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 take pleasure in all through your time in Stampede Metropolis.
Stuffed with pioneering historical past and flanked by the Canadian Rockies, the gorgeous metropolis of Calgary is the place in your subsequent journey. In Alberta, Calgary is extra than simply the situation of an iconic stampede, it has an distinctive foodie scene, enjoyable vacationer sights, and out of doors adventures galore. Lower by the Bow River, it’s a metropolis of parks and recreation. Calgary can also be an important launch level for a visit to Banff.
Issues to do in Calgary
When visiting Calgary, one of the best ways to see it’s to hire a automobile. We often choose up our automobile rental on the Calgary Worldwide Airport and use it to discover the encompassing areas comparable to Canmore, Banff, and Drumheller. However earlier than you begin doing day journeys from Calgary, let’s take a look at the most effective issues to do in Calgary for a few days in downtown Calgary.
1. Go Up the Calgary Tower
As one of the recognizable constructions within the metropolis’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 within the metropolis. Though it was dethroned in 1984, the tower nonetheless gives guests a number of the greatest views in Calgary.
From 626ft (191m) above the bottom, you possibly can see properly into the encompassing mountains. Among the finest issues to do in Calgary at evening is to move to the second commentary deck within the Tower. Sip on a cocktail at Sky 360 and benefit from the metropolis lights up from above.
2. Canada Olympic Park (WINSPORT)
House 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 called WinSport, Canada Olympic Park is the place for winter sports activities fanatics to go if you wish to do some snowboarding near the town centre, or to take pleasure in one in all its many out of doors adventures in the summertime.
Past snowboarding and snowboarding, guests can take pleasure in tubing down the hills and even attempt bobsledding on the unique Olympic bobsleigh monitor. Is there a greater method to head down the mountain at 100km per hour? WinSport additionally gives 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. Learn extra about it at Canada Olympic Park – Fun in Calgary Alberta
3. Canada’s Sports activities Corridor of Fame
Conveniently positioned within the Olympic Park, the museum is hallowed floor for the sports activities of hockey, baseball, soccer, and the Olympics. Together with studying in regards to the tons of of Canadians which were inducted, it’s also possible to see the torch that was used to start the 1988 Winter Olympics. Later take a look at your expertise 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 an effective way to discover Calgary. The river cuts by way of the town and the 6.1 km pathway supplies 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 recommend renting a bicycle to discover the waterfront. Our resort The Hotel Arts Kensington had complimentary bikes to make use of to discover the town.
Take a Strolling Tour
Among the finest methods to discover a brand new metropolis is to affix a strolling tour. This 2-hour strolling tour allows 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. Locations to see in Calgary embrace the Municipal Plaza, Calgary’s East Village and Previous Metropolis Corridor. You’ll additionally stroll essentially the most intensive pathway system in North America, and Chinatown.
5. Stephen Avenue
Arguably essentially the most stunning road in Calgary, finishing the Stephen Avenue Stroll is a must-do. Positioned within the metropolis middle, the avenue is straightforward to get to and gives historic buildings, stylish retailers, and comfortable eating places.
The wonder goes up a notch in the summertime when the road turns into a hub of exercise. After getting accomplished the stroll, additionally, you will be near lots of the prime sights on this listing. From the Calgary Tower to Glenbow Museum.
6. Studio Bell & the Nationwide Music Centre
House to the Canadian Music Corridor of Fame, the Studio Bell & Nationwide Music Centre options an architectural design that’s as memorable because the reveals themselves. Inside, you’ll uncover an abundance of memorabilia and devices, that includes iconic Canadian musicians comparable to Neil Younger, 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 by way of 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 calm down beneath the shady timber. Or you possibly can eat on the River Cafe, a wonderful eating restaurant positioned inside the park
Linked to downtown Calgary through three pedestrian bridges, you’ll uncover ample strolling and biking tracks to stretch out your legs. Should you didn’t convey a picnic, there’s a great restaurant to dine at, and you may additionally come across dwell music as you stroll the paths. Prince’s Island Park is close to the Eau Claire Market. Mix your park day by exploring the market’s number of one-of-a-kind finds and specialty treats.
8. Calgary Folks Music Pageant
Over 4 days, Prince’s Island goes to a different degree with implausible solo acts and bands lighting up the area. Boogie beneath the balmy Calgary solar and take heed to your favourite tunes or uncover new musicians to fall in love with. Alongside the dwell 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’re inside strolling distance of the downtown core, with loads of choices to maintain the evening rolling.
9. Expo Latino
Among the finest festivals in Calgary is Expo Latino. Held yearly in August, Expo Latino is the most important Latin pageant in Canada. With ample dwell music, room to bop, and wonderful Latin delicacies, you possibly can’t miss Expo Latino.
10. Fort Calgary
On the union of the Bow and Elbow Rivers, Fort Calgary was the primary outpost of the North West Mounted Police. To at the present time, you possibly can nonetheless see the unique foundations of the fort whereas the Fort Calgary Museum tells the story of the town from its basis to trendy occasions. You’ll be taught of the Métis’ historical past and affect in Calgary and the way the Elbow River and Bow Rivers are important to Indigenous tradition and heritage.
11. Heritage Park Historic Village
If Fort Calgary offers a glimpse into Western Canada’s historical past on the Heritage Park Historic Village supplies the complete image. The park is house to a sequence of historic buildings from the pioneer period with ample costumed interpreters that will help you journey again in time. Enjoyable Reality: That is Canada’s largest residing 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 outdated steam engine. Bounce on for a trip across the village. Different actions embrace a paddlewheel tour on the scenic Glenmore Reservoir and a go to to Gasoline Alley Museum. A spot stuffed with classic autos and interactive reveals.
12. The Army Museums
Displaying the essential efforts of Canada’s military through the First and Second World Wars, the Army 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. Right here you possibly can be taught what it was wish to be within the trenches on the Western Entrance, or flying a bomber throughout WWII. Your go to may even include the prospect to view numerous army autos, 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. Inside 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 on 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 1000’s of years.
14. Calaway Park
Questioning what enjoyable issues to do in Calgary as a household? Properly, you possibly can’t go improper 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 center pumping. For some extra relaxed enjoyable, you possibly can play nearly two dozen carnival-style video games. Higher 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 by way of forests and alongside the famend creek. The designated pure space is house to some 200 species and is a superb place to take pleasure in bird-watching.
16. Watch the Calgary Flames
Hockey is Canada’s hottest sport and by a giant margin. Among the finest 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 world sells out a number of occasions per week. Should you’re on a finances, tickets to see the Flames could be low cost, particularly in comparison with a Maple Leaf’s sport in Toronto. Tickets to video games towards the Edmonton Oilers could be aggressive. However watching the 2 bitter rivals face-off is likely one of the greatest 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 usually are not usually listed on our to do listing, 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 need 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 as much as one million vacationers descend on the occasion.
Referred to as the ‘biggest out of doors present on earth, visitors are enthralled by rodeo occasions and exhibitions to stage reveals and pancakes breakfasts. The historical past of the Calgary Stampede could be traced again to the late nineteenth century and its popularity grows by the 12 months.
The place to Eat in Calgary
Calgary has a wonderful foodie scene and there are many locations to have a scrumptious meal. These are just a few of our favourite eating places.
Charcut Roasthouse was voted as one in all Canada’s prime 10 greatest new eating places by enRoute Journal. It’s a carnivore lovers delight at Charcut, a positive wager is to order the particular of the day from their customized constructed rotisserie. When visiting Alberta, you should have Alberta Beef, and that is the place to attempt it.
Mannequin 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 commonly following what’s in season.
Day Journeys from Calgary
Calgary is conveniently positioned on the Trans Canada Freeway linking, Calgary, Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise. No go to to Alberta could be full with out seeing these stunning locations.
20. Banff Nationwide Park
Among the finest day journeys from Calgary is Banff National Park, house to towering mountains and the storybook Lake Louise. You possibly can attain the park in 90 minutes however the surroundings is more likely to have you ever stopping at common intervals.
After arriving within the park, proceed on to the lake. Spectacular mountain vistas encompass you at each flip, carved over millennia by the sluggish motion of glaciers. The result’s the gorgeous turquoise waters of Lake Louise. Head out on the lake or stroll the lakeshore path.
With mountains hovering in direction of the heavens, Banff Nationwide Park is the definition of unforgettable. Within the winter there may be world class snowboarding and snowboarding and in the summertime you possibly can go mountain biking, or mountain climbing. Learn 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 mountain climbing trails in the summertime to snowshoeing and cross nation snowboarding within the winter. Among the finest issues to do is to take a helicopter tour over the Canadian Rockies to see the spectacular surroundings of Banff and Lake Louise. Learn extra: The Best Things to do in Canmore, Alberta
22. Drumheller
Certainly one of our favourite day journeys from Banff is the unbelievable 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. Learn extra: 17 Awesome Things to do in Drumheller, Alberta
23. Take The Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver
One of many world’s greatest prepare journeys leaves from Calgary on its method to Vancouver. If in case you have just a few days to fill in your Calgary itinerary, think about 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. Alongside the way in which, you should have the prospect to cease at Canmore, Banff National Park, or Jasper for a wide range of spectacular day journeys.
How one can get to Calgary
The primary level of entry to Alberta’s largest metropolis is from Calgary Airport. You’ll have a wide range of transport choices to select from.
There may be 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 lodges. A taxi trip from the airport to downtown prices roughly $35 USD.
Finest time to go to Calgary
With a stability of city and mountain adventures to embark on, there may be by no means a foul time to go to Calgary. The winter months supply nice native snowboarding and decrease room charges. Within the fall, you’ll take pleasure in average temperatures and delightful surroundings because the leaves flip to auburn.
Nevertheless, you possibly can’t go previous summer time as the most effective time to go to Calgary. With all of the festivals and dwell occasions plus the Calgary Stampede, it’s a magical time of 12 months. E book as far upfront as potential to save cash on lodging.
The place to remain in Calgary
Whilst the town continues to develop, the most effective place to base your self is inside Calgary’s downtown. You may be near the overwhelming majority of sights from the Bow River to Stephen Avenue.
Resort Arts Kensington – Calgary
We have now stayed at this boutique resort in Calgary just a few occasions and it’s excellent. The Resort Artis is a luxurious boutique resort that goes the additional mile. Situated within the coronary heart of Kensington Village, it has a cool and funky vibe that’s nice for nightlife. They provide free bike loans on the resort and it’s positioned alongside the pedestrian path working alongside the river. Take a look at costs on TripAdvisor
Extra Calgary Lodges
- Luxurious – Fairmont Palliser – You possibly can’t go improper with this historic resort. Working for greater than 100 yeras, this luxurious resort within the central enterprise district is close to a lot of Calgary’s prime sights. It’s near the CORE procuring Centre, cultural sights and leisure.
- Finances – Best Western Plus Downtown gives visitors spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. Providing studios together with one and two-bedroom suites take pleasure in free breakfast and WiFi whereas being mere steps from the downtown enjoyable.
- Mid-Vary – Within the coronary heart of Calgary, you will see a number of mid-range lodges, together with International Hotel & Spa. The resort gives beneficiant room sizes, complimentary continental breakfast, a health club, and a heated pool.
So, there you will have it. These are the most effective issues to do in Calgary for the entire household. Whether or not you’re utilizing the town as a leaping off level to discover the Rocky Mountains or for a metropolis break, Calgary is a superb alternative as one of many best cities in Canada to go to it doesn’t matter what the season.
