12 Things to do in Banff That Don’t Involve Hiking

It’s no secret that the Canadian Rockies are a hiker’s paradise, but you don’t HAVE to hike in Banff to have a fantastic time. Activities like the Banff Gondola, horse-drawn wagon ride, a float trip down the Bow River, and the Lake Minnewanka Cruise are fun ways to experience Banff without any hiking involved. Banff is a destination for every age and ability!

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Things to Do in Banff for Non-Hikers

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The Banff Gondola

Heading up the Banff Gondola is perhaps the most popular thing to do in Banff, and it’s easy to see why. It gets you to the top of the mountain in just eight minutes – without hiking! The gondola climbs 698 meters very quickly without hiking. Once at the top, you’ll have panoramic views of the Bow Valley and down toward Banff.

Once at the top, there’s no need to hike at all to get one of my favorite views of Cascade Mountain. However, we encourage all able gondola riders to at least walk along the elevated boardwalk to the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station. At the top of the gondola station, there’s a coffee shop, an interactive learning station, and the Sky Bistro, which is one of the most sought-after scenic restaurants in Banff.

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The Lake Louise Summer Gondola

Banff has a few different gondolas you can choose from, but the Lake Louise Gondola is a great one, as it requires very little walking to get to the main viewpoint over Lake Louise.

From the top of Lake Louise’s Sightseeing Gondola, you can get some astonishing views of Lake Louise, with Mount Fairview and Mount Victoria rising behind it. From up here, you can take a short walk to the Whitehorn Bistro, which is one of the most scenic restaurants in Banff.

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Lake Minnewanka Cruise

The Lake Minnewanka Cruise is an hour-long panoramic cruise along Banff’s largest lake. The grand and storied lake is best observed from the water as its scale makes it difficult to appreciate from the lakeshore. Visitors have been cruising along the lake to take in its natural beauty for over a century.

At the lake’s end lies Devil’s Gap, a unique natural feature that looks out to the east and the plains of Alberta while enveloped in a mountain amphitheater. In the distant east, verdant prairie land peeks through, providing a captivating backdrop.

To explore this hidden gem on foot, one must embark on a 30-kilometer journey into the remote Canadian Rockies and camp along the shores. However, this can be reached on a Lake Minnewanka Cruise in 30 minutes, making the cruise well worth it and a fantastic no hike activity in Banff.

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Open Top Tours

Open-top touring is a wonderful no-hike experience in Banff that transports visitors back in time. On the Open Top Tour, visitors explore the town in a vintage-style 1930s automobile. It’s a great way to get to a few famous Banff viewpoints while learning about the area’s history.

You can book this if you’re a small group, or book out the entire car for large groups and events like a wedding or business trip.

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Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure Tour

The Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure Tour is a combo tour that involves taking Icefield Explorer vehicles out onto the Athabasca Glacier, followed by a visit on a glass-bottomed skywalk over the Sunwapta Valley.

The Icefield Explorer vehicles are huge transport buses specially designed to cross the moraines of the Athabasca Glacier and deposit guests onto the glacier’s icy surface. The vehicles are truly impressive, and the small roped-off section of the glacier offers visitors a rare opportunity to stand atop and experience a glacier.

After standing atop the glacier, guests are then shuttled to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. It’s a huge circular bridge extending from a cliff face over the Sunwapta Gorge. The bridge’s engineering is impressive as it hangs out from the cliff without suspension, and the glass walkway allows guests to peer down hundreds of meters below their feet. The bridge is pretty short, and along the walkway are some informative displays about the engineering, the surrounding geology, and ecology.

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Canoeing on a Glacial Lake

Hiker or not, every visitor to Banff should get out on the water at least once. There are so many beautiful lakes to explore in the Canadian Rockies. Canoe rentals can be found at Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, and Lake Minnewanka. Or you can rent a canoe, stand-up paddleboard, or kayak from the Banff Canoe Club and get out on any of the lakes!

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Food Tour

One of the best things to do in Banff when it’s raining, or the weather isn’t playing nice is the Eat the Castle Food Tour at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. This small 12-person group tasting tour brings guests to four locations within the sprawling complex, including STOCK food and drink, Grapes, 1888 Chop House, and The Vermilion Room.

The tour isn’t all about eating, though. As you explore the national historic site, your knowledgeable guide will provide insights into the hotel’s history, art, and architecture.

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Wagon Ride

Who said you have to use your own two feet to take the trails in Banff? Embark on a scenic horse-drawn wagon ride through Banff, tracing the tranquil Bow River and the stunning Sulphur Mountain trail. After some riding, stop at 3 Mile Cabin to enjoy a cowboy cookout BBQ feast featuring steak, fresh salad, baked beans, savory potatoes, and a delightful dessert.

Gather around a cozy fire at the sheltered lunch area as you unwind by the picnic tables. Guides will then prepare a great BBQ for all to enjoy. While waiting for the BBQ to cook, enjoy tales from the Western Frontier and play cowboy games like lasso! Head back to Banff along the Sulphur Mountain Trail.

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Float Tour Down the Bow River

When visiting the Canadian Rockies during the summer, all ages can enjoy this fun and quick activity. Hop in a raft and let your guide do all the work as you float on the Bow River, which offers stunning mountain views, picturesque glacial waters, local wildlife, and beautiful spruce and pine shorelines.

These tours operates from the Town of Canmore every day between mid-May and mid-September. They are great for all walks of life, even those with limited mobility. Standard floats last one hour and are a leisurely way to learn about the area while enjoying views of the Three Sisters.

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Golden Skybridge

Not in Banff but in Golden, British Columbia, the Golden Skybridge is a great stop for families as it has many fun activities for kids and adults. The primary attraction is the 426-foot suspension bridge over a large canyon with views across the Columbia Valley. It’s not just one bridge, though, as there is a second suspension bridge, and both are the highest in Canada.

There’s also a mountain coaster, zipline, high ropes course, axe throwing, and even a giant boulder swing. You can easily spend 4-5 hours here enjoying all the no hike activities.

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Sunset and Stargazing Tour

If you’re looking for a great nighttime activity that requires low effort, consider the Sunset and Stargazing tour. It’s not completely stationary as you’ll walk about 5 km throughout the 3 hour tour, but we wanted to mention it as it’s such a wonderful tour that lets you experience the park the way you can’t during the day. Learn about the night sky and stars around the Canadian Rockies!

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Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary

This activity is in Cochrane, Alberta, and is for all the dog lovers out there. Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary is home to more than 35 wonderous wolfdogs, giving visitors a unique chance to interact with these amazing creatures. This nonprofit sanctuary allows you to learn about and observe these beautiful wolfdogs and even interact with them by sharing treats and pats. They focus on spreading awareness and knowledge about these majestic wolf-dogs.