The Canadian Mountain Town That Looks Photoshopped

Let’s get this out of the way: Yes, that’s a real place — one you’ve likely seen if you’ve spent any time on the travel corners of the internet. But one thing you still might not know about Banff? Fall is the best time to visit the Canadian mountain town.

The trees turn an electric gold that looks Photoshopped (it’s not). The hiking trails get noticeably quieter. And you can soak up all the coziness of après-ski, without the treacherous weather and heavy gear. Plus, there’s a downtown lined with mountain-chic accommodations (stay at Moose Hotel & Suites), vibrant art galleries (the wildlife photography at Jeff Walker Gallery is a standout), and shops selling everything from artisanal teas (in an 1890s log cabin, no less) to 25 flavors of fudge.

Oh, and did we mention the town’s castle-inspired hotel that looks like it belongs in a Wes Anderson film? Consider those Patagonias packed.