Banff is about a 1 1/2 hour drive West of Calgary.
In the fall of 1883, three Canadian Pacific Railway construction workers stumbled across a cave containing hot springs on the eastern slopes of Alberta's Rocky Mountains. From that humble beginning was born Banff National Park, Canada's first national park and the world's third. Spanning 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 square miles) of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers, Banff National Park is one of the world's premier destination spots.
There are many places within Banff National Park to visit, such as Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, the Icefields, and the Banff Hot Springs to name a few. The scenery is awe-inspiring anywhere you go in this large park.
Bow Falls Photo courtesy of Carol V. |
Banff Springs Hotel (now called Fairmont Springs Banff) Photo courtesy of Carol V. |
This late Victorian style hotel is commonly referred to as "The Castle in the Rockies". It is magnificent and beautiful. It was opened to the public in 1888, suffered a decline during WW 2 and had to close it's doors to the public. But it re-opened in 1945, and now enjoys it's reign once again. It is an expensive place to stay, so I have never stayed there, but you can visit and have Afternoon Tea there.
Marilyn Monroe and Robert Mitchum shot a movie near Bow Falls called "River of No Return".
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