Canmore is an old mining town in Alberta, Canada. Nestled in the Rockies, this beautiful place offers a chance to connect with nature. Whether you like hiking, fishing, skiing, hockey, arts, or dining events, Canmore has it all! And plenty of amazing accommodation options are also available here - from the best hotels with outdoor hot tubs to the top Airbnb vacation rentals in Canmore. With your accommodation sorted, now you can go out and explore the best of this amazing town. Check out the 15 best things to do in Canmore, Canada.
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1. Grassi Lakes
Grassi Lakes are one of the best things to see in Canmore. It is the perfect destination for beginner hikers and families. The trails leads to two magnificent turquoise lakes and go past a beautiful waterfall. This is a great holiday activity that it connects you to nature. The beautiful lakes make it worth the effort.
One of the trails is a gravel road with gentle rising slope and the other takes you through the forest.
The lake is a wonderful place to relax and have an awesome picnic!
Grassi Lakes
Address: Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park, Alberta
Website: Grassi Lakes
2. Cross Zee Ranch
Posted by Cross Zee Ranch on Tuesday, 18 July 2017
Want to have an amazing horse-riding experience? Look no further! Cross Zee Ranch offers an experience of a lifetime. Ride the majestic creatures through scenic trails. You’ll have a guide to take you through the trails and tell you lots of interesting stories.
The horses are well behaved and very gentle with their handlers. During your ride you might get an unexpected wild visitor, which adds to the fun! This is a very relaxing experience, where you can nature and the ranch, which has amazing history. Sip some spring water, dance in the barn and smell the wild roses!
Cross Zee Ranch
Address: 2500 Palliser Trail, Canmore, AB T1W 3E7, Canada
Website: Cross Zee Ranch
3. Wild Life Distillery
Photo: Kelly Schovanek www.schovanekphotography.com
Posted by Wild Life Distillery on Sunday, 1 January 2017
A craft distillery in a snug little place in Canmore. They only make Vodka and Gin but man, are they smooth! At Wild Life Distillery, they only use local ingredients, fresh mountain water, local grains, and they focus on making great drinks.
The staff is very welcoming and the tour is amazing. You get to see the magic behind the making of distilled beverages! Sip on their vodka and a complex gin, enjoy the flavorful cocktails, and have the time of your life!
Wild Life Distillery
Address: 160-105 Bow Meadows Cres., Canmore, AB T1W 2W8, Canada
Website: Wild Life Distillery
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Avens Gallery
Posted by Avens Gallery on Thursday, 10 September 2015
Established in 1986, Avens Gallery hosts many events featuring Western Canadian art. Located downtown, the gallery is always nicely curated. If you have a taste for art, this is a place you must visit. If you don’t know anything about art, visit anyway!
Avens Gallery hosts works by upcoming as well as established artists. There you’ll find sculptures, three-dimensional abstracts in stone and bronze, oil paintings, photography, and more. They have held events for brilliant artists such as Rena Bierman, Brian Buckrell, Julia Lucich, Vance Theoret, etc.
The gallery is open every day. The staff is very helpful and will answer any questions that you have. Avens Gallery is well worth multiple visits!
Avens Gallery
Address: 101-710 8 St, Canmore, AB T1W 2B6, Canada
Website: Avens Gallery
5. Kananaskis Wildlife Drive
If you aren’t much of a hiker, take a drive through the most scenic route in Canmore. It is a one day trip that takes you from Canmore to the heart of the Kananaskis. You have to be very patient when driving on the gravel road - drive slow to enjoy the wildlife. You can see all sorts of animals such as deer, moose and elk, and if you are lucky enough, you might spot a bear or a cougar. This is also a great drive for bird watchers.
As you make your way on the road, you’ll come across Mount Engadine Lodge, a place to relax and have a cup of tea. You can watch moose wander in the meadows in the evening from the windows. Kananaski Wildlife Drive is an amazing experience and a great way to enjoy your vacation.
Kananaskis Wildlife Drive
Website: Kananaskis Wildlife Drive
6. Grotto Canyon
Grotto Canyon is one of the most popular Canmore points of interest. A hike through a beautiful valley is a great activity for families! The walls of the creek are narrow and and snakes through the canyon. There is a fork in the road, where the straight path will lead to a beautiful cave and the path to the right will go to an amazing waterfall. The cave has ancient paintings on the wall.
The best time to visit the canyon is in the winter. The ground is frozen so make sure you take your ice cleats to walk more easily. The waterfall freezers at this time, creating a stunning ice sculpture. Bring hot chocolate with you, it’s an incredible experience, don’t miss it!
Grotto Canyon
Website: Grotto Canyon
7. Ha Ling Peak
If you’re looking for Canmore activities, how about going on a hike to Ha Ling Peak? A peak at the northwestern end of Mount Lawrence Grassi, Ha Ling Peak is a hike for anyone. It’s an easy scramble. The trail is very picturesque - it has great views of the valley. The path gains elevation quickly. It’s a 4-hour round trip.
What an amazing view from the top! Do remember to carry a windcheater, because strong winds are common and we don’t want you to accidentally fall over. The hike might seem a bit challenging if you are not used to it but the stunning view from the top makes the effort worth it.
Ha Ling Peak
Website: Ha Ling Peak
8. Canmore Caves
Such an incredible photo by Brandon Mackinnon! It's hard to believe that such a massive space exists way underground.
Posted by Canmore Cave Tours on Friday, 30 June 2017
Take a tour through the Rat’s Nest Cave and enjoy the beauty of it. It is an archaeological site with ancient paintings and beautiful cave formations. It is one of the longest caves in Canada. The tour guides are amazing and help you navigate through the cave. The guides explain the historic significance of the caves along with its awesome geology.
If you love adventure and like to try new things, this is the tour for you!
Canmore Cave Tours
Address: 129 Bow Meadows Crescent #202, Canmore, AB T1W 2W8, Canada
Website: Canmore Cave Tours
9. Gondola Ride On Sulphur Mountain
The Sulphur Mountain houses hot springs on its lower slopes. The gondola goes up to the summit ridge on the eastern slope, which has two restaurants, a gift shop and observation decks. You can see a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains, the Bow Valley and the town of Banff.
The Gondola car holds four people and it is glass enclosed, offering a 360 degree view throughout the ride. There are various boardwalk trails leading to scenic mountain views in every direction. It doesn’t matter if you visit in spring or winter - all the seasons offer unique scenery and an amazing experience.
Banff Gondola
Address: 100 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1B2, Canada
Website: Banff Gondola
10. Canmore Museum & Geoscience Centre
Come visit us in the Canmore Civic Centre! Photo by Jenn Slater.
Posted by Canmore Museum & Geoscience Centre on Friday, 8 July 2016
If you’re wondering what to do in Canmore, why not pay a visit to Canmore Museum & Geoscience Centre. Established in 1984, Canmore Museum & Geoscience Centre tells you the stories of their mountains. It is a small but very informative museum. It is a great place to spend some time with kids. The museum has an interactive display and some interesting videos. It is a great place to have an educational experience and learn about Canmore’s history.
The museum houses great artifacts, it doesn’t take much of your time, so don’t miss it!
Canmore Museum & Geoscience Centre
Address: 3K1, 902 7 Ave, Canmore, AB T1W, Canada
Website: Canmore Museum & Geoscience Centre
11. Trek the scenic Policeman's Creek Boardwalk and enjoy the view
A great thing about Alberta aside from its world-renowned natural attractions and parks, it’s their vast lands and properly leveled outdoor hotspots that are easily found everywhere. Much like the Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk which is doable from beginners to advanced-level hikers for those visiting in Canada for some wilderness exploration. Trekking in this crowd-favorite outdoor spot is what many travelers and locals alike come to Alberta for. It can be accessed from downtown Canmore and is also a great trip for those who wish to awaken their senses. From bird watching, ducks swimming in trails in the ponds, and to the lush greenery past the creek, there’s definitely much to see, hear, and feel in this part of Alberta.
Policeman's Creek Boardwalk
Address: Bow Trail Road, Canmore, Alberta, Canada TOL OMO
Website: Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk
Contact: +1-403-678-1500
12. See a rare and stunnin gemstone at the Ammonite Factory
Those who wish to do something a little more indoorsy and see a more unique side to Alberta, a visit to the Ammonite Factory is a must. Ammolite, which is a rare gem found in the southeastern part of Alberta can be seen and even purchased from the factory. This precious gem is renowned for its wide array of colors which makes the jewelry a much more desirable purchase when traveling to Alberta. The Ammonite Factory takes ammonite from the Red Dragon Mine and produces several pieces of jewelry, stones, fossils, and art pieces that interest many tourists in their store for souvenirs and presents. Since 1987, the Ammonite Factory has produced some of the most lovely pieces of jewelry that transcends time and boasts of high quality at its finest.
Ammonite Factory
Address: 1350 Railway Ave, Canmore, AB T1W 1P6, Canada
Website: Ammonite Factory
Opening hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Mondays to Saturdays; 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Sundays
Contact: 403-678-1786
13. Shop around the Canmore Mountain Market
Conclude your trip to Alberta and spend a morning or afternoon at the Canmore Mountain Market. This is a summer tradition that many locals and tourists alike follow, where the venue is packed with vendors selling local and regional products from fresh produce, poultry, clothes, baked goods, coffee, jams, as well as crafts, clothes, jewelry and other interesting artisanal buys that are great for souvenirs as a remembrance to such an incredible Alberta trip.
Canmore Mountain Market
Address: 7th Ave. | Downtown Canmore, Canmore, Alberta T1W 3K1, Canada
Opening hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Sundays to Mondays (May to October)
14. Indulge in outdoor sports at Canmore Nordic Centre
Beautiful and a paradise for outdoor sports enthusiasts, Canmore Nordic Centre is a provincial park in Alberta. It is famous as an all-season destination since it offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter months, and mountain biking, and hiking in the summer months. Paddleboarding, swimming, picnicking, nature walks, roller skiing, disc golf, and many other activities can be enjoyed here. Canmore Nordic Centre is a great family-friendly destination.
Canmore Nordic Centre
Address: 1988 Olympic Way, Canmore, AB, Canada
Website: Canmore Nordic Centre
Opening hours: 9am - 5:30pm (daily)
15. Admire the view of Three Sisters peaks
As the name suggests, Three Sisters is set of three peaks near Canmore and a great place to visit if you enjoy nature views. The area offers plenty of hiking and trekking trails, astounding scenery and photo opportunities. The best views can be had from Bow River nearby. A visit to Three Sisters is a must-do activity in Canmore.
Three Sisters
Address: Alberta, Canada
Best of Canmore
Canmore is one of the best places to spend your holiday or steal an amazing weekend. It has everything from hiking and sightseeing to rock-climbing and caving. No matter which season you choose to visit in, this destination is always beautiful and full of adventures! Enjoy these best things to do in Canmore on your next holiday here.
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