It's highly recommended to visit here. People are nice, products are nice and I appreciated them being a part of history in Banff and letting me experience that. There are two sections on this place. One section in a front sells arts and crafts, the second back house, that's attached, sells the First Nation dresses and shirts and other warm clothes. If you look up in the second housing, there are many taxidermy animals, one of which was my favorite, a 38 lbs fish caught in 1928. This place has been in a business easily over 100 years. There stands a sad bear that it's claws were ripped off by this particular communist nationalities...why did they do such a thing? Now this bear has claws glued back on but not original ones. Do not touch those animals but to observe and appreciate them. It's a important piece of a Banff's history and those original residents. They have a small parking. Behind this shop is where the First Nation museum is located which is currently closed till March. read more

See all

INTERESTING LOCAL BANFF HISTORY The Banff Indian Trading Post is a lot more than a souvenir tourist shop. Located near Banff Ave, this unassuming log cabin is an important part of Banff's local history as we learned during a Town Walking Tour hosted by the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. In the early 1900s, a man named Norman Luxton settled in Banff after coming to the hot springs to recover from a failed attempt to cross the Pacific Ocean in a two man boat. He started a newspaper and set up the trading post from which he traded with the local Indigenous nations. Luxton operated the store with a partner - today the the Trading Post is owned by the partner's daughter who had to agree to Luxton's request that the store be preserved as it has always been. On display inside the Trading Post is a mummified creature named Herman the Merman who also has an interesting backstory. Luxton wanted to start a canoe club on Lake Minnewanka but no one was interested in coming to the haunted lake. Luxton purchased Herman, a "Fiji Mermaid" that was a taxidermy sideshow hoax - the torso of a monkey was attached to the body of a large fish. Luxton staged a struggle with this mer-man as a successful exorcism of the lake. Aside from Herman the Merman, the Trading Post houses a large taxidermy collection including a huge brown bear. The Trading Post also features Indigenous artwork and crafts, many of which are for sale. Next door is the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum, another venture started by Luxton - it is currently operated by the Buffalo Nations Cultural Society. read more

We loved this store!! Fantastic selection of gifts, clothes and indigenous products. Best prices!!!!! Friendly shop workers. Look here first before you pay more downtown! read more

Skip all the souvenir shops and head here for gifts. They have unique handmade products made by local indigenous people. You'll find something for everyone from jewelry, to clothing, hats to carved stones. read more

See all

The service was the best they helped us with everything that we needed they were so nice as well and they have so many cool stuff in there a bunch of furs and cool stuff and it is all worth the price there's a museum next to it and the price of the trading post hit the ball right out of the park really good prices on everything read more

Masks here and muse quality beadwork is incredible. This is a family run establishment doing heavy lifting to keep authentic First People arts and crafts alive. The beads, masks, moccasins, and carvings are incredible and the relationships cultivated with the creators shows. This store has been in operation for 110 years - yes, that's over a century. Do yourself a favor, cross the bridge from downtown Banff and buy souvenirs here as the shop deserves the business and the results of your purchase for self or other will be south more enjoyed! read more

Banff Indian Trading Post - Merman - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Banff, Alberta

Every time we come to Banff we stop in at the Trading Post - a place my husband and his family have been coming to since his childhood. There is a lot of different locally made art, reasonably priced souvenirs for the little ones as well as a chance to see the skeletal remains of Merman encased in glass in the back room! I am partial to the prints by local BC artist Andy Everson - fantastic Northwest Coast art. For each print he tells a personal story on the back and often speaks of the influence his grandmother had on him. The prints are sold framed or unframed so can accommodate any budget. Being the good aunt and uncle we are we also picked up some pocket knives for our nephews who have been begging their mum for them for quite some time. Each handle has a different animal (bear, wolf etc.) on it and comes in it's own tin. We left them wrapped for Christmas.... I love watching my husband walk in there and reminiscing about his fond memories from family vacations. read more

Love the store and all things in it. However, using the "contact us" tab, does NOT generate a result. If you have a question or want to order something, best to call them because nobody responds to email inquires read more

This place is so cool. Probably it's one of the best gift shops I've been to :) It's got lots of cool stuff- I picked up some nifty fingerless gloves here, as well as some great-smelling cedar & maple incense, and a kitschy postcard for my brother :P They've got lots of cool stuff around the store, like animal heads all over the walls, & a "real" Fiji-mermaid type thing in a glass case. They have a pretty wide variety of stuff, from little things like keychains to more interesting things like fox-fur hats and really nice pottery. If you're in Banff, this place is definitely worth a stop :) read more

I've shopped here for almost 10 years, but recently I was sold baby moccasins made by a local for $49.99 that were very evidently previously worn. I contacted management via e-mail--not to seek a refund or exchange--simply, to let them know it had happened. I received no response or explanation. Very disappointed and unlikely to return at this point. The hand-crafted merchandise was a huge draw for me for gifts over the years, but I feel uncomfortable shopping here knowing the artists aren't being paid for merchandise that is sold again and again. read more

the best place - cheapest rabbit furs in town, and they now have cute little bobcat tail keychains! Head to the back of store and look to your left - behold the mighty merman! once you gaze upon the beauty of this mystical creature, be sure to follow him in Twitter @BTPmerman - the best Twitter account I've ever come across, seriously. read more

Was looking for a unique gift shop without the typical touristy souvenirs. Loved the locally made art by actual native american families. Bought some great dream catchers for the family and other gifts. Pretty fair priced for type of gifts. Was a little disappointed with jewelry selection. Was hoping to find more turquoise options and leather bracelets. read more