Nestled in the heart of Alberta, Calgary often serves as the launching pad for trips to the Canadian Rockies. And yes, we get it! Banff National Park is the most visited National Park in Canada for a reason! That said, there are so many things to do in Calgary, it’s worth experiencing what this vibrant city has to offer before you venture to the mountains. In this blog we share our 40 best things to do in Calgary, from a locals perspective.
As a family who has called Calgary home since 2012, we’ve had the privilege of exploring this great city slowly, accumulating a wealth of experiences and recommendations for things to do in Calgary, both with and without kids. This list never meant to be this long, but before we knew it we had come up with 40 amazing suggestions, AND, we didn’t even consider day trips outside of the city!
THE 40 BEST THINGS TO DO IN CALGARY
Use the drop-down menu to quickly navigate to different sections of the blog. Simply click on a topic to jump directly to the information you’re interested in!
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT CALGARY
Calgary is one of the best family holiday destinations out there, and we’re lucky enough to call it home! Whether you’re looking to explore the city or venture into the stunning surrounding areas, there’s something for everyone. You can soak up the vibrant local culture, dive into our cowboy heritage, and even take a day trip to Drumheller to see the amazing dinosaur fossils.
Of course the main reason most people visit is to use Calgary as a gateway to the Rocky Mountains, which are a year round destination that bring in millions of tourists every year. In the summer, you can hike, bike, or simply enjoy a scenic drive through incredible landscapes filled with mountains and crystal clear lakes. In the winter, the Rockies turn into a winter wonderland, perfect for skiing, snowboarding, or cozying up in a cabin with hot chocolate after a day on the slopes.
We hope this blog gives you all the information you need to make the most of your time in Calgary, with details on 40 of the best things to do in the city.
MAP OF ATTRACTIONS IN CALGARY
Whenever we plan a trip, we always start with Google Maps. It helps us visualize locations and create efficient itineraries. We’ve added all the sights and attractions to the map below to help you see where everything is and plan your own itinerary.
To use this map, click the tab in the top left corner to toggle between layers and for more details about each attraction. To save the map to your Google Maps account, click the star next to the title. To access it later, open Google Maps, go to “Your Places,” and find it under “Maps.”
MUSEUMS & ATTRACTIONS
The Calgary Tower
In the heart of downtown Calgary stands the iconic symbol of the city’s skyline: the Calgary Tower. On a clear day, going up the Calgary Tower is one of the best things to do in Calgary, as you can experience spectacular 360° views of the city below and the majestic peaks of the Rocky Mountains.
The observation deck is 191 meters high, and not only that, the deck has a glass floor, so you have very little choice but to look straight down to the downtown streets below!
It’s not exactly cheap, but a fun activity to do on a clear day. A more economical option (and what we typically do when we have visitors) is to go for brunch at the SKY 360 restaurant instead. This restaurant is 155m high and revolves once every hour, so you get similar views of the city and mountains, but you don’t have to pay entry to the tower as you are eating in the restaurant. Don’t worry, it goes round slowly so you don’t feel like you are spinning.
Admission: Adult $19, Senior: $17, Child (4-12): $9, 3 and under: free
Calgary Tower: https://www.calgarytower.com/
Sky 360 restaurant: https://www.sky360.ca/
Heritage Park Historical Village
Are you curious to explore what Calgary looked like a century ago? If you are visiting during the summer months, Heritage Park Historic Village offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience Alberta’s rich history. You can wander through a replica 1910 pioneer town, complete with its main street lined with old stores such as a post office, school, police station and candy store.
Our kid’s favourite activity is visiting the old-fashioned fairground that has turn of the century rides, including a Ferris wheel, carousel and dangler swings. The park has a vintage steam train that you can ride, as well as the SS Moyie, the park’s paddlewheel ferry, which is a great way to enjoy views of the Glenmore Reservoir.
If you are visiting in the winter, the only part of the park that is open is Gasoline Alley. This small museum showcases an incredible array of vintage vehicles and petroleum memorabilia, so is a great option if it’s a rainy day or for an off season visit.
General Admission: Adult $29.95, Youth (3-15) $19.95, Infant (0-2) free
Gasoline Alley Admission (only): Adult $14.95, Youth (3-15) $8.95, Infant (0-2) free
Website: https://heritagepark.ca/
The TELUS Spark Science Centre
The TELUS Spark is hands down one of the best indoor attractions for kids in Calgary. This excellent science center offers great interactive exhibits, and kids will find a hands-on approach to science throughout the center. Whether it’s gazing at the stars in the planetarium, experimenting with robotics, or experiencing virtual reality for the first time, there are so many different things to do!
One of the biggest draws though is the dome theatre, which is a huge HD digital dome screen that covers the entire theatre’s circumference. It’s a completely different experience to a regular cinema so well worth giving it a go. There are four different shows that play each day, so check to see which one you are interested in as there are often large lineups to get in (there are no tickets and it’s first come first served).
General Admission: Adult $26, Youth (3-17) $19, Infant (0-2) free
Website: https://www.sparkscience.ca/
The Studio Bell National Music Centre
The Studio Bell is home to the National Music Centre and is a must-visit for anyone with a passion for music and its history. This relatively new museum, completed in 2016, has five floors to explore, filled with plenty of interactive displays. You can even try your hand at playing a variety of instruments or record your own songs in the state-of-the-art recording studios.
However, the highlight for the kids was going to a ‘concert’ on the main stage, where the band played their way through the history of Canadian music, performing covers from the likes of Justin Bieber, Bryan Adams and Shawn Mendes!
General Admission: Adult $24.50, Youth (4-12) $16.50, Infant (0-3) free
Website: https://www.studiobell.ca/
The Military Museums
The Military Museums in Calgary is a large museum that is actually made up of eight separate museums: it includes the Naval, Army and Air Force Museums of Alberta, the Air Force Cold War Museum, and the four museums of the local founding regiments.
The museum has several life-like exhibits, including a great exhibition where you can walk through a WW1 trench. They have an impressive collection of fighter planes on display, and there is even an original German Enigma machine housed in the museum from WW2. It’s moving to see how many Canadians lost their lives during the wars over the last century.
General Admission: Adult $15, Youth (4-17) $5, Veterans free, Infant (0-3) free
Website: https://themilitarymuseums.ca/
The Confluence Historic Site and Parkland (formally Fort Calgary)
If you have an interest in history and want to learn about the birthplace of Calgary, then a visit to the Confluence (formally called Fort Calgary until 2024) is a great way to spend a few hours. We wrote a more detailed blog post about our day out here: Fort Calgary: Discovering the Birthplace of a City.
This historic site tells the story of the city’s early days, allowing visitors to explore the reconstructed fort, which served as a pivotal outpost during the fur trade era. Inside the building, you’ll find exhibits that shed light on the region’s Indigenous history, the arrival of settlers, and the formation of present-day Calgary.
Also, the fort’s location right on the banks of the Bow River makes it a perfect spot for a relaxing picnic and spending some leisurely time by the water, especially on a beautiful day.
General Admission: Adult $10, Youth (5-17) $5, Indigenous peoples free, Infant (0-4) free
Website: https://www.fortcalgary.com/
The Hangar Flight Museum
The Hangar Flight Museum (formerly the Aero Space Museum of Calgary) is an ideal activity for families and aviation enthusiasts. The museum has a great collection of rare military and civilian aircraft. The museum is focused on aviation history, and showcasing the stories of the those that flew these incredible planes.
If you are interested in airplanes, you might be interested in visiting the Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, near Edmonton – it’s a 2 ½ drive from Calgary, but a worthwhile visit if you are in the area.
General Admission: Adult $15, Child (3-11) $8, Student (12-17) $10, Infant (0-2) free
Website: https://thehangarmuseum.ca/
The Glenbow Museum
The Glenbow Museum is one of the largest museums in Western Canada and showcases over 33000 works of art! The museum is currently being renovated, but once finished it will be an amazing space to visit, right in the heart of downtown – we can’t wait! There is a smaller exhibition at the Edison which is free while the renovations are taking place.
Website: https://www.glenbow.org/
NATURE & WILDLIFE
The Calgary Zoo
The Calgary Zoo is one of our families’ favourite places to visit during the winter in Calgary, but it’s great during the summer too.
The zoo has a great selection of animals to see! Some our kids favourites are the giraffes, hippos, red pandas, gorillas and the polar bears. However the stars of the show are the penguins! From early January until mid March the penguins go for a daily walk around the zoo (it’s worth noting that they don’t have to go, they can choose to stay in the enclosure too).
In general, we have mixed feelings about zoo’s; but Calgary zoo really seems to care about the animals and has a real focus on conservation.
Over the Christmas period (mid-November until early January) the zoo puts on a famous Calgary winter tradition called the zoolights, where the zoo is lit up with thousands of lights. It’s one of the best winter attractions and is a winter tradition for many families.
General Admission: Adult $35, Youth (3-15) $25, Infant (0-2) free
Website: https://www.calgaryzoo.com/
Prince’s Island Park
Nestled in the heart of Calgary lies the beautiful Prince’s Island Park, which is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city while still being able to enjoy great views of downtown. In fall the leaves turn a gorgeous colour!
In the summer months it’s a wonderful place to stroll around, and in winter you can even skate on the lagoon! The park is home to the River Café which serves amazing locally sourced food and is one of our favourite restaurants in Calgary.
The park is right next to a beautifully designed bridge called the Peace Bridge. It’s an amazing design and is one of the most Instagram worthy photo spots in the city so well worth a visit.
The Bow Habitat Station
The Bow Habitat Station is located in Peace Estate Park (close to Inglewood) along the banks of the Bow River, and is both a fish hatchery as well as a discovery centre and aquarium. As well as showcasing the large hatchery, it explains the important role that fish and fishing plays in Alberta’s culture.
The hatchery raises fish that are used to stock Alberta’s lakes and rivers. You can even feed the fish in the hatchery, which is a fun activity for kids. The discovery centre and hatchery are both priced separately, so you can choose to do either of them, or both.
Discovery Centre: Adult $10, Youth (4-17) $6, Infant (0-3) free
Admission to Feed Fish: All ages $2
Website: https://bowhabitat.alberta.ca/
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is home to around 270 species of birds, and is an excellent place to bird watch! Many other animals call the sanctuary home too though, and you will see plenty of others including butterflies, insects and even beavers! The area is completely free to walk around, making this one of the best free activities to do in Calgary.
The self-guided walking tour is particularly worthwhile: https://www.calgary.ca/parks/inglewood-bird-sanctuary-walking-tour.html
Fish Creek Provincial Park
Fish Creek Park is one of Calgary’s most beautiful parks, and boasts the title of Canada’s largest urban park, spanning 3,350 acres. This beautiful park has a myriad of pathways, ideal for short hikes, cycling or jogging. There is even a manmade lake called Sikome Lake that has a beach where you can swim in the summer.
At the eastern end of the park, there is a restaurant called the Bow Valley Ranch restaurant. The restaurant is located inside an old ranch house that has been around since 1896. We’ve eaten there on multiple occasions and it serves up great food with some lovely views of the park.
Website: https://bvrrestaurant.com/
Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary is located slightly outside of Calgary (in Cochrane), but its such an incredible experience I had to include it on this list. This non-profit sanctuary offers three tours options, although it’s worth mentioning that you have to be at least 6 years old to enter the facility (no exceptions). Each of the tours have different minimum ages though so please check before you go.
You can take a self guided Sanctuary Walk, where you can stroll around the enclosures at your leisure and watch the wolfdogs from behind a fence. The Intro Tour is a guided tour where you can view the wolfdogs from a viewing platform. Then there is the Interactive Tour, where you can even go inside the enclosure with the wolfdogs for a one of kind experience!
Sanctuary Walk (6+ years only): Adult $29, Youth (6-11) $18
Intro Tour (10+ years only): All ages (10+) $43
Interactive Tour (15+ years only): All ages (15+) $73
Nose Hill Park
Nose Hill Park is one of Calgary’s largest parks, and is perched on a hill just north of downtown Calgary. It’s no suprise that Nose Hill park offers some of the best views of our beautiful city.
It’s a great place to go hiking, take the dog for a walk, or just to take some great photos of downtown. Don’t miss the Siksikaitsitapi Medicine Wheel; a modern landmark that was built in 2015 as a tribute to the spiritual connection that the first nations people have with the land.
ART & CULTURE
The Calgary Central Library
The Calgary Central Library was built on the border of East village in 2018 and is one of Calgary’s most architecturally impressive buildings. We were told on our walking tour that the design from the inside is meant to represent a candle, honoring the strong links to the first nations people and Calgary’s heritage. If you enjoy photography, you could spend a few hours here crafting the perfect shot!
Just around the corner there is a wonderful chocolate shop called Cochu that has won multiple awards all over the country and is well worth a visit (they also sell a cup of melted chocolate from the chocolate fountain!)
Beltline Urban Murals Project (BUMP)
If you enjoy street art or are perhaps looking for some unique backdrops for your Instagram photos, then you should check out the Beltline Urban Murals Project (BUMP). BUMP is a community led initiative that started back in 2017 and has grown so big that over 100 murals have been commissioned across the city, and they even have a festival each year.
They have a great website that showcases the murals, provides information about the artist and the inspiration behind the artwork, as well as an interactive map. You can even create your own self-guided tour on the website!
Website: https://yycbump.ca/
The Wonderland Sculpture
One of the most interesting pieces of modern art in Calgary is the wonderland sculpture, that is located outside the Bow Building and just a block away from Olympic Plaza. It’s basically a huge 12 meter high sculpture in the shape of a face and makes for some great photos! It’s just a short walk from the Calgary tower so easy to go and see at the same time.
Lougheed House
Lougheed House is a historic mansion located in Calgary, known for its beautiful architecture and cultural significance. The mansion is one of Calgary's oldest buildings (built in 1891), and it now serves as a museum and cultural centre, offering visitors a glimpse into the lifestyle of an upper class Prairie family.
Lougheed House is an ideal destination if you’re in downtown Calgary and seeking a dose of history (which unfortunately is few and far between in Calgary compared to Eastern Canada). We wrote in more detail about our visit to Lougheed House here.
Admission: Adults $8.50, Youth (7-17) $6.50, 6 and under free
Website: https://lougheedhouse.com/
Downtown Walking Tour (Free)
A great way to really see downtown Calgary is to take a free walking tour from Toonie Tours. We recently took this tour and learnt so much about downtown Calgary that we didn’t know, despite living and working in this city for 12 years! The tour took around 3 hours and there is around 5km of walking, but it was a pretty slow pace and suitable for most people. It is technically free for the tour, but its recommended to tip your tour guide if you enjoy the tour.
Some of the highlights include:
The Calgary Tower
The Fairmont Hotel
Stephen Avenue
East Village
Calgary Central Library
The Bow & Suncor Buildings (Wonderland Sculpture)
The Devonian gardens
Website: https://www.toonietours.ca
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Cycle the Bow River Pathways
Cycling along the Bow River Pathway is one of our favourite activities in the fall when the leaves start to turn that gorgeous orange yellow colour.
We usually start our bike ride at Bowness Park on the western side of the city and take the path through the downtown area, past Prince’s Island Park and on to East Village. We often grab a coffee or ice cream in East Village and then cross over to St Patrick’s Island as they have a shallow cove for paddling in. The path does go all the way down to Fish Creek Park in the South though if you are looking for a longer route.
If you need to hire bikes you can do so at Bow Cycle: https://www.bowcycle.com/
Float Down the Bow River
Don’t fancy cycling? Well how about floating down the Bow River in a rubber tube instead! If you happen to be visiting during the summer months, this is one of the activities that so many locals do, but most tourists don’t get around to trying….. and you definitely should!
One of the most popular starting points is from West Baker Park near Bowness, where you can leisurely float all the way to Prince’s Island park. The float usually takes around 2-3 hours.
We’ve used Lazy Day Raft Rental and highly recommend them as they make the whole experience hassle free. You can park at the end point and catch a shuttle to the start of the float, so that you don’t have to worry about getting back to your car at the end of the day!
Website: https://www.lazydayraftrentals.com/
Ice Skate at the Olympic Plaza
The Olympic Plaza was built in 1988 for the Olympic Winter Games in Calgary as the site of the medal presentation ceremonies. The park is the location of the statues of the “Famous Five” that commemorates the five women who helped fight for women’s rights in Canada.
The Olympic Plaza is one of the iconic places to skate in downtown Calgary if you happen to be here in the winter, and there is a skate rental shop right around the corner called the Skate Hut. In the summer months it’s a great place to bring the kids as the plaza turns into a giant wading pool with fountains. Just be sure to bring the kids a change of clothes as they will get wet!
Calgary Olympic Park (COP)
The Canada Olympic Park was also built as part of the 1988 Winter Olympics, and since then it has turned into a training centre for future Olympians, as well as a year round activity centre.
In the summer you can fly down the hill on mountain bike or try the Skyline luge, where you can go-kart down the custom built track. It is around 1800 metres long and has 50 turns along the way so it’s a pretty thrilling ride. It can get busy in the summer but you can pre book your tickets online.
In the winter you can hone your skiing or snowboard skills before heading out to the mountains. You can either purchase a lift pass or get group or individual lessons. You can even give tubing a try under the lights!
Make sure to visit the Canada Sports Hall of Fame museum that is located in the main building of the COP while you are there to learn all about Canada’s sporting greats!
Pricing: various
Website: https://www.winsport.ca/
Indoor Skydiving at iFly
This is one of the few activities on this list that we haven’t done (yet!), but wanted to add it for those adrenaline junkies out there! It’s a great opportunity to try sky diving for those that haven’t had the chance to, or don’t want to jump out of a plane!
Pricing: various
Website: https://iflyworld.ca/
FAMILY FRIENDLY
Callaway Park
Calaway Park in Calgary is a popular destination in the summer for families that want their kids to blow off some steam at a theme park! Callaway Park has 32 rides suitable for all ages, including water ‘bumper’ boats, roller coasters, and a free falling ride that I will never go on! You can get single day or multi day passes, as well as annual memberships too.
Admission: Adult and youth (3-49 years) $55, 50+ $45, children 2 and under – free
Website: https://www.calawaypark.com/
The Regal Cat Café
If you like drinking coffee, eating cake and playing with cats then you might say that the Regal Cat Cafe is the purrfect place to go for a bite to eat and drink! (Apologies for the Dad joke)
If you haven’t visited one of these cafes before, it is essentially split into two parts; one where you eat and drink, and the other where you can go in and play / stroke through cats or just watch them through the glass partition. It’s a really fun concept and our kids loved it (well, until we found out our youngest was allergic to cats!)
The café partners up with the MEOW Foundation, so all of the cats you see are available for adoption, and they have re-homed over 1,000 to date!
Website: https://www.regalcatcafe.com
Horsin’ Around
Horsin’ Around is a great facility in the south of Calgary, that offers pony rides, riding lessons and even has a petting farm. The facility is open all year round due to its large indoor (heated) facility, where the pony rides are held. Inside the building there are also a number of large bouncy castles for the kids to play on (our daughters have been to birthday parties there and it’s lots of fun).
The petting farm has lots of animals including rabbits, goats, pigs and chickens, and there are of course horse stables that you can walk around to pet the horses too. In the winter they also offer horse-drawn sleigh rides, weather permitting.
Website: http://www.horsinaround.ca/
Granary Road
Granary Road is a relatively new attraction in Calgary, and was only built in 2017, but is already considered one of the best family friendly activities in Calgary.
Granary Road is made up of 3 Kilometers of winding trails and 11 exhibits that are designed to teach kids about animals, insects and agriculture - while they’re having fun! The park features a giant spider web climber, in-ground lily pad trampolines, a huge 4-story ant farm, a working farm/petting zoo and much more.
As well as the activity centre, during the summer months Granary Road holds a farmers market in the main building on weekends, as well as putting on special events throughout the year.
Website: https://www.granaryroad.com/
Cobb's Adventure Park
Cobbs Adventure Park, located in North East of Calgary, is a family-friendly activity park that is home to various farm animals as well as a large adventure playground. Younger children will love the petting zoo, where you can interact with kangaroos, alpacas and goats. Older kids will love the giant hill slides, tractor rides and the ‘black light’ mini golf and archery tag!
Website: https://cobbsadventurepark.com/
B-Line Bike Park
B-Line Indoor Bike Park offers plenty of options for riders of all ages. The park features various pump tracks and jumps for beginners and younger riders, including a section tailored for kids with a seesaw track. The larger section is more suited to advanced riders, and has more difficult pump tracks with jumps, wooden boardwalks, and even foam pit ramps for practicing jumps!
It’s a great choice for families when the weather is cold outside and as a ‘warm up’ before you can hit the trails in the spring/summer.
Website: https://www.blinebikepark.com/
LOCAL EVENTS
The Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede is such a fun time to be in the City. If you happen to be visiting in early July, then you're in luck! The city holds the largest outdoor show on earth and there really is something for everyone, no matter what age. Inside the stampede grounds, you can watch the chuck wagon races or rodeo shows, the kids can enjoy the huge midway, listen to live music, or attend the grand show finale with amazing fireworks!
For foodie’s there are some wacky and wonderful creations available in the grounds too, with all sorts of traditional and not so traditional options from food trucks (think poutine, Kool-Aid chicken burgers, or pigs’ ears on a stick!).
Outside of the grounds look for communities putting on their own stampede parties. There is usually a free pancake breakfast and kids activities available to anyone who stops by.
Website: https://www.calgarystampede.com/
Watch the Calgary Flames
Hockey is life in Canada, and if you happen to visit during the NHL season then you should try to attend a game if the timing works out. Whether you follow hockey or not, it’s a great thing to experience, and is probably about as Canadian as you can get!
Ticket prices can range from around $30 for the cheap seats, right up to $300+ for the best seats in the house.
Buy Tickets Here: https://www.nhl.com/flames/tickets/
Spruce Meadows
Spruce Meadows is a large sports complex and grounds, originally built for equestrian show jumping, but is now also home to the Cavalry FC soccer team.
Throughout the year you can walk the grounds for free, check out the horse stables and sometimes even catch a dressage event in the large practice arenas. Our girls love horses so we go there quite regularly and there is always something going on. It's one of the less known free activities to do in Calgary with children.
In 2023 the Cavalry soccer team won the Canadian league by storm, so if you can snag a ticket, you’ve a good chance of seeing them win!
Spruce Meadows also puts on a Christmas Light show throughout December, which is completely free and a great alternative to the zoo lights (we go every year as a Christmas tradition). You can drive through the park to view the lights or park and walk into the main area, where they sell snacks and mulled wine. Pets are allowed.
Website: https://www.sprucemeadows.com
Cavalry FC: https://cavalryfc.canpl.ca/
Check What’s on!
There are always plenty of local events going on – most of which you’ll have no idea about unless you are in the know. How do locals find out about these things? Well, usually we rely on the following websites for information, as well as local Calgary Facebook groups:
SHOPPING
The CORE and Devonian Gardens
Located smack bang in the middle of Downtown Calgary, The CORE Shopping Centre is Calgary’s premier shopping mall. The mall has four floors of shopping and dining options to explore (over 150 different stores throughout the mall). The mall is easy to access by car as there is underground parking available (free in the evenings and weekends), as well as being located next to the C-train.
The fourth floor is almost entirely taken up by the beautiful Devonian Gardens. The gardens include over 500 trees, 50 varieties of plants, a 900 sq. ft. living wall, fountains and fish ponds. It’s a popular lunchtime retreat for shoppers to unwind, plus there is a kids play area with a climbing wall too.
Website: https://coreshopping.ca/
Sample the Local Food
Calgary has a fantastic food and drink scene! Be sure to sample some of the local favourites, including an Alberta raised steak, ginger beef, poutine or a Caesar cocktail.
Related Content: 12 Foods to try when Visiting Calgary
17th Avenue
Known as the “Red Mile,” 17th Avenue is definitely where the action is, with cute shops, lively bars, and some of the cities best food spots.
As the day transitions into night, 17th Ave transforms into Calgary’s most popular nightlife destination, renowned for its bars and restaurants which open well into the early hours of the morning. Many bars offer Happy Hour specials from 3-5pm, making it popular with a more youthful crowd (and those young at heart).
Stephen Avenue
Stephen Avenue is a popular pedestrian-only street in downtown Calgary, that is proudly recognized as a National Historic District. It’s renowned as one of Calgary’s best shopping areas, especially when festivals and concerts are in town. It has a great mix of large department stores (like the Hudson Bay) but also smaller shops selling souvenirs. If you want to pick up a ‘the bear, the moose and the beaver’ t-shirt, this is where you will find it.
There are some great restaurants and bars here too, plus in the summer there are often food trucks parked along the street or close by
The Chinook Mall
The CF Chinook Centre, is Calgary’s largest shopping mall, and is located on Macleod Trail in the south of the city. There is both above-ground and underground parking options, plus convenient access via the nearby Chinook Calgary Transit C-Train station.
The mall is home to most of the large global brands, as well as major department stores (the Hudson Bay, Saks Fifth Avenue). In fact, there are over 250 stores and dining options ranging from fast-food to upscale dining.
There is also a cinema and bowling alley attached to the mall, and they often have special events on too, so plenty to keep you entertained.
THE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN CALGARY
Luxury Hotels in Calgary
The Fairmont Palliser - For a luxurious experience in the heart of Calgary, look no further than the Fairmont Palliser. This historic hotel is located about 100 meters away from the Calgary Tower, so you are right in the thick of things!
Another high end option is Le Germain Hotel, which is similarly located (it's actually across the road from the Palliser) and just steps away from many of the sights and attractions in the city. It's a really modern hotel, so different to the Palliser, it depends what you prefer.
Mid Range Hotels in Calgary
Hotel Arts is one of our favourite spots in downtown for a quick staycation! We’ve actually stayed here twice for weddings and have always enjoyed our time. The outdoor pool is a bit of a place to be seen with the younger crowd in the summer. Plus, it’s just around the corner from 10 Foot Henry, which is one of my go-to restaurants! Another great mid-range option is the Delta Hotels by Marriott Calgary Downtown.
Budget Hotels in Calgary
A great budget (ish) option is the Alt Hotel which is located in East Village. This trendy neighborhood is just a short walk from St. Patrick's Island and the Confluence (Fort Calgary). While it's a bit further from landmarks like the Calgary Tower, it’s still only a 20-minute walk. Plus, it’s close to the Simmons Building, home to Sidewalk Citizen Bakery, known for some of the best coffee in the city.
Hostels in Calgary
HI Calgary City Centre Hostel is a popular choice for budget travelers, and is also located in East Village. This hostel offers a variety of dormitory-style and private rooms, known for its friendly atmosphere and communal kitchen, making it a welcoming spot for those looking to connect with fellow travelers.
HOW TO GET AROUND
From the Airport
If you're arriving at Calgary International Airport (YYC), getting to downtown isn’t as straightforward as in some other cities. There’s no train service connecting the airport to the city, so you’ll need to consider your options: renting a car, taking a bus, or using a taxi or rideshare service to reach your hotel.
While we typically don’t use the bus, there are services available. You can connect to the CTrain at certain stops or catch a direct bus to downtown. For detailed route information, check the Calgary Transit website. Additionally, many hotels offer shuttle services, so it’s worth checking if yours provides this option.
For taxis to downtown, you have a couple of choices: standard cabs like Checker Cabs or a more luxurious sedan service. Expect to pay around CAD 40 to CAD 50 for a taxi ride into downtown and about CAD 70 to CAD 80 for a sedan.
I’ve found Uber to be pretty reliable, quick, and almost always cheaper than the taxis as they don't have to pay the pickup fee that taxis do.
Getting Around Downtown
Once you're in downtown Calgary, getting around is quite easy. The downtown area is compact, so many attractions are within walking distance of each other. Like many cities, Calgary has plenty of e-bike and e-scooters that you can easily rent (with a quick tap of the credit card) to get around.
You can also take advantage of the CTrain, which has several stops throughout downtown. It's worth noting that travel is free on the CTrain between the City Hall and 8th Street stations, making it a quick and cost-effective way to explore that part of the city.
Plus 15 Network
Another unique feature of Calgary is the Plus 15, which is a network of elevated walkways that connect various downtown buildings, shopping centers, and transit stations. These walkways are 15ft off the ground, thus the +15 name. In the winter, I can assure you that this is a godsend! You can walk around almost all of downtown without ever having to venture outside into the -30°C weather!
Hiring a Car
If you plan on exploring outside of downtown Calgary, venturing into the surrounding areas, or taking a road trip to the stunning Canadian Rockies, you are probably going to want to rent a car. Having your own vehicle gives you the freedom to set your own itinerary and discover the breathtaking landscapes at your own pace.
We tend to stick with the big guys when it comes to car hire, so tend to use one of either Avis, Enterprise or Hertz. However recently we've been finding we actually get a cheaper price through discovercars.com so tend to use them to find the best deals.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT
Calgary is a vibrant city that offers something special in every season. Whether you’re drawn to outdoor adventures or simply want to explore all that Calgary has to offer, timing your visit is important.
Spring (March to May)
Spring is a lovely time to visit Calgary as the city begins to warm up from the depths of winter. While you can still experience some chilly days and the occasional snowfall, temperatures generally rise, with average highs reaching around 15°C (59°F) in May. This season is perfect for exploring Calgary's beautiful parks, such as Prince's Island Park and Fish Creek Provincial Park, where you can enjoy the emerging greenery and fresh blooms.
Summer (June to August)
Summer is undoubtedly the most popular time to visit Calgary and the surrounding Rocky Mountains. With temperatures averaging around 25°C (68°F to 77°F), this is the best season from a weather standpoint. However, keep in mind that good weather attracts a lot of tourists, so plan accordingly based on what’s most important to you. Also, be prepared for the occasional summer thunderstorms!
If you find yourself in Calgary in July, don’t miss the famous Calgary Stampede. This must-see event features rodeos, concerts, and a vibrant showcase of Western culture that draws visitors from all over the world. It's a fun time to be in Calgary!
Fall (September to November)
Fall in Calgary brings stunning foliage and cooler temperatures, making it a picturesque time to explore the city. Average highs range from 15°C (59°F) in September to around 5°C (41°F) in November. It’s my favorite time of year to get outdoors with much lower crowds; I love hiking in Kananaskis in late September and early October to see the golden larch trees. Just keep in mind that this beautiful season can be brief if an early snowfall occurs, as it can strip the trees of their leaves quickly.
Winter (December to February)
For winter sports lovers, Calgary transforms into a winter wonderland, although temperatures can get pretty cold! For most of the winter, temperatures hover around between -10C and -20°C, making it manageable to hit the slopes at nearby ski resorts like Nakiska and Canada Olympic Park or venture further into the mountains. Calgary does get a lot of sun (one of the sunniest places in North America), so even -15°C often feels quite warm if you layer up properly. However, we do experience at least one week each year where temperatures can plummet to -30°C, which can make outdoor activities quite challenging to say the least!
ENJOY YOUR VISIT TO CALGARY
Calgary is a vibrant city brimming with exciting attractions, great food, and outdoor adventures. We hope that this guide has given you some ideas to help you plan your own trip to this wonderful city.
We have written a 2 day itinerary post if you are looking for some more ideas how to pull your trip together.
With so much to see and do, I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time discovering all that Calgary has to offer!
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