What to Do in Canmore This Fall if You Only Have One Day
Autumn in Canmore is a special time. The cool, crisp air. The long, sunny days. The magical larches casting the mountains in their golden glow…if you only have one day to spend and are wondering what to do in Canmore this fall, you’re spoiled for choice. From downtown shopping to adventures in the mountains, Canmore might get smaller crowds in the fall compared to the summer, but it definitely doesn’t slow down.
But what if you only have one day in Canmore and want to fit in as much as possible? What Canmore activities do you absolutely need to make sure you fit into your itinerary? Consider Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre as your local guide, and let us make a few suggestions.
Early Morning: Yoga or Meditation
A gentle yoga or meditation session can be a great way to begin a busy day. If you’re staying with us, take advantage of Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre’s fitness centre, complete with a Lululemon Studio Mirror, to start your day on the right foot. Choose from a wide variety of programmed yoga or mediation routines and find some stillness on this beautiful fall morning. Of course, if you’d rather start your day with an intense sweat session, we also have Peloton bikes and a variety of other workout equipment.
Breakfast: Enjoy Healthy Eats on the Patio
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and for many, there’s nothing better than a hot coffee on a cool, crisp morning. So before you head out for your full day of Canmore activities, get your day started right at one of these restaurants or cafes:
1. TABLE Food + Drink
Conveniently located in the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre, TABLE Food + Drink offers an amazing breakfast menu with everything from avocado toast to chorizo hash to shakshuka. There are also smoothies, espressos and specialty coffees you can enjoy on the outdoor patio in the crisp morning air.
2. Rocky Mountain Bagel Co.
This bagel shop has been a local favourite since 1998 and has two locations in-town. Their creative breakfast bagel options will fill you up for the adventures ahead.
3. The Summit Cafe
With fresh-baked goods, free trade coffee and an incredible all-day breakfast menu, the Summit Cafe has been a locals’ secret since it opened in 1999.
Morning: Go Looking for Larches
People come from far and wide to Canmore and the surrounding area in the autumn to see the region’s larch trees change colour. Larches are the only needled trees (also known as conifers) that change colour and shed their needles in the fall. They turn a gorgeous shade of gold, and seeing them dotted across the mountain landscape is truly magical. Here are a few of our favourite hikes for visitors to the area looking to see the golden larches with their own eyes:
1. Ptarmigan Cirque
This is a popular hike, so you’ll want to arrive early to grab a parking spot, especially on the weekend. Your reward for getting up early is a spectacular 4.5-kilometre hike that takes you to an alpine meadow surrounded by larches and breathtaking mountain views.
2. Chester Lake
Generally listed as a moderately challenging hike, the early stages of your 10.2-kilometre journey take you up, up and up some more. The hard work is worth it, though, as the view of the golden trees reflecting on Chester Lake will take your breath away.
3. Pocaterra Ridge
You’ve got a couple options when you’re hiking Pocaterra Ridge. If you have two cars, you can leave one at the trailhead and one at the exit and hike the entire 10.2-kilometre trail. The hike up to the ridge itself is strenuous, but many hikers choose to stop before that challenging climb and take in the golden larches that glow across the landscape before turning back. If you decide on this option, you won’t feel like you’re missing out.
4. Mount Lorette Ponds
This easy, paved hike takes you to a gorgeous pond where the golden larches reflect on the water. There are picnic tables and you’ll be walking through the larches along the way.
Late Morning: Explore a Cave
As you sort through what to do in Canmore, maybe you want to get off the beaten path or get underground, technically speaking. Canmore Cave Tours offers unforgettable adventures that take you deep into Rat’s Nest Cave just outside of town. The adventure tour includes rappelling, squeezes through tight tunnels and a harrowing challenge, while the explorer’s tour offers a more comprehensive sample of caving. Private tours are also available, and special events, such as movies and concerts, are also available.
Lunchtime: Book a Brewery Tour
As your day begins to wind down, what better way to celebrate than by getting a behind-the-scenes look at one of Canmore’s craft breweries? We’ve got an in-depth look at the best that Canmore’s brewery scene has to offer here, but if sipping on a locally-crafted beer sounds up your alley and you’re wondering what to do in Canmore, it’s definitely worth checking out one of these options:
Many of these breweries also offer exquisite food, so grab some lunch while you experience some seriously refreshing, local beer and spirits.
Dinnertime: Treat Yourself to a Feast
Here’s the thing about Canmore: Finding something delicious to eat is never going to be a problem. The culinary season is thriving and after you’ve spent the day exploring Canmore attractions, you deserve to treat yourself to some fine-dining. If ou’re staying at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre, you don’t have to go far for a feast, either. TABLE Food + Drink, located in the hotel, features a seasonal menu with everything from tender venison and mouth-watering mussels to AAA Alberta beef. There are vegan and vegetarian options, as well.
However, if you stray into town, you won’t be short on options. Here are a few local favourites:
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Bridgette Bar: A longtime Calgary favourite, this chef-driven restaurant opened its second location in Canmore in 2023. It offers an elevated dining experience and meticulously-crafted cocktails, too.
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Rocket Pie: When you’re craving pizza, there’s nothing else that will do the trick. There are a couple great pizza places in Canmore. Rocket Pie offers Neopolitan-style pizzas baked in a stone-fired oven.
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Fergus & Bix: Pub food done right. Fergus & Bix offers pizza, burgers and sandwiches, as well as steaks and pastas that will satisfy even the pickiest eater.
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Totoro Sushi: Maybe you wouldn’t expect to find great sushi in the middle of the mountains, but the sashimi and sushi rolls are exceptional at Totoro. Walking from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre only takes a few minutes.
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Crazy Weed: This family-owned Canmore staple would be worth visiting for the views alone, but it also has an international wine selection, a gourmet menu and a rustic-chic vibe.
Late Night: Relaxing Swim & Soak
The Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre has a heated pool and hot tub open from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. Push your dinner to earlier in the night to ensure you can fit in a nighttime swim. A swim in an indoor pool in Canmore is the perfect way to finish a fantastic day of activities. Plus, a soak in the hot tub can help relax tired muscles after a strenuous hike.
Experience Mountain Magic This Fall in Canmore
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Canmore this autumn, the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre is right in the middle of everything. Our hotel is pet-friendly, too, so you don’t have to leave your pup behind for your fall trip to Canmore.
Book your stay with us today online or by calling (403)678-3625. Looking to save on your perfect fall day? View our Canmore hotel deals.
Canmore Fall Day Acitivities FAQS
What are the fall colours in Canmore?
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Visitors come from all over the world to see the gorgeous golden larches turn yellow in the area around Canmore every fall. Larches are the only needled-trees that change colour and shed their needles in the fall, and the Rocky Mountain valleys around Canmore and in Kananaskis turning golden-yellow needs to be seen to be believed.
Why is Canmore so popular?
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For outdoor enthusiasts, Canmore offers endless opportunities to get out and explore. There’s hiking, biking, climbing, canoeing, kayaking, and much more. It’s not often that people struggle with what to do in Canmore, and there are exceptional dining, drinking, and shopping opportunities as well.
Does it snow in Canmore in the fall?
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Alberta's weather is unpredictable, but snow is not uncommon in the fall. That’s especially true of October, but that shouldn’t turn anyone away. There are also lots of snow-free days, and the town doesn’t just suddenly shut down when winter approaches.
Places like the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre offer many amenities, including a pool and a large fitness centre. There are also more than enough breweries, restaurants, coffee shops, and shopping options close by the hotel to fill a day in Canmore.