This complete information to the very best issues to do in Calgary, Alberta will present you the highest points of interest, festivals, and out of doors actions to take pleasure in all through your time in Stampede City.
Full of pioneering historical past and flanked by the Canadian Rockies, the attractive metropolis of Calgary is the place to your subsequent journey. In Alberta, Calgary is extra than simply the situation of an iconic stampede, it has an distinctive foodie scene, enjoyable vacationer points of interest, and out of doors adventures galore. Cut by the Bow River, it’s a metropolis of parks and recreation. Calgary can also be an ideal launch level for a visit to Banff.
Things to do in Calgary
When visiting Calgary, the easiest way to see it’s to hire a automotive. We normally choose up our automotive rental on the Calgary International Airport and use it to discover the encircling areas resembling Canmore, Banff, and Drumheller. But earlier than you begin doing day journeys from Calgary, let’s take a look at the very best issues to do in Calgary for a few days in downtown Calgary.
1. Go Up the Calgary Tower
As one of the recognizable constructions in town’s skyline, the Calgary Tower helps newcomers and vacationers keep 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 possibly can see properly into the encircling mountains. One of the very best issues to do in Calgary at evening is to head to the second statement 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 high Calgary points of interest 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 fans to go if you’d like to do some snowboarding shut to town centre, or to take pleasure in considered one of its many out of doors adventures in the summer season.
Beyond snowboarding and snowboarding, guests can take pleasure in tubing down the hills and even strive 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 possibly can put your mountain 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 a whole bunch of Canadians which were inducted, you may also see the torch that was used to start the 1988 Winter Olympics. Later take a look at your abilities by shadowboxing towards iconic boxer Lennox Lewis.
4. Bow River
With intensive pathways for walkers, bikers, and the occasional rollerblader, following the Bow River is a good way to discover Calgary. The river cuts via town and the 6.1 km pathway supplies welcoming entry to varied spots. Examples embody 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 very best methods to discover a brand new metropolis is to be a part of a strolling tour. This 2-hour strolling tour enables 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 embody the Municipal Plaza, Calgary’s East Village and Old City Hall. You’ll additionally stroll probably the most intensive pathway system in North America, and Chinatown.
5. Stephen Avenue
Arguably probably the most stunning road in Calgary, finishing the Stephen Avenue Walk is a must-do. Placed in town heart, the avenue is straightforward to get to and presents historic buildings, fashionable outlets, and comfortable eating places.
The magnificence goes up a notch in the summer season when the road turns into a hub of exercise. Once you’ve got accomplished the stroll, additionally, you will be shut to most of the high points of interest 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 resembling Neil Young, Bryan Adams and Oscar Peterson.
By becoming a member of the backstage tour, you possibly can discover centuries of historic devices and find out about native music icons. The spotlight of the tour, nevertheless, is the journey via the enduring 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 calm down underneath the shady timber. Or you possibly can eat on the River Cafe, a tremendous eating restaurant situated throughout the park
Connected to downtown Calgary through three pedestrian bridges, you’ll uncover ample strolling and biking tracks to stretch out your legs. If you didn’t carry a picnic, there’s a great restaurant to dine at, and you may additionally come across 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 collection of one-of-a-kind finds and specialty treats.
8. Calgary Folk Music Festival
Over 4 days, Prince’s Island goes to one other degree with incredible 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 see 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 maintain the evening rolling.
9. Expo Latino
One of the very best festivals in Calgary is Expo Latino. Held yearly in August, Expo Latino is the biggest Latin pageant in Canada. With ample reside music, room to dance, and wonderful Latin delicacies, you possibly can’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 possibly can nonetheless see the unique foundations of the fort whereas the Fort Calgary Museum tells the story of town from its basis to trendy 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 offers a glimpse into Western Canada’s historical past on the Heritage Park Historical Village supplies the complete image. The park is house to a collection of historic buildings from the pioneer period with ample costumed interpreters to assist you to journey again in time. Fun Fact: This is Canada’s largest dwelling historical past museum!
The buildings cowl 4 key intervals 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 previous steam engine. Jump on for a trip across the village. Other actions embody a paddlewheel tour on the scenic Glenmore Reservoir and a go to to Gasoline Alley Museum. A spot stuffed with classic automobiles and interactive displays.
12. The Military Museums
Displaying the vital efforts of Canada’s military through 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, protecting tales of the courageous women and men who put their lives on the road. Here you possibly can study what it was like to be in the trenches on the Western Front, or flying a bomber throughout WWII. Your go to may even include the possibility to view varied navy 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 one million artifacts, artwork items, and pictures on show, put together to take a deep dive into modern life and tradition in this nook of the world.
The Museum additionally presents an incredible look into the values, traditions, and heritage of indigenous peoples who’ve lived alongside the Northwestern Plains for hundreds of years.
14. Calaway Park
Wondering what enjoyable issues to do in Calgary as a household? Well, you possibly can’t go fallacious with a day at Calaway Park. As the largest 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 guts pumping. For some extra relaxed enjoyable, you possibly can play virtually two dozen carnival-style video games. Better but, take pleasure in 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 house to some 200 species and is a good place to take pleasure in bird-watching.
16. Watch the Calgary Flames
Hockey is Canada’s hottest sport and by an enormous margin. One of the very best 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 like a saddle from the skin. From October to April, the world sells out a number of occasions per week. If you’re on a finances, tickets to see the Flames will be low cost, particularly in contrast to a Maple Leaf’s recreation in Toronto. Tickets to video games towards the Edmonton Oilers will 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 might be in search of one other exercise at evening in Calgary, why not go to the Theater? Theatre Calgary is an expert 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 training. 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 might be in search of issues to do in Calgary for the entire household, you might have considered trying to think about 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 one million 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 high 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, it’s essential to have Alberta Beef, and that is the place to strive it.
Model Milk is and open idea kitchen overlooking the restaurant the place patrons can sit on the bar and watch the employees at work. The menu has a really European flare and modifications usually following what’s in season.
Day Trips from Calgary
Calgary is conveniently situated on the Trans Canada Highway linking, Calgary, Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise. No go to to Alberta could be full with out seeing these stunning locations.
20. Banff National Park
One of the very best day journeys from Calgary is Banff National Park, house 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’s world class snowboarding and snowboarding and in the summer season you possibly can go mountain biking, or mountain climbing. Read extra: The Best Things to do in Banff, Alberta
21. Canmore
Canmore is situated 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 mountain climbing trails in the summer season to snowshoeing and cross nation snowboarding in the winter. One of the very best 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 street journey to see the hoodoos, Royal Tyrrell Dinousaur museum and canyons of the world. The Atlas Coal Mine is a good 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 practice journeys leaves from Calgary on its manner to Vancouver. If you’ve got a couple of days to fill in your Calgary itinerary, think about a once-in-a-lifetime journey on the Rocky Mountaineer.
The luxurious practice travels alongside the historic Canada Pacific Line, venturing deep into the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains. Along the way in which, you’ll have the possibility to cease at Canmore, Banff National Park, or Jasper for quite a lot of spectacular day journeys.
How to get to Calgary
The foremost level of entry to Alberta’s largest metropolis is from Calgary Airport. You can have quite a lot of transport choices to select from.
There is an categorical 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 motels. A taxi trip from the airport to downtown prices roughly $35 USD.
Best time to go to Calgary
With a steadiness of city and mountain adventures to embark on, there’s 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 take pleasure in average temperatures and delightful surroundings because the leaves flip to auburn.
However, you possibly can’t go previous summer season as the very best 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 very best place to base your self is inside Calgary’s downtown. You might be shut to the overwhelming majority of points of interest from the Bow River to Stephen Avenue.
Hotel Arts Kensington – Calgary
We have stayed at this boutique lodge in Calgary a couple of occasions and it’s excellent. The Hotel Artis is a luxurious boutique lodge that goes the additional mile. Located in the guts 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 situated alongside the pedestrian path operating alongside the river. Check out costs on TripAdvisor
More Calgary Hotels
Luxury – Fairmont Palliser – You can’t go fallacious 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 high points of interest. It’s shut to the CORE purchasing Centre, cultural points of interest and leisure. Budget – Best Western Plus Downtown presents visitors spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. Offering studios together with one and two-bedroom suites take pleasure in free breakfast and WiFi whereas being mere steps from the downtown enjoyable. Mid-Range – In the guts of Calgary, you will see a number of mid-range motels, together with International Hotel & Spa. The lodge presents beneficiant room sizes, complimentary continental breakfast, a health club, and a heated pool.
So, there you’ve got it. These are the very best issues to do in Calgary for the entire household. Whether you might be utilizing town as a leaping off level to discover the Rocky Mountains or for a metropolis break, Calgary is a superb alternative as probably the greatest cities in Canada to go to it doesn’t matter what the season.