5 BEST Places to Visit in Canmore

Canmore is our favorite town in the world. With lakes and peaks, amazing hikes, and easy walkways, you could spend years here and never get bored. Both winter and summer offer some amazing sights and places to visit.

You may have looked at our giant Canmore travel guide and realized there are A LOT of things to do and see, and most visitors don’t have that much time actually in the Canadian mountain town. So, if you only find yourself with a day or two in town, here are a few of the places you must visit in Canmore.

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Amazing Places to Visit in Canmore

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Canmore Engine Bridge

The Canmore Railway Bridge is one of the most iconic sights in Canmore. As it’s a 15-minute walk from Downtown Canmore, many visitors don’t know about it, and it can be very easy to miss!

Built in 1891, the engine bridge certainly has some history. Originally built as a railway bridge for coal transportation over the Bow River, it’s now a pedestrian bridge, and you can often see elk drinking from the river below.

The bridge has gained popularity thanks to the hit HBO show The Last of Us (which was primarily shot in Alberta and has a full episode in Canmore). Whether you’re a show fan or not, a walk to the bridge is a must for any visitor to Canmore.

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Grassi Lakes

With clear and mesmerizingly blue water, Grassi Lakes is remarkable and easy to reach via a short hike. They’re clearly marked and easy for all visitors in both winter and summer. The hike is about 4 km round trip with about 200 meters of gradual elevation gain. It’s one of the easiest hikes in the Canadian Rockies and is great for people of all abilities.

The trailhead is about five kilometers away from Downtown. You can drive there, but you can also reach it via Roam Transit in the summer. You can enjoy two trails during the summer months—an easy and a hard trail. We think the hard trail is more exciting, but it is steeper than the “easy” one. As you hike, you’ll enjoy stunning views of a nearby waterfall, and the town of Canmore below presents plenty of photo opportunities.

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Quarry Lake

Quarry Lake is a man-made lake on the site of an old coal mine, fed by an underground mountain spring, and just five minutes from Downtown Canmore. It’s a great place to visit when you’re looking for an easily accessible relaxation point in Canmore.

It’s easy to enjoy a 15-minute leisurely walk around the lake, and along the entire lake you’ll be rewarded with mountain views all around you. See if you can identify all the peaks you are looking at! Ha Ling Peak, the Little Sister, Mount Lady MacDonald, and the Rundle Range are all amazing sights to take in!

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Grotto Canyon

Grotto Canyon is another easy hike in Canmore that’s good to hike year-round. Even in the winter, this famous canyon with rock art can be walked along the frozen creek, and an ice walk tour can be booked.

In the summertime, it’s a popular short hike for families who want to enjoy a few hours in a narrow canyon. You may even get the chance to see climbers scaling its walls. At only 4km in length, you can check this one off the list in under 2 hours.

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Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk

The Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk is an elevated walkway in Downtown Canmore that every visitor to the town should enjoy. The trailhead is near the intersection of Main Street and Spring Creek Drive (just look for the big giant head!).

The total trail is four kilometers long, but you don’t have to walk the entire trail to see the beauty. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow. We often see a few curious ducks in the summer, and in the winter, you can enjoy a safe walking path with no hazards. It’s one of the best places to visit in Canmore if someone in your group has mobility issues, as the boardwalk is very gentle to walk.

One of our favorite things to do is walk the boardwalk to The Malcolm Hotel and grab a coffee as a treat at The Pulse coffee shop located inside!

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