Introduction
I was so excited when we decided to experience Banff in October with our kid. Banff is one of the most beautiful places in the country. In addition, Canadians enjoy the magnificent national parks. The weather of the month is mild relatively; therefore, this is a perfect time to take a family vacation.
First time visiting Banff with a toddler
Banff is located in the Rocky Mountains, about an hour’s drive from Calgary. The town itself is small but it offers plenty of outdoor activities.
The fall season in Banff can be very cold so you might want to consider bringing warmer clothing . If you are planning to stay out late in the evenings or hiking during this time of year, bring warmer clothing & gears.
Travel day -Flights from Toronto to Calgary with Flair airlines
Flair airlines is a low cost airline in Canada that has direct flights from Toronto to Calgary. Their fares are competitive, and their service is good. They also allow stroller & car seat for free.
If you can travel light and looking for a way to save money on your travels , consider flying with Flair airlines!
Stayed in lake Louise Inn for two nights
We stayed in the Lake Louise Inn for two nights. The hotel is beautiful and has a great location. Our room was super clean, comfortable and had everything we needed to make our stay comfortable.
The service at this hotel was excellent! The staff were very helpful with anything we needed or questions that came up during our stay and they always made sure we were happy before leaving the property. They also provided great recommendations on where to go if you’re looking for something fun or relaxing. It’s located right in the middle of town so it’s easy access to all the essential shops & medical center.
Sunrise at Lake Louise
Lake Louise is a great place to visit in the morning. The scenery is spectacular and it’s nice to see it after being at Lake Louise. We visited in the non- peak season so we didn’t face any parking issues at lake Louise.
If you’re planning on visiting Lake Louise, be sure to check out the sunrise. You can walk along the beach and see it unfold before your eyes. It’s stunningly beautiful! If that doesn’t seem like enough of an excuse for you to go there, we’ve got another one: The mountains are also nearby. Once you get past all of that amazing natural beauty, there are some nice trails around Lake Louise where families can explore on their own time or join up with other hikers if they want something more social than just walking around alone in nature (which isn’t necessarily bad).
The lake itself is calm and peaceful at sunrise—perfect for little ones who might have trouble sleeping in their own beds!
Beautiful drive from Banff to Lake Peyto
It was a beautiful drive to Peyto Lake. The road was very scenic with snow covered mountains in the distance . It took about around 45 minutes to get there from lake Louise.
The viewpoint is one of the most spectacular views in the Banff National park. If you are in Banff, we would highly recommend to visit Peyto lake. Its beauty competes with lake Louise & lake Moraine(which are more famous). The hike to Peyto lake takes 15-20 minutes. Its an easy hike, however it becomes slippery after snow. Make sure your shoes have good traction if you are hiking in snow.
At the end of the trail, you will reach a well built platform to enjoy the spectacular views of lake Peyto.
Drive to Johnston Canyon & Downtown Banff
Johnston Canyon is a must do. The drive to Johnston Canyon is 30 minutes from Lake Louise Inn! The drive was spectacular with snow covered mountains along the road. You will be hiking through beautiful scenery on the way there, which makes for some great photos as well as a great workout!
Head back to Calgary for the night stay
The next day, we fly back to Toronto. So, we drove back to Calgary where we were spending the night. The hotel was closer to the airport.
Great destination for a family trip
As a family destination, Banff is a great choice with kids. It has plenty of activities to keep children occupied and there are plenty of ways to explore the Rockies by foot or bike.
It’s also surprisingly warm in October! With temperatures rarely below zero, you can enjoy the outdoors without worrying about your kids getting too cold.
If you’re planning on visiting during peak tourist season (May through Sept), try booking your hotel room early as all the accommodations in the area fill up quickly.
Conclusion
I hope this post has given you some ideas on how to make your next trip to Banff and Calgary. It was a short trip but we are definitely going back again and this time hopefully for a week at least.
Read our blog on Montreal, if you are planning to visit.
