BANFF NATIONAL PARK - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 82

Other Indoor Recreation
Fairmont Banff Springs (405 Spray Ave., 403/762-2211) has a four-lane, five-pin bowl-
ing center; games are $5.75 per person. The Lux Cinema Centre (229 Bear St., 403/
762-8595) screens new releases for $14 ($10 on Tuesday).
Banff's only waterslide is in the Douglas Fir Resort (Tunnel Mountain Dr., 403/
762-5591, 4pm-9:30pm Mon.-Fri., 10am-9:30pm Sat.-Sun.). The two slides are indoors,
and the admission price of $20 (free for kids younger than age five) includes use of a hot
tub and exercise room.
NIGHTLIFE
Like resort towns around the world, Banff has a deserved reputation as a party town, espe-
cially among seasonal workers, the après-ski crowd, and young Calgarians. Crowds seem
to spread out, with no particular bar being more popular than another or being a place
where you can mingle with fellow travelers. Given the location and vacation vibe, drink
prices are as high as you may expect, with attitude thrown in for free.
Banff is a nonsmoking town. Also note that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
(RCMP) patrol Banff all night, promptly arresting anyone who even looks like trouble, in-
cluding anyone drunk or drinking on the streets.
Bars and Lounges
Wild Bill's (upstairs at 201 Banff Ave., 403/762-0333) is named for Banff guide Bill Peyto
and is truly legendary. This frontier-style locale attracts the biggest and best bands of any
Banff venue, with bookings that vary from local faves to washed-up rockers such as Naz-
areth; as a general rule, expect alternative music or underground country early in the week
and better-known rock or pop Thursday-Sunday. Across the road, the Maple Leaf (137
Banff Ave., 403/760-7680) has a stylish space at street level set aside as a bar. The Elk &
Oarsman (119 Banff Ave., 403/762-4616) serves up beer and more in a clean, casual at-
mosphere that is as friendly as it gets in Banff. Across the road from Wild Bill's is the Rose
and Crown (202 Banff Ave., 403/762-2121), serving British beers and hearty pub fare.
It also features a rooftop patio and rock-and-roll bands a few nights a week, but there's
not much room for dancing. Also down the main drag is Tommy's (120 Banff Ave., 403/
762-8888), a perennial favorite for young seasonal workers and those who once were and
now consider themselves as locals.