Local Roasts This 3-Day Banff Itinerary—What We'd Do Instead (Ep. 2)

Welcome back to another Roast My Trip episode, where we gently roast a real itinerary that’s just a bit too eager for its own good.

This time, we’re looking at someone trying to conquer Banff and Canmore in just 72 hours. Totally doable — if you’ve got a plan tighter than a traffic jam on Highway 1A after someone spots a sheep.

This one hits all the classic spots, but the logic gets a little… let’s say “creative” in places. Let’s break it down, clear up the chaos, and help turn this whirlwind into a trip worth remembering.

Day 1: Off To a Great Start, Until the Beehives

Original Itinerary:

• 8:00 AM – Wake up and head out

• 9:00 AM – Coffee + breakfast at The Summit Cafe (Canmore)

• 9:30 AM – Drive to Banff Canoe Club

• 10:00 AM – Canoe or kayak on the river

• 12:00 PM – Hike to the Tea House + Little/Big Beehive

• 1:30 PM – Walk to the Fairmont Chateau

• 2:00 PM – Lunch at Lakeview Lounge

• 4:00 PM – Head back to Banff

• 5:00 PM – Explore downtown

• 6:00 PM – Dinner (burger or fondue restaurant)

We’re off to a strong start here. Summit Café ranked #8 in our local poll of favourite restaurants — solid food, great coffee, and a mountain view that makes waking up at 8 AM feel like a win.

Next stop: Banff Canoe Club. Also a good call. The river’s calm, the scenery’s top-tier, and you’ll feel like you're in a Patagonia ad — just make sure to book ahead. And unless you’re training for the Olympics, don’t stray too far downriver. You’ve got a packed day ahead and those boats don’t paddle themselves back.

Now here’s where the plan starts to wobble.

Lake Agnes Tea House plus Little and Big Beehive in 90 minutes? Love the confidence — but no. That hike is a 3.5–4 hour round trip on a good day. Add in bottlenecks on the trail and a 30-minute wait for $12 tea, and you’re way behind schedule before you even see the first beehive.

If this hike is a must-do, give it the time it deserves and pack snacks so you’re not hangry in line. If you're open to alternatives, Stanley Glacier offers similar glacier views, way fewer crowds, and you’ll avoid the Lake Louise parking headache. 

As for lunch at the Lakeview Lounge — sounds dreamy, but there’s a catch. Fairmont guests get priority. So unless you’ve got a reservation or happen to arrive during the restaurant’s 5-minute lull between tour bus groups, you might end up sipping a $7 coffee in the lobby while your stomach growls.

Dinner’s vague, but we’re guessing they meant Eddie Burger or Grizzly House. Both are worthy. Eddie’s is a long-time local favourite — casual, tasty, and fast. Grizzly House is more of a fondue-and-elk-loin kind of night. Quirky, a little retro, and fun if you want a story to take home.

Day 2: From Crowds to Cocktails

Original Itinerary:

• 5:00 AM – Wake up + head to shuttle stop in downtown Banff

• 6:00 AM – Watch the sunrise at Moraine Lake

• 7:30 AM – Return shuttle

• 9:00 AM – Breakfast in downtown Banff

• 10:00 AM – Hike up Sulphur Mountain

• 12:00 PM – Soak at Banff Upper Hot Springs

• 1:30 PM – Drinks at Sky Bistro

• 3:00 PM – Gondola ride down

• 5:00 PM – Dinner

Waking up at 5 AM for Moraine Lake might sound like punishment — but honestly, it’s the only way to beat the crowds (or even see the lake). Shuttles sell out fast, and yes, it’ll still be busy when you get there. Expect elbow-to-elbow photographers fighting for that postcard shot.

If you’d rather skip the chaos altogether and head to somewhere like Boom Lake instead (if you want a hike) or Bow Lake (if you just want to park and see an epic lake and glacier). Both are stunning, way quieter, and you won’t have to start your day in a tourist mosh pit.

Post-sunrise breakfast is well-earned. If you're in a rush, Whitebark Café serves up some of the best coffee in town, plus grab-and-go eats.

Now… let’s talk about that hot springs/summit combo.

We're guessing the original itinerary assumes the Banff Upper Hot Springs are on top of Sulphur Mountain. They’re not. So either this traveler is doubling back after a hike… or hiking it twice, which feels like a glute day gone rogue.

Here’s the move:

If you're into soaking with strangers in what often feels like people soup, do the hot springs first. Personally? I'd skip them altogether. It’s pricey, crowded, and not nearly as relaxing as it looks on Instagram.

If the real goal is drinks with a view, forget the gondola entirely and head straight to Rundle Bar in the Fairmont. Gorgeous space, quality cocktails, and no uphill slog required. Plus, if you got snubbed by Lakeview Lounge on Day 1, this is a perfect redemption arc.

Still craving some fresh air? Skip the Sulphur detour and opt for low-effort, high-reward views around town — Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, or the Hoodoos Trail all deliver without wrecking your legs.

Dinner wasn’t specified, so here are a few local picks to wrap your day right:

• Waldhaus: Hidden gem in the woods behind the Fairmont — fondue, schnitzel, lodge vibes.

• Shoku: Solid Asian fusion if you want something a bit trendier.

• The Bison: Higher-end, locally sourced, always reliable.

• Where the Buffalo Roam (Canmore): Incredible cocktails and that steak.

• Crazyweed (Canmore): Unpretentious, delicious, always delivers.

 Day 3: One Last Hike (Or One Last Bite)

Original Itinerary:

• 10:00 AM – Checkout by 11 AM

• 11:00 AM – Breakfast at Communitea Cafe (Canmore)

• 12:00 PM – Souvenir shopping on Main Street

• 12:30 PM – Drive toward Three Sisters viewpoint

• 1:30 PM – Head to Calgary for next-day flight

• 3:00 PM – Free time in Calgary

• 4:00 PM – Check into hotel

Breakfast and souvenir shopping are fine, but keep it snappy — especially if you’ve got more to see. We’d recommend checking out early, grabbing coffee and breakfast by 9 or 10, and hitting the road by 11 to make the most of your final day.

If you skipped a hike earlier in the trip, now’s your chance to squeeze in a local favourite: Ha Ling Peak. Yes, it’s popular. Yes, it gets busy. But it’s popular for a reason. The views from the top are great — a short, steep grind followed by a rocky scramble and a massive panorama over Canmore and beyond.

Don’t have time (or leg strength) left for that? No problem. The Three Sisters area has plenty of mellow walks with beautiful views — no summit required. The Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk or even a simple riverside loop can offer a peaceful wind-down to your mountain trip.

Now, the itinerary wraps up like many do — with a vague block of “Calgary time” before a flight the next day. Skip the generic downtown core and head straight for 17th Ave instead. It’s packed with character, independent shops, and great eats.

Still craving that burger you missed in Banff? Hit up Class Clown — Calgary’s best burger, full stop.

Feeling a bit fancy before flying out? Fortuna’s Row is worth the detour — a Latin American supper club on the riverfront that’s vibey, delicious, and unforgettable. Reserve ahead if you can.

Got Your Own Banff Or Canmore Itinerary?

Send it our way — and we might roast it next.

(Gently. Lovingly. With insider tips included.)

P.S. Feel free to ask a question or leave a comment below!

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