drempel

Thanks to mdod(?) for great info on sights in this area. This is a brief summary of what to do with two young teens who don't like hiking much.

We had a great time white water rafting on the Kicking Horse and Fraser Rivers. We also went caving in a "wild cave" called Rat's Nest Cave in Canmore. This was a very unique experience. The hike up to the cave is nothing much, but the view is wonderful of the valley. Inside the cave, one is clipped on to a line where there are somewhat slippery or steep spots, and you go through holes you can't imagine yourself fitting through, but you do somehow. It was a great workout...the guide supplied overalls, gloves and helmet with lamp. They also offer a trip into the cave where you rappel down a cliff or something. We didn't do that one, but I think the kids would have liked it.

Recommended short hikes are the Johnson canyon upper falls, Columbia Glacier (save your money and skip the bus tour; you can walk on the glacier from the parking lot, as others have pointed out here, but it will be windy and cold!) Don't miss Peyto Lake on the Icefields parkway, Maligne Canyon and Lake, and dipping your toes in the glacier fed lakes around Jasper. Lots of swimming holes right off the side of the road in Jasper.

Places to eat:
Banff:
Melissa's for breakfast
Coyote Grill for dinner
Bruno's for burgers and buffalo wings

Field:
Truffle Pigs for awesome desserts

Canmore:
The miner's lamp for pub food
Sunflower(?) Vegetarian. Their rice paper wraps were soo yummy and the lentil soup was also delicious.

Jasper
Bear's Paw Bakery - everything we had was amazing
Scoops and Loops for ice cream. This place has the most variety of any place in town and was recommended by a resident. It's a bit more expensive than other ice cream places, though, but worth it for the enormous scoops.

It was very hot and dry when we were there so we did not do a lot of hikes in midday when the sun was blasting us. We spent 5 days in Banff which was a day too long, and just a day and a half in Jasper. I would have liked three or four days in Banff and two in Jasper. It was a really beautiful area, and it's amazing how much of a wilderness the area still is. Don't think there are any places left like that in the U.S. Not even call boxes along the road for emergencies!

drempel

Forgot to mention mountain biking. Lots of fun with a sense of the unexpected as you wear bear bells to supposedly scare them away. (They don't seem to be very loud.)

LindainOhio

Sounds like you had a wonderful time. We have visited the area twice, hoped to get back this year--not going to happen. We are planning on taking our hiking buddies there next Sept. It is a hiker's paradise. Thanks so much for sharing your trip.