Categories > Guides and Tips
A Guide to Enjoying Cascade of Time Gardens in Banff
- Things to Know
- Best Time to Go
- How to Get Around
- What to Do
- Walk through the gardens and admire the flowers
- Snap a photo of the blossoms
- Say “I do” at the gardens
- Search for the Christmas spirit in the gardens
- Where to Stay
- Banff Log Cabin
- Mount Royal Hotel
- Brewster Mountain Lodge
- Peaks Hotel & Suites
- Where to Eat
- Hankki Banff
- Chuck's Steakhouse
- BeaverTails
- Den & Meadow
A small sanctuary away from the crowds in Banff, the Cascade of Time Gardens is a perfect spot for a quiet stroll, surrounded by vibrant blooms and stunning landscaping designs. With the mountain peaks in the background, it’s a postcard-perfect destination!
Are you looking to visit this not-so-hidden garden? You’re on the right page!
We’ve made a handy travel guide to show what activities you can do at the gardens, places to stay, and eateries to indulge your cravings. Check it out!
Things to Know
Address: Cave Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1K2, Canada
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM, Year-round
Admission: Free, but Park Pass is required to enter Banff National Park
| Canada Park Pass Prices | |
| Day Pass | Discovery Pass |
| Adult (age 18 to 64) – $10.50 | Adult – $72.25 |
| Senior (age 65 and over) – $9.00 | Senior – $61.75 |
| Youth (age 6 to 17) – Free | Family/Group – $145.25 |
| Family/Group (up to 7 people, arriving in a single vehicle) – $21.00 | |
| Commercial Group, per person – $9.00 | |
Best Time to Go
Summer months, from May to September, are the best times to visit Cascade Gardens of Time. It’s when the place is vibrant and colourful because the flowers are in full blooming season.
But you can still visit the gardens every season. Each month will give you a new experience, and winter, in particular, will offer a magical white holiday.
How to Get Around
By Car: Getting to Cascade Gardens is easy if you’re already in the town of Banff, and it will only take roughly five minutes. Just cross the Bow River Bridge, then take a left to Spray Avenue and turn right onto Mountain Avenue.
From there, you’ll see a gated area and the Parks Administration building. That’s where you’ll take a right to the parking lot.
By Bike: If you don’t have a car or don’t want to get a rental, you can instead rent a bike in Banff to go to Cascade Gardens.
On Foot: If you prefer to enjoy the nice breeze that Banff has to offer, you can take a morning stroll to Cascade Gardens. You can simply walk on the Bow River Bridge (there are sidewalks, so don’t worry!) and carefully cross the road.
There’s a gate just behind the traffic light. Just enter, and you’re inside Cascade Gardens.
What to Do
Cascade of Time Gardens is the best place to take a nice stroll while vacationing in Banff. Here are some things to do that we recommend.
Walk through the gardens and admire the flowers
Cascade Gardens is the place to go if you’re in Banff Town and want to take a peaceful stroll away from the crowds, especially in peak seasons! It’s a popular place due to the beautiful landscaping and colourful flowers.
Cross the small bridges, walk the stairs, and just breathe in the fresh air brought by the Canadian Rockies. There are also plenty of sitting areas and gazebos to take a short rest.
It’s an easy walk, making it a senior-friendly place. It’ll only take half an hour to an hour of your day, so you can still tick off many day activities in your Banff bucket list.
Snap a photo of the blossoms
You can take hours snapping photos at the gardens with the mountains as a backdrop. The flowers are gorgeous and vibrant, which makes it a perfect spot for professionals and budding photographers.
Because this place is just too beautiful (the whole of Banff is!), you don’t even need to bring a whole camera gear. Just your smartphone is fine, and with the natural lighting and colourful blossoms, you’ll get perfect shots for sure!
Say “I do” at the gardens
Yup, we actually recommend getting married at the not-so-hidden Cascade Gardens in Banff. And yes, you can have a small wedding ceremony there because it’s a very romantic spot—and it’s allowed!
With plenty of gorgeous, natural backdrops, finding a location to take the perfect photos as an official bride and groom won’t be a problem. It’s gorgeous in the summer when the flowers are in full bloom, or you can opt for a winter wedding!
It’s a pretty affordable wedding ceremony, too, since the park only allows up to 20 guests, and there’s no need for wedding props because the gardens are already picture-perfect. C’mon, wedding pictures with views of Mount Rundle? Count us in!
Search for the Christmas spirit in the gardens
Christmas in Banff starts sometime in November, and believe us when we say it’s one of the most magical times in town! This annual event starts in November and continues until the last day of December.
You’ll start by holding a lantern at this enchanted trail, complete with sound effects and lights, and search for the Christmas spirit. You’ll hear a magical story while you walk along the interactive trail, making it ideal for kids.
This event is free, but you do need to get a ticket. It gets sold out really fast, so we suggest looking out for tickets around November because this is a very popular activity for locals and tourists alike.
Where to Stay
Staying in Banff means you won’t have a problem looking for a hotel. There are lots, but here are our most recommended ones near Cascade Gardens.
Banff Log Cabin
Website: https://www.banfflogcabin.ca/
Address: 222 Glen Cres, Banff, AB T1L 1A6, Canada
Contact Details: 1-403-762-3516
Average Price: $295 + 5% GST/night (maximum 2 guests only)
This is a romantic place in a residential area, perfect for a quiet and cozy stay in Banff. And if you plan to propose or get married in Cascade Gardens, then this is even more perfect—no kids, no pets, and no smoking at this cabin!
Elope in Banff offers a wedding package with two-night accommodation at the Banff Log Cabin. It’s honestly perfect because it’s also an ideal place for pre-nuptial shoots.
It’s just a 10-minute walk to the gardens, and it’s just a short drive to downtown, which gives you plenty of access to the convenience of Banff Avenue. But if you don’t want to leave, breakfast will be delivered to your door—there’s a nice patio area to eat at.
Mount Royal Hotel
Website: https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/hotels/mount-royal-hotel/
Address: 138 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A7, Canada
Contact Details:
- Toll-Free – 1-877-862-2623
- Phone – 1-403-762-3331
Average Price: $149/night
When in Banff, this hotel is convenient because it’s right in the heart of downtown. You won’t find a shortage of places to try because Banff Avenue is filled with restaurants and shopping stores.
The spacious rooms and comfortable soft beds equal a good night’s sleep. There’s on-site dining, a library, and a rooftop lounge complete with stunning mountain views.
We suggest checking the latest deals, and you might get up to 20% off on your stay or complimentary breakfast! Also, make sure to reserve early since this is a popular hotel in the area.
Brewster Mountain Lodge
Website: https://www.brewstermountainlodge.com/
Address: 208 Caribou St, Banff, AB T1L 1C1, Canada
Contact Details:
- 403-762-2900
- [email protected]
Average Price: $596/night
This boutique hotel has an adorable mountain style that makes walking into the lobby feel like you’re in a Christmas movie. There’s a cozy stone fireplace and a gorgeous iron chandelier that definitely adds charm to the place.
Each room is unique, with handcrafted log furnishings, photos on the wall straight from the hotel’s archives, and Pendleton blankets on the comfortable beds. The rooms also offer a rustic and comfy stay, which is perfect in the cold town of Banff.
If there’s still an available room, the grand loft suite has two levels, which will make you feel like you have a loft apartment in the Canadian Rockies! Oh, and guests get the convenience of having a buffet breakfast, which we have to say is always stocked.
Peaks Hotel & Suites
Website: https://peaksbanff.com/
Address: 218 Lynx St, Banff, AB T1L 1K5, Canada
Contact Details:
- Toll-Free: 1-800-661-1021
- Main Hotel: 1-403-762-4471
- [email protected]
Average Price: $299/night
This isn’t your typical Banff hotel because they added a contemporary take on the town’s famous mountain style. The lobby is gorgeous, with glass railings, stone walls, and a huge couch in front of the fireplace.
The rooms offer a modern mountain escape and feel luxurious without sacrificing comfort. If there are available rooms with balconies, we think it’s okay to shell out that extra cash because mountain views aren’t too bad to wake up to.
If you’re planning a romantic stay, add a few extra dollars to be greeted with a bottle of wine upon arrival. You can even add a charcuterie plate if you want to take it to the next level.
Where to Eat
Banff is a foodie paradise, offering many different cuisines that will keep you coming back for more. The good thing about Cascade Gardens is it’s within walking distance of restaurants, so scouting for a place to eat is easy after a nice stroll.
Hankki Banff
Website: https://hankki.ca/
Address: 206 Buffalo St, Banff, AB T1L 1E4, Canada
Contact Details: 403-762-0332
Opening Hours: Daily, 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Average Prices: $11 – $15.50
This is a must-try for K-drama addicts because you’ll get to taste the food you normally see on TV. Think: corndogs, bulgogi, and Korean fried chicken!
The prices are pretty decent for Banff, and we know how pricey it can be vacationing here. The servings are also filling, making it a good stop for a quick meal.
The crispy corndogs are naturally a bestseller—we love the sausage and mozzarella one. The Chee Bop is tasty, too, with Korean fried chicken, rice, fried egg, veggie dumplings, and lettuce in a bowl, all generously drizzled with special sauces.
Chuck’s Steakhouse
Website: https://www.chuckssteakhouse.ca/
Address: 101 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1B3, Canada
Contact Details: 403-762-4825
Opening Hours: subject to change seasonally
- Sunday – Thursday: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday – Saturday: 4:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Average Prices: $21 – $156
Visiting Alberta isn’t complete without trying out delicious beef. This restaurant on Banff Avenue is the place to go for a tender, juicy steak.
Their steaks are grass-fed and dry-aged, making them flavourful and easy to bite into. The Wagyu with a side of potato gratin, which can be pricey, is pretty worth it if you’re looking to fork out some extra cash.
Steak and wine should always be paired together, so checking out the large wine selection is always a good idea. A cabernet sauvignon makes a perfect pairing for Alberta beef.
BeaverTails
Website: http://www.beavertails.com/
Address:
Contact Details:
- West – 403-985-1977
- East – 403-985-0086
Opening Hours:
- West – Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- East – Monday – Friday: 12:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Average Prices: $8.25 – $16
This is a must-visit for tourists looking to try some famous Canadian pastries. There are two locations in Banff, making them accessible no matter where you’re staying in town.
Their flat donuts are definitely worth tasting. You can choose the classic crispy pastry with sprinkles of cinnamon and sugar or be more adventurous with Brwownie, which has brownie and white chocolate pieces all on top of a chocolate hazelnut spread.
The Beaver Bites are also good to try for groups. The delicious Choco Luv has bite-sized donuts generously drizzled with white chocolate and chocolate hazelnut—perfect for an afternoon snack!
Den & Meadow
Website: https://denandmeadow.com/
Address: 124 Banff Ave Unit 103, Banff, AB T1L 1A7, Canada
Contact Details:
- 403-985-8181
- [email protected]
Opening Hours:
- Thursday: 5:00 PM -1:00 AM
- Friday & Saturday: 5:00 PM – 1:30 AM
- Sunday 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Average Prices: $15 – $30
Ah, this place is just so…Canadian—and that’s definitely a good thing! It’s a pretty enticing place with a warm and cozy atmosphere, which is just what you want in the cold town of Banff.
Upon walking in, the place will make sure you don’t forget you’re in a bear country—there’s a huge taxidermied bear and a bison head! It’s lively inside because of the live entertainment and friendly vibe.
Order the savoury and sweet pork and apple pie, the Canadian classic poutine, and a cocktail recommended by the bartender. You don’t want to miss Saturday nights to watch cabaret shows that are sensual, playful, and artistic.
