Our wedding anniversary always happens to fall around the Canadian thanksgiving weekend. Each year we are always excited to seek out a different destination to getaway or a new experience to try. This year happened to be a special milestone to celebrate, having been blessed with a decade of blissful marriage together, we figured that Banff was a great place to unwind, soak in the beautiful scenery of the Rocky Mountains and revel in the peaceful ambiance.

Banff is a reasonable drive of 1.5 hour drive from Calgary, the most populous city within the province of Alberta. We spent 2 full days exploring the snow-capped Rocky Mountains and pristine lakes of Banff. Here is a checklist of suggested items to prepare for prior to your visit and also keep in mind the season and weather conditions that you intend to go. There is also entrance fee of $19.60/daily per family or group. The warmer Summer months (June-August) are the best time to go if you intend to go hiking or camping in the National Park but it also happens to be busiest time of the year so be prepared for crowds at popular tourists spots, and may need to allot more time than usual at these spots (Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake).

Lake Louise and surrounding area

On our way to Lake Louise, we actually did a quick detour and stopped at Vermillion Lake for a photo opportunity with the popular Mt Rundle. We couldn’t resist as the light hitting those mountain tops was amazing! After that quick detour, we headed towards the first thing on our agenda in the small quaint downtown area of Lake Louise. Here you can find local cafes, eateries, grocery stores, and public washrooms to take a quick break from all the driving. We then headed to the most iconic site in Banff, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, surrounded by the Victoria Glaciers and turquoise waters of Lake Louise. There are many activities to cater all ages in this area, including guided mountain adventures, skiing in the winter, scenic hiking trails and canoe activities in the summer, kid’s camps, revitalizing spa experiences, and unforgettable dining experiences. Athough the temperatures were near freezing mark, we lucked out with some amazing temperatures and sunny clear skies, so we were able to check off canoeing on Lake Louise from our bucketlist. Although it was a short-lived experience, it was an unforgettable experience as a couple. Click here for the information on the prices and hours of operation.

Mount Rundle

Herbert Lake

A canoe ride through the gorgeous Lake Louise

Downtown Banff & Sulphur Mountain

Downtown Banff is close to a one hour drive from Lake Louise. After that unforgettable canoe ride, we were off to downtown Banff for a little window shopping and afternoon snack at one of the many local cafe’s in town. I was surprised to encounter major department stores, like The Bay and Gap, in a small humble town of about 8000 people. You can find a variety of shops here from kids stores, shoes, novelty, outdoor, cafes, bars, and restaurant establishments and while soaking in breathtaking scenery in the background.

A short drive from downtown Banff is popular Sulphur Mountain. Hubby had surprised me with a gondola ride up to the mountain (7,486 feet high) and a sunset dinner atop the mountain at Sky Bistro. We celebrated our anniversary with a delicious meal that included an entree and appetizer with the package. Click here for more information on the rates and hours of operation. Aside from dining atop Sulphur Mountain, there is also an observation deck to capture photo opportunities with the six different mountain ranges and town of Banff, an interactive center for the little explorers to learn about the history of Banff, and a self guided kilometer long boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak.

A spectacular view 2,900 feet above downtown Banff from the summit of Sulphur Mountain

Moraine Lake, Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Bow Lake, and Peyto Lake.

We set out a day to explore the most eastern park of British Columbia at Yoho National Park. Our first opportunity was a sunrise shot at Moraine Lake and spent the remaining hours of that early morning sun at Emerald Lake. Such a serene and tranquil setting gazing upon the most picturesque backdrop and with fog rolling into the scenery makes for an even more dreamy and magical experience in the morning. There are several hiking opportunities of varying difficulties in the area should you wish to explore further as well as a canoeing experience.

Bow Lake and Peyto Lake were our next destinations with a quick stop at the natural bridge. The natural bridge is a natural rock formation over the Kicking Horse River west of Field, and is just 3 km from Emerald Lake. Peyto lake is iconic because it is said to resemble the shape of a fox’s head from the scenic point. There is a also a family friendly hike for the children to enjoy through the wooded pathways.

Moraine Lake  |  “Valley of the 10 peaks”

Emerald Lake

Peyto Lake

Calgary

A quick day trip to Calgary was sufficient to explore the downtown area. A visit to Scotsman’s Hill offers one of the most spectacular views of the city…and when you visit this town during the famous Calgary Stampede, you’d definitely want to be at this spot to watch some amazing fireworks! We also had the opportunity to walk along the historic buildings of Stephen Avenue — a major pedestrian mall in Calgary. The street is known for some of Calgary’s finest restaurants, cafés, pubs and bars. The street also provides an eclectic mix of boutiques and high-end retail.

Quite possibly one of the most iconic things Calgary is known for is the Peace Bridge (which connects downtown Calgary with the northern Bow River pathway) and an impressive art structure called the Wonderland Sculpture (“The Head”). Both are lit up in the evening hours and makes for some cool artsy photos.

A view of the beautiful Calgary Skyline from Scotsman’s Hill

Wonderland Sculpture

Peace Bridge

Aside from making new fond memories for our tenth year anniversary, we also managed to make it easier on our pockets. We happened to earn our vacation for practically free! Check out our previous blog post here with the same principles applied. Our plane tickets, lodging, and car rental were paid for using out travel points.