This complete information to the most effective issues to do in Calgary, Alberta will present you the highest points of interest, festivals, and outside actions to get pleasure from all through your time in Stampede Metropolis.
Filled with pioneering historical past and flanked by the Canadian Rockies, the attractive metropolis of Calgary is the place in your subsequent journey. In Alberta, Calgary is extra than simply the placement of an iconic stampede, it has an distinctive foodie scene, enjoyable vacationer points of interest, and outside adventures galore. Minimize by the Bow River, it’s a metropolis of parks and recreation. Calgary can also be an awesome launch level for a visit to Banff.
High Issues to do in Calgary
When visiting Calgary, the easiest way to see it’s to lease a automobile. We often decide up our automobile rental on the Calgary Worldwide Airport and use it to discover the encircling areas equivalent 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 crucial recognizable buildings within the metropolis’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 within the metropolis. Though it was dethroned in 1984, the tower nonetheless presents guests a few of the finest views in Calgary.
From 626ft (191m) above the bottom, you possibly can see properly into the encircling mountains. Among the finest issues to do in Calgary at evening is to go 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 among the high Calgary points of interest and remains to be used as a coaching floor for skilled athletes. Now referred to as WinSport, Canada Olympic Park is the place for winter sports activities fanatics to go if you wish to do some snowboarding near town middle, or to get pleasure from one in all its many outside adventures in the summertime.
Past snowboarding and snowboarding, guests can get pleasure from tubing down the hills and even strive bobsledding on the unique Olympic bobsleigh observe. Is there a greater solution to head down the mountain at 100km per hour? WinSport additionally presents rides on one of many quickest zip traces 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 – Enjoyable 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 concerning the lots of 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 expertise by shadowboxing towards iconic boxer Lennox Lewis.
4. Bow River
With in depth pathways for walkers, bikers, and the occasional rollerblader, following the Bow River is a good way to discover Calgary. The river cuts by means of town and the 6.1 km pathway offers welcoming entry to varied spots. Examples embrace Prince’s Island Park and the beloved Peace Bridge.
The Peace Bridge connects Memorial Drive with Eau Claire Park. We propose renting a bicycle to discover the waterfront. Our lodge The Resort Arts Kensington had complimentary bikes to make use of to discover 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 permits you to reserve now and pay later. (straightforward cancellation inside 24 hours of the 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 probably the most in depth pathway system in North America, and Chinatown.
5. Stephen Avenue
Arguably probably the most lovely 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 presents historic buildings, fashionable retailers, and comfy 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 most of the high points of interest on this checklist. 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 displays themselves. Inside, you’ll uncover an abundance of memorabilia and devices, that includes iconic Canadian musicians equivalent 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 means 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 house to discover. On a sunny day in Calgary, seize a picnic and loosen up below the shady bushes. Or you possibly can eat on the River Cafe, a wonderful eating restaurant situated inside the park
Related to downtown Calgary through three pedestrian bridges, you’ll uncover ample strolling and biking tracks to stretch out your legs. In the event you didn’t deliver a picnic, there’s a fantastic restaurant to dine at, and you might also come across reside 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 collection of one-of-a-kind finds and specialty treats.
8. Calgary People Music Competition
Over 4 days, Prince’s Island goes to a different stage with incredible solo acts and bands lighting up the house. Boogie below the balmy Calgary solar and take heed to your favourite tunes or uncover new musicians to fall in love with. Alongside the reside performances, you’ll find 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 biggest Latin pageant in Canada. With ample reside music, room to bounce, 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 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 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 offers the complete image. The park is house to a sequence of historic buildings from the pioneer period with ample costumed interpreters that can assist you journey again in time. Enjoyable Reality: That 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 previous steam engine. Soar 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 displays.
12. The Army Museums
Displaying the essential efforts of Canada’s military throughout 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, overlaying tales of the courageous women and men who put their lives on the road. Right here you possibly can study what it was wish to be within the trenches on the Western Entrance, or flying a bomber throughout WWII. Your go to may also include the possibility to view varied 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 images 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 most important outside 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 nearly two dozen carnival-style video games. Higher 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 by means of forests and alongside the famend creek. The designated pure space is house 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. 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 appears like a saddle from the skin. From October to April, the sector sells out a number of occasions per week. In the event you’re on a finances, tickets to see the Flames may be low-cost, particularly in comparison with a Maple Leaf’s sport in Toronto. Tickets to video games towards the Edmonton Oilers may be aggressive. However watching the 2 bitter rivals face off is among the finest issues to do in Calgary.
17. Theatre Calgary
In case you are 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.
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.
Often called the ‘biggest outside present on earth, visitors are enthralled by rodeo occasions and exhibitions to stage exhibits and pancake breakfasts. The historical past of the Calgary Stampede may be traced again to the late nineteenth century and its fame grows by the yr. There was a variety of controversy over the occasion lately, however one can not deny that this is among the high issues to do in Calgary.
The place to Eat in Calgary
Calgary has a wonderful foodie scene and there are many locations to have a scrumptious meal. These are a couple of of our favourite eating places.
Charcut Roasthouse was voted as one in all Canada’s high 10 finest new eating places by enRoute Journal. It’s a carnivore lovers delight at Charcut, a certain wager is to order the particular of the day from their custom-built rotisserie. When visiting Alberta, you need to have Alberta Beef, and that is the place to strive it.
Mannequin Milk is an open-concept 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 adjustments often following what’s in season.
Day Journeys from Calgary in Western Canada
Calgary is conveniently situated on the Trans Canada Freeway linking, Calgary, Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise. No go to to Alberta could be full with out seeing these lovely locations.
20. Banff Nationwide Park
Among the finest day journeys from Calgary is Banff Nationwide Park, house to towering mountains and the storybook Lake Louise. You may attain the park in 90 minutes however the surroundings is prone 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 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 Nationwide Park is the definition of unforgettable. Within the winter there’s world class snowboarding and snowboarding and in the summertime you possibly can go mountain biking, or mountain climbing. Learn extra: The Greatest Issues to do in Banff, Alberta
21. Canmore
Canmore is situated between Calgary and Banff and is a wonderful cease for a day. The truth is, 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 Greatest Issues to do in Canmore, Alberta
22. Drumheller
One in every 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 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 Superior Issues to do in Drumheller, Alberta
23. Take The Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver
One of many world’s finest prepare journeys leaves from Calgary on its solution to Vancouver. When you’ve got a couple of 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. Alongside the best way, you should have the possibility to cease at Canmore, Banff Nationwide Park, or Jasper for quite a lot of spectacular day journeys.
Tips on how to get to Calgary
The principle level of entry to Alberta’s largest metropolis is from Calgary Airport. You’ll have quite a lot of transport choices to select from.
There’s 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 lodges. A taxi trip from the airport to downtown prices roughly $35 USD.
Greatest time to go to Calgary
With a stability 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. Within the fall, you’ll get pleasure from reasonable temperatures and exquisite surroundings because the leaves flip to auburn.
Nonetheless, you possibly can’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 yr. Ebook as far prematurely as attainable to economize on lodging.
The place to remain in Calgary
At the same time as town continues to develop, the most effective place to base your self is inside Calgary’s downtown. You’ll be near the overwhelming majority of points of interest from the Bow River to Stephen Avenue.
Resort Arts Kensington – Calgary
We now have stayed at this boutique lodge in Calgary a couple of occasions and it’s excellent. The Resort Artis is a luxurious boutique lodge that goes the additional mile. Positioned 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 lodge and it’s situated alongside the pedestrian path operating alongside the river. Take a look at costs on TripAdvisor
Extra Calgary Lodges
- Luxurious – Fairmont Palliser – You may’t go improper with this historic lodge. Working for greater than 100 yeras, this luxurious lodge within the central enterprise district is close to lots of Calgary’s high points of interest. It’s near the CORE buying Centre, cultural points of interest and leisure.
- Price range – Greatest Western Plus Downtown presents visitors spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. Providing studios together with one and two-bedroom suites get pleasure from free breakfast and WiFi whereas being mere steps from the downtown enjoyable.
- Mid-Vary – Within the coronary heart of Calgary, you’ll find a number of mid-range lodges, together with Worldwide Resort & Spa. The lodge presents beneficiant room sizes, complimentary continental breakfast, a gymnasium, and a heated pool.
So, there you’ve gotten it. These are the most effective issues to do in Calgary for the entire household. Whether or not you might be utilizing town as a jumping-off level to discover the Rocky Mountains or for a metropolis break, Calgary is a wonderful selection as one of many finest cities in Canada to go to it doesn’t matter what the season.
