This guide to the best places to go shopping in Banff includes some of the most popular malls and iconic shops in the mountain resort. This Canadian town is not necessarily known as a shopping destination, with the province of Alberta mostly attracting adventurers with its vast range of outdoor activities. However, the buzzing town of Banff has plenty to keep shoppers busy throughout their visit.

From local markets to specialty shops along Banff Avenue, there’s a variety of places for some retail therapy during your visit. You’ll be able to buy whatever you need in Banff town, whether that’s souvenirs, clothes, or adventure gear.

  • 1

    Banff Avenue

    The resort town's main thoroughfare

    Banff Avenue
    • Food
    • Nightlife
    • Shoppers

    Banff Avenue is the main thoroughfare of the resort town. It runs right through the heart of town, where you’ll find some of the most popular shops and malls. The street is also characterized by historic architecture, with old rustic buildings made from stone and wooden frames.

    Most visitors to Banff will find themselves walking along Banff Avenue at least once. Prominent shopping complexes along the street include Sundance Mall, Cascade Shops and Clock Tower Village Mall. There are also plenty of specialty shops selling gifts, sporting goods and outdoor gear. You can even find a Christmas-themed shop here. Banff Avenue also hosts some of the best bars and restaurants in Banff, so it remains buzzing into the night all year round.

    Map
  • 2

    Sundance Mall

    A popular little mall on Banff Avenue

    Sundance Mall
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    Sundance Mall is right in the middle of town, on Banff Avenue. The indoor mall has a wide selection of specialty stores where you can find snowboards and skis, high-end sunglasses, jewelry, and souvenirs.

    Most visitors rave about Sundance Mall’s central food court, which has a great variety of cuisines on offer. You can try excellent Chinese, Korean and Indian dishes, as well as a popular café, local tavern, and pub. If you’re driving into town, there’s a huge parking lot behind the mall on Bear Street.

    Location: 215 Banff Ave, Banff, AB, Canada

    Open: Daily from 9 am to 11 pm

    Phone: +1 403-762-2655

    Map
  • 3

    Banff Farmers Market

    A summertime market near the Banff Park Museum

    Banff Farmers Market
    • Shoppers

    The Banff Farmers Market is an independently operated local market in Banff. It’s a great place to pick up some local food and handcrafted souvenirs. This seasonal event runs during summer (May–October), operating every Wednesday for most of the day in the Banff Park Museum’s parking lot.

    The Banff Farmers Market has been supporting the local community since 2011, bringing together some of the best vendors from across the Bow Valley. You can find a range of products for sale, including fresh fruit and vegetables, artwork, jewelry, clothes, pottery, artisan foods and bakery items.

    Location: 110 Bear St, Banff, AB T1L 1A1, Canada

    Open: May–October: Wednesday from 10 am to 6 pm

    Phone: +1 403-763-8772

    Map
  • 4

    Clock Tower Village Mall

    A compact shopping mall on Banff Avenue

    Clock Tower Village Mall
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    The Clock Tower Village Mall is located toward the southern end of Banff Avenue. It’s known for its incredible architecture, featuring a German alpine-style design with wooden details and stone features. Despite its compact size, you still find a nice variety of shops selling clothing, jewelry and souvenirs within.

    One of the Clock Tower Village Mall’s most popular features is a vibrant brewery on its second level. The Banff Ave Brewing Co is a buzzing brewpub that opens until late. If you’re looking for something different, you can also find a pizzeria and a Thai restaurant inside the mall.

    Location: 108 Banff Ave, Banff, AB, Canada

    Open: Friday–Saturday from 9.30 am to 9 pm, Sunday–Thursday from 10 am to 7 pm

    Phone: +1 403-762-4698

    Map

    photo by Cliffano Subagio (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 5

    Bison Courtyard

    A small shopping square on Bear Street

    Bison Courtyard
    • Shoppers

    Bison Courtyard is a small commercial square on Bear Street. It’s a quieter alternate to the shops on the bustling Banff Avenue. The shopping experience was designed to incorporate the beautiful scenery and fresh mountain air.

    The shops and cafés are built around a lovely courtyard, with a garden in the middle. You can see the mountaintops while shopping at Bison Courtyard. You’ll find a couple of clothing stores, cafés, and restaurants around the courtyard, some with outdoor seating.

    Location: 211 Bear St, Banff, AB T1L 1B4, Canada

    Open: Monday–Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm

    Phone: +1 403-762-2443

    Map
  • 6

    Cascades Shops

    One of the biggest malls in the Alberta region

    Cascades Shops
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    The Cascades Shops is the largest indoor shopping mall in Banff. You can find it at the corner of the major intersection of Banff Avenue and Wolf Street. The multi-storey building has a wide variety of retail stores and restaurants, ranging from fashion chains to independent boutiques.

    You can purchase a range of products here, including snow and skiing gear, clothes, electronics, and children’s toys. Its onsite food court is full of convenient options, from pizza to sushi. The Cascades Shops also has an IGA grocery store and its own public parking area for your convenience.

    Location: Cascade Shops, 317 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1C1, Canada

    Open: Monday–Thursday from 11 am to 8 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm, Sunday from midday to 6 pm

    Phone: +1 403-762-8484

    Map

    photo by Daniel (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 7

    Town Center Mall

    Double-storey shopping mall in the middle of town

    Town Center Mall
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    The Town Center Mall is one of the most popular shopping destinations in Banff. It's right in the middle of town, at the intersection of Banff Avenue and Caribou Street. The indoor, double-storey mall has several fantastic gift stores and souvenirs shops, as well as prominent fashion brands.

    The mall hosts some great restaurants and bars, including popular options like Starbucks and Una Pizza + Wine. However, the snack stores are what attracts most people to the Town Center Mall, with Mary’s Popcorn Shop and Banff Sweet Shoppe often busy throughout the day.

    Location: 206 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1C7, Canada

    Open: Monday–Thursday from 8 am to 11 pm, Friday–Saturday from 8 am to 1 am (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +1 403-762-2642

    Map
  • 8

    Monod Sports

    A massive sporting goods and activewear store on Banff Avenue

    Monod Sports
    • Shoppers

    Monod Sports Ltd is one of the largest sporting goods stores in Banff. It offers a wide range of outdoor gear, snow apparel, and sportswear. It’s one of the best shopping destinations in town if you need to pick up any clothing or accessories for the mountains.

    You can browse through gear and accessories for a range of activities, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, climbing, backpacking, and camping. With a focus on high quality, the store stocks reputable brands like Patagonia, North Face and Arc’teryx. The staff are always on hand if you need assistance in sizing or picking gear for your alpine adventures around the Banff National Park.

    Location: 129 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A4, Canada

    Open: Daily from 10 am to 8 pm

    Phone: +1 403-762-4571

    Map
  • 9

    Banff Trading Mail

    A giftware store selling First Nations crafts

    Banff Trading Mail
    • Shoppers

    Banff Trading Mail is one of the best places to go shopping for souvenirs in Banff. The gift store is on Cave Avenue, toward the south of town and across the Bow River. It’s conveniently next door to the Buffalo Nations Museum, where you can learn about the area’s indigenous history.

    Established by Norman Luxton, Banff Trading Mail is arguably the best place to browse through First Nations crafts and souvenirs in Alberta. You can find a range of handicrafts, including beadwork, antler-handle hunting knives, dreamcatchers, and moccasins.

    Location: 101 Cave Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A9, Canada

    Open: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm

    Phone: +1 403-762-2456

    Map
  • 10

    All in the Wild Gallery

    One of Banff’s most popular art galleries

    • Shoppers

    All in the Wild Gallery is a local photography and art gallery in Banff. You can find it on the southern end of the town’s main street, at the corner of Banff Avenue and Buffalo Street. It showcases incredible photos from wildlife photographer Jason Leo Bantle, who specializes in capturing Canada’s remotest places and unique wildlife.

    The gallery is where you can buy some of his most notable works. He sells a range of prints of different sizes, coffee table books, and children’s books. You can also request special prints and framing options if you find something that catches your eye.

    Location: 105 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1B6, Canada

    Open: Friday–Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm, Sunday–Thursday from 10 am to 6 pm

    Phone: +1 403-760-3141

    Map
Elisha Donkin | Contributing Writer