This complete information to the most effective issues to do in Calgary, Alberta will present you the highest sights, festivals, and out of doors actions to get pleasure from all through your time in Stampede City.
Full of pioneering historical past and flanked by the Canadian Rockies, the gorgeous metropolis of Calgary is the place to your subsequent journey. In Alberta, Calgary is extra than simply the placement of an iconic stampede, it has an distinctive foodie scene, enjoyable vacationer sights, and out of doors adventures galore. Cut by the Bow River, it’s a metropolis of parks and recreation. Calgary can be a terrific launch level for a visit to Banff.
Things to do in Calgary
When visiting Calgary, one of the simplest ways to see it’s to lease a automotive. We normally choose up our automotive rental on the Calgary International Airport and use it to discover the encircling areas reminiscent of Canmore, Banff, and Drumheller. But earlier than you begin doing day journeys from Calgary, let’s try the most effective issues to do in Calgary for a few days in downtown Calgary.
1. Go Up the Calgary Tower
As probably the most recognizable buildings in town’s skyline, the Calgary Tower helps newcomers and vacationers preserve their bearings as they roam the streets. Upon completion in 1968, the Calgary Tower was the tallest constructing in town. Although it was dethroned in 1984, the tower nonetheless presents guests among the finest views in Calgary.
From 626ft (191m) above the bottom, you’ll be able to see properly into the encircling mountains. One of the most effective issues to do in Calgary at evening is to head to the second commentary deck in the Tower. Sip on a cocktail at Sky 360 and benefit from the metropolis lights up from above.
2. Canada Olympic Park (WINSPORT)
Home to the 1988 Winter Olympics, the park is likely one of the prime Calgary sights and continues to be used as a coaching floor for skilled athletes. Now often known as WinSport, Canada Olympic Park is the place for winter sports activities fanatics to go if you’d like to do some snowboarding shut to town centre, or to get pleasure from one in all its many out of doors adventures in the summer season.
Beyond snowboarding and snowboarding, guests can get pleasure from tubing down the hills and even attempt bobsledding on the unique Olympic bobsleigh monitor. Is there a greater manner to head down the mountain at 100km per hour? WinSport additionally presents rides on one of many quickest zip-lines in North America. There are mountain bike trails or you’ll be able to put your climbing boots to work. Read extra about it at Canada Olympic Park – Fun in Calgary Alberta
3. Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Conveniently positioned in the Olympic Park, the museum is hallowed floor for the sports activities of hockey, baseball, soccer, and the Olympics. Along with studying in regards to the tons of of Canadians which were inducted, you may also see the torch that was used to start the 1988 Winter Olympics. Later check your abilities by shadowboxing in opposition to iconic boxer Lennox Lewis.
4. Bow River
With intensive pathways for walkers, bikers, and the occasional rollerblader, following the Bow River is an effective way to discover Calgary. The river cuts via town and the 6.1 km pathway offers welcoming entry to numerous spots. Examples embrace Prince’s Island Park and the beloved Peace Bridge.
The Peace Bridge connects Memorial Drive with Eau Claire Park. We counsel renting a bicycle to discover the waterfront. Our lodge The Hotel Arts Kensington had complimentary bikes to use to discover town.
Take a Walking Tour
One of the most effective methods to discover a brand new metropolis is to be a part of a strolling tour. This 2-hour strolling tour helps you to reserve now and pay later. (straightforward cancellation inside 24 hours of tour in case your plans change. It takes you thru downtown Calgary to discover its elevated walkways and historical past. Places to see in Calgary embrace the Municipal Plaza, Calgary’s East Village and Old City Hall. You’ll additionally stroll essentially the most intensive pathway system in North America, and Chinatown.
5. Stephen Avenue
Arguably essentially the most stunning avenue in Calgary, finishing the Stephen Avenue Walk is a must-do. Placed in town heart, the avenue is simple to get to and presents historic buildings, fashionable outlets, and comfy eating places.
The magnificence goes up a notch in the summer season when the road turns into a hub of exercise. Once you might have accomplished the stroll, additionally, you will be shut to most of the prime sights on this checklist. From the Calgary Tower to Glenbow Museum.
6. Studio Bell & the National Music Centre
Home to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Studio Bell & National Music Centre options an architectural design that’s as memorable because the displays themselves. Inside, you’ll uncover an abundance of memorabilia and devices, that includes iconic Canadian musicians reminiscent of Neil Young, Bryan Adams and Oscar Peterson.
By becoming a member of the backstage tour, you’ll be able to discover centuries of historic devices and study native music icons. The spotlight of the tour, nonetheless, is the journey via the long-lasting Rolling Stones recording studio and an opportunity to play some devices alongside the journey.
7. Prince’s Island Park
On an island alongside the Bow River, Prince’s Island Park comes with 50-acres of pure area to discover. On a sunny day in Calgary, seize a picnic and loosen up underneath the shady timber. Or you’ll be able to eat on the River Cafe, a high quality eating restaurant positioned throughout the park
Connected to downtown Calgary by way of three pedestrian bridges, you’ll uncover ample strolling and biking tracks to stretch out your legs. If you didn’t convey a picnic, there’s a fantastic restaurant to dine at, and you might also encounter reside music as you stroll the paths. Prince’s Island Park is close to the Eau Claire Market. Combine your park day by exploring the market’s choice of one-of-a-kind finds and specialty treats.
8. Calgary Folk Music Festival
Over 4 days, Prince’s Island goes to one other stage with unbelievable solo acts and bands lighting up the area. Boogie underneath the balmy Calgary solar and hear to your favourite tunes or uncover new musicians to fall in love with. Alongside the reside performances, you will discover a number of workshops, arts and crafts, together with scrumptious meals distributors. When the music stops, that doesn’t imply the enjoyable ends. You are inside strolling distance of the downtown core, with loads of choices to preserve the evening rolling.
9. Expo Latino
One of the most effective festivals in Calgary is Expo Latino. Held yearly in August, Expo Latino is the biggest Latin competition in Canada. With ample reside music, room to dance, and wonderful Latin delicacies, you’ll be able to’t miss Expo Latino.
10. Fort Calgary
At the union of the Bow and Elbow Rivers, Fort Calgary was the primary outpost of the North West Mounted Police. To this present day, you’ll be able to nonetheless see the unique foundations of the fort whereas the Fort Calgary Museum tells the story of town from its basis to fashionable occasions. You’ll study of the Métis’ historical past and affect in Calgary and the way the Elbow River and Bow Rivers are vital to Indigenous tradition and heritage.
11. Heritage Park Historical Village
If Fort Calgary provides a glimpse into Western Canada’s historical past on the Heritage Park Historical Village offers the complete image. The park is residence to a collection of historic buildings from the pioneer period with ample costumed interpreters to aid you journey again in time. Fun Fact: This is Canada’s largest dwelling historical past museum!
The buildings cowl 4 key durations in Calgary’s historical past. You’ll uncover an 1860s fur-trading fort, a city sq. from the early twentieth century together with the favored outdated steam engine. Jump on for a experience across the village. Other actions embrace a paddlewheel tour on the scenic Glenmore Reservoir and a go to to Gasoline Alley Museum. A spot filled with classic automobiles and interactive displays.
12. The Military Museums
Displaying the essential efforts of Canada’s military in the course of the First and Second World Wars, the Military Museums supply wonderful perception into this era of human historical past.
The museums go into nice element, masking tales of the courageous women and men who put their lives on the road. Here you’ll be able to study what it was like to be in the trenches on the Western Front, or flying a bomber throughout WWII. Your go to may also include the possibility to view numerous army automobiles, together with tanks.
13. Glenbow Museum
If it’s a depressing day and also you’re questioning what to do in Calgary when it’s raining, then the reply is the Glenbow Museum. Within downtown Calgary, the museum focuses on artwork and tradition in Western Canada. With over 1,000,000 artifacts, artwork items, and images on show, put together to take a deep dive into up to date life and tradition in this nook of the world.
The Museum additionally presents a tremendous look into the values, traditions, and heritage of indigenous peoples who’ve lived alongside the Northwestern Plains for 1000’s of years.
14. Calaway Park
Wondering what enjoyable issues to do in Calgary as a household? Well, you’ll be able to’t go unsuitable with a day at Calaway Park. As the most important out of doors amusement park in Western Canada, Calaway Park guarantees to be a enjoyable day for everybody.
The park comes with over 30 rides, of which many will get the center pumping. For some extra relaxed enjoyable, you’ll be able to play virtually two dozen carnival-style video games. Better but, get pleasure from a present at Calaway Park’s very personal 3D theater.
15. Fish Creek Park
The second-largest city park in Canada has pleasant strolling trails via forests and alongside the famend creek. The designated pure space is residence to some 200 species and is a superb place to get pleasure from bird-watching.
16. Watch the Calgary Flames
Hockey is Canada’s hottest sport and by a giant margin. One of the most effective methods to get into the native spirit is to go to the Saddledome and watch the Calgary Flames tear up the ice
The aptly named Saddledome certainly seems to be like a saddle from the surface. From October to April, the sector sells out a number of occasions every week. If you’re on a finances, tickets to see the Flames might be low cost, particularly in contrast to a Maple Leaf’s recreation in Toronto. Tickets to video games in opposition to the Edmonton Oilers might be aggressive. But watching the 2 bitter rivals face-off is likely one of the finest issues to do in Calgary.
17. Theatre Calgary
If you’re in search of one other exercise at evening in Calgary, why not go to the Theater? Theatre Calgary is knowledgeable theatre firm and performing arts theatre that hosts Broadway productions.
18. Calgary Zoo
Zoos aren’t usually listed on our to do checklist, however they do have a spot in conservation and schooling. Plus, the Calgary Zoo is famend for its conservation efforts serving to uncommon and endangered species. The Calgary Zoo additionally has a botanical backyard and butterfly conservatory. If you’re in search of issues to do in Calgary for the entire household, you might have considered trying to contemplate a visit to the Calgary Zoo.
19. Calgary Stampede
Over ten days in July the world-famous Calgary Stampede takes place at Stampede Park. Locals and up to 1,000,000 vacationers descend on the occasion.
Known because the ‘greatest outdoor show on earth, guests are enthralled by rodeo events and exhibitions to stage shows and pancakes breakfasts. The history of the Calgary Stampede can be traced back to the late 19th century and its reputation grows by the year.
Where to Eat in Calgary
Calgary has an excellent foodie scene and there are plenty of places to have a delicious meal. These are a few of our favorite restaurants.
Charcut Roasthouse was voted as one of Canada’s prime 10 finest new eating places by enRoute Magazine. It’s a carnivore lovers delight at Charcut, a certain wager is to order the particular of the day from their customized constructed rotisserie. When visiting Alberta, you could have Alberta Beef, and that is the place to attempt it.
Model Milk is and open idea kitchen overlooking the restaurant the place patrons can sit on the bar and watch the workers at work. The menu has a really European flare and adjustments recurrently following what’s in season.
Day Trips from Calgary
Calgary is conveniently positioned on the Trans Canada Highway linking, Calgary, Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise. No go to to Alberta can be full with out seeing these stunning locations.
20. Banff National Park
One of the most effective day journeys from Calgary is Banff National Park, residence to towering mountains and the storybook Lake Louise. You can attain the park in 90 minutes however the surroundings is probably going to have you ever stopping at common intervals.
After arriving in the park, proceed on to the lake. Spectacular mountain vistas encompass you at each flip, carved over millennia by the gradual motion of glaciers. The result’s the beautiful turquoise waters of Lake Louise. Head out on the lake or stroll the lakeshore path.
With mountains hovering in direction of the heavens, Banff National Park is the definition of unforgettable. In the winter there may be world class snowboarding and snowboarding and in the summer season you’ll be able to go mountain biking, or climbing. Read extra: The Best Things to do in Banff, Alberta
21. Canmore
Canmore is positioned between Calgary and Banff and is a superb cease for a day. In truth, we’ve spent a number of days in Canmore from exploring its many climbing trails in the summer season to snowshoeing and cross nation snowboarding in the winter. One of the most effective issues to do is to take a helicopter tour over the Canadian Rockies to see the spectacular surroundings of Banff and Lake Louise. Read extra: The Best Things to do in Canmore, Alberta
22. Drumheller
One of our favourite day journeys from Banff is the unimaginable city of Drumheller. Take a highway journey to see the hoodoos, Royal Tyrrell Dinousaur museum and canyons of the realm. The Atlas Coal Mine is a superb tour for the entire household and also you’ll even get to see the world’s largest dinosaur. Read extra: 17 Awesome Things to do in Drumheller, Alberta
23. Take The Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver
One of the world’s finest prepare journeys leaves from Calgary on its manner to Vancouver. If you might have just a few days to fill in your Calgary itinerary, contemplate a once-in-a-lifetime journey on the Rocky Mountaineer.
The luxurious prepare travels alongside the historic Canada Pacific Line, venturing deep into the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains. Along the best way, you’ll have the possibility to cease at Canmore, Banff National Park, or Jasper for a wide range of spectacular day journeys.
How to get to Calgary
The fundamental level of entry to Alberta’s largest metropolis is from Calgary Airport. You may have a wide range of transport choices to select from.
There is an specific bus to downtown that leaves each half hour between 5 am and midnight and prices $6.35 USD. The journey takes half-hour. A shuttle leaves from Bus Bay 8 each half hour from 8 am to midnight. The shuttle prices $12 USD and connects to most metropolis resorts. A taxi experience from the airport to downtown prices roughly $35 USD.
Best time to go to Calgary
With a stability of city and mountain adventures to embark on, there may be by no means a nasty time to go to Calgary. The winter months supply nice native snowboarding and decrease room charges. In the autumn, you’ll get pleasure from reasonable temperatures and exquisite surroundings because the leaves flip to auburn.
However, you’ll be able to’t go previous summer season as the most effective time to go to Calgary. With all of the festivals and reside occasions plus the Calgary Stampede, it’s a magical time of 12 months. Book as far in advance as attainable to lower your expenses on lodging.
Where to keep in Calgary
Even as town continues to develop, the most effective place to base your self is inside Calgary’s downtown. You shall be shut to the overwhelming majority of sights from the Bow River to Stephen Avenue.
Hotel Arts Kensington – Calgary
We have stayed at this boutique lodge in Calgary just a few occasions and it’s excellent. The Hotel Artis is a luxurious boutique lodge that goes the additional mile. Located in the center of Kensington Village, it has a cool and funky vibe that’s nice for nightlife. They supply free bike loans on the lodge and it’s positioned alongside the pedestrian path operating alongside the river. Check out costs on TripAdvisor
More Calgary Hotels
Luxury – Fairmont Palliser – You can’t go unsuitable with this historic lodge. Operating for greater than 100 yeras, this luxurious lodge in the central enterprise district is close to a lot of Calgary’s prime sights. It’s shut to the CORE buying Centre, cultural sights and leisure. Budget – Best Western Plus Downtown presents visitors spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. Offering studios together with one and two-bedroom suites get pleasure from free breakfast and WiFi whereas being mere steps from the downtown enjoyable. Mid-Range – In the center of Calgary, you will discover a number of mid-range resorts, together with International Hotel & Spa. The lodge presents beneficiant room sizes, complimentary continental breakfast, a fitness center, and a heated pool.
So, there you might have it. These are the most effective issues to do in Calgary for the entire household. Whether you’re utilizing town as a leaping off level to discover the Rocky Mountains or for a metropolis break, Calgary is a superb selection as the most effective cities in Canada to go to it doesn’t matter what the season.