Whether it’s a weekend escape, an anniversary, honeymoon or a marriage proposal the Rocky Mountains are the perfect place to visit with your sweetheart. There’s year round activities, charming accommodations, fine dining and luxury spas.

It’s not difficult to create a feeling of romance. Banff National Park and in particular Lake Louise has been rated as one of the top honeymoon destinations in the world.

Romantic Things To Do In Banff And Lake Louise

• Take a dip in the Banff Hot Springs enjoying the mountain views or Banff city lights at night.

• Take the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain for stunning views over the town of Banff or to watch the sunset. Take a stroll along the observation decks or enjoy a meal in the restaurant.

• There’s nothing more romantic than canoeing on the turquoise waters of Lake Louise. Canoe rentals are also available at Moraine Lake.

• Take a picnic meal to the meadow on Mount Norquay road, it’s a free alternative to the Banff Gondola offering a similar view. Two Jack Lake or Johnson Lake are also nice picnic areas.

• Drive to see the attractions along the Icefields Parkway There’s plenty of places to stop for a picnic and take in the incredible mountain views such as Bow Lake or hike up to the viewing platform for Peyto Lake.

• Ride the Lake Louise gondola, in summer months the ski gondola offers a chance to see grizzly bear feeding on the grasses below. Up top is another perfect area for having a picnic with an amazing view.

• Hold hands as you ice skate on frozen Lake Louise, one of the world’s most scenic outdoor rinks or take a horse drawn sleigh ride.

• Take a horse drawn carriage ride through the picturesque town of Banff. Warner Stables runs the carriage rides and they also offer horseback riding tours and in winter a horse drawn sleigh ride along the frozen Bow River. Private sleigh rides for two are available.

• Dog sledding is an unique way to see the beautiful winter landscape. Kingmik sleds tours run near Lake Louise and Howling Dog and Snowy Owl Tours operate in Spray Lakes Provincial Park just outside of Canmore. The latter two offer pickups from major Banff and Canmore hotels.

Romantic Hikes And Walks In Banff And Lake Louise

• Hike to Johnston Canyon to see the upper and lower falls, avoid the summer crowds by going early in the morning or later in the evening. In the winter you can hike to see the frozen waterfalls.

• Walk along the shoreline trail at Lake Louise taking in the view of the lake and surrounding mountain peaks.

• Hike to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House or the Lake Agnes Tea House to have lunch or a pastry and tea with your sweetheart.

• Take a stroll along the lake shore trail at Moraine Lake or to the top of the moraine rock pile for an awe inspiring view over the lake.

•  Easy day hikes in Banff include Tunnel Mountain Summit or the Hoodoo trail, both offer incredible views.

• Walk along the Vermillion Lakes Road for scenic views back dropped by Mount Rundle. Or take the relaxing trail along the Bow River where it runs through the Banff town site.

• When it’s busy escape the crowds of downtown Banff by taking a stroll through Cascade Gardens 

Romantic Restaurants And Accommodation In Banff

• The Bison restaurant is rustic and romantic in a contemporary style, Canadian cuisine made from scratch. Meats, fish and pizza cooked in a wood fired oven. The cheese and charcuterie board is perfect for sharing. In summer sit on the terrace for incredible Mount Rundle views.

• The Maple Leaf Grill, has an upscale Rocky Mountain style. Share the 3 tiered seafood tower or the artisan butcher block of Canadian delights. Serving Canadian wines and Maple whiskey.

• The Banff Springs Hotel – an iconic hotel perched above the Bow River and back dropped by majestic mountains. It’s a large property but there’s plenty of cozy areas to create a romantic atmosphere. Spend a day in the luxurious Willowstream Spa being pampered with treatments and enjoying the heated circuit of mineral pools and waterfalls. You can order lunch right to your spa lounge chair while you gaze at the mountain views. They have several dining options. The Waldhaus is charming and rustic. The meat, cheese and chocolate fondue makes for a romantic meal. Reserve a window seat if dining in daylight hours. Castello Ristonte is another good choice, serving authentic Italian cuisine in a unique glass pavilion room.

• The Rimrock Resort Hotel – a resort carved into the side of a mountain with exceptional accommodations. A full service luxury spa. Just steps away from the Banff Upper Hot Springs and Banff Gondola. They have several dining options, the most notable being the Eden Restaurant. Culinary perfection served in a five diamond dining room. There’s only 5 of them rated so highly in all of Canada. It boasts a 17,000 bottle wine cellar.
• Buffalo Mountain Lodge – situated on 9 acres atop of Tunnel Mountain where deer and elk frequent. Rooms have wood burning fireplaces and rustic wooden beams. There’s an outdoor jacuzzi and dry sauna. Their Sleeping Buffalo Dining room is very romantic and rustic with hand-hewn timber and a roaring fire. Serving Rocky mountain game, meats and veggies from their own farms.

• Storm Mountain Lodge – a remote location on the Banff-Windermere Hwy (93 South) in the Vermillion Pass surrounded by nature, but just 25 minutes from the town site of Banff or Lake Louise. A romantic place with rustic log cabins where you can truly check out, no wifi, tv’s or telephones. The Storm Mountain Dining room has cozy and romantic atmosphere with stunning views. Organic ingredients, fresh breads, desserts and pastries made on site daily.

• Juniper Hotel – There are some lovely suites available at the Juniper Hotel offering incredible views overlooking the town of Banff and the Bow Valley. The Juniper Bistro serves locally inspired food and has an in house bakery. A Rocky Mountain decor with huge windows that offer amazing views of Bow Valley and Vermillion Lakes.

• Hidden Ridge Chalets – Classic luxury mountain lodging with fireplaces and some with their own private hot tubs. The resort has spectacular views. It’s out of the chaos of Banff town but only a few minutes drive away. The Hoodoo Trail and Tunnel Mountain Summit trail heads are nearby.

• Fox Hotel And Suites – Splurge for one of the large premiere loft suites with great views and fireplaces. The highlight of the property is the grotto cave style hot tub and pool.

• Baker Creek Chalets – located in a quiet area between Lake Louise and Banff. It’s a romantic place to stay with an intimate dining experience. Individual log chalets and Jacuzzi suites. Ski or hike right from the property.

Romantic Restaurants And Accommodation In Lake Louise

Chateau Lake Louise – Another iconic hotel in the Canadian Rockies. Packages available for honeymoons and romantic getaways. Splurge for a room overlooking the lake, depending on the season gaze at the calm turquoise waters or enjoy a winter wonderland scene. The Walliser Stube is a Swiss style restaurant offering fondues and raclettes, wiener schnitzel and bison. Excellent selection of wines and attentive service in a secluded dining room of the hotel. Ask for a table with a view of the lake. The Lakeview Lounge also offers amazing views of the lake.

The Post Hotel – one of the finest accommodations in the Rocky Mountains. Located in the village of Lake Louise along the Bow River. Large pool, steam room, hot tub and first class spa. Room options with river stone fireplaces and whirlpool tubs and a few riverside cabins. The main Post dining room has exposed beam ceilings, white tablecloths and top notch service. Game, wild fish and Alberta beef are all cooked to perfection. The wine cellar has received international awards, it has over 24,000 bottles. Have a cocktail in the lounge overlooking the Bow river and mountains. The adjacent intimate 24 seat Stubli room serves traditional Swiss fondues.

Moraine Lake Lodge – set at the edge of the stunning Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Two dining options offering anything from snacks to gourmet dinners. Canoe rentals are available and many excellent hiking trails start right from this area. Accessible only from early June to mid-October.