Bus Tour and Banff Visit
June 21-22, 2025
From Calgary to Banff, we took a tour bus organized by Rocky Mountaineer. As part of the tour, we stopped at several popular tourist spots. The trip started with a rainy, misty bus ride straight to Banff.
We began with a brief drive around the town's outskirts, observing the forest, camping areas, and upscale residential neighborhoods.
We then headed to Lake Minnewanka, where we enjoyed a scenic lake boat cruise. It would have been much more picturesque if the weather had been better.
After a quick lunch in town, we drove to Bow Falls.
Next, we took the Banff Gondolas to Sulphur Mountain's summit. The cold Banff rain turned to beautiful snow at the summit, which covered trees and mountains.
The final stop was the dropoff at the Fairmont Banff Springs Resort.
The next day was another "free" day and was mostly sunny. We took the Roam Public Buses (very convenient) into town and wandered around visiting the following.
We strolled along Banff Ave and Bear St., a charming retail and restaurant area.
The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies was interesting but small.
We explored Central Park, which abuts the Bow River.
Crossing the Bow River, we visited the Banff National Park Administration and the well-maintained and beautiful Cascade of Time Garden.
We then followed a Bow River trail downstream toward Bow Falls and eventually returned to the Banff Springs Resort.
The Banff Springs Resort is also a historic tourist destination. We explored the hotel and its surroundings, getting lost in the maze of hallways, stores, and restaurants.
Below are a few of the photos of our time in Banff.
Click on an Image to pop up a larger version.
The Brewtser Tour Bus
Never heard of Brewster, but they are pretty popular in this area. Nice bus, and it was also nice that the tour group size was around 20. The bus driver was very informative and entertaining.
Lake Minnawanka Waterfall
We took a boat tour of this lake. It was cold, rainy and very misty. I was not a great day for great photos.
Sulfur Mtn Cosmic Ray Station
The station is perched on a neighboring peak, and a wooden boardwalk path leads to it. The snow-covered pine surrounded by clouds was uniquely scenic as shown here.
Banff National Park Administration
This building was built from 1935 to 1936. It uses locally quarried Rundle stone. The structure has steep gabled roofs and timber detailing. It is recognized as a Federal Heritage Building.
Cascade of Time Garden Again.
Garden features include a series of pools—Reflecting, Cambrian, Devonian, Cretaceous, linked by cascading watercourses representing geological eras in ascending order.
Bear Street Banff
The town's many restaurants offer a diverse range of cuisines, including an abundance of steak, beer, and wine. The stores around town obviously cater to outdoor activities.
A Rainy Bus View Heading to Banff
This was a typical view on the bus ride. It was a cool and rainy day, so not idea for touring or photos, but still very interesting.
Lake Minnawanka Shoreline
It was a cold and rainy boat ride. Not ideal.
Lake Minnewanka is a glacial lake in Banff National Park, stretching 21 km and making it the longest lake in the park.
Murky View of Banff from the Summit
Banff town center can be seen on the left side of the photo, just above the Bow River. The Farmont Hotel is on the right side, just below the Bow River.
The View from the Admin Building
This image was taken from in front of the Administration building. One can look straight down Banff Ave, and just beyond, looming over the town, is the snow-covered Cascade Mountain.
Bow Falls
Touted by our tour guide, Bow Falls, was underwhelming. Could this be considered a tall rapid? There is an easy walk path up and behind the falls, which was nice.
Beaver Tails - A Canadian Thing?
They're similar to a Beignet, but with a flat oval shape that allows for many topping combinations. We enjoyed a simple cinnamon sugar-topped one.
Following Along the Bow River
It was still misty and rainy. Nevertheless, the tree-lined Bow River curves through the valley, making the scene very beautiful.
A Stop at the Banff Gondolas
The Banff Gondola travels 2290 feet up Sulphur Mountain, offering a panoramic view of six surrounding mountain ranges.
Fairmont Banff Springs Resort
The Fairmont is a large historic hotel built in 1888. It has a castle‑like design with turrets, stone walls, and steep roofs. The hotel sits above the valley floor with views of the surrounding mountains.
Cascade of Time Garden
This garden is situated on 4 acres of terraced, landscaped gardens. It was constructed in the mid-1930s and designed by architect-geologist Harold C. Beckett.
Town Center Mall Banff Street.
Banff's town center is geared toward tourists. It feels like a very nice upscale outdoor mall. This building is a very basic indoor mall.
Another View Down Banff Ave
This image focuses on Banff Avenue and the Cascade Mountain. This is an iconic Banff tourism image.