Why a Guided Tour at The Whyte Is the Best Way to Discover Banff This Summer

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By Julie Fesseler, Tour Program Manager

Banff is often first experienced through its scenery: the Canadian Rockies, the Bow River, the sense of wonder that arrives the moment you step into the Bow Valley. But beyond the stunning postcard views are stories of Indigenous Nations, artists, families, and generations of people connected to this place.

This summer, guided tours at The Whyte invite visitors to slow down and experience Banff through art, history, and interpretation. From the Historic Homes Tour and Banff Walking Tour to a newly revised Heritage Gallery Tour rooted in truth-telling and a brand-new Art Gallery Tour focused on our summer exhibition, Thick as Thieves, The Whyte tours offer thoughtful ways to explore the cultural history of Banff and the Bow Valley.

Banff offers no shortage of ways to spend a summer day, but guided interpretation here does something essential: it helps visitors make sense of what they’re seeing. The Museum Interpreters bring research, care, and storytelling together to draw visitors into Banff’s art and history. Whether you are a first-time visitor looking for meaningful things to do in Banff this summer or a local who calls the Bow Valley home, a guided tour at The Whyte offers a rich and unique way to experience the area.

The updated summer tour offerings were developed through a thoughtful, collaborative process. Museum Interpreters worked closely with archives and curatorial staff to review content, identify gaps, and strengthen the stories shared with visitors. The result is a refreshed series of guided tours that connect visitors with Banff’s art, history, and cultural landscape.

The Historic Homes Tour: Step Inside Early 20th-Century Banff

The Historic Homes Tour remains one of the museum’s most cherished experiences. Stepping inside the homes of Peter and Catharine Whyte and notable locals Philip and Pearl Moore offers a unique window into the lives of two families that played an integral role in the cultural development of Banff.

Through these preserved spaces, visitors can explore what daily life looked like in the early 20th century and consider how these personal histories continue to shape the story of Banff today. The tour offers an intimate look at home, creativity, community, and legacy in the Canadian Rockies.

The Banff Walking Tour - See the Town Through a New Lens

The Banff Walking Tour continues as a favourite experience for summer 2026. Though the streets of Banff may be familiar to some, this guided tour reframes them through stories of early settlement, the creation of Banff National Park, the growth of tourism in Banff, and the personalities who helped shape the community.

Visitors will leave with a new appreciation for the familiar streets, landmarks, and stories they may have walked past many times before. For locals and visitors alike, the Banff Walking Tour offers a chance to see the town with fresh eyes.

The Heritage Gallery Tour - A Fresh Tour Rooted in Truth Telling

This summer, The Whyte is introducing a newly revised Heritage Gallery Tour in alignment with the museum’s ongoing Truth-Telling Initiative. This work reflects The Whyte's commitment to the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action. It also supports the museum's continued responsibility to provide truthful, respectful and responsible exhibitions and interpretation.

Museums have historically been involved in shaping, and at times distorting, narratives about place, history, and community. The revised Heritage Gallery Tour directly acknowledges the gaps and erasures in the galleries by bringing forward stories and events that were previously left out of the frame.

This guided tour provides a great introduction to the history of Banff, the Bow Valley and the Canadian Rockies, through themes such as exploration, the railway, and the development of tourism. In addition, this tour is also a chance to reflect on how cultural institutions can move toward more truthful and respectful storytelling.

Art Gallery Tour - A Brand‑New Tour Focused on Thick as Thieves 

With the arrival of Thick as Thieves, a travelling exhibition from the MacKenzie Art Gallery, The Whyte is introducing a brand-new Art Gallery Tour in 2026. This group exhibition explores the relationships and bonds we form: the ones we celebrate, the ones we conceal, the ones that quietly shape the way we move through the world.

Museum Interpreters will introduce visitors to the artists, ideas, and tensions within the exhibition while offering insight into selected works on display. Whether you are a long-time art lover or simply curious, this tour encourages you to pay attention not only to what the artworks depict, but also to what they reveal.

Experience a Deeper Understanding of Banff Through a Guided Tour

No matter which tour you choose, guided tours at The Whyte offer a richer and more nuanced experience of Banff's cultural and historical landscapes. Amidst the natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies, The Whyte’s guided tours reveal what visitors may not see on their own: the stories, relationships, and histories that continue to shape this place.

For travellers and locals seeking meaningful things to do in Banff this summer, The Whyte's guided tours offer a thoughtful way to connect with the full cultural history of this incredible place.

Visit the Whyte Museum website to learn more and plan your summer tour today!

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The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 111 Bear Street, Banff, AB.

Follow us on social media and keep an eye on The Cairn for more exhibition stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and upcoming programs at The Whyte.

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