9+ Best Things to do in Calgary, Canada (on a Short Visit)

Welcome to Calgary, Canada’s hidden gem astatine the bosom of Alberta.

It’s a metropolis wherever modern skyscrapers formed shadows connected centuries of history, wherever the majestic Rockies clasp an municipality playground, and wherever taste diverseness meets earthy wonder.

If you’re seeking a thrilling adventure, a sensation of affluent heritage, oregon simply a enactment of caller upland air, you’ll find that determination are plentifulness of things to bash successful Calgary that encompasses each of this.

Because of its determination connected the borderline of the Canadian prairie and the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Calgary tin beryllium a stopover oregon passing done destination.

As Banff is 1 of Canada’s apical destinations, galore volition walk done Calgary connected their mode there, truthful we thought it would beryllium adjuvant to stock what to bash successful Calgary connected a abbreviated visit, truthful you tin marque the astir retired of the abbreviated clip you have.

If, similar me, you volition beryllium pausing successful Calgary, present are a fewer attractions worthy exploring successful this Canadian metropolis successful fractional a time to a time trip.

Why was I visiting Calgary?

I arrived successful Calgary for my friend, Christina McEvoy (@MacsExplore) Instasuccess Retreat successful Banff National Park. I had fractional a time earlier that began truthful headed retired to Downtown Calgary without immoderate plans successful place.

I was pleasantly amazed and gladsome I made the clip to research immoderate of its apical attractions successful Calgary.

It was my archetypal clip successful Canada, and I was intrigued capable with the diverseness and quality of Calgary to program for much instrumentality trips to different Canadian cities.

I’ll adhd immoderate much suggestions astatine the extremity that I did not get clip to do, but if you person much clip successful Calgary, you whitethorn privation to bash it.

Is Calgary Worth Visiting?

The Bow River

Calgary is located successful the state of Alberta, connected the confluence of the Bow River and Elbow River.

It’s situated astatine the eastbound foothills of the Canadian Rockies, which means it is comparatively adjacent to the modulation constituent betwixt the mountainous terrain of the Rockies and the level expanses of the Prairies.

That means it’s a gateway to some the Rockies and the Prairies, and is lone 2 hours from the iconic Banff National Park – truthful due to the fact that of its determination alone, it’s decidedly worthy visiting.

Aside from its location, Calgary is good known for its relaxing atmosphere, perchance owed to its fig of parks and the information that everyone gets plentifulness of vitamin D – that’s right, Calgary boasts 333 days of sunshine a year!

Best Things to Do successful Downtown Calgary

While Edmonton is the superior of Alberta, Calgary is the largest metropolis and the 3rd biggest metropolis successful Canada, with a colonisation of astir 1.2 cardinal locals, truthful you tin beryllium definite determination are plentifulness of things you tin bash determination to support you entertained.

I spent astir of my clip successful Downtown Calgary. Those with much clip volition privation to research further afield, but astir things to bash successful Calgary are successful Downtown.

1. Start with Coffee astatine the Simmons Building

The Simmons Building

My person Tamara from Globe Guide Instamessaged maine to accidental I had to spell to the East Village and to commencement with java successful the Simmons Building located connected the Bow River. And so, I did.

The Simmons’ Building is simply a landmark successful the East Village, which is simply a vicinity known for its alternative, hippy vibe, and creation installations. The gathering dates to 1912, erstwhile it began arsenic a mattress factory.

It was renovated successful the aboriginal 2010s arsenic portion of the East Village revitalization project. Now it’s a culinary hub which houses the Charbar restaurant, Sidewalk Citizen Bakery, and Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters.

The bakery was closed arsenic it was Sunday afternoon, but if open, this could beryllium a bully spot for luncheon successful Calgary if your itinerary allows for it. (as I was waiting for my country to beryllium acceptable to cheque successful at my airdrome hotel, I ate poutine astatine the edifice restaurant)

Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters is the java shop, and I tin report, portion not arsenic cleanable arsenic an Australian level white, it was inactive beauteous bully and amended than 95% of the coffees I’ve had successful the USA.

It’s 3rd wave, trade java style, not quick-fix subpar Starbucks style.

Many of its archetypal architectural elements are intact, specified arsenic the exposed ceramic walls, woody beams, and ample windows, which assistance make a lukewarm and inviting atmosphere. There are tables extracurricular with scenic views of the river.

2. Enjoy Art Installations successful the East Village

Family Man sculpture | Source: Yay Images

You don’t request to locomotion into an creation assemblage successful Calgary to bask art. A programme called Art successful the Public Realm has brought imperishable creation installations to our outdoor spaces, arsenic good arsenic revolving installations that diagnostic impermanent artwork by section artists.

Murals, sculptures, and integer creation by planetary and section artists springiness beingness to our streets and nationalist spaces. Look retired for them arsenic you locomotion around, determination are plentifulness on the riverfront and underpasses, walls, plazas, and islands.

3. Bike oregon Walk Along Bow River Pathway

Now you’ve had your java fix, it’s clip to agelong your legs on the Bow River. The Bow River Pathway successful Calgary is simply a scenic and extended web of pedestrian and cycling pathways that tally alongside the Bow River.

It stretches for astir 48 kilometers (30 miles) on some the northbound and southbound banks of the Bow River arsenic it winds its mode done Calgary.

It’s peculiarly picturesque during the outpouring and summertime erstwhile the riverbanks are lush with greenery.

Several pedestrian bridges transverse the Bow River, connecting some sides of the pathway. These bridges are not lone functional but besides supply unsocial vantage points for enjoying the stream and metropolis views.

As you’re adjacent the Simmons Building, you tin transverse the span to research St Patrick’s Island earlier turning astir to locomotion on the pathway to Prince’s Island – some successful the mediate of the Bow River (which is simply a chill diagnostic of this downtown Calgary attraction.).

Take your clip watching radical fishing, paddling down the river, and the galore birds flying backmost and forth.

You whitethorn privation to transverse implicit for elevated views of the city. Crescent Heights Lookout Point is highly recommended arsenic 1 of the champion viewpoints of Downtown Calgary’s skyline.

rafting fun

I loved walking the Bow River Pathways arsenic it gave maine a large penetration into Canadian life. I could tell, it’s a civilization that loves outdoor surviving and escapade and soaking successful earthy spaces.

The ambiance seemed calm and happy, and I was precise amazed astatine the diverseness of cultures retired and about. It made maine wonderment however it had taken maine each these years to sojourn Canada. I deliberation it volition beryllium a state and civilization I’ll similar precise much.

I walked the pathway betwixt St Patrick’s Island and Prince’s Island. It took astir 20 minutes to locomotion betwixt the two. Allow for other clip to research the 2 islands oregon remainder astatine 1 of the galore chairs on the pathway.

4. Explore St Patrick’s Island

In the mediate of the Bow River, close adjacent the Simmons Building is 1 of Calgary’s oldest parks, St Patrick’s Island. 

St. Patrick’s Island precocious underwent a large revitalization transforming it into a vibrant municipality parkland b to reconstruct the earthy environment, amended access, and make a welcoming abstraction for the community.

St Patrick’s Island is simply a small wilder than Princes Island. It’s 31 acres of mostly earthy landscapes which see forests, wetlands, and greenish spaces with plentifulness of hiking trails and biking trails and skiing successful the winter.

It’s a haven for wildlife and a peaceful flight from the municipality hustle and bustle.

View from St Patrick’s Island

You’ll find a sportfishing cove, naturalized wetlands, wooded areas with meandering pathways, a playground, and a elevation that offers immoderate of the champion views successful the city. There’s besides a monumental nationalist creation installation, a wholly accessible picnic country and an amphitheater.

The land provides picturesque views of the Bow River, the downtown skyline, and the adjacent East Village.

5. Enjoy Prince’s Island

The much landscaped of the 2 islands is Prince’s Island successful the bosom of Downtown Calgary.

The parkland is named aft Peter Anthony Prince, 1 of the founders of the Eau Claire Lumber, a lumber institution that dug a transmission successful the Bow River to transport logs floating downstream person to the saw mill.

This transmission (or lagoon) yet separated an full portion of onshore from the mainland and formed into what we cognize contiguous arsenic Prince’s Island Park. The parkland was acquired by the City of Calgary successful the 40s and developed into a nationalist park.

The parkland boasts lush greenish spaces, mature trees, flowering gardens, and meandering pathways that connection a peaceful and earthy flight from the city’s hustle and bustle.

It’s a haven for some wildlife and humans, providing a serene ambiance successful the bosom of the city.

Birdwatchers tin often spot ducks, geese, and different waterfowl on the river, particularly during migratory seasons.

There are galore sculptures and creation installations connected the land you tin look astatine on the trails. Hammocks were strung betwixt trees and radical picnicking connected the unfastened writer areas.

Prince’s Park is simply a hub for taste events and festivals during the summertime months. It hosts the Calgary Folk Music Festival, Shakespeare by the Bow, and assorted different euphony and arts events.

The earthy amphitheater successful the parkland serves arsenic a fashionable venue for outdoor concerts and performances.

On Prince’s Island determination is simply a tiny restaurant, The River Café, you whitethorn privation to halt astatine for lunch, particularly those looking for romanticist things to bash successful Calgary.

They usage locally sourced ingredients arsenic overmuch arsenic imaginable and person an award-winning database of wines. I had a fewer Canadian wines – some reddish and achromatic – connected my travel and truly enjoyed them all, particularly the chardonnay. 

6. Paddle the Bow River

I privation I had done amended probe connected things to bash successful Calgary, arsenic I would person loved to paddle on the Bow River. I enjoyed watching galore radical travel cruising down connected stand-up paddle boards, kayaks and stream rafts and tubes.

The stream is accelerated moving and doesn’t look similar overmuch paddling effort is required. So enactment cruise mode connected and bask those beauteous views. Here is simply a institution that rents paddle craft.

7. Climb Calgary Tower for Panoramic Views

A small scary!

I was debating whether to caput up to the apical of Calgary Tower for panoramic views implicit Calgary. Since it’s a comparatively inexpensive Calgary attraction, I figured I wouldn’t suffer excessively overmuch if it was overrated.

It wasn’t! I truly enjoyed the Calgary Tower experience. The Calgary Tower, formerly known arsenic the Husky Tower, is an iconic landmark located successful the bosom of downtown Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

The 190.8 meters (626 feet) operation was constructed successful 1967 by Husky Oil and Marathon Realty arsenic a task for the Centennial Celebration of Canada’s Confederation It is 1 of the city’s astir recognizable structures and serves arsenic some an reflection operation and a awesome of Calgary’s skyline.

As soon arsenic you measurement disconnected the elevator onto the enclosed reflection deck, you’re successful beforehand of a ample solid level borderline that juts retired from the broadside of the circular tower.

It was somewhat unnerving walking retired onto the level and looking down astatine the postulation below, but don’t worry, these solid floors tin clasp the value of 2 hippos.

They haven’t tested it with existent hippos, but existent horses bash basal connected arsenic a mode of kickstarting the Calgary Stampede. (I’ve done a akin 1 successful Chicago)

Not a hippo oregon horse, but it’s holding maine up

Look Down!

On a wide day, you tin spot the Rocky Mountains from up here. I could conscionable marque retired their outlines successful the distance.

Other than that, you’ll look retired astatine immoderate of the uniquely shaped Calgary precocious rises and implicit the Bow River and surrounding plains.

If you’re hungry, oregon conscionable privation a portion with a view, Sky 360 is simply a rotating edifice successful the tower. The Calgary Tower features an exterior LED airy amusement each greeting earlier sunrise and nightly from dusk to midnight.

8. Wander Stephen Avenue

Right adjacent the Calgary Tower is Stephen Avenue, besides known arsenic Stephen Avenue Walk It’s a vibrant and historical pedestrian promenade spanning respective blocks successful downtown Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

It is 1 of the city’s astir iconic and lively streets, known for its premix of shops, restaurants, amusement venues, and historical architecture adding to its charm.

You’ll besides find nationalist creation installations and sculptures on Stephen Ave and the thoroughfare often hosts assorted outdoor events, unrecorded performances, and thoroughfare festivals, particularly during the summertime months.

I conscionable missed a unrecorded euphony show with Adirondack chairs acceptable up successful the street!

It’s besides location to respective theaters, making it a taste hub for arts and entertainment. If you’re looking for what to bash successful Calgary astatine night, Stephens Avenue is the spot for lively nightlife!

Its blend of practice and modernity, combined with its lively atmosphere, makes it a must-visit country for anyone exploring downtown Calgary.

9. Drinks astatine the Rooftop Bar astatine Simmons Building

My probe connected the champion rooftop bars successful Calgary brought maine to the Simmons Building and their adults-only rooftop patio overlooking the Bow River and downtown Calgary’s cityscape.

The uninterrupted views were gorgeous, and I enjoyed watching much radical interval down the stream with a refreshing Aperol Spritz. It surely wasn’t arsenic bully arsenic what you’d get successful Italy, but it was not bad!

If you privation to person a fewer drinks and a wound to eat, you tin bid Connie & John’s Pizza from downstairs, which volition beryllium delivered to your rooftop table.

Aperol Spritz time

The rooftop garden’s ambiance is relaxed and inviting, making it an fantabulous spot to unwind, socialize, and instrumentality successful the surrounding municipality and earthy scenery.

When the prima goes down, you’ll get to spot the lights of Downtown Calgary. There are built successful heaters, a solid encased fireplace and unrecorded euphony connected diagnostic nights.

As I had been up since 3:30am (1:30am Calgary time) I opted to spell backmost to my edifice aft my evening portion for inexpensive wings and a Canadian chardonnay (I was impressed) at my edifice restaurant.

Other Things to Do successful Calgary (with much time)

If you person much clip connected your visit, you whitethorn besides privation to see immoderate of these apical attractions and things to bash successful Calgary.

10. Get Inspired astatine Glenbow Museum

If you’re funny successful creation and culture, sojourn the Glenbow Museum. Its divers postulation of art, humanities artifacts, and exhibitions showcase the past of Western Canada from the stories of Canada’s archetypal peoples to the lives of newcomers to Canada, to the modern insights of modern artists successful the 21st century.

11. Visit Heritage Park Historical Village

 If you’re funny successful history, see visiting Heritage Park Historical Village. It’s the largest surviving past depository successful North America that showcases beingness successful Western Canada successful the precocious 1800s and aboriginal 1900s.

Heritage Park is situated connected a 127-acre peninsula of premier parkland surrounded connected 3 sides by the Glenmore Reservoir.  You tin pre-book your admittance summons here.

12. Explore the National Music Center, Bell Studio

Studio Bell, location of the National Music Centre building.

Many visitors recommended the National Music Centre arsenic a must-visit spot successful Calgary.

It serves arsenic a museum, show venue, acquisition center, signaling studio, and Canadian Music Hall of Fame showcasing Canada’s affluent philharmonic past and its interaction connected the world.

One of the standout features of the NMC is its architecturally stunning building, known arsenic Studio Bell. Designed by Brad Cloepfil from Allied Works Architecture, its unsocial plan includes interlocking towers clad successful glazed terracotta that is meant to notation the plan of philharmonic instruments.

This apical Calgary attraction is said to instrumentality astir 2 hours to spot each 5 floors.

13. Visit Nose Hill Park

Calgary’s largest earthy biology parkland successful northwest Calgary offers 60 km of designated trails and pathways and contains 1 of the astir important examples of this grassland ecosystem near connected the Canadian prairies.

From the apical you get a superb overview of downtown Calgary, but of the Rocky Mountains, the Bow River Valley, and the Calgary International Airport.

14. Watch an Ice Hockey Game

Scotiabank Saddledom down the buildings

Would it beryllium a sojourn to Canada without seeing an crystal hockey game? If you are visiting during the season, and emotion sports, you whitethorn emotion attending an NHL Calgary Flames lucifer astatine Scotiabank Saddledome located successful Stampede Park.

I would person done this if I had much clip and determination was a crippled on. Ice Hockey is 1 of my favourite sports to spot live!

If there’s not a crippled connected but you emotion sports, Calgary besides has Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame which is worthy checking retired if you person time.

15. Attend the Calgary Stampede

If you are visiting Calgary successful July, you whitethorn privation to enactment the Calgary Stamped connected your database of things to do, it’s the top outdoor amusement successful Calgary!

This world-famous yearly lawsuit lasts for astir 10 days and features a wide scope of activities and attractions, including rodeo events, parades, chuckwagon races, rides, and unrecorded entertainment.

16. Have Fun astatine Calgary Zoo

 The Calgary Zoo is simply a large spot to walk a fewer hours, particularly if you’re traveling arsenic a household with kids.

It’s location to a wide assortment of animals from astir the world, from gorillas to penguins, and offers acquisition experiences.

It’s located connected the different extremity of St Patrick’s Island. 

17. Visit Buffalo Jump

Buffalo Jump

Buffalo Jump is really located conscionable extracurricular Calgary but tin easy beryllium visited connected a fractional time trip.

This unsocial UNESCO World Heritage Site is location to the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, 1 of the best-preserved and largest buffalo jumps successful the world.

For astir 6,000 years, autochthonal radical of the North American plains practiced buffalo hunting astatine this site.

The Blackfoot people, successful particular, utilized this method to hunt buffalo for countless centuries. The buffalo leap is simply a testament to their past civilization and hunting techniques.

Visiting Buffalo Jump offers a unsocial accidental to larn astir the affluent past and traditions of the indigenous people.

18. Take the Kids to Calaway Park

Calaway Park is Western Canada’s largest outdoor household amusement park, and offers a thrilling acquisition with its 32 rides, unrecorded entertainment, 3D theater, and haunted hotel.

Founded successful 1982, Calaway Park has been entertaining visitors for implicit 4 decades. From exhilarating roller coasters to kid-friendly arcade games, there’s thing for everyone.

19. Visit Fort Calgary

Fort Calgary was established successful 1875 arsenic a North-West Mounted Police outpost, it played a pivotal relation successful the improvement of the region.

Today, Fort Calgary stands arsenic a National Historic Site of Canada, preserving its affluent heritage.

If you emotion subject history, past a sojourn to the Military Museum, which is the 2nd largest subject depository successful Canada, is simply a indispensable visit, too!

Where to enactment successful Calgary

I was staying astatine the Applause Hotel by Clique near the airport. This was due to the fact that the adjacent time we were doing airdrome pickups each time for retreat attendees earlier driving to Canmore, adjacent Banff National Park.

Upon returning to Calgary to alert out, I besides stayed astatine Acclaim Hotel by Clique arsenic I had an aboriginal greeting formation home.

The escaped airdrome shuttles for some hotels were welcome! Both hotels had spacious and comfy rooms with bully edifice amenities similar rooftop blistery tub and restaurants.

I did not effort the edifice astatine Acclaim, but the nutrient astatine Applause was truly bully and included a hearty breakfast.

Delicious poutine

The Calgary Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel is the cleanable for those who privation to cheque retired of their hotel, locomotion 4 minutes, and cheque into their flight!

Some restaurants adjacent Calgary airdrome that we ate astatine were the Cactus Club Cafe and Calgary Momo House, a fantastic Nepalese restaurant.

For the champion places to enactment successful Downtown Calgary, these places person large reviews, determination and amenities.

• Alt Hotel Calgary East Village is an eco-certified edifice adjacent Studio Bell that has 2 restaurants. See rates and availability.
• Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel is adjacent to Calgary Tower and has an indoor excavation and restaurant. See rates and availability.
• Hotel Arts is simply a amusive 4-start eco-certified edifice adjacent Calgary Tower and Stampede Par. It besides has a poolside bar, buying connected site, and a java shop/cafe, and escaped bicycle rental. See rates and availability.

Final Thoughts

While my sojourn to Calgary was short, I consciousness I experienced a batch of its taste diverseness and earthy beauty.

I enjoyed seeing the diverse, active, and relaxed, property of a metropolis rather connected to its surrounding beauty.

Calgary is simply a large stopover constituent connected the mode to immoderate of Canada’s apical attractions similar Banff National Park, Yoho National Park, and the Icefields Parkway. It’s worthy stopping for astatine slightest a time to acquisition this dynamic Canadian city.

Calgary’s lukewarm hospitality, its blend of modern and historic, and its boundless opportunities for escapade are yours to savor.

Stay tuned for my adjacent stop: The Incredible Banff National Park. (Join our email assemblage truthful you ne'er miss a station (form below)!)

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