How to Spend One AMAZING Day in Canmore

The beautiful mountain town of Canmore deserves much more than just one day to explore. However, we know that many people don’t have the luxury of time when on a trip in the Canadian Rockies. So, if you find yourself with just one day in Canmore to spare, here’s exactly the itinerary we would follow. This gets you a little strolling, lots of eating, some hiking, and even a lake or two—that’s what we would call a well-rounded day!

*Although this Canmore itinerary is summer-focused, all the activities mentioned can be completed in the winter. The only difference is the short days in the winter, meaning you may not be able to fit everything in.

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How to Spend One Day in Canmore

• Grab coffee
• Walk to the Engine Bridge
• Shop on Main Street
• Lunch Downtown
• Go for Hike
  • Grassi Lake
  • Grotto Canyon
• Enjoy Quarry Lake
• Dinner in Canmore
• Live Show at Carter Ryan Gallery

Grab Coffee at Eclipse and Bagel at Rocky Mountain Bagels

First things first – coffee. Our favorite coffee shop to head to in Canmore is Eclispse. Eclipse is located on 8th Street and here, you will find artisan roasts made in-house and a wide range of specialty coffees. Expect the usual espresso drinks, ranging from a flat white to a latte and a nice pour-over for true coffee aficionados. You can also grab a small pastry here or cross the street and grab a bagel at Rocky Mountain Bagels, another local favorite.

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Walk to the Canmore Engine Bridge and Along the Bow River

Take that coffee and walk to the famous Canmore Engine Bridge. Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1891 on a railroad spur line to serve the coal mines, the Canmore Engine Bridge is now somewhat of an icon in Canmore and part of the Bow River Loop Trail, which is a beautiful walk in Canmore.

The Engine Bridge was already a popular place to head for a nice walk in Canmore, but with the popularity of The Last of Us show, it’s now one of the most iconic places in Alberta. Walk across the bridge and take in the views of Ha Ling Peak and Mount Rundle. If you’re lucky, you might even see a few elk hanging out by the river’s shores.

If you want a longer walk, keep walking the Bow River Loop. Eventually, you’ll come to the Canmore Pedestrian Bridge over the Bow River, which offers magnificent views of the iconic Three Sisters Mountains.

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Shop on Main Street

Now that all the shops are open for the day, head back to Main Street and enjoy all the restaurants, shops, and views. While on Main Street, pop into Stonewaters, Project A, The Tin Box, and Alberta’s Own Marketplace for unique souvenirs and local crafts. If you’re into art, the Jason Carter Gallery across the street is our favorite gallery to visit – you might even go home with a canvas print!

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Have Lunch Downtown

After wandering around 8th Street, you’ll likely be a bit peckish. It’s time for lunch; thankfully, there are plenty of places to eat in Canmore. For healthy eats, try Communitea; for a quick, laid-back meal, we love ramen at Ramen Arashi and the sandwiches at Bella Crusta. If it’s a beautiful day out, you’ll likely want to sit on a patio. Our favorite patios are at The Tavern and The Wood.

Afternoon Hike Option

There are plenty of fantastic hiking opportunities, but two of our favorites for visitors are listed below.

Grassi Lakes

Grassi Lakes is a short drive away from Downtown Canmore. It is a simple and rewarding hike that ends with two sparkling lakes. To reach the lakes, you’ll have to hike about 45 minutes from the trailhead. You’ll know you are there when you reach the first brilliantly blue lake. But stay awhile and enjoy both lakes.

In the summer, you’ll notice that when you get to the trailhead, there are two trails—an easy and a hard one. The easy one is pretty flat and easygoing, while the hard one is a rootier trail with stairs and steeper sections. Both trails are considered easy, so don’t let the “hard” rating deter you.

Grotto Canyon

Grotto Canyon is an easy hiking trail that’s good year-round. However, it’s even more popular in the winter, as you can walk along the frozen creek and see multiple frozen waterfalls. You may even spot an ice climber or two. If you plan to tackle Grotto Canyon in the winter, microspikes may be helpful as it can be very icy, or you can book an icewalk as part of a tour.

In the summertime, it’s popular for families seeking to enjoy the narrow slot canyon and climbers looking to scale its walls. At only 5km in length, you can check this one off the list in 2-3 hours, and you can always turn around whenever you are ready to call it quits. Keep your eye out for rock art along the walls.

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Enjoy a Nearby Lake

Canmore has a few peaceful bodies of water that are great for soaking in the view or, if you’re feeling really brave, going for a dip. The Canmore Reservoir is our favorite place to have a drink and look out to Ha Ling. There’s also nearby Quarry Lake, which is a beautiful spot for a walk around with views of the Little Sister.

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Dinner Downtown

Put on your best mountain dinner attire and enjoy a lovely dinner downtown. One of our favorite places to eat a nice meal is 4296. Reservations are highly recommended here, as space is extremely limited. Another favorite is Bridgette Bar near The Malcolm Hotel. They serve fabulous cocktails in an eclectic interior. In the mood for pizza? They have the best wood-fired pies in Canmore!

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See a Live Show!

Canmore isn’t as lively as Banff once the sun goes down, but that doesn’t mean you must go to bed early. The Carter Ryan Gallery has its own small theatre production and puts on plays and shows throughout the year. For anyone who enjoys live theatre, it’s a fun activity to add to your Canmore itinerary whether you’re visiting Canmore in the winter or summer. (You can use the code ROCKIES25 for 25% off tickets!)

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Where to Stay in Canmore