Where to Stay, Eat & Explore in Banff and Lake Louise: A 2SLGBTQIA+ Travel Guide
- Sep 1, 2025
For queer travelers, there’s a quiet relief in showing up as yourself, to be able to hold hands in public or stay at a hotel where your partner isn’t assumed to be your “friend”. In Banff and Lake Louise, you can travel with ease knowing that LGBTQ inclusive spaces are abundant.
Banff and Lake Louise are welcoming and inclusive destinations year-round, with businesses and experiences that embrace visitors' identities. Thanks to Banff Pride, celebrating over a decade of creating welcoming spaces for queer locals and visitors. There's a growing list of highlighted places to stay, eat, and explore. This guide will help you plan your trip to the Canadian Rockies anytime of the year.
“Banff Pride brings people together. It creates a richer, more diverse culture here.”
– Banff Pride Attendee
Where to Stay
Banff Lodging Company is the official hotel partner for Banff Pride. With 14 properties across Banff and Lake Louise, there’s something for every budget:
Moose Hotel and Suites
This cozy hotel, with rooftop hot pools, is the perfect landing pad for your gay-cation. This queer-friendly oasis is only a few steps away from many of the businesses and restaurants in this guide.
Looking for a date idea? How about a relaxing pedicure at the in-house Meadow Spa & Pools!
From here you're right in the heart of Banff. Spend an afternoon paddling the Bow River with the Banff Canoe Club, rent e-bikes, or wander along Bear Street.
Hotel Canoe & Suites
Located right downtown Hotel Canoe & Suites offers modern, spacious accommodations designed for comfort.
For the queens, special touches include private balconies, rain showers, and personalized pour over coffees.
Their onsite restaurant, Sudden Sally, might be Banff’s best kept secret with elevated comfort food while away from the crowds.
Moxy Banff
Moxy Banff brings playful energy to your stay, blending mid-century design with lively social spaces. Guests can check in at the Bar-ception (bar and reception in one), sip craft cocktails, and snack from a retro 1966 VW van.
The fun continues outdoors with a heated pools and a vibrant courtyard, a hub for connecting with other travellers. Weekly events often hosted in partnership with Banff Pride, keep the atmosphere fresh and welcoming, from drag cabarets to DJ nights under the stars.
Moxy Banff’s weekly events are free for hotel guests including events in partnership with Banff Pride. This year in June, Moxy Banff also hosted an Indigenous People’s Day* Cabaret with Banff Pride showcasing local Indigenous performers.
*National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day recognizing and celebrating the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Indigenous peoples of Canada.
Where to Eat and Drink
Banff Ave Brewing Co.
A go-to après spot to try out a selection of beers and bites. Purchase a flight and sample a variety of beers, all brewed in Banff National Park.
Each month, Banff Ave Brewing hosts Beers for Queers with Banff Pride, an open space for 2SLGTBQIA+ locals and travelers to connect!
Hello Sunshine
This groovy space has a range of menu items including maki rolls, ramen, sake, and creative cocktails like their Matcha Colada.
Their private karaoke rooms are perfect for belting out your favourite queer anthems with friends. Did you say Pink Pony Club?
Bluebird Woodfired Steakhouse
Featured in OpenTable’s 2025 Top 100 Brunch and Lunch Restaurants, Bluebird specializes in fondues and wood-fired steaks.
During the Banff Pride Festival, Bluebird hosts a drag brunch and is an official partner for the Taste the Rainbow program. Picture this: eggs benedict and a crowd singing in unison to Abba’s Dancing Queen (with a mimosa in-hand).
PS: Don’t miss happy hour with 50% off fondue!
High Rollers
Pins, pints, and pizza! A fun spot with six bowling lanes, pool tables, and 48+ beers on tap. At night, this venue hosts some of Banff’s best parties (and the occasional drag bingo).
Sky Bistro
Dining at the top of a mountain at Sky Bistro, accessed via the Banff Gondola, is a one-of-a-kind experience.
There’s nothing that says romance like holding hands with your partner while strolling along a boardwalk, with 360-degree views of the Rocky Mountains during golden hour.
The Banff Gondola celebrates Pride in a new way every year, hosting events that bring people together at the summit of Sulphur Mountain, an experience highlighted as one of the Top 10 Reasons to Go to Banff Pride.
Where to Explore
Banff Pride Festival
An annual festival with events for everyone including a pride walk, drag show plus afternoon tea at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs, and sunset cruise on the stunning Lake Minnewanka. The combination of vibrant dance parties with mountainous adventures makes it a pride festival you do not want to miss!
The 2025 Banff Pride Festival is October 3-13, with headliners including Canada’s Drag Race superstars Aurora Matrix, Perla, Bom Bae, Vivan Vanderpuss, and ‘The Virgo Queen' Winner of Canada's Drag Race.
Browse the festival schedule and other monthly events via Banff Pride’s website. Read more on what the festival means to Banff locals.
“For ten days, our mountain town becomes a vibrant love letter to inclusion, as we celebrate who we are and who we stand beside.”
– Corrie DiManno, Mayor of the Town of Banff
Guided Tours & Adventures
No matter the season, there's plenty to do in Banff and Lake Louise. From guided hikes and canoe tours in summer to snowshoeing and heli-skiing in the winter, you'll find activities for every level of adventure. Booking a tour is also a great way to connect with locals and explore safely with expert guides.
Arts, Culture & Indigenous Experiences
Beyond the mountains, Banff and Lake Louise are home to a vibrant cultural scene. Explore Indigenous-led tours that share the stories and traditions of the land, or take in art galleries, museums, and live performances that highlight the creative spirit of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Banff Tea Co.
This locally owned tea shop has been brewing custom blends since 2007, with a focus on ethically sourced ingredients and creative flavours.
Each year during Pride Week they celebrate with a colourful Rainbow Dreams blend, a fruity and floral tea that turns purple in your cup!
BEATNIK Salon
A hair salon where hair has no gender. Beatnik is a leader in inclusivity as a member of Dress Code; a global alliance of over 500+ salons committed to providing gender-affirming services for 2SLGBTQIA+ clients. Whether you're looking for a fresh cut while traveling or want to glam up before heading to a pride celebration, Beatnik is a go-to spot for visitors as well as locals.
“Beatnik saw me through so many big hair changes including a pixie cut for my curls in the midst of a gender journey!” – Google review of Beatnik Salon.
SkiBig3
SkiBig3 represents three iconic resorts of Banff National Park: Banff Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt. Norquay.
As a member of the Bow Valley Pride Network, SkiBig3 is actively committed to inclusivity for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
The SkiBig3 Adventure Hub in downtown Banff can help you book lessons, trips, and rental gear.
Pro tip: save 15% on ski and snowboard rentals by booking online.
Flow State Banff
If you're craving a yoga session while on vacation, Flow State offers an inclusive space to unwind.
Their "Flow with Pride" classes, hosted monthly with Banff Pride, are open to everyone making it a welcoming way to stay connected during your trip.
Banff Farmer’s Market
On Wednesdays from May to October, visit the farmer’s market in Banff’s Central Park where you can browse a variety of locally made products.
Stop by the Banff Pride booth to support queer artists and purchase Banff Pride merchandise including shirts, postcards, and stickers.
Travel Smart Tips
Travelling should be joyful, not stressful. Whether you're heading to Banff, Lake Louise or anywhere in the Canadian Rockies, here are few tips to help queer travelers feel confident and prepared:
- Use the Trip Builder to create, save, and share your itinerary with someone you trust.
- Attend Banff Pride’s year-round events and connect with LGBTQ locals and fellow travelers.
- Visit Banff Pride's Instagram accounts for real-time updates on events and activities in the area. There’s usually something going on every week!
- Learn about the Bow Valley Pride Network and its work in engaging with businesses to build inclusive spaces for queer locals and visitors in the area.
- Keep digital and physical copies of important documents including your IDs, insurance, and prescriptions (especially for gender-affirming medications).
Most importantly, be your fabulous self and know that you are welcome here in Banff and Lake Louise.
Ready to start planning? The trip builder is a great place to start.
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