Things to Do in Canmore on a Rainy Day
Canmore is a world-renowned destination for outdoor sports, but that may leave you wondering what to do on a rainy day in Canmore. Fortunately, while the mountains may be the top selling point for visitors, there’s a lot more to the town than the Canadian Rockies, and you won’t have any trouble finding rainy-day activities in Canmore.
Whether you’re crafty, love being active or want to check out local shops and art exhibitions, you’ve got options for what to do on a rainy day in Canmore.
Key Takeaways
- Canmore offers plenty of rainy-day activities beyond mountain sports.
- Top activities:
- Explore Rat’s Nest Cave with Canmore Cave Tours.
- Visit local craft breweries.
- Swim or climb at Elevation Place or relax at Coast Canmore’s pool/hot tub.
- Browse art galleries or try hands-on creative activities.
- Go for short hikes (like Grassi Lakes or Grotto Canyon) if you don’t mind some rain.
- Check the weather, book tours/restaurants in advance, and stay flexible.
- Staying at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre provides easy access to indoor activities, dining, and relaxation without leaving the hotel.
What to Do on a Rainy Day in Canmore
A little rain won’t disrupt your trip, but planning for what to do on a rainy day in Canmore is important because you may not be able to head into the mountains to do the hiking, biking or exploring you had planned.
Fortunately, with a bustling culinary and brewery scene, a thriving creative community and opportunities for swimming and indoor recreation, a little planning will ensure you have no trouble enjoying yourself once you figure out what to do on your rainy day.
Why You Need a Rainy Day Plan for Canmore
While Canmore gets an average of 330 days of sun every year, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to plan for rainy days. The summer of 2025, as an example, has been unusually wet in Alberta, so visitors would want to have a rainy day plan.
You don’t want to let the weather ruin your trip, so making sure you have ideas for checking out amazing coffee shops, engaging with the local arts scene or hitting up a local indoor pool will give you a backup plan in case the sky opens up for a couple of hours.
The Best Rainy Day Activities in Canmore
Explore a Cave
Just because it’s raining, that doesn’t mean the mountains are off-limits. Instead of going up a mountain, why not go in one?
Canmore Cave Tours offers incredible caving adventures that will keep you out of the rain and give you a one-of-a-kind experience. The year-round tours go inside Rat’s Nest Cave and don’t require any previous spelunking experience.
You can do a shorter Explorer Tour or a longer, more challenging Adventure Tour, and whichever one you choose, you won’t feel like a little rain got in the way of a fun, active day.
Check Out Canmore’s Brewery Scene
Canmore is a hotspot for locally brewed beer, with five craft breweries in town that each offer their own seasonal taps and great food, too. Every local will tell you they have their own favourite, so if the weather isn’t cooperating, pick a brewery or two and try out a few beers you won’t be able to get anywhere else.
Take a Dip
When you stay at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre, you don’t even have to leave the hotel to have a little fun. Our heated indoor pool and hot tub are perfect for splashing around as a family.
Only a few short blocks from our hotel is Elevation Place, a state-of-the-art recreation centre that features a climbing gym, fitness centre and aquatics centre with a:
- 25-metre pool with eight lanes
- Leisure pool that simulates a beach’s edge
- Lazy river
- Water slide
- Children’s play area
Check Out Local Art (or Make Your Own)
Canmore has an incredible arts scene, so if you’re looking for indoor activities in Canmore, consider spending a few hours browsing at the Canmore Art Guild Gallery, the Fallen Leaf Gallery or the Avens Gallery, to name just a few.
Most of Canmore’s galleries are concentrated downtown, which is fortunately just a couple of blocks away from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre. Whether you’re looking for breathtaking wildlife photography, sculptures or Western Canadian paintings, you’ll be amazed by what you can find.
Go for a Hike
Most of our previous suggestions have focused on Canmore’s indoor activities, but if you’re OK with getting a little wet and have packed a rain jacket, there’s no reason you can’t get outside and enjoy the Rockies just because it’s raining.
There are lots of rainy day hikes in Canmore, and while you might choose to do a shorter hike like Grassi Lakes or Grotto Canyon, the mountains can be beautiful when it’s raining. Canmore is an international destination for hikers and has some of the most beautiful trails in the world, so don’t rule out getting outside when you’re considering Canmore rainy day activities.
How to Plan for a Rainy Day in Canmore
A rainy day won’t derail your trip, but a little planning can go a long way in ensuring you’re set to enjoy some Canmore indoor activities. Be sure to ask the staff at the front desk at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre if there are any activities they’d recommend when you check in, but even before you arrive, there are a few things you can do to be prepared:
Check the Weather
This is an obvious first step, but if the forecast is calling for rain, then at least you’ll be prepared and can start looking into the indoor activities in Canmore that interest you. Packing for the weather is important in the Rockies, too, so it’s best to be prepared.
Book Ahead, If Needed
You won’t need to book ahead if you’re planning on trying out one of Canmore’s coffee shops or dropping in at a gallery, but it never hurts to make a reservation if you’re looking to try out one of Canmore’s best restaurants. If you do decide to do a cave tour, that’s something you’ll need to book in advance, as well.
Stay Flexible
Figuring out what to do on a rainy day in Canmore can be fun and exciting. You and your family or friends can each choose rainy day activities that interest you and make the day an adventure. Don’t view a rainy day as a missed opportunity; treat it instead like a chance to try something new.
Make the Most of Your Rainy Day at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre
You aren’t short on options when it comes to figuring out what to do on a rainy day in Canmore. The bustling town has something for everyone, and that’s just as true on a rainy day as it is on a hot, sunny one.
Staying at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre puts you right in the middle of all the action, and with an indoor pool and hot tub, fitness centre and TABLE Food + Drink all located right inside the hotel, you could easily have a great day without ever going outside.
Book your stay with us online today or call us at (800)716-6199.
FAQ
Is Canmore pet-friendly?
Yes. Canmore is an extremely pet-friendly town, with five off-leash areas and countless activities. The Coast Canmore is a pet-friendly hotel, too, so bring your family’s four-legged friends along for your vacation.
Are there indoor climbing gyms in Canmore?
Absolutely. The Canmore Climbing Gym offers numerous drop-in times, and the gym at Elevation Place is considered world-class. If you want to stay active as you figure out what to do in Canmore on a rainy day, visiting an indoor climbing gym is a great option.