I'd definately set aside a day to drive the Icefields Parkway up to at least the Athabasca Glacier (Icefields Center). There are numerous observation points along the highway, and the views are nothing short of spectacular.

Plan a day (or half day) in Lake Louise. There are several trails in the immediate area. Lake Agnes is probably the most popular, and a little further up the trail offers some great viewpoints.

Moraine Lake is very close to Lake Louise and is definately worthy of a stop.

Do a little reading on this site for some more suggestions.

Here are some traveler photos so you can see what may interest you: tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g154911-Banff…

Also click "Things to Do" on the left menu for some more ideas.

I'd also suggest purchasing a travel book for the Banff area. I got the "Moon" guide by Andrew Hempstead and it covers most everything in the Park. Hiking, restaurants, transportation, etc. I would definately recommend it. It has several suggested "must-see" itineraries.

Have fun on your trip! :)

Interesting way to put it, Thailandkid. If I could only spend 4 days in the Rockies before I die, I would go to:

Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93 from Lake Louise to Jasper) - taking lots of time to stop at all the places along the way.

Takkakaw Falls, in Yoho National Park, west of Lake Louise.

Johnston's Canyon - all the way to the Upper Falls, at least - and the scenic Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A) that you drive to get there. The Bow Valley Parkway extends much of the distance between Banff and Lake Louise.

Top of Sulphur Mountain Gondola - but only if there are no clouds.

Marsh Walk (below Cave & Basin National Historic Site) or Fenland Trail - but mostly for personal, sentimental reasons; I don't think I would recommend it to someone else. Similarly for Manysprings in Bow Valley Provincial Park.

Lake Louise - very early in the morning, right after sunrise, when the wildlife is active but the people aren't. I'd probably stay at Chateau Lake Louise to do this easily, or at least in the village of Lake Louise.

Lake Minnewanka loop - I might walk the shore aof Lake Minnewank at least as far as Stewart Canyon, or I might take the boat cruise, depending on the weather. I'd stop to explore Upper & Lower Bankhead (site of a coal mine & town c. 1920), Johnson Lake, and I'd watch for bighorn sheep by the roadside.

Okay, so that's seven, not five, but one is personal and the other (Sulphur Mountain) is weather-dependent.

sorry, meant to write:

I would probably stay at Chateau Lake Louise *the night before* to do this easily

Thank you very much for all the information.