This complete information to one of the 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 gorgeous 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 excellent 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 hire a automobile. We normally decide up our automobile rental on the Calgary International Airport and use it to discover the encircling areas comparable to Canmore, Banff, and Drumheller. But earlier than you begin doing day journeys from Calgary, let’s take a look at one of the best issues to do in Calgary for a few days in downtown Calgary.
1. Go Up the Calgary Tower
As some 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 provides guests a number of the finest views in Calgary.
From 626ft (191m) above the bottom, you’ll be able to see effectively into the encircling mountains. One of one of the best issues to do in Calgary at night time is to head to the second remark 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 points of interest and remains to be used as a coaching floor for skilled athletes. Now generally known as WinSport, Canada Olympic Park is the place for winter sports activities lovers to go if you would like to do some snowboarding shut to town centre, or to take pleasure in one in every of its many out of doors adventures in the summer time.
Beyond snowboarding and snowboarding, guests can take pleasure in tubing down the hills and even attempt bobsledding on the unique Olympic bobsleigh observe. Is there a greater manner to head down the mountain at 100km per hour? WinSport additionally provides 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 concerning the tons of of Canadians which have been inducted, you too can 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 a good way to discover Calgary. The river cuts via town and the 6.1 km pathway gives 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 one of the best methods to discover a brand new metropolis is to be 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 lovely road in Calgary, finishing the Stephen Avenue Walk is a must-do. Placed in town middle, the avenue is straightforward to get to and provides historic buildings, stylish retailers, and comfortable eating places.
The magnificence goes up a notch in the summer time when the road turns into a hub of exercise. Once you will have accomplished the stroll, additionally, you will be shut to most of the prime points of interest on this listing. 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 comparable to 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 house to discover. On a sunny day in Calgary, seize a picnic and calm down underneath the shady bushes. Or you’ll be able to eat on the River Cafe, a fantastic 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 convey a picnic, there’s a fantastic 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 improbable solo acts and bands lighting up the house. 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 that 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 night time rolling.
9. Expo Latino
One of one of the best festivals in Calgary is Expo Latino. Held yearly in August, Expo Latino is the most important Latin pageant 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 at the present time, 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 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 provides a glimpse into Western Canada’s historical past on the Heritage Park Historical Village gives the complete image. The park is house to a collection of historic buildings from the pioneer period with ample costumed interpreters to provide help to journey again in time. Fun Fact: This is Canada’s largest residing 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 stuffed with classic autos and interactive displays.
12. The Military Museums
Displaying the necessary efforts of Canada’s military throughout the First and Second World Wars, the Military Museums provide 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. 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 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. Within downtown Calgary, the museum focuses on artwork and tradition in Western Canada. With over 1,000,000 artifacts, artwork items, and pictures 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 hundreds 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 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’ll be able to play nearly 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 superb 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 one of the 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 appears to be like 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 may be low-cost, particularly in contrast to a Maple Leaf’s sport in Toronto. Tickets to video games in opposition to the Edmonton Oilers may 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 searching for one other exercise at night time 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 usually are not usually listed on our to do listing, 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 searching for issues to do in Calgary for the entire household, it’s your decision 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 positive 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 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 repeatedly 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 can be full with out seeing these lovely locations.
20. Banff National Park
One of one of the 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 sluggish 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 time you’ll be able to go mountain biking, or climbing. Read extra: The Best Things to do in Banff, Alberta
21. Canmore
Canmore is situated between Calgary and Banff and is a wonderful cease for a day. In truth, we’ve spent a number of days in Canmore from exploring its many climbing trails in the summer time to snowshoeing and cross nation snowboarding in the winter. One of one of the 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 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 practice journeys leaves from Calgary on its manner to Vancouver. If you will have a couple of days to fill in your Calgary itinerary, contemplate 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 should 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 principal level of entry to Alberta’s largest metropolis is from Calgary Airport. You may 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 inns. A taxi experience 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 provide nice native snowboarding and decrease room charges. In the autumn, you’ll take pleasure in reasonable temperatures and exquisite surroundings because the leaves flip to auburn.
However, you’ll be able to’t go previous summer time as one of the best time to go to Calgary. With all of the festivals and reside occasions plus the Calgary Stampede, it’s a magical time of yr. Book as far in advance as attainable to get monetary savings on lodging.
Where to keep in Calgary
Even as town continues to develop, one of the best place to base your self is inside Calgary’s downtown. You will likely 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 provide 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 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 points of interest. It’s shut to the CORE buying Centre, cultural points of interest and leisure. Budget – Best Western Plus Downtown provides company 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 that a number of mid-range inns, together with International Hotel & Spa. The lodge provides beneficiant room sizes, complimentary continental breakfast, a fitness center, and a heated pool.
So, there you will have it. These are one of the 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 wonderful selection as among the finest cities in Canada to go to it doesn’t matter what the season.