An authentic Rocky Mountain jewel, Canmore has a prime location near Banff National Park that draws both rugged outdoorsy types and natural-beauty-seekers. And at the end of a long day exploring the outdoors, travelers can return to this town as a home base, with its welcoming cafes, restaurants, shops, and loads of lodging options. Expect the full range of hotels, resorts, lodges, inns, and B&Bs. Most of these are clustered around Bow Valley Trail (Highway 1A), and they offer both a central location and wow-worthy mountain views. Bonus: Canmore surpasses your average ski town when it comes to food, with a thriving--and cool--culinary scene.