What is the most popular tourist attraction in Canada

Asks marmalade

A. Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies is the most popular tourist attraction in Canada, and is a magnet for thousands of tourists every year.

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Q. What is it like

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Q. What about the town of Banff itself, is it a good place to stay

A. It is a relatively small town for the number of tourists that pass through it - so if you're not put off by the crowds it is a good base to stay while you're visiting the Rockies, but the town itself if not spectacular. Some of its best activities include the following:

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Banff Avenue: is the main thoroughfare in the town and full of souvenir shops. Avoid it if you can as it is usually heaving with visitors.

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Cave & Basin Centennial Centre: is a great place to visit natural hot mineral springs - although corrosion prevents you from swimming here, you can find out about the history of the area. The original cave here was discovered in 1883 by gold prospectors. The centre provides guided tours to the sulphur filled caves and also provides interpretative displays and a video film detailing the history of the caves and their restoration.

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Upper Hot Springs: located out of town (about 4km away from the centre) this is a great place to experience the invigorating powers of mineral springs. The waters are an amazing 38.5 degrees and are usually visited after a trip on the Sulphur Mountain Gondola, which sounds tacky but is actually really relaxing and educational - and as one of Canada's highest observation decks, Sulphur Mountain (the peak stands at 2255m, but the trip on the gondola will take you up about 800m) offers spectacular views over the whole area and is well worth the trip. The "gondola" is actually a cable car. The Sunshine Gondola is another cable car ride up to the Sunshine Village Resort and also offers great views.

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Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies: chronicles the history of the area and includes some wonderful photographs and data on how and when the surrounding mountains were conquered.

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Banff Park Museum: is full of stuffed animals dating back to the days when it was acceptable to kill and display the wildlife of the Rockies.

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Natural History Museum: details the geological history of the area.

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Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum: details the native-Canadian population and lifestyle that once thrived in the area.

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Walter Phillips Gallery: in the Banff Arts Centre, this gallery often hosts international art exhibitions.

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Banff Springs Hotel: as the hotel has a 100% occupancy rate it is unlikely that you'll get a reservation here - not to mention the fact that some of its rooms cost about �650 per night - but it is a good place to look at as it is a famous landmark in the area and dates back to 1880. You can also take an organised tour of the hotel if you're really nosey.

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Sundance Canyon Trail: the whole Rockies area is full of trails and walks that abound with wildlife and scenery. But if you're the outdoors type, but still want to do a trail then the Sundance Canyon is the one for you as it long but not too steep and is very exhilarating and offers great views of waterfalls, forestland and snow-capped mountains.

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Moraine Lake is a short walk from the town centre of Banff and is said to be one of Canada's most idyllic natural attractions, a view of the lake and its ten peaks used to be featured on the Canadian $20 bill.

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Columbia Icefield: This massive field of ancient ice covers 325 sq km (125 sq mi) and reaches depths estimated at 385 m (1,270 ft). It is composed of the Athabasca, Stutfield and Dome glaciers. Straddling the Continental Divide, the icefield feeds four of North America's major river systems: the Columbia, Fraser, Mackenzie and Saskatchewan. Meltwaters from the icefield flow to three different oceans (the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic). Called a "hydrological apex," it is one of only two in the world (the other is in Siberia). Markers at the icefield indicate the rate at which the toe of the Athabasca Glacier has receded this century. You can tour the glacier on a snow coach.

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The Great Divide: is the geographic point where all waters flow either west to the Pacific Ocean or east to the Atlantic Ocean. Displays in Banff describe this phenomenon which may be seen in action as the creek separates mid-flow.

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Q. What about the area surrounding Banff, what is it like to visit

A. As one of the most naturally beautiful areas in the world, there is a load to see here. But if you're only staying in Banff and not touring a larger area of the Rockies then try and take some time out to visit to Lake Louise, Lake Minnewaka or drive along the Icelands Parkway (it is a 230km road that runs from Lake Louise to Jasper) it is often voted the best drive in the world as it is flanked by mountains, glaciers, lakes, flowers and forestland - truly breathtaking. Also, if you want a more peaceful trip, stay in Jasper as the crowds are not so daunting.

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For more information on the Banff National Park visit its website at http://www.worldweb.com/ParksCanada-Banff.

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By Karen Anderson