This list outlines nine wonderful things to do in Canmore, Alberta in the summer.

Canmore is a charming little town in Alberta, nestled in the Bow Valley of the southern Canadian Rockies. It has a population of about 16,000, according to the town Census.

The town was named after Malcolm III of Scotland, whose nickname is Canmore, meaning “Big Head” or “Great Chief” in Gaelic.

Canmore was initially just a stop on the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) until 1884 when two prospectors discovered black coal along the Bow River bank. Queen Victoria granted a Charter to mine coal in the area, and in 1887, the No. 1 Mine opened. It remained a coal-mining town until 1979 when Canmore Mines Ltd. closed its doors.

It’s only about a twenty-minute drive from Banff’s more well-known tourist town and just over an hour away from Calgary. Accommodations are much more affordable here, which is why we made it our home base for our recent vacation to the Rockies.

We were pleasantly surprised by the countless summer activities to do in Canmore. You get more of a local town vibe, and it is less crowded and touristy than Banff.

The following is a list of nine things to do in Canmore during the summer.

Walk Across the Engine Bridge

The Engine Bridge is an iron railway bridge built in the 1890s by the CPR. Its purpose was to link the coal mines on the west side of the river with the main railway line.

Today, the bridge is a pedestrian walkway along the Spur Line Trail. It’s easy to access from the town centre on foot or by bicycle.

The bridge is a popular photo spot due to its preserved architecture and the surrounding mountain and river views.

Explore the Countless Trails

There are many trails to explore in and around Canmore, whether on a bike or on foot. There are even some that go as far as Banff National Park.

Although we didn’t go very far, we enjoyed the town’s shorter trails.

A simple trail that is conveniently located in the middle of town is the Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk. It’s accessible from the Big Head sculpture’s vicinity. It passes through ponds and forests as it follows Policeman’s Creek. The raised boardwalk connects to other trail systems if you want something more challenging.

The Bow River Loop is another quick and easy hike. The trail follows a circular loop around the Bow River and includes the Spur Line Trail across the Engine Bridge. It’s a scenic route with beautiful views of the Bow River and surrounding mountains, including the Three Sisters.

Marvel at the Three Sisters

Canmore is surrounded by mountains in all directions. The Three Sisters, a group of three peaks, are the most notable and well-known.

They were initially referred to as the Three Nuns in 1883 and are now known as the Big Sister, Middle Sister, and Little Sister, respectively.

Adventurers can hike, rock climb or snowshoe through the Three Sisters Pass.

It is easy to admire the peaks’ beauty because they are visible from almost everywhere in Canmore.

Walk Around the Town Centre

Canmore’s town centre is compact and easily walked through, with some areas reserved exclusively for pedestrians. There are places to sit and tables where you can unwind and eat while taking in the lovely surroundings.

The main thoroughfares are lined with restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind souvenir, there are many options to choose from amongst the cute local shops and galleries.

Since most businesses are locally owned, you won’t find many chains in this area.

Admire the Town’s Art Scene

As you explore the town, keep an eye out for sculptures, murals and artwork.

I found Canmore to be an incredibly artsy place with its art galleries and beautiful murals on buildings.

This comes as no real surprise, given how inspiring the surrounding natural beauty is.

Shop Local at the Weekly Farmer’s Market

The Canmore Mountain Market is a summertime staple and has been around for over twenty years. It occurs every Thursday from 10am to 6pm at the Elevation Place parking lot from May to October.

Rain or shine, you can find local and regional goods such as produce, baked goods and coffee. Additionally, the Market sells one-of-a-kind crafts, apparel, jewellery, and other artisanal goods.

Feast on Delicious Food

Canmore’s food scene surprised us, considering how small the town is.

You can choose from a wide variety of food options, including everything from fast food to fine dining.

I suggest you confirm the hours and days that particular restaurants are open. We discovered, for instance, that many places were closed on Mondays and Tuesdays while we were here during the week.

4296 had to be at the top of our list of places we tried. Reservations are strongly advised because the restaurant has a small amount of seating. We were fortunate to be immediately seated at the bar on a rainy Thursday night.

Visit Nearby Banff

If you want even more food options, visit the nearby town of Banff. It’s undeniably a much busier place full of tourists, but the hustle and bustle add to its charm.

Much like Canmore, the main streets are lined with restaurants and shops. However, the shops here are definitely catered more towards tourism.

Traffic can be heavy, and finding a parking space can be challenging. Luckily, we found free parking at the Bear Street Parkade, conveniently located in the town centre.

Discover Moraine Lake and Lake Louise

And finally, an absolute must-see when in Canmore is to visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.

It is a bit of a drive, but the breathtaking views are absolutely worth it!

The parking lots at both sites get filled to capacity very early in the morning, and it is almost impossible to find a spot throughout the day. So we decided to book with Parks Canada shuttle and leave our car at the Lake Louise Park and Ride. The tickets must be booked ahead of time, and we lucked out with finding available spots the night before.