If you’re looking for a romantic weekend getaway in Alberta, Canada look no further than Banff!
Located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Banff is a magical town. It’s filled with natural beauty, tons of hiking options, and even a magical castle.
If Banff isn’t on your bucket list, get it up there right now!
And best of all? Banff can become a nice and affordable weekend getaway for the adventurous. Here are the best date ideas in Banff, Canada!
1. Drive on the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive
Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive is a beautiful 13 km drive around several lakes in Banff. The good thing is the road is close to town, so you don’t have to go far.
The loop takes you past several of Banff’s most beautiful lakes, including Two Jack Lake, Johnson Lake, Lake Minnewanka and the ghost town of Bankhead.
I would recommend going later in the night so you can watch the sunset over one of the lakes. the drive is nice and peaceful with trees and mountains as far as the eye can see.
Bonus points if you rent a convertible and drive in the summer!
2. Dinner & cocktails at the Fairmont Banff Springs
The Fairmont Banff Springs is hands down the most romantic hotel in Banff. It’s very close (about a 5 minute drive) from the town of Banff.
The hotel is basically a castle nestled in the mountains. Banff Springs is one of the famous Canadian Grand Railway Hotels.
And it’s big…really BIG!
Make dinner reservations at the hotel. The hotel has about 5 – 6 different restaurants at various price points. After you’re done eating, go get some cocktails at one of the lovely bars.
My favorite bars in the hotel are the Rundle Lounge and the Ramsay Lounge. I would highly recommend getting their Old Fashioned. It’s super good!
After you get a few drinks, simply walk around the hotel. The hotel is so amazing.
You’ll see intricate chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Walk through the hotel’s many giant ballrooms and maybe even dance while no one is looking.
The hotel is massive, so you can spend a few hours after dinner just exploring.
And during the summer, you can get some drinks outside the Rundle Lounge. They have couches and fire pits outside. From there, you can cuddle and get a amazing view of the mountains.
3. Walk around the town of Banff at night
The town of Banff is beautiful at night. It doesn’t matter if it’s a nice clear summer night or a cold Canadian winter. The town is gorgeous.
There’s a lot to do in town. The most unique thing about the town is all of the food options. You can get Indian, Korean, Sushi, and even McDonald’s all within two blocks.
Check out all of the cool shops and even pick up a souvenir!
4. Watch the Northern Lights
Yes, you can see the Northern Lights in Banff. And the best time is during a clear winter night.
The good thing about Banff is there’s very little air pollution, which makes is much easier to see the lights. Now there are a few places to see the lights.
I would recommend going to Lake Minnewanka as it’s close to town and it’s pretty dark at night (which makes it easier to see the lights).
I haven’t personally seen the Northern Lights in Banff, but I’m going back in December for NYE and I hope to see it then!
The Northern Lights is something that should definitely be on your bucket list. Go out with your partner and just gaze up at the stars and the light show 🙂
5. Go on the Banff Gondola
It may be just me, but I think Gondola rides are really romantic and a perfect date idea in Banff.
The good thing is that Banff is home to four different gondolas. Yep that’s right, four of them!
Now I think the Banff Gondola to Sulphur Mountain is the best date spot. You’ll take an 8 minute right all the way to the Sulphur Mountain summit.
And if you’re feeling up to it, book dinner when you get your gondola ticket (it’s much cheaper that way when you bundle).
You could be eating dinner with your partner 2,000+ feet in the mountains! After dinner, take a walk on the boardwalk up there and get an amazing view of the mountains.
6. Canoeing on Lake Louise (summer)
This is a summer activity only, but it needs to be on your list of date ideas in Banff.
Drive all the way up to the famous Lake Louse (it’s about 40 – 45 minutes from Banff). Lake Louise is absolutely stunning.
The water is an incredible turquoise color due to rock salt from the nearby glaciers.
The number one thing to do on Lake Louise is to go on a romantic canoe ride. You can rent them from the hotel’s boathouse near the left side of the lake.
You can rent the canoe for 30 minutes for 1 hours.
Set sail and take in the incredible views of the water, the mountains/glacier, and the Fairmont Lake Louise Hotel. There aren’t many romantic views in Banff that can top this!
7. Ice skating on Lake Louise (winter)
Ah another Lake Louise date idea! This one is just for the winter.
Around mid-December, Lake Louise will be completely frozen over. This means you can ice skate on the lake! What a perfect way to spend the holidays with your partner 🙂
In December, the Fairmont Lake Louise will also have many holiday festivities, including ice sculptures. And if you’re up to it, you can play a friendly game of ice hockey!
Or if just skating and holding hands if your thing, that’s fine too 😛