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a city to see: banff, canada!

1/19/2018

30 Comments

 
Banff National Park is Canada's most visited National Park, and for good reasons. I visited Banff and nearby town Jasper in the Summer of 2014, and it was stunning. It has something for everybody: vibrant blue lakes, snow-peaked mountains, waterfalls, glaciers... you really can't go wrong as a tourist in Banff. If you're planning a vacation, keep Banff on the list!
*note: all pictures are mine!
Picture
Sulphur Mountain.
Banff, located in the western Canadian province of Alberta, is a lovely town with scenic views from all angles. It sits in Alberta's rockies, along the Trans-Canadian Highway, and ranks second as the highest elevation in it's province. The town's name is traced back to George Stephen, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Stephen recalled the name of his hometown- Banff, Scotland- and used it as the name for the new community in 1884. Banff is considered one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Canada, as it offers many elements of natural beauty along with outdoor sports and other attractions. As someone who visited there during summer, I can also say without hesitation that the weather there is terrific- an average high of 70°F (22°C). Just don't go there in the winter, you might freeze and that's not an enjoyable vacation!

​Lakes in Banff:
Picture
Peyto Lake.
If for some reason, you only are able to be in Banff for a single day, then the one thing you must do is visit the lakes. All of them! It may seem boring and trivial to see one lake after another, but each one is completely different and gives you a greater appreciation for the natural wonders of the world. It also helps you see how unique two things that are labeled the same way can be. Banff's lakes are really unbeatable and it's impressive how much beauty lies in such a small sect. 

In my opinion, the most brilliant lake in the town is Peyto Lake (pictured above). It is extraordinarily blue, almost to the point where it looks artificially colored! Could you imagine swimming in something that blue? The view from above honestly makes you wish you were a bird so you could see everything as one solid, tremendous sight. To get there, you have to hike the short, although steep path to Bow Summit, which is a small task to see something so outstanding. Then, not only is the water itself amazing, the mountainous background brings some real breathtaking awe. The peaks are dusted with pure, white snow, and the rocky view really speaks for itself.
While Peyto Lake is another level of turquoise, so are many other Banff lakes, as you can see in the slideshow above. The reason these lakes are so remarkably blue is because of the glacial ice that melts and feeds into the lake. The glacial rock flour flows in during the summer months and the fine powder becomes suspended in the water, absorbing sunlight and creating an exquisite marine blue hue. (The process is apparently very scientific and surprisingly hard to understand, but it results in marvelous waters!) Attractions like these lakes bring in upwards of three million tourists every year, and these increasing numbers have recently threatened the ecosystem within Banff. In 1984, Banff National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protecting it from human harm; this is vital to the safety of this area, especially since it was the first Canadian National Park in existence.

The Drive to Jasper:
Picture
Athabasca River, a stop from the drive to Jasper from Banff.
Jasper is a smaller town about 175 miles away from Banff. If you decide to drive from Banff to Jasper (which you undoubtedly should do), then you're in for a road trip of jaw-dropping scenery with great stops along the way, so be sure to take your time! It's worth it. ​The views are terrific, and I would call this drive the best one I've ever been on. Not only are there beautiful mountains and lakes, you might even spot a few wild animals! It's impossible to be disappointed by the wonders of Banff and Jasper. The astonishing landscapes themselves provide for a phenomenal vacation experience.  
Bear and Cub!
Elk grazing.
Mountain Goat.
PictureColumbia Icefields!
Another outstanding vista is the Columbia Icefield, aptly named for it's vast grounds of ice. This is a must-see if you visit. The Athabasca Glacier and other large icy areas make up the Columbia Icefields, and the experience getting on top of the glacier by riding in a "snow coach" or "ice explorer" is especially fascinating. Some brave souls even drink the water from the small streams that form on the ice because of how pure and clean the water is said to be. The ice can be slightly dangerous, though, with a rare chance that a crevasse will form and create a deep fracture in the ice. 

PictureDowntown Banff!
There is so much more to both Banff and Jasper than you've seen in this post. They have  relaxing, hot springs (Miette Hot Springs is the one I visited), quaint downtown areas with little souvenir shops and bakeries, amazing hikes, their famous gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain, waterfalls, museums.... but to really know the town, you have to vacation there. I've been to many different travel destinations, and Banff was quite the spectacle! ​

Hike to Mt. Edith Cavell.
Angel Glacier

What's your favorite vacation destination? 
30 Comments
Ellie phillips link
1/19/2018 05:02:39 pm

Oh wow that looks gorgeous!

Reply
Another Little Birdie
1/19/2018 06:01:00 pm

It most definitely is!! Thanks for reading the blog!! :)

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Jess link
1/19/2018 05:20:04 pm

Ahh I've always wanted to go to Canada and seeing these pictures has made me want to go so much more! It looks so breath taking and peaceful, will definitely be adding this place to my bucket list :)

Jessica xo | jessinwonderlandx.blogspot.co.uk

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Another Little Birdie
1/19/2018 06:02:26 pm

There are so many awesome places to visit in Canada, but Banff is by far the best!! Hope you get to go there soon! :)

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Evie link
1/19/2018 05:29:21 pm

This doesn't even look like a real place, these photos are stunning! Lovely post.

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Another Little Birdie
1/19/2018 06:04:08 pm

I know! It almost doesn't look real even when you're standing right in front of everything haha :)

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Sophie link
1/19/2018 06:02:13 pm

Wow! I've never been to Canada at all but this is absolutely stunning! These views are incredible. Another one for the bucket list! x

Sophie
www.glowsteady.co.uk

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Another Little Birdie
1/19/2018 06:06:09 pm

Yes, it's amazing!! Canada has got some great sights!

Thanks for visiting the blog :)

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Alys
1/19/2018 06:08:17 pm

I love Canada, such a beautiful country! I'd love to go to Banff. This is a great post❤ xx
Alys
https://alysjournals.wordpress.com/

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Another Little Birdie
1/19/2018 06:13:42 pm

Thank you, Alys!! I agree, Canada is for sure a very scenic country. You should check out Banff sometime! :)

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Nicky Sid
1/19/2018 07:59:13 pm

Banff is my favorite place too! I found this destination to be truly breathtaking. Lovely post :)

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Another Little Birdie
1/20/2018 04:38:58 pm

Yes, it's extremely beautiful! It would be wonderful to visit there again. Thanks for reading, Nicky 😉

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Soffy link
1/20/2018 04:44:05 am

Wow! The way you described everything and with those breathtaking pictures it just felt like I was living it all! Amazing post x

Soffy // themumaffairs.blogspot.com

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Another Little Birdie
1/20/2018 04:40:49 pm

I'm so glad you felt that way!! You should be sure to go visit there at some point so you can actually live the Banff experience- my writing isn't nearly as good as the real thing haha :)

Thanks for commenting, Soffy!

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Huda
1/20/2018 04:51:16 am

Omg, what a beautiful place that is! And Can I just say your photography is AMAZING! I really want to visit this place now! Thanks for sharing! 😍💕

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Another Little Birdie
1/20/2018 04:47:27 pm

Thank you so much, Huda!! My photography is only as good as the fancy camera I used 😉

Hopefully you'll get to visit Banff sometime! 💕

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Kat link
1/21/2018 10:26:36 am

Oh my goodness what a beautiful place and that lake colour!! It really does look photo shopped so it must be amazing to see in real life! Your photos are beautiful. I’ve never been to Canada but this looks like my type of place. The outdoors and nature- what more could you want!? Great post xxx

Www.Shesagentry.Com

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Another Little Birdie
1/21/2018 10:33:10 am

Thanks so much, Kat!! You should definitely go to Canada sometime- I don't live there but they've got some great travel destinations! :)

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Lindsay Murrell link
1/21/2018 03:47:23 pm

Omg this looks stunning! Such beautiful photos! I might actually be going to Canada this year, not sure where yet but if I do I'll keep this place in mind :)!

L xo
www.lindsaymurrell.co.uk

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Another Little Birdie
1/23/2018 09:37:18 pm

That's awesome, Lindsay!! Hope you make it to Banff, you'd love it for sure! :)

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Dani link
1/21/2018 04:23:53 pm

Downtown Banff seems like a place I would definitely go to in the future. Lovely places you got in your country!

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Another Little Birdie
2/19/2018 06:32:55 pm

Oh it really is a lovely place- just not in my country haha!! I would love to live in Canada, but I'm still happy just south of there in the US!

Thanks for reading :)

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Lisa Dimaline
1/21/2018 07:28:09 pm

I keep going back to New York but Canada is definitely a place I want to visit 😊 I love your photography the lakes look stunning 😍

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Another Little Birdie
1/23/2018 09:50:13 pm

Thank you, Lisa!!

New York is always great too, but you should keep Canada on your bucket list!! You won't be disappointed! :)

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Rambling Woman link
1/25/2018 09:57:53 pm

I'd love to rent a kayak and paddle around those lakes. Never been to Alberta, but it sounds phenomenal!

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Another Little Birdie
1/27/2018 10:33:30 am

It really is phenomenal! Unfortunately, we didn't have time to do any kayaking but I would also love to do that if I went back again!

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Maria link
1/27/2018 10:35:48 am

This place looks breathtaking! This makes me wish I was more into hiking and I was in better shape. I can't imagine running into a bear though haha that's not for me. Great post lovely!

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Another Little Birdie
1/27/2018 10:38:48 am

The hikes really aren't that bad, I'm sure anybody could do them! The bears might be hard to avoid though! :)

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Caroline link
1/30/2018 08:14:44 pm

I love your post and your pictures! So many beautiful places around the Rockies 💕💕.
I always got super excited to see wildlife around ❣️

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Another Little Birdie
2/3/2018 10:12:24 am

I did too!! It makes my hometown seem so boring! The Rockies are just wonderful :)

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