Michael & Katrina’s Canmore Guidebook
Neighbourhoods
The best place to start in Canmore is on 8th Street, the retail heart of the town. Here, you'll find a wonderful assortment of restaurants, galleries, eclectic shops, and other key attractions.
Begin your stroll down 8th Street at the bridge over Policeman's Creek, where you'll find one of Canmore's more unusual works of public art: a giant head partially buried in the sand, just screaming for a selfie or two. A bit farther down the street, you'll pass by the Northwest Mounted Police Barracks.
Beyond this are several restaurants, many of which feature inviting patios that could make your quick stroll down the main drag stretch into an afternoon event if you decide to pop in for a meal. You'll also notice an area of trendy food trucks in the summer, with plenty of outdoor seating.
Don't be afraid to wander off 8th Street — the roads running off the main drag also have interesting shops and restaurants.
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8 Street
8 StreetThe best place to start in Canmore is on 8th Street, the retail heart of the town. Here, you'll find a wonderful assortment of restaurants, galleries, eclectic shops, and other key attractions.
Begin your stroll down 8th Street at the bridge over Policeman's Creek, where you'll find one of Canmore's more unusual works of public art: a giant head partially buried in the sand, just screaming for a selfie or two. A bit farther down the street, you'll pass by the Northwest Mounted Police Barracks.
Beyond this are several restaurants, many of which feature inviting patios that could make your quick stroll down the main drag stretch into an afternoon event if you decide to pop in for a meal. You'll also notice an area of trendy food trucks in the summer, with plenty of outdoor seating.
Don't be afraid to wander off 8th Street — the roads running off the main drag also have interesting shops and restaurants.
Sightseeing
The Policeman's Creek trail is one of the best walking trails in Canmore. Covering 3.9 kilometers, the trail follows the creek for much of the distance. One fascinating element is the spring, where the creek bubbles up from deep in the earth.
Other trails branch off the main route, including one to Spring Creek and another to the Bow River. Views along the way are quite spectacular on a clear day, with Ha Long Peak and the Three Sisters dominating the skyline.
Policeman's Creek is perfect for families. The trail is wide and level and can accommodate those pushing strollers. One of the easiest access points is at the Big Head sculpture.
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Policeman Creek Trail
610-M 8 StThe Policeman's Creek trail is one of the best walking trails in Canmore. Covering 3.9 kilometers, the trail follows the creek for much of the distance. One fascinating element is the spring, where the creek bubbles up from deep in the earth.
Other trails branch off the main route, including one to Spring Creek and another to the Bow River. Views along the way are quite spectacular on a clear day, with Ha Long Peak and the Three Sisters dominating the skyline.
Policeman's Creek is perfect for families. The trail is wide and level and can accommodate those pushing strollers. One of the easiest access points is at the Big Head sculpture.
Canmore is fortunate to be home to Canada's premier cross country and mountain biking center. Just up the road from downtown Canmore towards Spray Lakes, this 4.5-square-kilometer (1.7-square-mile) facility is full of all kinds of activity-based options.
In the summer, the Nordic Center is home to over 100 kilometers of fun, flowy mountain bike trails for various levels of abilities. In addition to the trails, the mountain bike skills park will test your skill and fear levels with its technical features.
An orienteering course is available, along with a disc golf course and a roller skiing/biathlon course. Trail running and hiking are options for those without sports equipment.
In the winter, the center transforms to a cross-country and biathlon ski center with over 65 kilometers of groomed trails, including one that is illuminated at night.
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Canmore Nordic Centre station
Canmore is fortunate to be home to Canada's premier cross country and mountain biking center. Just up the road from downtown Canmore towards Spray Lakes, this 4.5-square-kilometer (1.7-square-mile) facility is full of all kinds of activity-based options.
In the summer, the Nordic Center is home to over 100 kilometers of fun, flowy mountain bike trails for various levels of abilities. In addition to the trails, the mountain bike skills park will test your skill and fear levels with its technical features.
An orienteering course is available, along with a disc golf course and a roller skiing/biathlon course. Trail running and hiking are options for those without sports equipment.
In the winter, the center transforms to a cross-country and biathlon ski center with over 65 kilometers of groomed trails, including one that is illuminated at night.
The impossibly clear and slightly green Grassi Lakes are a must-see when visiting Canmore. The 3.8-kilometer trail was originally constructed by Lawrence Grassi, hence the name of the hike.
The hike is one of those rare hikes that has an easy route and a more difficult route, and as a bonus, both routes are almost the same distance. The split in the trail is about 200 meters from the trailhead.
Families with small children and those with mobility issues should take the easier route to the right, called Grassi Lake Upper. This route follows an old road and is wide and suitable for all.
Everyone else should take the slightly more difficult but much more interesting Grassi Lakes Interpretive Trail, which branches off to the left. Along this route, you'll come across interesting signposts providing information on Lawrence Grassi and the trail itself. Eventually, this route emerges from the trees with fantastic views out over the lakes with Canmore off in the distance.
The elevation gain for the trail is a manageable 125 meters.
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Grassi Lakes
The impossibly clear and slightly green Grassi Lakes are a must-see when visiting Canmore. The 3.8-kilometer trail was originally constructed by Lawrence Grassi, hence the name of the hike.
The hike is one of those rare hikes that has an easy route and a more difficult route, and as a bonus, both routes are almost the same distance. The split in the trail is about 200 meters from the trailhead.
Families with small children and those with mobility issues should take the easier route to the right, called Grassi Lake Upper. This route follows an old road and is wide and suitable for all.
Everyone else should take the slightly more difficult but much more interesting Grassi Lakes Interpretive Trail, which branches off to the left. Along this route, you'll come across interesting signposts providing information on Lawrence Grassi and the trail itself. Eventually, this route emerges from the trees with fantastic views out over the lakes with Canmore off in the distance.
The elevation gain for the trail is a manageable 125 meters.
Lake Louise is a hamlet in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, known for its turquoise, glacier-fed lake ringed by high peaks and overlooked by a stately chateau. Hiking trails wind up to the Lake Agnes Tea House for bird's-eye views. There's a canoe dock in summer, and a skating rink on the frozen lake in winter. The Lake Louise Ski Resort features a wildlife interpretive center at the top of a gondola.
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Lake Louise
Lake Louise Lakeshore TrailLake Louise is a hamlet in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, known for its turquoise, glacier-fed lake ringed by high peaks and overlooked by a stately chateau. Hiking trails wind up to the Lake Agnes Tea House for bird's-eye views. There's a canoe dock in summer, and a skating rink on the frozen lake in winter. The Lake Louise Ski Resort features a wildlife interpretive center at the top of a gondola.
Golf
Canmore is lucky to have not just one but three golf courses —not bad for a town of 14,000. The golf courses here are both challenging and beautiful at the same time. The thin mountain air is reputed to make your drives go farther, however that may be tempered by your loss of concentration due to the amazing mountain views.
Two courses, Silvertip and Stewart Creek, are 18-hole courses designed by world-famous golf course architects and will test your every skill set. Silvertip was designed by Les Furber and does an incredible job of incorporating the local topography into each hole. The men's slope rating is a challenging 153. Stewart Creek is equally as beautiful and owes its inception to Gary Browning. The men's slope rating here is a bit more manageable 128.
The Canmore Golf & Curling Club is a shorter course but still offers challenges to all golfers, especially from the back tees. Although it does not have the pedigree of the other two courses, it more than makes up for this with ease of access and a more relaxed environment. The men's slope rating of the course is 121.
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Silvertip Golf Course
2000 Silvertip TrailCanmore is lucky to have not just one but three golf courses —not bad for a town of 14,000. The golf courses here are both challenging and beautiful at the same time. The thin mountain air is reputed to make your drives go farther, however that may be tempered by your loss of concentration due to the amazing mountain views.
Two courses, Silvertip and Stewart Creek, are 18-hole courses designed by world-famous golf course architects and will test your every skill set. Silvertip was designed by Les Furber and does an incredible job of incorporating the local topography into each hole. The men's slope rating is a challenging 153. Stewart Creek is equally as beautiful and owes its inception to Gary Browning. The men's slope rating here is a bit more manageable 128.
The Canmore Golf & Curling Club is a shorter course but still offers challenges to all golfers, especially from the back tees. Although it does not have the pedigree of the other two courses, it more than makes up for this with ease of access and a more relaxed environment. The men's slope rating of the course is 121.
Museum
Canmore's fascinating history is on full display at the Canmore Museum and Geoscience Center. Located inside the modern and beautiful Civic Center, this local museum provides great insight as to how Canmore has evolved over the years.
Don't miss the permanent exhibit called "From Coal to Community," which traces the nearly 100 years of the town's growth and evolution. Another exciting exhibit is "Inside the Mine: A Virtual Reality Experience," where you can travel deep into a mine without having to get wet or dirty.
The museum charges a modest fee to enter and is open Thursday to Sunday during normal business hours.
Address: 902B 7th Avenue, Canmore, Alberta
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Canmore Museum and Geoscience Center
902B 7 AveCanmore's fascinating history is on full display at the Canmore Museum and Geoscience Center. Located inside the modern and beautiful Civic Center, this local museum provides great insight as to how Canmore has evolved over the years.
Don't miss the permanent exhibit called "From Coal to Community," which traces the nearly 100 years of the town's growth and evolution. Another exciting exhibit is "Inside the Mine: A Virtual Reality Experience," where you can travel deep into a mine without having to get wet or dirty.
The museum charges a modest fee to enter and is open Thursday to Sunday during normal business hours.
Address: 902B 7th Avenue, Canmore, Alberta
Recreation Centers
If the mountain weather is not cooperating, and you are looking for a good indoor diversion for your family, head to Elevation Place.
This state-of-the-art fitness facility has everything you could ever need to help every member of your family burn off excess energy. A large pool, complete with a waterslide, will provide endless hours of enjoyment for the kids.
For those interested in something a bit different, consider trying the climbing wall. Rentals and instruction are provided, and even non-climbers will be up on the wall in no time at all.
If mom and dad just need some time to have a workout on their own, all the latest cardio equipment is here, and the best part is that babysitting is available.
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Elevation Place
700 Railway AveIf the mountain weather is not cooperating, and you are looking for a good indoor diversion for your family, head to Elevation Place.
This state-of-the-art fitness facility has everything you could ever need to help every member of your family burn off excess energy. A large pool, complete with a waterslide, will provide endless hours of enjoyment for the kids.
For those interested in something a bit different, consider trying the climbing wall. Rentals and instruction are provided, and even non-climbers will be up on the wall in no time at all.
If mom and dad just need some time to have a workout on their own, all the latest cardio equipment is here, and the best part is that babysitting is available.
Food scene
Tank310 has been gifted with panoramic views of the Three Sisters, Ha Ling Peak and Mount Rundle that can be enjoyed from the restaurant or adjoining patio on the 3rd floor. Enjoy a pint while watching the team in all stages of the brewing process.
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Tank310
310 Old Canmore RdTank310 has been gifted with panoramic views of the Three Sisters, Ha Ling Peak and Mount Rundle that can be enjoyed from the restaurant or adjoining patio on the 3rd floor. Enjoy a pint while watching the team in all stages of the brewing process.
Experience Canmore's newest dining destination, The Sensory, where you'll discover stunning mountain vistas and regional cuisine, highlighting foraged ingredients from the Bow Valley.
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The Sensory & Wit Bar
101-300 Old Canmore RdExperience Canmore's newest dining destination, The Sensory, where you'll discover stunning mountain vistas and regional cuisine, highlighting foraged ingredients from the Bow Valley.
Nestled in the heart of beautiful Canmore, Graze Food and Drink welcomes you into our home. Known for delicious food, welcoming staff and an atmosphere that is good for your soul, we promise you won’t be disappointed.
The breakfast / brunch here is to die for!
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Graze Food & Drink
102-717 8 StNestled in the heart of beautiful Canmore, Graze Food and Drink welcomes you into our home. Known for delicious food, welcoming staff and an atmosphere that is good for your soul, we promise you won’t be disappointed.
The breakfast / brunch here is to die for!
Lodge-like, tri-level bar & grill featuring Canadian fare, plus patio seating with mountain views.
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Iron Goat Pub & Grill
703 Benchlands TrailLodge-like, tri-level bar & grill featuring Canadian fare, plus patio seating with mountain views.
Ski Resort
Ski resort with many recreation activities, including warm-weather options, plus eateries & shops.
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Lake Louise Ski Area
1 Whitehorn RdSki resort with many recreation activities, including warm-weather options, plus eateries & shops.
Banff Sunshine Village is a ski resort in western Canada, located on the Continental Divide of the Canadian Rockies within Banff National Park in Alberta and Mt Assiniboine Provincial Park in British Columbia. It is one of three major ski resorts located in the Banff National Park.
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Sunshine Village
Banff Sunshine Village is a ski resort in western Canada, located on the Continental Divide of the Canadian Rockies within Banff National Park in Alberta and Mt Assiniboine Provincial Park in British Columbia. It is one of three major ski resorts located in the Banff National Park.