can check the menu and more information on their website.