JWH

My wife and I are spending three nights at the Lake Moraine Lodge in July. We will fly into Calgary. We will spend the one night somewhere else (before we get to LML). Should we spend a night in Calgary and see the city or head up to Lake Louise? I'm sure we will see Lake Louise either way.

ltt

LML is going to give you a lot of peaceful / quietness at night. i'd stay the one night in banff which would allow you to walk around a nice town and have a choice of restaurants.

JWH

We hadn't thought of Banff itself. We will look into that. Thanks!

kgsneds

Good advice.

I'd go directly from the airport to Banff or Canmore for the night. You avoid city traffic, get an extra night in the mountains and can explore one of the towns. Plus if you are coming during Stampede time, find a place in Calgary could be hard to impossible.

TapperMargie9

We just returned from a trip to Calgary and the Canadian Rockies. I agree with the other responses and would stay in Banff before you head to your destination.

kanunu

I am not much of a city person, and to me, the best thing about Calgary is that it is so close to that magnificent set of mountains called the Canadian Rockies!
Spend all the time you can, right there. There is so much to see.
With Moraine Lake as your staring point, well, it just doesn't get much better than that!

kanunu

Staring point? Quite the Freudian slip.
I meant "starting" point, but either would work.... I just love the view of Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks from the rockpile at the end of the lake. It ranks right up there, as my favorite view anywhere.
Yes, go to the Lake Louise area. Lots to see in a small area, all around there. You won't be disappointed. And it's just around the corner to Moraine Lake.

hulio

If you stay in Canmore you won't have to buy a park pass. But are still right in the mountains.

Stairgod

As a Calgarian I would think if you are in Calgary during Stampede you should go. You can book tickets on line for the afternoon rodeo now for best tickets or if you arrive later the Chuckwagon races are very exciting then they have a great grandstand show finished with fireworks. If you do buy tickets you should get them under the cover of the Grandstand. We do get rain usually 3:30 to 4:30 a few days during Stampede.

Plan "B" if you are arriving early enough you may take a few hour detour and go to Drumheller. The landscape will take you back in time as well as a world class Dinosaur Museum.

Banff for all its hype is a small town big city tourist trap. There are amazing views as well as the 1A highway( drive this route from Banff to Lake Louise) where you can take a easy hike up Johnston Canyon. It has part of the walkways bolted to the side of the canyon.

But I agree Canmore or even staying in Nakiska where you get the small town mountain feel. The drive up hwy 40 (Paved) is very pretty and if you want and don't mind gravel the last bit of road past Spray Lakes into Canmore is just gorgeous. There is even an underground river (karst) about an easy mile hike off the road.