Banff is beautiful, everyone wants to go there. But Canmore is definitely my favourite Canadian mountain town. With the drive from Calgary clocking in at just under an hour, Canmore is quite a bit closer than Banff to the nearest international airport. The crowds in Canmore are less intense and less touristy. Plus, there are no park fees because the town is outside of the national park.

I promise you, Canmore is just as beautiful as Banff, but without the same “Bear Bum” and “Wanna Moose Around” pajamas in every storefront. And, if you really want to experience Banff (because the hot springs and mountain Mexican food are seriously worth it), you can take the $6 shuttle or make the short drive.

Canmore has it all. Great coffee. Great hiking. Great beer. Great food. Here is my suggested itinerary for a perfect day in and around Canmore:

Caffeinate at Beamers in Downtown Canmore

Beamers is your classic friendly coffee shop. Fresh roasts, skilled baristas, yummy baked goods, and decent breakfast items are there to meet all of your morning needs. Whether you want to grab something quick before a big day in the mountains, or sit around and sip coffee for a couple of hours under the watch of the beautiful surrounding landscapes, this is the place to do it.

There are a few other coffee shops that have popped up over the past few years, but Beamers is the best. The business is locally owned and operated, and has over 20 years under its belt. So, if you want a bona fide mountain coffee experience, this is the place to do it.

Hike Ha Ling Peak and Get a Bird’s Eye View

Ha Ling is one of a handful of mountains you can summit that is so close to Canmore, I’m not convinced you can’t order a pizza from the top. It is a pretty tough and steady incline all the way up, but you don’t need any technical mountaineering skills to reach the top.

What I love about this hike is that you can get up and down in just a few hours, but you still get the payoff of top-of-the-world vistas and a spectacular bird’s eye view of the town. It’s also pretty cool that you can see the peak when you get back to town, and it looks super bad ass, which makes for great bragging rights. Oh, don’t forget to bring a warm top layer, it’s windy up there!

Canmore’s Shops and Galleries

When it comes to shopping, Canmore and Banff are a classic case of quality over quantity. Banff has dozens of fun and kitchy shops, but Canmore has a handful of beautiful galleries and artisan shops that really showcase some of the talent living in and around town.

My favourite gallery to visit is Elevation. They always have a cool mix of styles, and you don’t need to be an art expert to enjoy and appreciate the work on display. Other favourite shops of mine include The Tin Box for funky kitsch and The Wild Goose Trading for outdoor gear. You are bound to find something that interests you if you walk along 8th Street for long enough.

Grizzly Paw Pub and Grub

Half the joy of traipsing through the mountains is having a hot meal and a pint of beer afterwards. The Grizzly Paw is my go-to for post-adventure food and drink. If you don’t have time to do the full tour and tasting over at the brewery, you can get a flight of four 5 oz. glasses at the pub, then order up a pint of your favourite.

The menu has a fun variety of burgers, regular elk and boar specials, and unique appies. If you don’t eat meat, the Korean cauliflower and hippie biscuit are SO GOOD. The atmosphere here buzzes with people laughing and telling tales about the adventures of the day. It’s warm and cozy in the winter, and has a killer patio in the summer. A perfect end to a perfect day.

In Conclusion

I hope you get a chance to enjoy Canmore sometime. It’s one of those places lucky enough to be beautiful year round. I recommend coming during the shoulder seasons, spring or fall, to avoid some of the busyness of peak hiking and snowboarding seasons.

We just visited in mid-April and had a great time. The hiking was pretty snowy, maybe wait until May or June to try Ha Ling, but the weather was nice and it wasn’t too crowded in town.

Do you have any favourite mountain towns that give Canmore a run for its money? Any favourite hikes in the area? Let me know in the comments!