The town’s seasonal market is set up this year at the Bear Street car park, a laid-back location that offers a nice respite from the bustle of Banff Avenue. The vendor list includes jewellery artisans, cold-pressed juices, pulled-pork sandwiches and fruit wines, along with the Farm Box delivery program. The market operates Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Sept. 23, 2015.
Corner of Bear Street and Caribou Street, 403-763-8772, thebanfffarmersmarket.com
Cedar & Sage Co.
A fresh addition to Banff’s spa and wellness scene, this “holistic health lounge” offers a range of services, from massage and reiki to acupuncture and yoga as well as an in-house juice bar to make you feel good inside and out.
Second Floor, Bear Street Mall, 220 Bear Street, 403-985-2200, banffsholisticlounge.com
Crock A Doodle
The popular pottery-painting studio recently set up shop in Banff. A creative outlet for all ages, the studio is open for drop-in painting, or can be booked for kids’ parties, adult get-togethers, corporate events and other occasions.
211 Bear Street, 403-985-0800, crockadoodle.com, @crockadoodle
Park Distillery, Restaurant and Bar
The most noteworthy addition to Banff’s food-and-drink scene is this small-batch distillery-restaurant-bar from the group behind The Bison and the Maple Leaf Grill. You’ll find Park on Banff Avenue in the space formerly occupied by Giorgio’s Trattoria. The restaurant’s rustic-chic dcor incorporates locally sourced antiques, while the menu plays off an “elevated camping” theme – think entrees cooked in a wood-fired oven, Trail Mix as an appetizer, and presentations that incorporate those ubiquitous enamel mugs. Public tours of the distillery side of the operation will also be offered.
219 Banff Ave., 403-762-5114, parkdistillery.com, @parkdistillery
Via Ferrata photograph courtesy of Mt. Norquay.
Six-Hour Via Ferrata at Mt. Norquay
Via ferrata is a fusion of mountain climbing and hiking that incorporates ladders, suspension bridges and other features. Mt. Norquay is expanding its via ferrata program this summer by adding a six-hour route to its current two- and four-hour offerings. If you’re staying in Banff, take advantage of the free shuttles from several hotels.
2 Mt. Norquay Rd, 1-844-667-7829, summer.banffnorquay.com, @mtnorquay
Stand-Up Paddleboarding
This low-impact, zen-like fitness activity is a great way to enjoy the scenery at nearby spots like Two Jack Lake and Vermillion Lakes (the Bow Valley Stand Up Paddleboarding site rates both as easy). Rent what you need from the Banff Canoe Club and SUP to your hearts content.
Corner of Wolf Street and Bow Avenue, 403-762-5005, banffcanoeclub.com, @banffcanoeclub
Summer Arts Festival at the Banff Centre
While the festival itself isn’t new, it’s worth mentioning on account of the variety and number of events offered throughout the summer months – a line-up far too extensive to list here. The Banff Centre is essentially an “incubator” for the arts, meaning there’s always something new being performed, read, shown, created or screened. If you’ve never taken the time to check it out, make a point this summer to head up Tunnel Mountain and immerse yourself in the unique campus atmosphere.
107 Tunnel Mountain Dr., 403-762-6100, banffcentre.ca, @thebanffcentre