tourist guide in calgary

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Guide to the BEST Things to Do in Calgary (for 2024)

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Compiled by the Road Trip Alberta team

Last Updated on March 10, 2024

We lived in Calgary and the area for many years, back when the city was primarily known for just a few things: the oil industry, the infamous Calgary Stampede , the 1988 Winter Olympics, and steakhouses. While those things are still an important part of the city’s fabric, on every return visit since we left in late 2009, we always marvel at its evolution and all the new and exciting things to do in Calgary.

Many of our friends still live in the city and we find ourselves there often to visit or attend business meetings. But in every spare moment, we endeavour to explore something new! We’ve taken many photos at many angles of the dynamic Wonderland sculpture. We’ve done the same with the Peace Bridge, checking it out at the first day’s light and dusk.

We’ve eaten at so many fantastic new restaurants (although it is hard to pull us away from our major fave—Native Tongues); the magnitude of the explosion of exceptional eateries in the last decade is sometimes hard to fathom. But it happened, and the culinary scene alone is doing a lot to draw people in.

However, there is so much more to see and do. Calgary is a constantly evolving city, and its prime location also makes it a perfect base to explore diverse neighbouring regions.

Acknowledgments

The land on which Calgary is located is in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikuni, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Stoney Nakoda First Nations, including Chiniki, Bearpaw, and Wesley First Nations. The City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III.

Facts About Calgary

The city of Calgary started as a North-West Mounted Police fort called Fort Brisebois (and eventually Fort Calgary). It was built in this area because of the importance of the meeting of the Bow and Elbow rivers. It was incorporated as a town in 1884 and then a city later in 1894. Initially a small town, the population grew significantly when the Canadian Pacific Railway finally connected Calgary to Eastern Canada in 1883.

Only 18 years after becoming a city, the first Calgary Stampede was hosted by Guy Weadick. The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth has only continued to grow since then! Calgary started as an oil city after multiple Southern Alberta oil strikes in 1914, 1920, and 1947. Though this shaped the city as the fastest-growing city by the ‘50s, it was also known for its arts and education with the inception of the Glenbow Museum and the University of Calgary in 1966. The cultural importance of this city continued to grow in 1988 when it hosted the 1988 Winter Olympic Games – earning its reputation as a hot spot for international travel.

Boasting a population of over 1.3 million people, Calgary is the largest city in Alberta. Calgary’s altitude is 1,048 meters above sea level, and it is only 80 kilometres east of the Rockies. Still sporting its long-held nickname – Cow Town – is a modern, urban city built out of Western tradition.

• Calgary was dubbed the Sandstone City after a fire in 1886 burned much of the wooden home’s to the ground and the city rebuilt with sandstone from the banks of the Bow. Old City Hall is one of the only sandstone buildings left in the city now.
• The dry climate in Calgary is attributed to its mountain-high altitude. The city frequently experiences chinooks in the winter – warm, moist wind that raises the temperature dramatically.
• Calgary is the birthplace of the Caesar! That spicy vodka and clam-infused-tomato juice cocktail was invented by Walter Chell for the opening of Marco’s Italian in 1969.
• The city proudly hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics. That year held Olympic favourites like the Jamaican bobsled team and Eddie the Eagle. This was a formative moment in Calgary history.
• Calgary is a city of helpers. It has the most volunteers per capita out of all Canadian cities!

How to Get to Calgary

Driving to calgary, how far is calgary from edmonton.

Driving from Edmonton to Calgary it will take approximately three hours (almost exactly 300 km). If you want to mix things up with an adventurous alternate route (or two!), check out our guide for getting from  Calgary to Edmonton  (and vice versa).

How far is Calgary from Vancouver?

Driving from Vancouver to Calgary will take you around 10 hours, as it is 971 km away. We recommend splitting up the drive and taking in some of the sites along the way such as stops in Kamloops, Revelstoke, Golden, and  Banff !

How far is Calgary from the United States?

Getting to Calgary from the  Del Bonita  border crossing takes roughly 3.5 hours (when driving on AB-2 North). From the  Carway Border  Crossing, you’ll be driving 260 km or 2 ¾ hours via AB-2 North. Another close border crossing is the  Chief Mountain  Border Station. The drive from here is also approximately 3 hours long.

Flying to Calgary

The Calgary International Airport (YYC) is busy and has many connections, making it easy to get there. Getting into the city from the airport is possible through public transit, rental cars, and shuttles. 

• There are multiple car rental options at the Calgary airport. Book in advance to avoid any hassle! We recommend booking via  RentalCars.com to select the cheapest rate or to book with whichever company you prefer.
• There are  hotel courtesy  shuttles that take you to nearby hotels, plus a shuttle service that takes you straight to downtown Calgary. The regularly scheduled downtown shuttle is currently suspended due to COVID-19.
• Public transportation recently started serving the Calgary airport regularly. You’ll find buses across the roadway on the arrivals level at the domestic terminal and international terminal. Purchase tickets at Door 15, Pillar 32 and Door 1, Pillar 7 (debit, credit and coin payment accepted). The cost is $8 per person. For route information, visit the  Calgary Transit website .
• A taxi from the airport to downtown will take approximately 25 minutes and cost between $40 and $45 (under normal driving conditions).
• Uber  is also in Calgary and does pick-ups and drop-offs at YYC. The airport has three pickup zones: door 1, door 12 or door 17 in the passenger pick-up zone.

Multiple bus companies have stops in Calgary (it’s easy to compare them on  Busbud , but here are a couple of our favourite options):

• We’ve personally taken  Red Arrow  several times and always had a seamless and on-time journey. There are three drop-off points (north, downtown, and the Calgary International Airport). The Deerfoot Inn and Casino is also a stopping point, but it is by reservation only. The current cost, if travelling to Calgary from Edmonton, is approximately $75.
• Ebus  is Red Arrow’s less-luxurious sister company, with similar pick-up/drop-off points but at a lower rate. If travelling to Calgary from Edmonton, the cost is nearly $64.

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Things to Know About Visiting Calgary

Getting around, calgary transit.

Calgary Transit is an easy, cheap way to travel around the city. There are many free spots along the train line to park and ride throughout the city (it’s a great way to avoid parking fees downtown). Many bus and train routes get you from the north to the south of the city. Check out  schedule maps  and fees.

For quick, easy rides around town, check out one of the many taxi services:  Checker Cabs ,  Associated Cabs , or Calgary Cab .

Uber operates in the greater Calgary area, between Airdrie (to the north), Okotoks (to the south) and Chestermere (to the east).

Biking and Walking Path Network

Make use of the most extensive urban pathway network in North America! Calgary bike paths are made for everyone—walkers and cyclists. There are many pathways downtown, and the network spreads to outer neighbourhoods from there. Check out the  City of Calgary’s maps  for clearer directions.

Downtown Plus 15

Found yourself in beautiful downtown Calgary on a not-so-beautiful day? The city has an extensive “Plus 15” system of indoor connected walkways just above the downtown streets. Use the system to explore the many buildings and shops.  Download the map here.

Best Times to Visit Calgary

Calgary is great to visit at any time of the year, with many activities to keep you busy year-round! Visiting from June through August will ensure days full of festivals and a beautiful river valley setting. Longer days in the summer are also something to take advantage of. And don’t forget about the world-famous Calgary Stampede that occurs every second week of July.

Calgary in winter can also be a delight. While there are guaranteed to be a couple of weeks where the city is in an inhospitable deep freeze, warm chinook winds off the mountains can also melt it all and sometimes bring temperatures into the summertime range.

Being within range of the mountains also makes day trips to popular ski slopes possible. (Check out our guide on how to get from Calgary to Banff .)

Calgary Accommodations

There are plenty of accommodation choices in Calgary. Whether you’re looking for an experience or just a simple room, there’s something for everyone.

Calgary Hotels

Downtown –  Stay in the heart of downtown at the historic  Fairmont Palliser  Hotel. You’ll be within walking distance of some of the city’s most renowned shops, entertainment, and restaurants! There is a spa with a pool to pamper yourself too.

Beltline –   Hotel Arts  offers a beautiful and eclectic space; this boutique hotel in downtown Calgary is a must if you’re into the art scene. Sip cocktails and eat world-class food around the poolside (open to non-hotel guests too). The hotel features two superb local restaurants, and it sports its own commuter bike program to help you explore the city.

West Side –  The Alt Hotel Calgary University is brand new and opened in July 2023! If you’re looking for a good option to explore Calgary and a base to escape to Canmore or Banff for the day, this is the hotel to stay at. Conveniently located in the city’s west end, it’s a great option to explore everything around Calgary or get to the mountains easily and quickly.

Want to see more options? Click through to see our guide to the best hotels in Calgary . If you are travelling with your pet, you might also want to check out our guide to pet-friendly hotels in Calgary .

AirBnbs and Rentals

Airbnb is always one of our favourite ways to stay when we travel and here’s a post of our recommended  Calgary Airbnbs to stay at.

There are a few options for camping very near the city limits and also  other great ones  within a few hours. Want the camping experience but need to rent an RV? We’ve got you covered with how to do it in this guide to  RV rentals in Calgary  (and Alberta).

Sights to See in Calgary

Prince’s island park.

Prince’s Island Park  is a hub for cultural activities in the city. Catch some Shakespeare in the Park hosted by Theatre Calgary, and the popular Calgary Folk Festival is held here in late July. You can dine at the sublime  River Café or just enjoy a picnic in the grass and watch the wildlife go by!

Calgary Peace Bridge

This eye-catching red bridge was completed in 2012 and quickly became an iconic Calgary sight. It stretches across the Bow River, connecting Memorial Drive and Eau Claire Park. Take your time, enjoy some people-watching, and be sure to get a selfie!

Don’t miss this 12-metre-high metal sculpture in front of The Bow, Calgary’s tallest building. You can walk right through the sculptured mesh share of a girl’s head and get a new perspective on the downtown buildings.

Calgary’s East Village

Calgary’s East Village is an exciting city neighbourhood concentrated in a few well-connected walkable or bikeable streets. It’s referred to as “a catalyst of urban culture, a future-facing hub of optimism, ideas and energy that is helping the city live its next chapter.” It’s a perfect way to spend an afternoon with the family checking out the cool shops, pubs, restaurants, and public art.

“The Last of Us” Filming Locations

From Mount Royal University and SAIT to Fish Creek Provincial Park and the neighbourhood of Inglewood, this HBO megahit starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey was shot all over Alberta but staged primarily in Calgary. If you want to see all of the sights and relive the magic (as well as find out where Pedro’s fave spot to eat was), check our article on The Last of Us filming locations .

Festivals in Calgary

Calgary boasts a  wide array of festivals  to please any interested goer. Top events include:

Calgary Stampede

Calgary Stampede  is easily the city’s biggest event, attracting millions of people to the city in early July to experience the greatest outdoor show on earth. Spend an afternoon watching the rodeo and the chuckwagon races, and stay for the world-renowned Grandstand show later in the evening. For thrill-seekers, the Midway has plenty of rides and lots of festival food to entice foodies.

Over the ten days, there are concerts (some free) throughout the grounds and in neighbouring venues with live music and other performances. Be sure to take a walk through downtown Calgary during any day of the Stampede, as you will surely find a free pancake breakfast somewhere.

Beakerhead  in mid-September is one of our favourites as it brings together the worlds of science, engineering, and art. The events, exhibits, and concerts will entertain, educate, and surprise you. They take place all over the city but culminate in a massive spectacle at Prince’s Island Park. This is an unmissable festival in Calgary!

Calgary Folk Festival

The Calgary Folk Festival is an annual “four-day family-friendly cultural and musical extravaganza.” Artists from Alberta, Canada, and around the world share live music and stories on multiple stages in the beautiful Princes Island Park. The Festival typically runs in July and is a local favourite for attractions in Calgary.

Chinook Blast

Locals and tourists embrace winter fun in Calgary by experiencing Chinook Blast – a six-week winter festival celebration. 2021 was the inaugural year of the festival featuring the best of Calgary’s artists and it’s been growing in popularity since.

In addition to all the events, food trucks and displays, Chinook Blast anchors onto other popular festivals in Calgary during the winter months including:

• High-Performance Rodeo
• Calgary Folk Music Festival’s Block Heater
• Glow Festival
• Ethnik Festival of Arts & Culture and
• BIG Winter Classic

Best Things to Do in Calgary

There are so many different and fun things to do in Calgary throughout all four seasons – from skiing inside the city to enjoying the best Calgary museums or taking in some of the fun Calgary bowling alleys (if that’s your thing) – visitors will never be bored in Cowtown. Here are some of the best things to do!

Calgary Zoo

The  Calgary Zoo  is one of the best things to do in town. It’s located near downtown and is a great place to spend a day with the whole family. The zoo is home to nearly 1,000 creatures across 119 species, and its mission is to become Canada’s leader in wildlife conservation.

The Calgary Zoo has many unique and amazing exhibits. Gorillas, polar bears, giraffes, and penguins are just a few of the animals you’ll find here. In the summer of 2023, the Calgary Zoo opened the Land of Lemurs, Canada’s first immersive lemur experience. Visitors will get to witness first-hand these rare creatures from Madagascar.

It’s not only summer that the Calgary Zoo is busy. The popular  ZooLights  during the Christmas season brings many visitors here as well.

Heritage Park Historical Village

Located just 15 minutes from downtown Calgary next to the Glenmore Reservoir, Heritage Park Historical Village is a fun spot to spend a day and is one of the top Calgary museums. The park is open all year round, and visitors will see and feel the past come to life through the authentic and interactive exhibits.

Self-guided walking tours give visitors the opportunity to learn about the history of Calgary and Western Canada. Guests will love the fully operational steam engine train (including rides), horse-drawn wagon rides, different daily activities, and the Gasoline Alley Museum, which features some vintage cars.

Fort Calgary

The National Historic Site of Fort Calgary is situated at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers and visitors will learn of the complex story it has to tell. The Fort has always been a historical and cultural gathering place. The Mounties built Fort Calgary in 1875 and laid the foundations for what the city is today. Visitors can experience the interpretive centre, roam around the 40-acre park and step back in time by visiting the Hunt House and Métis cabin.

Go Rafting on the Bow River

The Bow River originates in the mountains and runs through downtown Calgary. A perfect summer afternoon can be spent on a raft floating down the gentle river (locals say it’s one of the city’s best things to do)!  Rent your own raft  or  go with a tour guide  so that you can sit back and enjoy the city-line views.

WinSport (Winter Sport Institute)

***The Winsport Bobsled Track is currently under repairs with no set date of when it will reopen.

Originally a venue for when Calgary hosted the 1988 Winter Games Olympics,  Winsport   (formerly known as Canada Olympic Park) is a hot spot for sports in the city. In the winter, you can  ski and snowboard  within city limits or even try hurling yourself down the Olympic bobsled track. In the summer, the Olympic Park ski hill is used for mountain biking and the  Monster Zipline,  where you can reach up to 120 km per hour!

Watch a Calgary Flames Game

Catching the excitement of a live Calgary Flames game is a must-see for any visitor. It’s Canada’s national pastime, and if you’re in town from October through April, grab a ticket and make your way to the Saddledome to watch a game. The Flames game atmosphere will be even more intense if the game is against the Edmonton Oilers!

Calgary Tower

One of the top Calgary attractions is viewing the city from the Calgary Tower , a 190.8-metre free-standing observation tower. Have a bite to eat in the Sky 360 Restaurant and Lounge, and then stand on the Observation Deck to see a panoramic view (not recommended if you are afraid of heights!). Be sure afterward to browse the gift shop, which features unique Calgary Tower memorabilia.

Downhill Karting

If you’re an adrenaline junky, then Downhill Karting is a must-do on your visit to Calgary. You get to the top and start of the track via a chair-lift and it’s where the excitement begins! You will race down the hill, descending over 100 metres and winding down a 1.8 km track with over 50 twists and turns. It will surely get the blood pumping. The only question that remains is, who will take the checkered flag?

Spend a Day at Calaway Park

It’s fun for the whole family at Calaway Park . Open from May through October, there is so much to do at this outdoor amusement park. There are so many things to do here, including 32 rides, with the Vortex roller coaster, the log ride, and bumper boats being the most popular. And included with the Calaway Park admission visitors get to enjoy unlimited rides, live entertainment, and access to the Haunted Hotel, Spray n’ Play and Cinemagic 3D. The only thing you need to bring extra money for is food and games!

Keep your eyes on the Calaway Park Events webpage as there are special happenings throughout the summer. Family fun night happens multiple times when the park is open for an extra two hours to get as many rides in as you can. And everyone loves dressing up for ‘Halloweekends’ throughout September.

Try an Escape Room

Have you ever felt the rush of trying to solve the clues to escape from a room? It’s pretty exciting when you solve that last clue to win with seconds to spare. Escape rooms are a fun way for your friends and family to bond and work together. There are plenty of different options for escape rooms in Calgary .

Studio Bell National Music Centre

The Bell National Music Centre is one of the top attractions in Calgary. The Centre has five floors of exhibitions telling the story of music in Canada. This is a place for music lovers to explore (and love). Visitors will have plenty to see and do, including the chance to experience the interactive instrument installations.

Any music fan will appreciate the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, located on the top floor of the National Music Centre. This hall is entirely dedicated to recognizing Canadian artists and icons who have made their mark in music. Studio Bell also holds frequent concerts, so keep an eye on its events page to see who and what acts are coming to town.

TELUS Spark

The  TELUS Spark Science Centre is one of Calgary’s places for the curious. It has fun things to do for kids and adults alike. Everyone can embrace their desire for exploration and discovery in science, technology, math, and art. 

Fun fact: In 2018, it set a Guinness World Record for the largest functioning Rubik’s Cube!

Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame

Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is Canada’s largest and only national museum for sport. It’s one of the top Calgary attractions in Canada Olympic Park at the city’s west end. They focus on the “recognition, education, curation and thought leadership with an emphasis on educating youth on the values, history, and culture of sport in Canada.”

Since its inception in 1955, close to 700 inductees have been named, and it’s the highest sporting honour awarded to Canada’s top athletes.

Calgary Military Museum

Learn all about the Canadian Military in Alberta at The Military Museums in southwest Calgary. The museum, on the Garrison base, actually houses eight separate museums, which include:

• The Naval, Army and Air Force Museums of Alberta
• Air Force Cold War Museum
• Four museums of the founding regiments

The museum is “dedicated to preserving the memories and traditions of the countless Canadians who proudly served their country through numerous wars and conflicts by their selfless dedication, commitment and courage.” At this incredible museum visitors can see many exhibits throughout and get an understanding of the role of the military throughout our history.

Spruce Meadows

Just south of Calgary is Spruce Meadows , the home of internationally renowned horse-jumping competitions. Numerous tournaments and competitions are held throughout the year here, but none more prestigious than the Masters. This is part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping , a four-competition season where riders can win up to 1 million Euros. The Masters is held every September for four exciting days on the grounds.

Many other things are happening at Spruce Meadows throughout the year as well. In summer, they host a number of Garden Parties, and in the winter, it’s a popular spot for their Christmas Market and holiday lights throughout the grounds.

Treat Yourself to a Spa Day

After you’ve stuffed in all you can into your time in Calgary, book at least half a day off to unwind. Take a leisurely stroll in nature, get pampered with a massage, or even take a yoga class! The city has a lot to offer, so much so that we’ve got an entire guide to the  Calgary spa and wellness  scene for you to peruse.

Take a Calgary Tour

If you’d rather have a knowledgeable local lead you around Calgary to show you the sights, teach you some history, and give you the very best expert advice, then there are some really great tour operators in the city! From food to brewery tours, sightseeing to rafting on the Bow River and more, check out our article on Calgary tours to pick what you’d like to do.

Best Free Things to Do in Calgary

Glenbow museum.

***Note that the downtown location is closed for renovation and will become the JR Shaw Centre for Arts & Culture. During the renovation, visitors can go to the satellite gallery at the Glenbow at the Edison located on the second floor at 150 9 Ave SW.

Thanks to the $25 million JR Shaw Free Admission Endowment , admission to the Glenbow Museum will forever be free ! And there’s always something fascinating to see at the  Glenbow Museum , making it easily one of Calgary’s best things to do.

Learn about Alberta’s history, explore the West African collection, and check out the rotating exhibit that always proves popular! The Glenbow Museum always has an eye for great artists.

Nosehill Park

Take on these beautiful hiking trails right in the heart of Calgary! Nosehill Park boasts of being one of North America’s biggest urban parks, taking up an area of over 11 square kilometres. Take in beautiful views of downtown and enjoy getting out into nature (without having to go very far).

Fish Creek Provincial Park

Fish Creek Provincial Park is one of the largest urban parks in North America! The park stretches for an astonishing 20 km at the south end of Calgary. When you are inside the park, you would never believe that you were in the middle of a busy city.

There are so many trails for hiking and biking, spots for nature viewing and photography and even an outstanding restaurant to enjoy a meal. In winter, Fish Creek Provincial Park is a popular spot for cross-country skiing. Be sure to stop into the visitor centre and see everything the park has to offer

Calgary ArtWalk Downtown

Explore the public art scene with the  Calgary ArtWalk . Every year, multiple galleries get together to put on 48 hours of art. Just download the map and start your self-guided walk!

Calgary Central Public Library

The Calgary Central Library  is known for so much more than its books! Opened in late 2018, it was quickly noticed as an architectural marvel, even being recognized by TIME magazine as one of the  100 Greatest Places of 2019 . Take pictures outside and inside this beautiful building (which is also the new hot spot for graduation photos in the city). The central library also offers free use of its computers, meeting rooms, and more.

Take a Stephen Avenue Walk

Taking a stroll along the walking-only Stephen Avenue (8th Avenue) is another popular thing to do in Calgary. The street is full of commercial and entertainment spots and patios, making it a prime after-work go-to stop for a drink. In the summer, on hot days, the street will be packed with locals and the nightlife will be buzzing in the evenings.

The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Nature Centre

Providing a safe haven for migratory birds to rest their wings since 1929, the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Nature Centre is a beautiful spot found right in the heart of Calgary. It’s easy to forget you’re in a bustling city as you surround yourself with so much nature; in fact, 270 species of birds, 21 species of mammals and 347 species of plants have been recorded at various times within the nature centre! Open from 10 am until 4 pm Wednesday through Sunday, the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Nature Centre is free.

Enjoying the Holidays in Calgary

If all of the above isn’t enough for you, then try coming to Calgary during the holiday season! From skating on a frozen Olympic Plaza (or these other spots to go skating in Calgary ) to taking in some of the awesome Christmas markets, there is always so much going on (see our post on Christmas in Calgary for plenty of ideas). And if you plan to be in the city at the end of December, check out all of the hot party spots inside our New Year’s Eve in Calgary article.

Best Spots to Eat in Calgary

Narrowing down the list of restaurants in Calgary is tough; in the last decade, it has earned its place as a top foodie city in Canada. With the number of  breweries in Calgary  and funky hole-in-the-wall restaurants increasing every year, you’ll have to make a couple of trips to try it all! And if you’re looking for more “specialty” eats, we’ve got full articles on where to get brunch as well as Calgary cafes and coffee shops.

Here are our top picks for Calgary food spots:

Native Tongues

Does award-winning Mexican food sound like your kind of night? Not only does  Native Tongues  have a menu featuring mouth-watering tacos, and it also has extensive tequila choices. If you’re too tired to go out, don’t fret! There’s also a take-out/late-night menu so you can enjoy their food at home. 

Enjoy fine dining in the middle of Calgary’s scenic Prince’s Island Park at  River Café . Recognized as one of the most eco-friendly restaurants in Canada (and one of Calgary’s best), it is a great place for your taste buds and your conscience. The menu is created every season from the best local ingredients.

Calgary has a really good brewpub scene. There are so many good options to check out, but we recommend going to  Trolley 5 . The two-story restaurant is set up with lots of brewing equipment in view. The menu features fun takes on typical pub food, and they have a killer brunch menu! Alberta Beef Brisket & Egg Sandwich, anyone?

First Street Market – Moose & Poncho

Yes, the food hall concept has come to Calgary, too! Head to First Street Market for a yummy array of food and drinks to satisfy everyone. Our go-to is the divine Moose and Poncho – the au jus that comes with the delicious Birria tacos is seriously slurpable.

YYC Food Trucks

Also, step away from the restaurant experience and test out  YYC Food Trucks ! This group of passionate chefs and foodies go to multiple events around the city throughout the year, spreading street food culture ranging from pizza to Asian fusion to local gelato.

Things to Do Near Calgary

There are so many things to do in Calgary but it also serves as a perfect base for multiple day-trip opportunities. If you are itching to get out of the city and see more of what the province is about, you can’t go wrong in any direction. Here are some of our favourites:

Banff and Canmore

By far, the most popular road trip and day trip from Calgary is to head to the Canadian Rockies and experience the mountain resort town of Banff (and Canmore, which is on the way). It only takes about 1.5 hours to get to Banff National Park (see our Calgary to Banff route guide, which covers all your options and activities along the way).

From hiking to shopping to skiing and more, plenty will keep you busy. For what to do when you get there, check out our Banff destination guide. If you don’t have time to enjoy an extended time there, consider this one-day tour that will hit the highlights!

Canadian Badlands

Head on a road trip east from Calgary to step back in time (by millions of years)! Steeped in history, the Badlands of Alberta take you back to the time of dinosaurs, which you can hear more about at the iconic  Royal Tyrrell Museum  in Drumheller and  Dinosaur Provincial Park .

The landscape east is something out of an old spaghetti western and tales from back in the day can be heard at such places as the  Atlas Coal Mine  and seen at  Medalta in the Historic Clay District in  Medicine Hat .

Sundre Area

The town of Sundre is Only a couple hours’ drive from Calgary. It sits in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains – the peaks are still visible, but this spot offers more of a flavour of the wild west. Full of ranch lands offering horseback riding to explore more of the terrain,  this area  is for nature enthusiasts who can appreciate the cowboy traditions that helped shape Alberta. Enjoy camping, white-water rafting, some good eats, and more.

Turner Valley

Many are surprised to find a  world-class distillery  south of Calgary, but to those who are privy to the gems south of the city, a day trip there is a no-brainer. Learn about the cowboy history of Alberta at the nearby  Bar U Ranch , and also make a pit stop to see the natural phenomenon of the  Okotoks Erratic . There is a lot to see in just one day!

Don’t Forget:

Visiting other spots in Alberta? Check out our extensive guide for all the things to do while visiting Banff , Edmonton , or just go for the whole she-bang and review our list of the 100+ best things to do in Alberta !

ALSO, don’t forget that while you’re on the road, you can download our FREE Road Trip Alberta bingo cards , to make it just that much more fun!

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17 Top Tourist Attractions & Places to Visit in Calgary

Written by Chloë Ernst and Bryan Dearsley Updated Dec 28, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Despite being Alberta's largest city and Canada's oil capital, Calgary has never shaken off its "Cowtown" nickname. It's a reference to the city's long history as the center of a vast cattle-rearing region and is a name that has been of immense value to tourism marketers, conjuring up romantic ideas of cowboys, cattle drives, and an untamed Wild West.

This is why, when you pay a visit to this dynamic city, you'll find many related things to do, from catching the famous Calgary Stampede each July to exploring the city's pioneer-era Heritage Park, an especially fun activity for families.

It's also a particularly stunning place to visit for those who enjoy beautiful vistas, too. Look to the western horizon and the Rocky Mountains appear like an insurmountable barrier rising up from the plains. The proximity of these mountains, with their well-known national parks , makes Calgary an excellent choice for skiing, hiking, or sightseeing vacations.

For those seeking entertainment right in the city itself, there are also plenty of tourist attractions to include on your Calgary itinerary. Walking the city's huge Prince's Island Park and across the iconic Peace Bridge is especially fun at night, either before or after enjoying a great restaurant in the downtown core.

To help you cram as much as possible into your travel itinerary, be sure to read our detailed list of the top attractions and things to do in Calgary, Alberta.

1. Visit during the Calgary Stampede

2. take a day trip to banff & lake louise, 3. take the kids to calgary zoo, 4. learn about calgary's past at heritage park, 5. see the views from calgary tower, 6. winsport: canada olympic park, 7. take a walk to prince's island park, 8. take the train: rocky mountaineer rail journey, 9. visit the glenbow museum, 10. studio bell, home of the national music centre, 11. hike around fish creek provincial park, 12. enjoy the seasons at bowness park, 13. see the planes at the hangar flight museum, 14. visit the home of the mounties at fort calgary, 15. visit the military museums of calgary, 16. tour the stables at spruce meadows, 17. take a seat in the devonian gardens, where to stay in calgary for sightseeing, map of tourist attractions & things to do in calgary.

The 10-day Calgary Stampede can trace its roots all the way back to the 1880s and is the highlight of Calgary's summer calendar of events. Having cemented the Alberta capital's reputation as Canada's "Stampede City," this famous rodeo is now widely regarded as one of the top attractions in Alberta . It is held each July and includes all kinds of cowboy- and rodeo-style entertainment and exhibitions.

Billed as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth," the Calgary Stampede now attracts millions of visitors who join the local population to dress up for the event in blue jeans and brightly colored Stetsons. Highlights of this must-visit event include a huge parade, rodeo competitions, thrilling chuck wagon races, and an authentic First Nations village . Numerous concerts and stage shows are also held here, along with a fun fair, pancake breakfasts, as well as agricultural shows.

Getting to Stampede Park, the festival's permanent home, is easy either by public transit or car, with plenty of parking available. And even if you're here in the off-season, a visit and tour, or possibly taking in a concert, remain one of the top things to do in Calgary.

Address: 1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary

Undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Canada due to its picture-perfect mountain setting, Banff National Park and the town of Banff make for a perfect day trip from Calgary.

While there are a variety of ways to get from Calgary to Banff , if you prefer to take your time and have the opportunity to stop and see the sites whenever the urge strikes, taking a car (either your own or a rental) may be the best option.

Drivable in under 90 minutes, the route itself is nothing short of spectacular. You'll take in incredible mountain vistas shortly after leaving the city, and they never let up along the way. After passing Canmore , another great place to stop for some sightseeing , you'll enter the park gates to find yourself in the town of Banff, the only community located in the magnificent Banff National Park.

It's a great place to explore either before or after touring the park, and features plenty of shopping and dining opportunities. You'll also find a wide range of first-rate accommodation options in Banff, too.

One of the highlights of your visit, though, will be seeing Lake Louise . Famous for its dazzling turquoise waters framed by stunning snowcapped mountains, the tallest reaching heights of over 3,000 meters, it's the ultimate safe selfie spot, especially with the handsome Fairmont Château Lake Louise in the background. It's also a great place to pause and reflect on the splendor and natural beauty of this beautiful part of the world.

Other fun things to do in Lake Louise include strolling along the lovely lakeshore trail or enjoying a canoe ride. You can also take the Lake Louise Gondola for the chance to enjoy some great views of the lake.

If you find yourself wanting to cram as much as possible into a single day's visit to this beautiful area, you may want to consider joining a fun full-day tour of Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway . Including round-trip travel from Banff, your adventure takes in some of the area's most spectacular scenery in comfort and style, and under the guidance of a professional tour guide. Along the way, you'll take in such sightseeing highlights as spectacular Bow Falls and Moraine Lake.

• Best Hikes in Banff National Park
• Best Hikes at Lake Louise

Tracing its roots back as far as 1917, Calgary Zoo is one of the city's most popular family attractions and Canada's largest and most visited zoological park. Spread across a 120-acre site on St. George's Island in the Bow River, the zoo is home to over 1,000 animals representing some 272 species, including many examples of rare and endangered species.

There are also botanical gardens on the property, which are always fun to visit in spring. Spring's also a good time to visit due to the arrival of newborn animals; check the zoo's website for news and details of its animal residents.

Popular must-see sections include the Land of Lemurs, Destination Africa, and the Canadian Wilds. It's at the latter that you'll enjoy up-close views of fascinating creatures, including grizzly bears and the newest arrivals, a pair of pandas.

Other fun things to do include spending time exploring the six-acre prehistoric park attraction with its full-size replica dinosaurs. For those traveling in winter, be sure to visit the nighttime Zoolights Christmas festival held here each year.

Address: 210 St. George's Drive NE, Calgary, Alberta

Calgary's Heritage Park is a typical village from the pioneering period, with dozens of reconstructed historical buildings and lively costumed interpreters from four different time periods. Along with exhibits and buildings ranging from an 1860 fur-trading fort to a 1930s town square, a highlight of a visit is riding the old steam engine, which provides transport around the park.

There's also a paddlewheel tour boat that offers scenic cruises across the Glenmore Reservoir, which offers plenty of great sightseeing and photo ops. The reservoir is also a popular spot for outdoor activities such as sailing, canoeing, and rowing.

Be sure to allocate a little extra time in your Heritage Village itinerary to visit the Gasoline Alley Museum . This fun attraction is popular for its hands-on, interactive experiences and one-of-a-kind vintage vehicles.

Address: 1900 Heritage Drive SW, Calgary

At the top of the Calgary Tower , a viewing platform with a glass floor and revolving restaurant enables sightseers to enjoy the thrilling sensation of being 191 meters above the city in one of its landmark buildings.

Opened in 1968 and until 1984 the tallest structure in the city, the tower still offers excellent views out over the city and beyond to the mountains. It is particularly beautiful at night, and the tower itself is lit up each evening to stunning effect.

In 1988, the tower's giant torch bore witness to the spirit of the Olympics, and is still lit on special occasions. A fun movie, shown regularly in the building, highlights the construction of the tower.

Address: 101 9 Ave SW, Calgary

In the foothills of the mountains to the west of the city rise the strange-looking towers of WinSport, home to the Calgary Olympic Park . In 1988, this was the primary site for the XV Olympic Winter Games.

Today, the hill is still open to skiing and snowboarding, and there are opportunities to bobsled, zipline, toboggan, snow tube, and mountain bike down the slopes and hills. Indoor ice skating is also available, including professional competitions, casual sessions, and programming for tourists and locals to enjoy.

Guided Ski Jump Tower Tours give a panoramic view of the Calgary skyline from the top of the ski-jump slope. Canada's Sports Hall of Fame is located in the park as well.

Address: 88 Canada Olympic Road SW, Calgary

Prince's Island Park is a large 50-acre green space located to the north of downtown Calgary. Set on an island in the Bow River, the park is adjacent to Eau Claire Market , and many tourists make a joint visit to these two top attractions.

Connected to the mainland by three pedestrian bridges, the park offers walking and biking areas, as well as outdoor concerts and plays during the summer months. A popular restaurant is located on the island.

Address: 698 Eau Claire Ave SW, Calgary

The award-winning, luxuriously appointed, and privately owned Rocky Mountaineer rail tour runs between Calgary or Jasper and Vancouver, the company's base, cutting westward on the historic Canadian Pacific line through the soaring mountain wall of the Rockies. At Canmore , providing the weather is good, there is a fine view of the snow-capped Three Sisters, a grouping of mountain peaks that make for a stunning backdrop to your journey.

Soon afterward, the popular resort of Banff is reached. Other highlights in this mountainous section, where peaks top 3,600 meters, are Lake Louise , Kicking Horse Pass , and Rogers Pass . A variety of day trip options are also available, and you can even break your trip up. A popular option for outdoor enthusiasts is to stop over in Banff for a few days of hiking in Banff National Park .

However you choose to tackle this epic rail journey, a word of warning: as one of North America's busiest scenic rail adventures, it's a good idea to plan your excursion well in advance, especially if you have a hankering to ride the first-class GoldLeaf dome car.

Established in 1966, the Glenbow Museum features some rare exhibits illustrating the historical development of Western Canada. The museum travels back in time, exploring the lives of early fur traders and the North West Mounted Police, Métis uprisings under Louis Riel, and the development of the oil industry.

This fascinating art and history museum also hosts temporary exhibitions from around the world. Guided tours and educational programming are also available.

Another good museum to visit is Telus Spark . Perfect for families to explore together, this first-rate science museum features a variety of fascinating interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations, as well as lectures and educational workshops.

Address: 130 9 Ave SE, Calgary

Situated in Calgary's East Village area, Studio Bell, Home of the National Music Centre , opened in its new state-of-the-art facility in 2016. Able to trace its roots back as far as 1987, the huge structure houses a number of music-related attractions, including the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Collection.

Together, these museums boast an impressive collection of 2,000 music-related artifacts, including numerous old and rare instruments. Among the larger exhibits are a mobile recording studio that once belonged to the Rolling Stones and a piano once owned by Elton John.

The building itself is simply stunning, especially its interior, which features more than 226,000 attractive terra-cotta tiles. In addition to its many exhibits-many of them hands-on and interactive-Studio Bell offers a diverse program of educational events and workshops, daily performances, as well as concerts.

Guided tours are available, along with a fun backstage pass tour that includes time playing some of the instruments you'll see.

Address: 850 4 Street SE, Calgary, Alberta

Canada's second-largest urban park, Fish Creek Provincial Park covers an area of nearly 14 square kilometers. Located in Calgary's far south, this huge green space is popular for its many pleasant walking and hiking trails, which lead through forest areas and along the creek, and some of which connect to other trails that crisscross the city.

Fish Creek Park has been designated a natural area, and as such is perfect for people looking for a taste of nature. It's a popular spot for bird-watching, with some 200 different species identified as living here.

Other fun things to do include fishing, swimming, biking, and participating in an organized nature tour. There are also a number of heritage buildings within the park that are fun to explore, as well as a visitor center and a restaurant.

Address: 15979 Bow Bottom Trail SE, Calgary

If there's time left in your Calgary travel itinerary for another park visit, try to also squeeze in Bowness Park . Located in the city's northwest corner, this large 74-acre urban green space is especially popular for families and is a great spot for picnics or barbecues, with fire pits provided.

There's even a fun paddleboat ride in summer. Traveling with kids? They'll want to climb aboard the great little train that's available for kids to enjoy.

Come winter, the fun revolves around skating, as well as a fun new experience called "ice biking" (yes, it's literally a bike on skates!). Other winter activities include hockey, curling, and cross-country skiing. It's an especially nice place to visit in the fall when the leaves change color.

Address: 8900 48 Ave NW, Calgary

The Hangar Flight Museum focuses on the history of Canadian aviation and Western Canada in particular. Canadian pilots who fought in WWII started the museum, which has now grown dramatically since to exhibit a variety of aircraft. At last count, 24 planes and helicopters were on display here-simulators, aviation art prints, radio equipment, and information on aviation history.

There's also a fascinating display of artifacts and information related to Canada's space programs. The museum is located in a large building near the Calgary Airport. A variety of programming is also available, including lectures, tours, events, and aircraft-related movie nights.

Address: 4629 McCall Way NE, Calgary

The first outpost of the North West Mounted Police, Fort Calgary was set up in 1875 at the confluence of the Elbow and Bow Rivers. The foundations of the original fort can still be seen, and the Fort Calgary Museum helps interpret the founding of the city. On the other side of the bridge stands Deane House, built in 1906 for the fort commandant.

Also on-site is a gift shop, which sells souvenirs and RCMP collectibles, and a theater showing related movies. If visiting on a Sunday, arrive early and partake in the facility's popular brunch (reservations recommended).

Address: 750 9th Ave SE, Calgary

The Military Museums of Calgary is an impressive collection of Canadian Forces museums that explore the history of Canada's Navy, Army, and Air Force. Exhibits emphasize interactive experiences, whether it's walking through WWI trenches or steering a ship from a wheelhouse.

A variety of military vehicles are located on-site, including several tanks, and there's also a library that's available for public use. The museum hosts events and lectures throughout the year, and a gift shop is located on-site.

Address: 4520 Crowchild Trail SW, Calgary

A world-renowned equestrian facility, Spruce Meadows welcomes visitors throughout the year to tour the stables, watch show jumping and dressage champions in training, and stroll the pleasant grounds.

Outdoor tournaments take place in the spring, with indoor competitions in other seasons. There's also a football stadium located on the 505-acre site, as well as retail vendors and dining options.

Address: 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW, Calgary

On the 4th level of the Core Shopping Centre, visitors will come somewhat unexpectedly upon the floral paradise of Devonian Gardens . Covering about 2.5 acres, the indoor gardens feature some 550 trees, including lovely tropical palms, along with sculptures, fish ponds, fountains, and a 900-square-foot living wall.

About 10,000 plants make up the displays, and despite Calgary's cold winters, they thrive under a glass ceiling. A children's play area is located on-site. The Devonian Gardens are free for the public to wander.

Address: 400 - 317 7 Ave SW, Calgary

The best places to stay when visiting Calgary are in the vibrant downtown area, which is central to many of the major attractions. Staying near the Bow River, which runs right through the city center, will put you near walking trails and lovely parks. Another popular area of downtown is 17th Avenue, with plenty of fun things to do, such as shopping in its trendy shops and dining in its world-class restaurants. Below are some highly rated Calgary hotels in convenient locations:

Luxury Hotels:

• The elegant Hotel Le Germain Calgary , located in the central business district, is within walking distance of the Calgary Tower and EPCOR Center for the Performing Arts.
• The modern and conveniently located Hyatt Regency Calgary features rooms with city views, a rooftop sundeck, and an indoor pool, and is connected to the Telus Convention Center.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Right downtown, just a short walk from Prince's Island Park in the Bow River and offering large suites at an affordable price, is the upscale International Hotel.
• The award-winning, boutique Hotel Arts , an easy stroll from the Calgary Tower, has custom contemporary décor in all its rooms.
• South of downtown, but very close to Fish Creek Provincial Park, is the Wingate by Wyndham Calgary . With an indoor pool and waterslide, this hotel is a good choice for families.

Budget Hotels:

• A good downtown budget option is the BEST WESTERN PLUS Suites Downtown , with extra-large rooms that include either a full kitchen or kitchenette.
• The Fairfield Inn & Suites offers large suites with city views and a complimentary breakfast.
• Just south of downtown, near the Stampede grounds, is the BEST WESTERN PLUS Calgary Centre Inn with very reasonable rates.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Canada's Big Cities : Canada's largest city of Toronto hosts countless visitors each year, drawn here for its many exciting tourist attractions perfect for families, such as the CN Tower, the Royal Ontario Museum, and the huge Ripley's Aquarium of Canada. In Quebec, the old historic district of Montreal is a taste of old Europe that's a delight to explore on foot. Not to be outdone, beautiful Vancouver , on the country's west coast, is where you'll enjoy the natural splendor of the excellent (and vast) Stanley Park, along with the traditional market place vibe of Granville Island.

The Great Outdoors : Canada is known the world over for its vast stretches of wilderness, none more impressive than the outstandingly beautiful area around Tofino BC , popular for adventure seekers including hikers, bikers, and surfers. Of its many parks, perhaps the best known is Banff National Park , famous for its proximity to the turquoise waters of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Although more remote, the rugged splendor of Nahanni National Park Reserve in the spectacular Mackenzie Mountains straddling the Yukon and the Northwest Territories has much to attract adventure seekers.

Canada Vacation Ideas : No visit to Ontario should be considered without a day or two being spent in Niagara Falls , famous for thrilling, timeless attractions including the Maid of the Mist and the Journey Behind the Falls. Canada's capital of Ottawa is also a must-visit and features the amazing Rideau Canal, which, come winter, is transformed into the world's longest skating rink. The center of Quebec City is another great place to visit, any time of year, especially around historic Place Royale.

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Things to do in Calgary

Calgary Travel Guide

Welcome to the ultimate Calgary travel guide, your go-to resource for exploring this vibrant city nestled in the heart of Alberta, Canada. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, culture enthusiast, or nature lover, Calgary offers a plethora of experiences that cater to all tastes. Through this guide, we’ll walk you through the must-visit spots, share practical tips, and answer some frequently asked questions to ensure you have a clear and comprehensive understanding of what Calgary has to offer. So, let’s dive right in and start planning your unforgettable Calgary adventure!

Why Calgary Should Be Your Next Destination

Calgary, often known as the gateway to the Rockies, is not just a pit stop on the way to the majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains but a destination worth exploring in its own right. With its dynamic mix of modern city life and rugged natural beauty, Calgary presents a unique blend of experiences. From the world-renowned Calgary Stampede, dubbed “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” to the serene beauty of Prince’s Island Park and the pulsating energy of its diverse culinary scene, Calgary promises an adventure that’s both vibrant and varied.

Top Attractions in Calgary

The calgary stampede.

No visit to Calgary is complete without experiencing the Calgary Stampede. Held every July, this ten-day event offers a feast of rodeo events, concerts, and exhibitions. It’s a celebration of Western culture that draws visitors from all over the globe.

Explore the Rockies

Just a short drive from Calgary, the Canadian Rockies offer breathtaking landscapes and outdoor activities year-round. Whether it’s hiking, skiing, or just soaking in the natural hot springs, the Rockies are a must-visit for nature lovers.

Calgary Tower

For the best views of the city and beyond, head to the Calgary Tower. Its observation deck offers a 360-degree panorama, making it the perfect spot to snap some stunning photos of the city skyline and distant mountains.

Heritage Park Historical Village

Step back in time at Canada’s largest living history museum, Heritage Park. With over 180 exhibits and attractions, it’s a fun and educational experience for all ages.

Prince’s Island Park

Escape to Prince’s Island Park, an urban oasis in the heart of the city. It’s the ideal place for picnics, walks, and attending seasonal festivals.

Culinary Adventures in Calgary

Calgary’s culinary scene is as diverse as its population. From farm-to-table restaurants showcasing Alberta’s best produce to international cuisines and street food markets, Calgary is a food paradise. Take advantage of trying the local specialties, such as Alberta beef, and the city’s thriving craft beer scene.

Practical Tips for Visiting Calgary

To make the most of your Calgary adventure, here are some practical tips:

• Best Time to Visit:  Calgary is fantastic year-round, but the best time to visit is during the summer months (June to August) when the weather is warm and the city is alive with festivals and outdoor activities.
• Getting Around:  Calgary has an efficient public transportation system, including buses and the C-Train, making it easy to navigate the city. Renting a car is an excellent option if you plan to explore the Rockies or other nearby attractions.
• Where to Stay:  From luxury downtown hotels to cozy B&Bs in the suburbs, Calgary offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit every budget and preference.

FAQs About Traveling to Calgary

Q: Do I need a car to explore Calgary?

A: While Calgary’s public transportation can take you to most major attractions, renting a car provides the flexibility to explore at your own pace, especially if you plan to visit the Rockies or other nearby areas.

Q: What are some local dishes I should try?

A: Make sure to try Alberta beef, which is known for its quality and flavor. Other local favorites include bison, wild game, and the iconic Caesar cocktail, invented in Calgary.

Q: Are there any free activities in Calgary?

A: Yes! Calgary offers many free activities, such as exploring the city’s extensive network of pathways and parks, attending festivals in Prince’s Island Park, and enjoying public art installations throughout the city.

Calgary is a city that surprises and delights visitors with its mix of urban sophistication and natural beauty. Whether you’re here to experience the thrill of the Calgary Stampede, explore the breathtaking landscapes of the Rockies, or dive into the city’s vibrant culinary scene, Calgary offers a wealth of experiences waiting to be discovered. Armed with this travel guide, you’re well on your way to planning an unforgettable Calgary adventure. So pack your bags, bring your sense of adventure, and get ready to explore all that Calgary has to offer!

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21 Best Things to do in Calgary, Alberta

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: November 22, 2023

This comprehensive guide to the best things to do in Calgary, Alberta will show you the top attractions, festivals, and outdoor activities to enjoy throughout your time in Stampede City.

Full of pioneering history and flanked by the Canadian Rockies, the beautiful city of Calgary is the place for your next adventure. In Alberta, Calgary is more than just the location of an iconic stampede, it has an exceptional foodie scene, fun tourist attractions, and outdoor adventures galore. Cut by the Bow River, it is a city of parks and recreation. Calgary is also a great launch point for a trip to Banff .

Table of Contents

Things to do in Calgary

When visiting Calgary, the best way to see it is to rent a car. We usually pick up our car rental at the Calgary International Airport and use it to explore the surrounding areas such as Canmore , Banff , and Drumheller. But before you start doing day trips from Calgary, let’s check out the best things to do in Calgary for a couple of days in downtown Calgary.

1. Go Up the Calgary Tower

As one of the most recognizable structures in the city’s skyline, the Calgary Tower helps newcomers and travelers maintain their bearings as they roam the streets. Upon completion in 1968, the Calgary Tower was the tallest building in the city. Although it was dethroned in 1984, the tower still offers visitors some of the best views in Calgary.

From 626ft (191m) above the ground, you can see well into the surrounding mountains. One of the best things to do in Calgary at night is to head to the second observation deck in the Tower. Sip on a cocktail at Sky 360 and enjoy the city lights up from above.

2. Canada Olympic Park (WINSPORT)

Home to the 1988 Winter Olympics, the park is one of the top Calgary attractions and is still used as a training ground for professional athletes. Now known as WinSport, Canada Olympic Park is the place for winter sports enthusiasts to go if you want to do some skiing close to the city centre, or to enjoy one of its many outdoor adventures in the summer.

Beyond skiing and snowboarding, visitors can enjoy tubing down the hills and even try bobsledding on the original Olympic bobsleigh track. Is there a better way to head down the mountain at 100km per hour? WinSport also offers rides on one of the fastest zip-lines in North America. There are mountain bike trails or you can put your hiking boots to work. Read more about it at Canada Olympic Park – Fun in Calgary Alberta

3. Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame

Conveniently placed in the Olympic Park, the museum is hallowed ground for the sports of hockey, baseball, football, and the Olympics. Along with learning about the hundreds of Canadians that have been inducted, you can also see the torch that was used to begin the 1988 Winter Olympics. Later test your skills by shadowboxing against iconic boxer Lennox Lewis.

4. Bow River

With extensive pathways for walkers, bikers, and the occasional rollerblader, following the Bow River is a great way to explore Calgary. The river cuts through the city and the 6.1 km pathway provides welcoming access to various spots. Examples include Prince’s Island Park and the beloved Peace Bridge.

The Peace Bridge connects Memorial Drive with Eau Claire Park. We suggest renting a bicycle to explore the waterfront. Our hotel The Hotel Arts Kensington had complimentary bikes to use to explore the city.

Take a Walking Tour

One of the best ways to explore a new city is to join a walking tour. This 2-hour walking tour lets you reserve now and pay later. (easy cancellation within 24 hours of tour if your plans change. It takes you through downtown Calgary to explore its elevated walkways and history. Places to see in Calgary include the Municipal Plaza, Calgary’s East Village and Old City Hall. You’ll also walk the most extensive pathway system in North America, and Chinatown.

5. Stephen Avenue

Arguably the most beautiful street in Calgary, completing the Stephen Avenue Walk is a must-do. Placed in the city center, the avenue is easy to get to and offers historic buildings, trendy shops, and cozy restaurants.

The beauty goes up a notch in the summer when the street becomes a hub of activity. Once you have completed the stroll, you will also be close to many of the top attractions on this list. 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 features an architectural design that is as memorable as the exhibits themselves. Inside, you will uncover an abundance of memorabilia and instruments, featuring iconic Canadian musicians such as Neil Young, Bryan Adams and Oscar Peterson.

By joining the backstage tour, you can explore centuries of historic instruments and learn about local music icons. The highlight of the tour, however, is the trip through the iconic Rolling Stones recording studio and a chance to play some instruments along the journey.

7. Prince’s Island Park

On an island along the Bow River, Prince’s Island Park comes with 50-acres of natural space to explore. On a sunny day in Calgary, grab a picnic and relax under the shady trees. Or you can eat at the River Cafe, a fine dining restaurant located within the park

Connected to downtown Calgary via three pedestrian bridges, you will discover ample walking and cycling tracks to stretch out your legs. If you didn’t bring a picnic, there is a wonderful restaurant to dine at, and you may also stumble upon live music as you walk the paths. Prince’s Island Park is near the Eau Claire Market. Combine your park day by exploring the market’s selection of one-of-a-kind finds and specialty treats.

8. Calgary Folk Music Festival

Over four days, Prince’s Island goes to another level with fantastic solo acts and bands lighting up the space. Boogie under the balmy Calgary sun and listen to your favorite tunes or discover new musicians to fall in love with. Alongside the live performances, you will find several workshops, arts and crafts, along with delicious food vendors. When the music stops, that doesn’t mean the fun ends. You are within walking distance of the downtown core, with plenty of options to keep the night rolling.

9. Expo Latino

One of the best festivals in Calgary is Expo Latino. Held annually in August, Expo Latino is the largest Latin festival in Canada. With ample live music, room to dance, and amazing Latin cuisine, you can’t miss Expo Latino.

10. Fort Calgary

At the union of the Bow and Elbow Rivers, Fort Calgary was the first outpost of the North West Mounted Police. To this day, you can still see the original foundations of the fort while the Fort Calgary Museum tells the tale of the city from its foundation to modern times. You’ll learn of the Métis’ history and influence in Calgary and how the Elbow River and Bow Rivers are significant to Indigenous culture and heritage.

11. Heritage Park Historical Village

If Fort Calgary gives a glimpse into Western Canada’s history at the Heritage Park Historical Village provides the full picture. The park is home to a series of historic buildings from the pioneer era with ample costumed interpreters to help you travel back in time. Fun Fact: This is Canada’s largest living history museum!

The buildings cover four key periods in Calgary’s history. You’ll discover an 1860s fur-trading fort, a town square from the early 20th century along with the popular old steam engine. Jump on for a ride around the village. Other activities include a paddlewheel tour on the scenic Glenmore Reservoir and a visit to Gasoline Alley Museum. A place full of vintage vehicles and interactive exhibits.

12. The Military Museums

Displaying the important efforts of Canada’s army during the First and Second World Wars, the Military Museums offer amazing insight into this period of human history.

The museums go into great detail, covering stories of the brave men and women who put their lives on the line. Here you can learn what it was like to be in the trenches on the Western Front, or flying a bomber during WWII. Your visit will also come with the chance to view various military vehicles, including tanks.

13. Glenbow Museum

If it’s a miserable day and you’re wondering what to do in Calgary when it’s raining, then the answer is the Glenbow Museum. Within downtown Calgary, the museum focuses on art and culture in Western Canada. With over a million artifacts, art pieces, and photographs on display, prepare to take a deep dive into contemporary life and culture in this corner of the world.

The Museum also presents an amazing look into the values, traditions, and heritage of indigenous peoples who have lived along the Northwestern Plains for thousands of years.

14. Calaway Park

Wondering what fun things to do in Calgary as a family? Well, you can’t go wrong with a day at Calaway Park. As the biggest outdoor amusement park in Western Canada, Calaway Park promises to be a fun day for everyone.

The park comes with over 30 rides, of which many will get the heart pumping. For some more relaxed fun, you can play almost two dozen carnival-style games. Better yet, enjoy a show at Calaway Park’s very own 3D theater.

15. Fish Creek Park

The second-largest urban park in Canada has delightful walking trails through forests and along the renowned creek. The designated natural area is home to some 200 species and is a great place to enjoy bird-watching.

16. Watch the Calgary Flames

Hockey is Canada’s most popular sport and by a big margin. One of the best ways to get into the local spirit is to go to the Saddledome and watch the Calgary Flames tear up the ice

The aptly named Saddledome indeed looks like a saddle from the outside. From October to April, the arena sells out multiple times a week. If you’re on a budget, tickets to see the Flames can be cheap, especially compared to a Maple Leaf’s game in Toronto . Tickets to games against the Edmonton Oilers can be competitive. But watching the two bitter rivals face-off is one of the best things to do in Calgary.

17. Theatre Calgary

If you are looking for another activity at night in Calgary, why not go to the Theater? Theatre Calgary is a professional theatre company and performing arts theatre that hosts Broadway productions.

18. Calgary Zoo

Zoos are not normally listed on our to do list, but they do have a place in conservation and education. Plus, the Calgary Zoo is renowned for its conservation efforts helping rare and endangered species. The Calgary Zoo also has a botanical garden and butterfly conservatory. If you are looking for things to do in Calgary for the whole family, you may want to consider a trip 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 a million travelers descend on the event.

Known as 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 top 10 best new restaurants by enRoute Magazine. It’s a carnivore lovers delight at Charcut, a sure bet is to order the special of the day from their custom built rotisserie. When visiting Alberta , you must have Alberta Beef, (if you are a meat eater) and this is the place to try it.

Model Milk is and open concept kitchen overlooking the restaurant where patrons can sit at the bar and watch the staff at work. The menu has a very European flare and changes regularly following what is in season.

Day Trips from Calgary

Calgary is conveniently located on the Trans Canada Highway linking, Calgary, Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise. No visit to Alberta would be complete without seeing these beautiful destinations. You may also like: The Most Beautiful National Parks in Canada

20. Banff National Park

One of the best day trips from Calgary is Banff National Park , home to towering mountains and the storybook Lake Louise. You can reach the park in 90 minutes but the scenery is likely to have you stopping at regular intervals.

After arriving in the park, continue on to the lake. Spectacular mountain vistas surround you at every turn, carved over millennia by the slow movement of glaciers. The result is the stunning turquoise waters of Lake Louise. Head out on the lake or stroll the lakeshore trail.

With mountains soaring towards the heavens, Banff National Park is the definition of unforgettable. In the winter there is world class skiing and snowboarding and in the summer you can go mountain biking, or hiking. Read more: The Best Things to do in Banff, Alberta

21. Canmore

Canmore is located between Calgary and Banff and is an excellent stop for an afternoon. In fact, we’ve spent several days in Canmore from exploring its many hiking trails in the summer to snowshoeing and cross country skiing in the winter. One of the best things to do is to take a helicopter tour over the Canadian Rockies to see the spectacular scenery of Banff and Lake Louise. Read more: The Best Things to do in Canmore, Alberta

22. Drumheller

One of our favorite day trips from Calgary is the incredible town of Drumheller. Take a road trip to see the hoodoos, Royal Tyrrell Dinosaur museum and canyons of the area. The Atlas Coal Mine is a great tour for the whole family and you’ll even get to see the world’s largest dinosaur. Read more: 17 Awesome Things to do in Drumheller, Alberta

23. Take The Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver

One of the world’s best train journeys leaves from Calgary on its way to Vancouver. If you have a few days to fill on your Calgary itinerary, consider a once-in-a-lifetime trip on the Rocky Mountaineer .

The luxurious train travels along the historic Canada Pacific Line, venturing deep into the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains. Along the way, you will have the chance to stop at Canmore , Banff National Park , or Jasper for a variety of spectacular day trips. Read more: Things to do in Vancouver

How to get to Calgary

The main point of entry to Alberta’s largest city is from Calgary Airport. You will have a variety of transport options to choose from.

There is an express bus to downtown that leaves every half hour between 5 am and midnight and costs $6.35 USD. The trip takes 30 minutes. A shuttle leaves from Bus Bay 8 every half hour from 8 am to midnight. The shuttle costs $12 USD and connects to most city hotels. A taxi ride from the airport to downtown costs roughly $35 USD.

Best time to visit Calgary

With a balance of urban and mountain adventures to embark on, there is never a bad time to visit Calgary. The winter months offer great local skiing and lower room rates. In the fall, you will enjoy moderate temperatures and beautiful scenery as the leaves turn to auburn.

However, you can’t go past summer as the best time to visit Calgary. With all the festivals and live events plus the Calgary Stampede, it is a magical time of year. Book as far in advance as possible to save money on accommodation.

Where to stay in Calgary

Even as the city continues to grow, the best place to base yourself is within Calgary’s downtown. You will be close to the vast majority of attractions from the Bow River to Stephen Avenue.

Hotel Arts Kensington – Calgary

We have stayed at this boutique hotel in Calgary a few times and it is outstanding. The Hotel Artis is a luxury boutique hotel that goes the extra mile. Located in the heart of Kensington Village, it has a cool and funky vibe that is great for nightlife. They offer free bike loans at the hotel and it is located along the pedestrian path running along the river. Check out prices on TripAdvisor

More Calgary Hotels

• Luxury – Fairmont Palliser – You can’t go wrong with this historic hotel. Operating for more than 100 yeras, this luxury hotel in the central business district is near many of Calgary’s top attractions. It’s close to the CORE shopping Centre, cultural attractions and entertainment.
• Budget – Best Western Plus Downtown  offers guests spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. Offering studios along with one and two-bedroom suites enjoy free breakfast and WiFi while being mere steps from the downtown fun.
• Mid-Range – In the heart of Calgary, you will find several mid-range hotels, including  International Hotel & Spa . The hotel offers generous room sizes, complimentary continental breakfast, a gym, and a heated pool.

So, there you have it. These are the best things to do in Calgary for the whole family. Whether you are using the city as a jumping off point to explore the Rocky Mountains or for a city break, Calgary is an excellent choice as one of the best cities in Canada to visit no matter what the season.

Plan Your Trip to Alberta with these Resources

• The Best Things To Do In Edmonton, Alberta
• The Best Things To Do In Canmore, Alberta
• Things To Do In Drumheller, Alberta
• 14 Best Hikes In Jasper National Park – Alberta Canada
• Driving The Icefields Parkway From Banff To Jasper Alberta
• Things To Do In Alberta Canada – The Ultimate Guide

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Book Your Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner. We have used them for years and have found that they have the best flight deals.

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor.

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Safety Wing - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Book Your Activities: Looking for walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more? Then we recommend Get Your Guide.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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Calgary   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Henryk Sadura | Getty Images

19 Best Things To Do in Calgary

Updated Feb. 11, 2021

There are numerous reasons to go to Calgary, the most obvious one being to hit the slopes. Perched in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, the city becomes a home base for many winter sports enthusiasts. Stop by the Canada Olympic Park to watch

• All Things To Do

Glenbow Museum Glenbow Museum

Heralded as one of Canada's finest, the Glenbow Museum caters to history buffs and art lovers alike. Exhibits here focus mainly on the culture of Western Canada, featuring everything from interactive displays on the First Nations tribes to an extensive collection of military memorabilia. However, there are also displays of European Art, Asian sculpture and even West African artifacts, plus plenty of hands-on activities to keep children entertained.

Recent visitors praised the museum's fascinating exhibits, treatment of history and its interactive arts and crafts opportunities.

The Military Museums The Military Museums

Consisting of the four founding regimental museums and the Naval, Army and Air Force Museums of Alberta, the Military Museums of Calgary is the second-largest military museum in Canada. Visitors can learn about history, heritage, art and more about the Canadians who served their country throughout the years. Highlights in the various collections include the Enigma Machine in the Naval Museum. Known as the Enigma-K, the device on display was introduced in 1927 and was built by the Swiss to encode and decode military communication. Another must-see is the CF-104 Starfighter, a Cold War era fighter aircraft located in the Air Force exhibit. But these two items are just the tip of the iceberg at the vast complex.

Recent visitors advised giving yourself plenty of time to explore the museum, which is quite large, with fascinating exhibits and in-depth historical overviews. Others praised the volunteers stationed on-site, who happily provide more context to the exhibits. 

Prince's Island Park Prince's Island Park free

Prince's Island Park spans nearly 50 acres and is a hit with visitors in need of beautiful walk. Trails lined with cottonwood trees appeal to walkers and bikers alike, while regular festivals and an outdoor theater beckon to culture hounds. For food, just follow the footbridge across the Bow River to the stalls of Eau Claire Market. Looking for more refined dining? Then check out the River Café .

Visitors and locals both love the park in every season, praising its peace and quiet, as well as its beauty.

Popular Tours

Moraine Lake & Lake Louise Tour from Calgary / Banff / Canmore

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Banff Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Tour from Calgary Canmore

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Day Trip to Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Yoho from Calgary, Banff

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Calgary Zoo Calgary Zoo

The massive Calgary Zoo houses nearly 1,000 animals – from tigers to gorillas – in enclosures that are representative of their natural habitats. Stop by Panda Passage to meet the zoo's two giant pandas or check out Canada's furry friends like moose and bears in the Canadian Wilds section. But the animals aren't the only reason to visit: The complex is also home to a sprawling botanical garden, featuring flora from across the world; and the Prehistoric Park, which showcases the region's history as a stomping ground for dinosaurs.

Many recent visitors agreed this zoo is a must-do for young families and for many, the pandas were a big highlight.

WinSport Canada Olympic Park WinSport Canada Olympic Park

A tribute to the 1988 Winter Olympic Games, this massive sports complex is still used throughout the year as training grounds for young athletes. If you're in town for a taste of fresh powder, consider stopping here first for a quick how-to on riding the slopes; downhill and cross-country ski lessons are available for both kids and adults. You can also try your hand at other pastimes like bobsleigh and the luge. If you're looking for a more relaxed outing, stop by Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, which is home to the world's largest collection of artifacts from the competition's history, including costumes, photographs and the torch used to carry the flame from Greece.

The museum was a big hit with recent visitors, though some have mixed feelings about the complex itself, depending on what activity they did, with some complaining about high prices and others enjoying their ski lessons.

Heritage Park Heritage Park

Calgary's Wild West past still thrives at this 66-acre living-history village. Nestled beside the Glenmore Reservoir and just south of downtown, this history-lover's paradise swarms with costumed staff re-enacting times gone by. You'll explore an 1860s replica of a fur-trading post, a ranch and a historic village. You can also take a ride on a steam locomotive or a horse-drawn wagon or cruise the reservoir by paddle-wheeler boat. For a better understanding of Calgary's history, check out the Gasoline Alley Museum, home to numerous artifacts representing the city's frontier days.

Recent visitors agreed that Heritage Park is a must-see, especially if you have kids, though most found that everyone from small tots to teens and adults enjoy the park. Several reviewers also commented on the fun of visiting during the holidays, when special events and activities are held.

Stephen Avenue Walk Stephen Avenue Walk free

Occupying three blocks of downtown's 8th Avenue, the Stephen Avenue Walk is one of the city's most popular shopping venues. This pedestrian-only shopping area – also dubbed a National Historic District – is lined with trendy stores, delectable restaurants and even several nightclubs. This downtown stretch is also the place to go for avid culture hounds; street performers, local artists and even festivals are often found here. Business travelers will likely make several stops here as the street is home to the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre and the Hyatt Regency Calgary and the Calgary Marriott Hotel .

Recent visitors loved the hustle and bustle of the area and praised the variety of restaurants and shops.

Spruce Meadows Spruce Meadows

If the Calgary Stampede doesn't satisfy your appetite for equine action, make your way to Spruce Meadows. This top-notch sporting facility – whose name springs from the surrounding spruce trees – hosts some of Canada's most prominent horseback riding events. Here, talented jockeys compete for national titles (and prize money) in adrenaline-pumping events like show jumping.

For visitors, Spruce Meadows is more than your average riding arena. You can get up close and personal with the horses while touring the stables, explore the exquisitely manicured gardens, or let the kiddos run wild at the Canadian Superstore Playground. The facility also hosts numerous events, like the Christmas Market, which is a must-do, according to recent visitors.

Discover Banff National Park - Day Trip

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Lake Louise Moraine Lake JohnstonCanyon fromCalgary / Canmore / Banff

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Explore Banff National Park with Our Premium Day Tour

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Calgary Stampede & Stampede Park Calgary Stampede & Stampede Park

Located just south of downtown Calgary, Stampede Park captures Canada's attention every July during the world-famous Calgary Stampede. This massive festival features rodeos and all things Wild West. Don your hats, polish your boots and prepare for several days of horse races, concerts and even a parade. When the festival has passed, Stampede Park continues to entertain visitors with a hankering for cowboy culture. 

Calgary's most notable event earns mixed reviews. Some raved about the excitement, while others complained about the crowds and a lack of authenticity. Most, however, agreed if you're in town during this time, it's a must-see event.

Scotiabank Saddledome Scotiabank Saddledome

For a taste of true Canadian sportsmanship, make your way to Scotiabank Saddledome, home of the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames. Having moved from Atlanta in 1980, the Flames won Calgary over in 1989 when they claimed the Stanley Cup. Since then, this beloved sports team has been a symbol of pride for Calgarians; they celebrate the Flames' wins on 17th Avenue SW or "The Red Mile."

The Saddledome plays an active role in city life during the offseason, hosting special events like concerts, rodeos and even visits from such notable world figures as Queen Elizabeth II and the Dalai Lama. It gets its name from its saddle-shaped roof.

Calgary Tower Calgary Tower

Standing a whopping 626 feet high, this landmark was once the tallest building in the city. It was originally constructed in 1967 to celebrate Canada's centennial and in 1988, the Calgary Tower also sheltered the Olympic flame. Today, the tower now acts as the city's centerpiece, offering tourists spectacular views of Calgary and the Rocky Mountains.

After riding the elevator to the observation deck, head to the Theatre Room. In the Theatre Room, make sure to check out the short film, "Calgary Tower – Building and Icon," and Travel Alberta's most recent fly-through video, which shows footage of Alberta from the sky. The films run every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and admission is included with your elevator ticket purchase. 

Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre

Studio Bell is home to five floors of interactive exhibits that showcase the sights, sounds and stories of music in Canada. There are 22 exhibition spaces that allow visitors to experience music and Canadian music history in a hands-on way. Visitors can play the guitar, mix a track and sing in vocal booths. Other exhibits feature memorabilia from Canadian music icons and Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees. The Kimball Theatre Organ, without a doubt, is a highlight for many recent visitors. The organ dates back to the 1924, when organs were used to provide sound effects and score music to silent films. Organ demonstrations are conducted at 3 p.m. Wednesday to Friday and at noon and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Reviewers also praised the museum's architecture and the variety of exhibits as well.

Fort Calgary Historic Park Fort Calgary Historic Park

This 40-acre National Historic Site encloses the remains of the original mounted police stronghold, which until the 1970s, were buried under the expanding city. Today, you can explore the fort's remains and, with the help of recently uncovered artifacts, learn what life was like for these western Mounties.

While some visitors said they very much enjoyed their time here, others write this attraction off as kind of boring. However, history aficionados will especially enjoy it, according to recent visitors.

Full Day Tour in Moraine Lake, Lake Louise & Yoho N. P.

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Lake Louise & Yoho (Moraine Lake June - Oct) from Calgary / Banff

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Banff Area & Johnston Canyon 1-Day Tour from Calgary or Banff

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Calaway Park Calaway Park

This amusement park has plenty of rides, shows, attractions and play areas for everyone from tiny tots to thrill-seeking teens. Bumper cars, bumper boats, a log flume, roller coasters and more are among the attractions. Add to that, live entertainment, games, food venues and 3D movies, you can keep busy all day.

Recent visitors said there is plenty to do for the whole family, with lots of fun rides and attractions.

Fish Creek Provincial Park Fish Creek Provincial Park free

This large park south of downtown offers lots of opportunities to hike, swim, fish, cycle, ski and simply enjoy nature. What's more, the park's visitor center has a theater and exhibit area showcasing artifacts found in the park.

Recent visitors praised the park for its beauty, the variety of outdoor pursuits available and the opportunities to see wildlife. Others enjoyed the numerous walking and cycling paths.

TELUS Spark TELUS Spark

This science museum offers plenty of hands-on opportunities to learn about everything from technology to the brain. In the Creative Kids Museum – designed for kids ages 9 and younger – children can learn about flotation in a water play area, crawl and climb in a climbing structure, design and make inventions, and stage a play, among other activities. Live science demos are another highlight for visitors, as well as shows in the planetarium.

While many recent visitors loved the museum for its interactive exhibits, others found it too expensive for what's on offer. However, one upside is that admission to the Dome Theatre, which screens planetarium shows and movies, is included in the overall entrance ticket.

Central Library Central Library free

Read More »

Peace Bridge Peace Bridge free

Banff & Yoho Parks | Lake Louise | Moraine Lake | Emerald Lake - PRIVATE TOUR

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From Calgary: explore Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Banff

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Wonderland Sculpture Wonderland Sculpture free

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The 20 BEST Things to Do in Calgary (2024 Guide)

• Last Updated: February 8, 2024

Your complete guide to the best things to do in Calgary, Canada. Whether you want to see the famous Stampede or fish in the Bow River, you’ll be blown away at what to do in Calgary!

Calgary is Alberta’s largest city by population and is a young, hip and vibrant city with numerous skyscrapers and art lined pedestrian walkways. 

Yet it still exudes an old west feel, Calgary wasn’t given the nickname “Cowtown” for no reason!

It is a big city with a small-town feel, rich in old western history.

However, it also maintains a culturally diverse identity as over 120 languages are spoken throughout the city.

The city sits at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers.

Just 50 miles to the east of the Canadian Rockies. It is the stepping off location for the exploration of many of the beautiful Canadian National Parks – such as Banff and Jasper.

Calgary was founded in the mid-nineteenth century as Canada was solidifying its national identity.

A fort bearing the city’s name was built in 1875 to protect fur traders, farmers and ranchers who were beginning to populate the region.

Despite the city’s proximity to unimaginable natural beauty, ironically, the oil and energy industry remains the greatest contributor to the city’s economy and has led to the development of the city throughout recent history.

The Canadian Pacific Railway is even headquartered in Calgary, so you can catch a scenic train around North America before or after your stay.

Whether you’re interested in understanding the rich and beautiful history of the region, or you just need a few days to settle into metropolis life to ground yourself before exploring the Great Outdoors, there are tonnes of incredible things to do in Calgary!  

READ MORE: Don’t miss the best things to do in Banff when you’re travelling Alberta!

Table of Contents

1) Visit the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary

2) take a self guided walking tour through heritage park historical village, 3) take in breathtaking 360 views from the calgary tower, 4) take a walking tour with a local of downtown calgary. , 5) be amazed at glenbow museum, 6) witness the world famous calgary stampede, 7) eat a picnic lunch at prince’s island park, 8) visit the calgary zoo, 9) be entertained at spruce meadows, 10) explore head smashed in buffalo jump , 11) get a rush at the winsport canada olympic park & downhill karting at skyline luge calgary, 12) watch a flames hockey game at the saddledome, 13) ride a roller coaster at calaway park, 14) take a step back in time at fort calgary, 15) fish the bow river, 16) take the big rock brewery tour, 17) day trip to banff national park, 18) visit studio bell and canadian music hall of fame at the national music centre, 19) take a leisurely stroll through one of calgary’s city parks. , 20) enjoy the nightlife and music scene at the blues can, the best hostel in calgary – wicked hostels, best budget accommodation for couples – best western plus suites downtown, best mid-range hotel in centro motel, best luxury hotel in calgary – hotel arts, budget – gaga pizza, mid-range – the eden, high-end – bow valley ranche restaurant, the best things to do in calgary.

As the gateway to spectacular beauty in both national and provincial parks, Calgary is often the first stop for those interested in exploring Alberta’s natural beauty. 

With Banff less than an hour and a half away, you could easily make day trips from Calgary to the interior parts of Banff, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks. 

Or you could hunker down in the city and explore its many city parks. 

But if you’re looking for a bit of culture and entertainment, there are also plenty of museums, restaurants, bars and sporting events to keep you entertained during your stay. 

The Heritage Park Historical Village and Fort Calgary are some of the coolest historical sights in Canada, for those who love history.

Depending on the time of year you plan to visit, you might even catch the famous Calgary Stampede Park that takes place annually in July.

Regardless of your interests, plan to build out an awesome itinerary from our list of incredible things to do in Calgary!

For years we had driven right past the sign for this place and said, “We should stop by one day.”

On our most recent visit to the city, we finally did. And boy are we glad we took the time, because it instantly became our absolute favourite attraction in Calgary!

The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary located in Cochrane was founded in 2011 by Georgina De Caigny, a local who got her first wolfdog in 2009 and soon realised that there was very little information out there about these beautiful yet misunderstood creatures.

A wolfdog is essentially any domestic dog (often huskies) that has wolf blood in it. They are large, gorgeous creatures, but can have a wild temperament and need different levels of care to normal dogs.

Many people would purchase, breed or adopt wolfdogs thinking they’ll be great house pets, and soon realise that the amount of work they need to properly look after is way more than expected.

As a result many are abandoned or given up for adoption again. Georgina discovered this firsthand, which is why she opened up the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary.

Visitors are welcome to come walk around the 160-acre property and see the rescued wolfdogs.

The wolfdogs live in large enclosures, so you cannot approach or pet them. But volunteers are always on hand to answer questions, and if you time your visit with the feeding sessions it’s a fascinating opportunity to learn more about the animals.

There’s a lot more to the sanctuary than what we have just written, so make sure you stop off here on your trip to Calgary and be amazed at the incredible work Georgina and her team are doing to raise awareness and protect these stunning wolfdogs.

The Heritage Park Historical Village is one of the top Calgary attractions.

Travel back in time as you walk through the park’s four main areas – Heritage Town Square, 1900’s Living Historical Village, 1880’s Pre-Railway Settlement, and 1860s Fur Trading Fort and First Nations Encampment.

Take a ride on an authentic steam train through the 1900s Living Historical Village and enjoy an ice cream cone at the town’s ice cream parlour.

Visit the homes and businesses of the first settlers in Western Canada during the 1880’s Pre-Railway Settlement .

Learn the history of a diverse group of people that travelled through Calgary in the 1860s Fur Trading Fort and First Nations Encampment .

You will be entertained by costumed interpreters and involved in over 200 interactive and hands-on exhibits and attractions.

Lots of fun to be had and history to be learned by all at Heritage Park Historical Village.

Book your tickets in advance on Get Your Guide .

One of the more popular ways to see the city is from the top of Calgary Tower.

The Calgary Tower stands a stagger 190.6 meters tall and from its observation tower, you can see as far as the Canadian Rockies.

Originally named the Husky Tower until 1971, upon the completion of the tower in 1968, Calgary Tower was the tallest structure of its kind in North America.

Ride one of the two elevators to the top or you can try to conquer the more than 800 steps to the main floor.

On the observation deck of Calgary Tower, you can enjoy the 360-degree views of the entire city of Calgary.

There are also two restaurants – Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and Sky 360 – where you can get a drink or a bite to eat. 

Or you can head to the nearby Stephen Avenue Walk, a pedestrian mall full of bars and restaurants.

There is a lot to see in Calgary. One of the best ways to explore the city is by taking a customized walking tour with a local .

Your guide can meet you where you are staying or any area of town you’d like to see.

Tour the popular Stephen Avenue, a pedestrian-only section of the city that’s full of shops, restaurants, food trucks, art and entertainment.

Look for the famous statues throughout downtown – the Wonderland Sculpture, Famous Five, Family of Horses, Sitting Eagle, Family of Man and the Tree Sculptures plus many others. 

There is something fascinating to be found by history buffs, art lovers and world culture enthusiasts at the Glenbow Museum!

Established by philanthropist Eric Lafferty Harvie in 1966, it is one of the top things to do in Calgary by both locals and tourists.

Containing everything from modern art by Canadian artists to the history of the Plains Indians and first settlers, the Glenbow Museum has truly a diverse collection of artifacts and exhibits to explore as well as interactive exhibits.

Plan to spend at least 2 to 3 hours touring this large and thorough museum.

You are guaranteed to gain a fuller understanding of Canadian history when you visit! Check the website for visitor info!

READ MORE: 17 amazing things to do in Quebec City

The Calgary Stampede is one of the most famous Canada attractions!

Held annually for 10 days in July, millions of people from around the world come to attend the Calgary Stampede, the world’s largest rodeo.

There’s more than just a rodeo to enjoy. There are fair rides to thrill you, chuckwagon races, live music and agricultural events.

The Stampede’s sole purpose is to entertain its visitors, educate and preserve the history and culture of the Old West, and they do it well!!

If you’re visiting Calgary in July, which is perhaps the best time to visit, this is an event that you don’t want to miss in Stampede Park!

One of the best things to do in Calgary is to simply enjoy a nice easy day at Prince’s Island Park.

Arguably the most popular park among the many city parks in Calgary, Prince’s Island Park is accessible by walking or biking via the Peace Bridge .

The park itself is 20 hectares of nature and a pathway that allow you to traverse the entire island on foot or bike.

It is dog-friendly most days (except during large events) so it’s a great place to get exercise in addition to relaxing for a nice picnic lunch. 

Prince’s Island Park does have a full-service restaurant if you don’t want to pack your own lunch.

And if you’re visiting at the right time you might even be able to take in one of the many festivals and events held in the park throughout the year. But there is no bad time to visit Calgary, it’s amazing year-round!

READ MORE: Check out our complete guide to travelling in Canada !

The Calgary Zoo is more than just a place to see animals. It is a zoo dedicated to the care and protection of endangered species.

The zoo is operated by a not-for-profit, the Calgary Zoological Society, and is one of just a few zoos in Canada that is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Recognized as one of the world’s top zoos for animal conservation, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums considers the Calgary Zoo to be one of the top zoos in the world!

Home to over 1,000 different types of animals, from the endangered Giant Panda Bear to the tiny Black-Footed Ferret.

Animal welfare is the number one priority at the Calgary Zoo and you will find that all habitats meet the highest standards of the creatures well being. 

Whether Calgary is just a stopping point on your way to the National Parks or you’re here for a longer stay, make sure you plan a visit to this animal paradise!

Spruce Meadows is a sports complex and park started by the Southern family in 1976 and is one of the best outdoor equestrian venues in the world.

Dedicated to organizing and hosting equine showjumping tournaments of all levels, celebrating the horse, and the breeding and training of top sport horses.

You can find more than just showjumping in the park.

There are plenty of family friend activities to see and do on an event day.

You can even visit the stables and see some of the horses that will be competing! 

Just a short drive away from Calgary, you’ll find a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is world renown for being the largest and most preserved Buffalo jump in North America.

The jump dates back 6,000 years and was in use for over 5,500 years.

Where the plains meet the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, you will be led by a Blackfoot guide who will interpret the plains buffalo culture.

Through several indoor and outdoor exhibits, you will learn about the aboriginal Plains People who were clever hunters and used the 11 meter high cliff to kill the buffalo and then skillfully processed the carcasses. 

READ MORE: If you love adventure, check out this list of the best hiking in Banff !

Are you ready for Calgary’s ultimate gravity-fueled thrill ride?!

Voted as one of the best Calgary activities, you will race down a 1,800-meter track, one of the longest in the world, with over 50 twists and turns!

Ride a ski chairlift to the top of the track at Canada Olympic Park and then get ready to hurtle down the racecourse.

The karts are easy to control and is fun for all ages. Winsport Canada Olympic Park is where you’ll find WinSport and Downhill Karting, and it’s a great place to visit with the whole family.

Find the full price list on their website .

If you are wondering what to see in Calgary that you can’t see in other places, check out a hockey game.

The Calgary Flames are one of three professional hockey teams in Calgary, but the largest as they are part of the NHL. The Edmonton Oilers are another local favorite in Alberta.

Their last Stanley Cup victory was in 1989. But win or lose, you’re sure to see some exciting action at the Saddledome! 

The NHL hockey season last from October until April so there are plenty of opportunities to watch any number of the 41 Flame home games.

Tickets are reasonably priced , so even if you aren’t a true fan of hockey you can still have an exciting evening before heading out for the night!

If you’re a real sports fan, you can even check out Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame during your stay in Calgary! Canada’s Sports Hall Of Fame is just another one of the amazing attractions in Calgary.

A Calgary attraction that certainly stands out at the top of the list of adrenaline-pumping activities is a visit to Calaway Park.

The park features 32 rides as part of the largest outdoor amusement park in Western Canada. 

If you’re not at all interested in the rides but are obligated to visit thanks to your partner, there’s also great fair-style food and drinks and a variety of games you can play without stepping foot on a ride.

But if roller coaster rides are your thing, be sure to check out “ Chaos ,” “ Storm ,” “ The Vortex, ” and the “ Dream Machine .” 

You are sure to have a blast at Calaway Park!

Fort Calgary is an important piece of the history of Western Canada.

In 1875 the North West Mounted Police ventured to where the Bow River and Elbow Rivers meet and there built a fort called Fort Brisebois on Blackfoot territory.

Fort Calgary was originally built to control the illegal American Whiskey trade and create alliances with indigenous peoples.

A year later the fort was renamed Calgary by Colonel James MacLeod after Calgary House, a castle located in Scotland.

At the park, you can tour the grounds and barracks of where the original fort lay and learn the history of how Calgary was founded. 

Fort Calgary is a National Historic Site, and is a cool insight into Calgary’s history.

Grab your fishing pole or hire a fishing charter. If you love to fish then the Bow River is where you need to be!

Being one of the world’s top three trout streams, the Bow River attracts the best fishing anglers worldwide to its waters.

Find the right fishing hole in the crystal clear water, cast your line, and relax in the peaceful scenery while you wait for that huge trout that is sure to nibble on your line! Bow River offers some of the area’s best fishing.

Big Rock Brewery is one of Canada’s larger breweries with its head office and largest brewery located in Calgary.

Founded in 1985, the brewery features 10 year-round beers, 5 ciders and a handful of seasonal brews. 

You can tour the brewery in Calgary and taste samples of the beers.

Learn the process from beginning to end as a trained beerologist walks you through how the beers come into existence. 

Taste for yourself the excellence on which the company prides itself! 

Enquire on their website about brewery tours.

When you’ve run out of interest in Calgary sightseeing, it’s time to plan a quick day trip into the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Banff National Park is a jewel not only for Canada but also for the world.

Known for its uniquely blue glacial lakes and rivers, tall mountains and diverse wildlife, Banff National Park is worth its own trip at some point in your life. 

But since you’re in Calgary, go ahead and take the short 130 km drive to Banff to check it out for yourself.

With only one day to explore Banff , you’re going to be hard-pressed to see very much of it. Spend the day doing outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, or just enjoying the views.

But you definitely want to make sure to check out the most famous spots of Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon and Lake Moraine. 

You can plan tonnes of hikes or simply pull over wherever you’d like to enjoy the beauty of the Rocky Mountains! 

If you’re looking for something to hear in addition to the many things to see in Calgary, plan a trip to the Studio Bell at the National Music Centre. 

Studio Bell at the National Music Centre is a musical museum that features a collection of instruments, hosts a variety of performances and offers tonnes of educational opportunities to the public. 

As a venue, there are almost daily concerts and events so be sure to check out the schedule in advance of your trip. 

You can also check out the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at the National Music Centre in Calgary.

Easily one of the top things to do in Calgary is to enjoy one of the many public parks the city has to offer.

Calgary boasts over 8,000 hectares of parks within its city limits.

And there are over 800 km of trails and parkways for walking, biking or otherwise moving through the city’s green space. 

The city parks department takes great care of the parks and does a fantastic job of updating you on areas that might be closed due to weather or maintenance. 

Some of the most popular parks to visit are Fish Creek Provincial Park, Bowness Park, Nose Hill Park and Edworthy Park and Douglas Fir Trail . 

If you are wondering what to do in Calgary at night and you dig blues music then there is no better place in Alberta to enjoy some good music than at The Blues Can.

Located in the historic Inglewood section of town, the Blues Can offers daily live shows each evening. The venue also boasts a classic southern dining menu to go with the atmosphere.  

Grab a bite to eat. Enjoy a tasty cocktail or two. And relax as the blues musicians take you to a different place and time with their tunes. 

Calgary Travel Guide

Now that you know what to do in Calgary, it’s time to find out where to stay and where to eat in this major Canadian city.

Here’s our short travel guide to help you with the best Calgary tourist attractions and activities.

Best Accommodation – Where to Stay in Calgary

If you are wondering where to stay in Calgary, don’t worry, you have plenty of options!

Whether you are looking to save a little cash by staying in hostels or budget hotels or want to splurge on a special occasion, you can find a whole range of options in Calgary. 

Canada, in general, is a fairly expensive place to travel.

So if you are used to third world prices as you travel, be prepared to spend a little more for your accommodation. 

Calgary is not as friendly to the backpacker as other cities, so your options with hostels are limited.

But reasonable budget and mid-range hotels are not much more if you don’t mind spending a little more for a room.

Rated high for friendly staff, cleanliness and location the Wicked Hostel is a great deal for the budget-savvy traveller.

One of the most secure accommodations in all of Canada, Wicked Hostel required valid ID to stay in the hostel. 

The list of amenities is enormous, with key points being incredibly fast WiFi, breakfast (featuring both Nutella and Vegemite options) and a free laundry service.

There are also free business services such as the use of computers, document printing and scanning and free international calling.

Expect free towels, secure luggage storage and parking during your stay at the Wicked Hostel.

With rooms ranging from USD$27 – USD$32 for 4-8 person mixed/male/female dorms, you can expect great value considering all the amenities Wicked Hostel has to offer. 

Enjoy the fun atmosphere. Make friends. And even go on pub crawls and attend other events with staff from the hostel. 

Exceptional value for its location and amenities offered, the Best Western Plus Suites Downtown is a great option for any couple seeking both comfort and accessibility during their stay in Calgary.

Each room comes with free WiFi, bathtub, kitchenette and an included breakfast for two.

But you can opt for a room that has a private jacuzzi spa as well. 

The rooms are spacious and accommodate comfort as you can spread out and enjoy your stay in Calgary.

Expect a clean, comfortable experience and friendly staff to make your stay more pleasant.  

When you stay here you are just minutes away walking to a variety of tourist attractions, restaurants, pubs and transportation at the city centre. 

All rooms are around USD$100, making it an incredible value when you are looking for a place to stay in Calgary. 

Although located 9 km from downtown Calgary, the Centro Motel is one of your best options for mid-range accommodation in the city.

With rates as low as USD$45 for a room, you can’t beat the price in terms of the amenities. 

Each room includes free WiFi and breakfast and comes with a flatscreen television and mini-refrigerator. There is a business centre in the hotel offering services to help keep you connected if needed. 

Additionally, the boutique hotel is consistently rated high for its service, location and cleanliness.

And the staff at the hotel are hard to beat in terms of friendliness and helpfulness. 

The Hotel Arts in downtown Calgary sets the standard for exceptional value in luxury hotels.

A stylish boutique hotel set in the perfect location allows you to combine your desire to explore the city with a chance to return to your hotel room and feel relaxed.

One of the few hotels in Calgary offering a pool, the hotel also offers valet service, a bar, fitness centre and two restaurants.

If you don’t feel like going out for a meal, room service is also available. 

You’re likely not going to find friendlier or more helpful staff and the spacious rooms will leave you wanting for nothing.

Each room offers a flatscreen TV, free and fast WiFi and standard amenities such as toiletries, coffee/tea and a safe to make your stay more enjoyable.

You can also upgrade your stay to a luxury suite for a private balcony/terrace view and a sweet bathrobe.

No doubt if you are looking for comfort and luxury in your stay in Calgary, the Hotel Arts will provide you the best value by far.  

Best Restaurants in Calgary

Downtown Calgary is full of delicious options for place to eat while you enjoy your stay in the city.

From casual quick bites to luxurious fine dining experiences you can expect a range of dining atmospheres. 

And because Calgary is full of international culture, you can choose between traditional Canadian menu options or a range of flavors from Europe, Asia and beyond. 

It’s possible to make Calgary a destination for the food alone! 

Here are a few of our favorite places to eat in Calgary. 

Gaga Pizza is one of the most highly rated restaurants in downtown Calgary for value and deliciousness.

Grab a custom pizza or make your own as you are sure to not be disappointed either way!

This cosy, family-owned restaurant in downtown Calgary feels a bit upscale but has reasonable prices.

They serve classic, Canadian bistro food with nice cocktails and a wide variety of drinks. People also love the trendy space, jazz music, charcuterie boards, and overall ambience of the place.

Spoil yourself at the Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant in a corner of Fish Creek Provincial Park along the Bow River.

Enjoy locally-sourced lunch, dinner or brunch menus featuring tasty plates such as oysters, elk, bison and the best quality beef. 

Lindsay Harvey

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Calgary will surprise you with its beauty, cool eateries, nightlife beyond honky-tonk, and long, worthwhile to-do list. Calgarians aren’t known for their modesty; it’s their self-love and can-do attitude that got them through disastrous flooding in 2013 and, in 2016, saw them helping residents of wildfire-stricken Fort McMurray with unquestioning generosity. We mustn’t forget – Calgary also hosted the highly successful 1988 Winter Olympics, elected North America’s first Muslim mayor, and throws one of Canada’s biggest festivals, the Calgary Stampede.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

National Music Centre

Looking like a whimsical copper castle, this fabulous new museum is entirely entertaining, taking you on a ride through Canada's musical history with…

Calgary Zoo

More than 1000 animals from around the world, many in enclosures simulating their natural habitats, make Calgary's zoo one of the top rated in North…

Heritage Park Historical Village

Want to see what Calgary used to look like? Head down to this historical park (the largest in Canada!) where all the buildings are from 1915 or earlier…

Prince's Island Park

For a little slice of Central Park in the heart of Cowtown, take the bridge over to this island, with grassy fields made for tossing Frisbees, plus bike…

Calgary Tower

This 1968 landmark tower is an iconic feature of the Calgary skyline, though it has now been usurped by numerous taller buildings and is in danger of…

Telus Spark

You'll wish science class was as fun as the Telus Spark. Kids get a big bang out of this user-friendly and very interactive science center. There is a…

Contemporary Calgary

This inspiring modern-art gallery has three floors of temporary exhibits that change every four months. The gallery is now in the former Centennial…

Esker Foundation Contemporary Art Gallery

This small, private art gallery hosts fabulous temporary exhibitions in its beautiful 4th-floor location. Past exhibitions have considered everything from…

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Latest stories from Calgary

Wildlife & Nature

Sep 26, 2019 • 6 min read

Make this the year you begin a tradition of family travel with a trip to the Powder Highway in the Canadian Rockies.

Sep 8, 2016 • 6 min read

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Travel reviews

• Worth the detour

The spirit of the Old West lives on in Calgary, where the cowboy hat is just as fashionable in the boardroom as it is on the ranch.

If you visit Calgary in early July, you will experience the excitement of the Calgary Stampede , the largest rodeo event in Canada.

Then pick up a cheap rental car in Calgary and set off to explore the Canadian Rockies just a few miles away.  

• Calgary Tower

Glenbow Museum

An art and history museum located right in downtown Calgary, the Glenbow Museum houses a wide variety of world-renowned exhibitions and the largest art collection in Western Canada, in addition to permanent exhibitions that tell the story of Southern Alberta and the West to thousands of visitors each year. Audioguides available.

Main building closed for renovations until 2024. Temporary address :  Glenbow at the Edison / Second Floor, 150 9 Ave SW, Calgary

8th Avenue (Stephen Avenue Walk)

Royal Tyrrell Museum

Optional activities

• Dine in the sky in Calgary
• Heritage Park Village
• Horseback Tour with a Cowboy
• Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology
• Limousine transfer

Where to eat

• $ Inexpensive
• $$ Moderate
• $$$ Upscale
• $$$$ Fine dining

UNA Pizza + Wine ($$)

UNA Pizza serves some of the best thin-crust pizza in town, for dining in or takeaway. Also has an extensive wine list. Reservations not accepted so try to get there early, as it is a very popular spot.

Native Tongues Taqueria ($$)

This delicious little taco restaurant serves cuisine rooted in the traditional street and market foods of Mexico. Their crispy fried tortillas are topped with a variety of delicious garnishes to suit all tastes: meat, vegetables, refried beans, fish, and even grilled octopus! Try one of their specialty cocktails! On weekends, you can even enjoy a traditional Mexican breakfast from 11:30 a.m.

NOTABLE ($$-$$$)

If you would like to slow down and savour a delicious dining experience, pay a visit to this modern restaurant with its emphasis on slow food and its cozy, gourmet casual atmosphere. The menu offers fresh, original bistro cuisine. Favourite dishes include the rotisserie chicken.

CHARCUT Roast House ($$$)

Everything here, from the sausages to the breads, is made from scratch using fresh, seasonal ingredients from local producers. CHARCUT's style of food is best described as urban-rustic with Italian and Country French accents. True to its name, the restaurant is the ultimate destination for meat lovers. The menu features a variety of house-made charcuterie and grilled and charcoal-roasted meats as well as fish and vegetable dishes. With a glass of wine in hand and a carnivore's appetite, you will never want to leave downtown Calgary.

River Café ($$$$)

Built more than twenty years ago, the River Café is located in the middle of Prince’s Island Park, in a remarkable setting on the Bow River near downtown Calgary. River Café was one of the pioneers of the "farm to table" philosophy, working with small local growers and producers to source the finest Alberta ingredients, and identifying the provenance of the ingredients on the menu. The restaurant serves seasonal Canadian cuisine and is dedicated to the art of preparing everything from scratch, from making their breads and desserts in-house to butchering, curing and smoking their own meats. Enjoy an exceptional dining experience in an authentic setting, with a panoramic view of the park!

Where to sleep ?

• The Fairmont Palliser
• Hotel Le Germain Calgary
• Alt Hotel Calgary East Village
• Sheraton Calgary Eau Claire
• Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Downtown
• Hotel Arts Kensington
• Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel
• Hampton Inn by Hilton Calgary Airport North

Festivals calendar

Calgary stampede.

Dates:  mid-July

The largest annual event in Canada features an internatonally renowned rodeo competition, a fair, an agricultural exhibition, chuckwagon races, concerts, a First Nations "Indian Village", pancake breakfasts across the city, and much more. 

Calgary Folk Music Festival

Dates: end of   July

Calgary's most popular music festival. Featuring some 70 artists from around the world, Folk Fest celebrates a variety of musical genres including world music, country, alternative, blues, funk, bluegrass, traditional and more. A great activity to enjoy with friends or family.

Calgary Reggae Festival

Dates: June

Reggae fans can move to the rhythm of local and international reggae artists. An event that transcends racial, cultural and musical boundaries, Reggaefest offers something for everyone with a Kids Zone and food and craft stands.

When to visit

• Very Favourable
• Unfavourable

For a one day stay this city is a long way to travel if you are then returning to Vancouver as you have to go back to Banff and then start heading down from the Rockies. Beware the museum's temporary opening times, which caught us out.

Good for a 1-2 day stop.

Museums at the highest level.

The Glenbow Museum in Calgary and the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller were highlights in Calgary and definite "must sees". The drive to Dumheller across the prairie (flat, flat, flat) served as a very good contrast to the previous days spent in the mountains.

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Southern Alberta’s likeable main city, CALGARY is a mere hour’s drive east of where the prairies buckle into the Rockies to form some of the continent’s most magnificent scenery. So it takes self-restraint to give this city at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers the day or two it deserves. It’s best known as the home of the Calgary Stampede , a veritable cowboy carnival that takes place over ten days every July. It inspires most of the city and plenty of tourists to indulge in a boots-and-Stetson image that’s still a way of life in the region. As such, Calgary’s “Cowtown” nickname still has resonance – but a lot less relevance, given the wealth the oil and gas industry has brought to the city in recent decades. These riches have seen the city’s population grow to over one million, many of whom live in an ever-expanding cookie-cutter suburban sprawl – albeit with the occasional superb view of the Rockies. Despite this Calgary is still an energetic place, harbouring a burgeoning arts scene, excellent restaurants and cafés, splendid parks and some lively neighbourhoods that are good for strolling.

The Calgary Stampede

Stampede events, stampede practicalities.

Compact, high-rise downtown Calgary, loosely centred on the largely pedestrianized Stephen Avenue Mall (8th Avenue between 1st Street SE and 3rd Street SW), is a cluster of mirrored glass and polished granite. A monument to oil money, the area is sleek as can be, but short on sights, other than the prestigious Glenbow Museum , where any city tour should start. A jaunt up the Calgary Tower , across the street, will help you get your bearings. Much of the rest of the central city lends itself to wandering on foot; Eau Claire offers a riverfront focus opposite Prince’s Island , the nearest of many parks and something of an epicentre for Calgary’s excellent 210km system of walking and bike paths. A twenty-minute stroll west leads to Kensington , a gentrified, faintly bohemian shopping and café district north of the Bow River. A similar walk south of downtown, 17th Avenue SW , packed with more shops, restaurants and cafés. The appeal of attractions further afield – Fort Calgary , Heritage Park , Telus Park and Calgary Zoo – will depend on your inclinations. These and other sights can be easily reached by bus or light railway (C-Train). The city is also a great hub for day-trips to the dinosaur remains in the strange Badlands around Drumheller to the east and to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump .

Brief history

Modern Calgary is one of Canada’s largest and youngest cities. It was once the domain of the Blackfoot , who ranged over the whole area for several thousand years. About three hundred years ago, they were joined by the Sarcee , forced south by war from their northern heartlands, and the Stoney , who migrated north with Sitting Bull into southern Saskatchewan and then Alberta.

Europeans first began to gather here in the late 1700s; explorer David Thompson wintered here during his travels, while the Palliser expedition spent time nearby en route to the Rockies. Settlers started arriving from around 1870, when hunters moved into the region from the United States, where they had hunted buffalo to the edge of extinction. In 1875, soon after the creation of the first North West Mounted Police stockade at Fort Macleod, a second fort was built further north. A year later it was christened Fort Calgary , named after the Scottish birthplace of its assistant commissioner. The word calgary is Gaelic for “clear running water”; it was felt the ice-clear waters of the Bow and Elbow rivers were reminiscent of the “old country”.

By 1883 a station had been built close to the fort, part of the new trans-Canadian railway . The township laid out nearby quickly attracted ranchers and British gentlemen farmers, cementing an enduring Anglo-Saxon cultural bias. By 1886, fires had wiped out most of the town’s temporary wooden buildings and tents, leading to an edict declaring all new buildings should be constructed in sandstone and, for a while, Calgary was nicknamed “Sandstone City”. It achieved official city status in 1894, something it had taken rival Edmonton over a hundred years to achieve.

Cattle and the railway generated exceptional growth, though the city’s rise was nothing compared with the prosperity that followed the discovery of oil . The first strike took place in 1914 in nearby Turner Valley. An oil refinery opened in 1923 and since then Calgary has rarely looked back. When prices soared during the oil crisis of the 1970s, the city exploded, becoming a world energy and financial centre – headquarters for some four hundred oil-related businesses.

Crucially though, Calgary has diversified into light manufacturing, high-tech, film, transportation and tourism, with 4.6 million visitors to the city every year.

The annual Calgary Stampede brings around 1.25 million spectators and participants to the city for ten days in early July. This is far more than a carefully engineered gift to Calgary’s tourist industry, however, for the event is one of the world’s biggest rodeos and comes close to living up to its “greatest outdoor show on earth” billing.

The competition end of things is taken very seriously and the combined prize money exceeds $2 million. The first show in 1912 put up $100,000 and attracted sixty thousand people to the opening parade, with a line-up that included two thousand Aboriginal people in full ceremonial garb and some of Pancho Villa’s Mexican revolutionary bandits in an event billed as “The Last and Best Great West Frontier Days”.

Things officially kick off on the first Friday of the Stampede with a parade at 9am, though many spectators are in place along the route at 6am. The two-hour march involves around 170 entries, four thousand participants and 750 horses. For the duration of Stampede, downtown’s Olympic Plaza (temporarily renamed Rope Square) offers free pancake breakfasts (8.15–11.30am) and entertainment every morning; events include live music, mock gunfights and Aboriginal dancing, and square dancing also fills parts of Stephen Avenue Mall at 10am. To really experience how the city celebrates Stampede move outside this central area, where you’ll find entire neighbourhoods, shops, bars, churches and even local luminaries organizing their own festivities (usually a pancake breakfast). Nightlife is a world unto itself, with Stampede locations giving way to music, dancing, mega-cabarets, plus lots of drinking, eating (it’s barbecue heaven), fireworks and general partying into the small hours.

The Stampede’s real action – the rodeo and allied events – takes place in Stampede Park , southeast of downtown, best reached by C-Train to Victoria Park–Stampede Station. This vast, open area contains an amusement park, concert and show venues, bars, restaurants and a huge range of stalls and shows that take the best part of a day to see. Entrance is $16, which gives you entry into everything except the rodeo and chuck-wagon races. Entertainments include: the Indian village, where members of the Blackfoot, Blood, Sarcee, Stoney and Piegan First Nations set up a teepee village; the World Blacksmith Competition; the Centennial Fair, which hosts events for children; the Agricultural Building, home to displays of cattle and other livestock; the outdoor Coca-Cola Stage, used for evening concerts; and Nashville North, an indoor country music venue.

To see the daily rodeo competition – bronco and bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing and the rest – you’ll need another ticket and unless you’ve bought these in advance it’s hardly worth it: you’ll likely be in poor seats and miles from the action or have to stand. You’ll also need a ticket (also best bought in advance) to watch the other big event, the ludicrously dangerous but hugely exciting chuck-wagon races. Both events are held in the Stampede Park grandstand.

If you’re coming to see the Stampede, plan ahead. Accommodation is stretched and prices can skyrocket for the duration. Tickets for the rodeo and chuck-wagon races range from $20–400; tickets for the finals of both events are a few dollars more; all tickets include park admission. For ticket and all other general information, check w calgarystampede.com .

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11 Things To Do In Calgary: Complete Guide To Canada's Own 'Nature's Playground'

Discover the majesty of Canada's top national parks, complete with wildlife, glaciers, waterfalls, and more in this ultimate guide to Calgary!

Known as "Cowtown," this Canadian city is famous for its world-famous rodeo (the Calgary Stampede) , its historical museums, and the abundance of national parks close by. As the largest city in Alberta and the third-largest in Canada, this metropolitan area has plenty for tourists to explore within the city itself, let alone out in the many national parks surrounding it.

Although the city was officially founded in 1876 by the Noth-West Mounted Police as a fort to protect the fur trade, the land had long been inhabited by First Nation peoples, going back at least 11,000 years. With the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1880s, this fort started to become a proper town on its own. Throughout its early history, Calgary faced many difficulties, including fires, bouts of smallpox, and riots.

Nicknamed the "Sandstone City," some of the original sandstone buildings from this time period remain, like on Stephen Avenue. However, the town continued to grow, and by the early 1910s, the city had become famous for its newly constructed rodeo center and fairgrounds. By the 1970s and 1980s, the construction of high-rise buildings turned the city into a modern metropolitan area. Famously, in 1988, the city became the host of the Winter Olympics. Here's what travelers should know about Calgary, including things to do there.

Related: Canada's Deepest Lake Also Happens To Be One Of Its Most Unique

Top Things To Do In Calgary, Canada

From historic museums to mountainous national parks to hot springs, Calgary has something for all visitors to enjoy. Whether in the downtown area at the Calgary Tower or relaxing at a lakeside, visitors will fall in love with the charm that Calgary has to offer.

17 See The Cerulean Water Of Lake Louise In Banff National Park

To get the most out of Alberta's Rocky Mountains, visitors to Calgary should take a day trip to see the oldest national park in Canada, Banff National Park . This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers visitors lots of exciting natural wonders to see, including glaciers, forests, mountains, and stunning lakes.

By far, the best thing to see here is the pristine Lake Louise. Surrounded by rows of gorgeous mountains, this lake is famous for its bright cerulean water. Visitors here can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, and paddling on the lake, or can simply meditate and relax on the stony shore.

Visitors will also have plenty of other things to do, since Banff National Park has plenty to explore beyond Lake Louise, including hikes, restaurants, and outdoor activities.

• Hours: Banff Visitor Centre: September 5-May 31: 9am-5pm, June 1-September 4: 8am-8pm, closed holidays
• Address: 224 Banff Avenue, Banff
• Admission: Adults: $10.50 ($7.93 USD), Seniors: $9.00 ($6.80), Youth: Free, Family or Group: $21.00 ($15.87)
• What to do here: Hike, learn about the natural world, explore Canada's Rocky Mountains, visit Lake Louise, kayak, paddleboard, canoe

Visitors are encouraged to bring their own canoes and kayaks to Lake Louise to avoid waiting in long lines for rentals!

16 Learn About Indigenous Art At The Glenbow Museum

For those who are interested in learning about the rich indigenous history of Canada, the Glenbow Museum is a great place to spend an afternoon. Their collections include artifacts from groups such as the Anishinaabe, Tsuut'ina, Niitsitapi, Cree, Inuit, Iroquois, and others.

The museum also has a robust collection of 19th and 20th-century Canadian art. With 33,000 pieces of Canadian art in its collection, this museum has no shortage of artistic works to see.

• Hours: Wednesday-Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm, Monday-Tuesday closed
• Address: Main museum building: 130 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0P3, Canada, Glenbow at The Edison: 150 9 Ave SW 2nd Floor, Calgary, AB T2P 3H9, Canada
• Admission: Free
• What to do here: learn about Canada's indigenous history, see works of art from the 19th and 20th centuries, attend museum events

As of 2021, the original museum building has been closed for renovations. Currently, the exhibits are being displayed at a secondary location, the Glenbow at The Edison, so visitors can still experience the rich local indigenous history of Canada. The main museum is set to open again in 2024.

Related: 10 Archeological Sites In Canada You Didn't Know Existed

15 Meet Exotic Animals At The Calgary Zoo

For travelers with children, a great way to spend an afternoon in Calgary is by visiting the Calgary Zoo , Canada's most visited zoo. With 272 different animal species to see (including vulnerable and endangered animals), visitors will have plenty to explore here.

Some of these animals include hippos, zebras, golden eagles, giant pandas, Komodo dragons, grizzly bears, red pandas, and Bactrian camels. On their 92 acres of land are several major exhibits, including Destination Africa, Land Of Lemurs, Canadian Wilds, the Rocky Mountain Bird Aviary, a full botanical garden, Exploration Asia, Penguin Plunge, and the Prehistoric Park (no living dinos here, sadly—but they have plenty of life-size replicas for kids to enjoy!).

Because of all these amazing exhibits, this location is not only one of the best places to visit in Calgary but one of the best places to visit in all of Canada.

• Hours: Daily, 9am-6pm
• Address: 210 St. George's Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7V6, Canada
• Admission: Adults: $32.95 ($24.90), Seniors: $32.95 (24.90), Children: $24.95 ($18.85), children under 3 are free
• What to do here: explore many different animal exhibits, including Destination Africa, Land Of Lemurs, Canadian Wilds, the Rocky Mountain Bird Aviary, a full botanical garden, Exploration Asia, Penguin Plunge, and the Prehistoric Park, see exotic and endangered animals

14 Visit The Calgary Tower

Once the tallest building in Calgary, visitors to Calgary will be remiss if they don't check out the Calgary Tower ! Although the tower has been usurped in height by other structures, its historical significance to the city makes it a great destination for tourists.

Like the Space Needle in Seattle, the Calgary Tower features a revolving restaurant, Sky 360. Visitors can enjoy the panoramic views of the downtown area while they eat.

• Hours: September-May 10am-9pm daily, June-August 10am-10pm daily
• Address: 101 9 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 1J9
• Admission: Adults: $21.00 ($15.87), Seniors: $19.00 ($14.36), Children: $10.00 ($7.56), children under 3 are free
• What to do here: see vistas of the city of Calgary, dine at an upscale restaurant, see a historic building in Calgary

Reservations are required at Sky 360, which can be made online at their website .

13 Go Camping At Yoho National Park

For breathtaking views of the Great Divide (the hydrological divide that runs through both North and South America), visitors should spend time camping and hiking at Yoho National Park . This park is full of towering waterfalls, gorgeous mountain peaks, dense forests, and icy glaciers.

However, one of the biggest draws to this park is the site's bounty of prehistoric marine fossils. These fossils have been determined by scientists to be the oldest examples of complex life forms on the planet, clocking in at over 500 million years old.

Visitors to Yoho National Park can see for themselves these enchanting fossils of marine creatures for themselves by hiking the trails at Mount Stephen, Walcott Quarry, and Stanley Glacier.

• Hours: Visitor centers are open from May 1-June 7: 9am-5pm, June 8-September 28: 8:30am-6:30pm, September 29-October 9: 9am-5pm, and are closed from October 10-April 30; the park itself also sometimes experiences seasonal closures, so visitors should be sure to check the park's bulletin for listings. Camping is available from May until October.
• Address: Field, BC V0A 1G0, Canada
• Admission: Adults: $10.50 ($7.93), Seniors: $9.00 ($6.80), Youth: Free, Family or Group: $21.00 ($15.87)
• What to do here: see stunning views of mountains, glaciers, forests, and waterfalls, go hiking, see 500 million-year-old fossils

Related: What To Know Of Canada's Massive Boreal Forest (& How To Visit)

12 Walk Down Stephen Avenue

For some of the best gastronomy and shopping in Calgary, visitors should take a walk down Stephen Avenue. Known as a National Historic Site of Canada, Stephen Avenue is lined with historic sandstone buildings full of shops and restaurants.

Visitors walking down this tree-lined street will be able to enjoy some of the best shopping that Calgary has to offer and should pay special attention to the many clothing and fashion stores that are found here.

• Address: 8 Avenue Southwest, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
• What to do here: explore restaurants, boutiques, shops, cafés, and pubs, see historic architecture from the 19th and 20th century, enjoy walking in Calgary

11 Explore Canada's Park of Ice And Fire At Kootenay National Park

While traveling to Alberta's many national parks, visitors can grow weary easily. However, at Kootenay National Park , visitors can relax with scenic drives and relaxing hot springs. This national park has many of the same draws as other parks in the area: this place is full of the waterfalls, glaciers, mountains, and forests that this area has to offer, and is a popular camping location.

What makes Kootenay National Park unique are its hot springs. Known as the Radium Hot Springs, this is the perfect place for tourists to rest and relax while visiting Calgary.

• Hours: Radium Hot Springs: Monday-Friday 11:20am-9pm, Saturday-Sunday 10:30am-9pm
• Address: 7556 Main Street East, Radium, B.C.
• Admission: National Park: Adult $10.50, Senior $9.00, Children and Infants are free; Radium Hot Springs: Adult $16.50 ($12.47), Senior $14.25 ($10.77), Child $14.25 ($10.77), Infants under 3 are free, Towel rentals are $2.00 each
• What to do here: See beautiful vistas, drive down scenic routes, relax at the Radium Hot Springs

From July 14, 2023, onwards, several campgrounds in this park are closed due to wildfires. Visitors should check ahead of time at the park's online bulletin to ensure that sites are open.

10 See Herds Of Elk And Bison At Elk Island National Park

For nature watchers, Elk Island National Park is a paradise. Visitors here have the rare chance to see some of Canada's most iconic animals , including bison, elk, and, of course, moose.

Not only is this park home to these majestic mammals, but the park is home to over 250 species of birds. The park offers a variety of different trails ranging in difficulty, so this park is perfect for solo travelers looking for an adventure and families with small children.

• Hours: Any, though the visitor center is open from May 19-September 4, from 9am-6pm on Monday-Thursday and 9am-8pm from Friday-Sunday
• Address: 54401 Range Rd 203, Fort Saskatchewan, AB T8L 0V3, Canada
• Admission: Adult: $8.50 ($6.42), Senior $7.25 ($5.48), Children and infants are free
• What to do here: hike along both rigorous and family-friendly trails, see Canadian wildlife, such as moose, elk, bison, and waterfowl, enjoy the Canadian landscape

9 Explore Waterton Lakes National Park

One of the best national parks near Calgary is Waterton Lakes National Park . This park has a wide range of things for tourists to enjoy. This is one of the best parks for wildlife viewing, with deer, elk, bighorn sheep, black bears, waterfowl, foxes, bald eagles, and more.

There are also a number of waterfalls in this area, including the magnificent Cameron Falls. Visitors here should try some of the various recreational activities that are common here, including kayaking, horseback riding, cycling, and climbing.

In the spring, visitors should look for the prairie wildflowers that this park is famous for, including more than 30 different kinds of native flowers.

Finally, visitors who are camping in the park will find that this is the perfect place for stargazing; the park is listed as an International Dark Sky Park, which means that this area has reduced light pollution to ensure clearer skies.

• Hours: Any, though the visitor center is open daily from 8am-7pm
• Address: Waterton Park, AB T0K 2M0, Canada
• Admission: Adult: $10.50 ($7.93), Senior $9.00 ($6.80), Children and infants are free
• What to do here: see spectacular views, enjoy Canada's wildlife, participate in outdoor sports, see Cameron Falls, see springtime wildflowers, go stargazing, camp

8 Learn About 19th And 20th Century Canadian History At The Heritage Park Historical Village

As one of Canada's top living history attractions, the Heritage Park Historical Village is a great place to visit for tourists of all ages who are interested in learning about the past.

This park has four main areas to commemorate Canada's history: the Hudson Bay Fur Trading Era, set in 1864, the Settlement Village, set in 1880, the Railway, representing 1910, and the Heritage Town Square, depicting the 1920s-50s.

Within these areas are a multitude of different exhibits, ranging from blacksmithing demonstrations to railway exhibits. The park also strives to represent the full picture of Canadian history and includes exhibits on indigenous Canadian life, as well as an exhibit on a 1913 Synagogue.

• Hours: Daily, 10am-5pm, Historical Village: May-Thanksgiving
• Address: 1900 Heritage Dr SW, Calgary, AB T2V 2X3, Canada
• Admission: Adult: $34.95 ($26.41), Children: $22.95 ($17.27), Seniors: $26.95 ($20.36), children 3 and under are free
• What to do here: learn about Canada's past, enjoy many different historical exhibits, see living historians dressed in costume

Related: Visit Dawson City: Canada's Most Famous Gold Rush Boom Town

7 Visit A UNESCO World Heritage Site: Jasper National Park

In terms of national parks, Jasper National Park has it all. From glaciers to waterfalls to lakes, tourists will have plenty to explore at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of the top attractions here include the Sunwapta Falls, the Medicine Lake, the Maligne Lake, the Maligne Canyon, the Athabasca Glacier, the Athabasca Falls, and Mount Edith Cavell.

With all of these natural wonders comes an abundance of wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, elk, cougars, wolves, beaver, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, foxes, marmots, and wolverines. This park also is a great place for Canadian watersports , such as kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding.

• Hours: Visitor center: September 29-May 10 9am-5pm, May 11-September 27 9am-7pm
• Admission: Adult: $10.50 ($7.93), Seniors: $9.00 ($6.80), children and infants are free
• What to do here: See waterfalls, mountains, and glaciers, see an abundance of wildlife, have fun with watersports such as kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding

6 The Best Times To Go To Calgary

Like most of Alberta, Calgary experiences very cold winters and mild summers, warm summers.

Summers in Calgary are very pleasant, with temperatures typically in the upper 60s°F. This time of year is ideal for those who are interested in seeing what locals call the Great Canadian Summer, the time when Canada has its nicest weather, usually preceded by a harsh winter.

Winters in Calgary can get quite chilly, so travelers should pack a warm jacket, along with a hat and some gloves! Temperatures in the winter can range from the high 20s°F to all the way down to -45°F on bad days.

While these cold days might be off-putting to some, those who wish to visit Calgary to explore the city's winter sports scene will be grateful for those cold January days.

The best months to visit Calgary, Canada, are May and September.

Visitors who travel to Calgary in May will have the opportunity to see the area's beautiful wildflowers in full bloom, which can be seen at the area's stunning national parks. May is also a good month to visit because tourist crowds are not as thick.

Another great month to visit Calgary is in September. September is the perfect time to see the aspens found in many parks just start to turn golden and is an excellent time to catch a glimpse of the bountiful wildlife that Alberta has to offer.

Cool fall temperatures also mean that hiking is great during this time of the year.

Related: The Ultimate Bucket List For Summer In The North: 10 Canadian Experiences You Can't Miss

5 The Best Ways To Get Around Calgary

As a modern metropolitan area, the city of Calgary has a great public transportation program. Visitors here can use the local light rail system, called the LRT by the local population, to get across the city. The city also has a robust bus line, as well, with over 160 bus routes.

• A typical public transportation fare costs $3.60 for an adult.

Another option, as always, is to use a taxi or a rideshare to get around. Renting a car is also a popular option for those who wish to visit the area's many national parks.

• Rental cars start in Calgary from between $22-28 per day.

Finally, many who travel to Calgary opt to drive their own car, since it provides greater mobility and freedom. Plus, the roads going up to Calgary are absolutely stunning, so it makes for a perfect road trip destination!

4 Where To Eat In Calgary

A trip to Calgary requires sampling the local fare; there's plenty to taste-test here.

Breakfast: OEB Breakfast Co.

• Address: 825 1 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T2E 0C4, Canada
• Hours: 7:30am-2:45pm
• What to order: eggs, sandwiches, smoothies, mimosas

Lunch: Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey

• Address: 1136 Kensington Rd NW, Calgary, AB T2N 3P3, Canada
• Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-1am, Friday-Saturday 11am-2am
• What to order: sandwiches, pulled pork, wings, mac & cheese, drinks like whiskey

Dinner: SALTLIK Calgary

• Address: 101 8 Ave SW #21, Calgary, AB T2P 1B4, Canada
• Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-11pm, Saturday 4pm-11pm, Sunday 4pm-10pm
• What to order: salads, soups, steaks, burgers, grilled salmon, wine

Drinks: Paper Lantern

• Address: 115 2 Ave SE Basement, Calgary, AB T2G 0B2, Canada
• Hours: Wednesday-Thursday 4pm-11pm, Friday-Saturday 4pm-1am, Sunday-Tuesday closed
• What to order: Tiki cocktails, experimental shots, wines

3 Where To Stay In Calgary

Finding the perfect place to stay makes a trip to Calgary even better; select from a range of accommodations at various price points.

Budget Locations

Divya Sutra Riviera Plaza And Conference Centre Calgary Airport

• Address: 3515 26 Street Northeast, Calgary, AB T1Y 7E3
• Price: $91 per night
• Amenities: Indoor pool, fitness center, restaurant, bar, room service, free parking, business center

Super 8 By Wyndham Calgary Shawnessy Area

• Address: 60 Shawville Road Southeast, Calgary, AB T2Y 3S6
• Price: $123 per night
• Amenities: indoor pool, room service, free WiFi, free parking, fitness center

Mid-Tier Price Locations

Hyatt Place Calgary Airport

• Address: 10 Aero Crescent Northeast, Calgary, AB T2E 7Y5
• Price: $267 per night
• Amenities: restaurant, bar, free parking, shuttle service, business center, WiFi

Grey Eagle Resort

• Address: 3779 Grey Eagle Drive Southwest, Calgary, AB T3E 3X8
• Price: $244 per night
• Amenities: indoor pool, fitness center, restaurant, bar, room service, free parking

Luxury Hotels

Hyatt Regency Calgary

• Address: 700 Centre Street Southeast, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6
• Price: $692 per night
• Amenities: Indoor pool, spa and wellness center, bar, restaurant, room service, coffee shop

2 Tips To Know When Visiting Calgary

Travelers who enjoy cinema will be delighted to discover Calgary's rich filmmaking history; several of the best films from recent decades were filmed there, including Brokeback Mountain, Doctor Zhivago, The Revenant, and Dances With Wolves.

Calgary is also home to a number of festivals. It seems that there's always something going on in the city, from traditional indigenous ceremonies to folk music festivals to the world's largest outdoor rodeo . The Calgary Stampede, officially founded in 1912, draws over a million attendees per year to the city.

1 How To Spend The Perfect Day In Calgary

The perfect day in Calgary begins with a hearty Canadian breakfast at a local restaurant.

Afterward, a great way to spend the morning is by going to one of the city's amazing art museums, like the Glenbow Museum, to learn about Indigenous Canadian art.

In the late morning, a walk around Stephen Avenue for some shopping is a great way to kill time before lunch. Visitors should definitely check out all the amazing clothing and fashion boutiques, and take plenty of pictures of the city's iconic 19th century sandstone buildings.

For lunch, visitors should dine on a delicious North-style meal at a local restaurant. Many restaurants in Calgary serve local meat, so visitors should definitely order a burger or a sandwich.

In the afternoon, a great thing to do is to visit one of the area's many national parks. Visitors will be enthralled by the natural splendor of Alberta.

Going for a hike here will let visitors see stunning mountains, dense forests, clear mountain lakes, frosty glaciers, and even native wildlife, like moose or elk. If visitors are lucky, they might even see a bear or a wolf! Visitors should also look out for the 500 million-year-old marine fossils that make many of these trails educational as well as beautiful.

After a long hike through the wilderness, visitors should go to the Calgary Tower for a rooftop steak dinner. As visitors end their day with a stunning view of the city bathed in evening light, they can contemplate all the wonderful things that they saw—and have yet to see—in Calgary, Canada.

Q: What is the Calgary Stampede?

The Calgary Stampede is the world's largest outdoor rodeo , occurring for 10 days in July. This event includes all sorts of cowboy-themed attractions and parades.

Q: What is Calgary's coldest month?

The coldest month in Calgary, Canada, has got to be January, when temperatures can get into the -40s. Visitors to Canada in the winter should be sure to pack a coat and a good pair of gloves!

Q: Is Calgary an affordable city to travel to?

Calgary is an affordable city to travel to! Out of Canada's top travel destinations (Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary), Calgary is the most affordable to travel to.

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Toronto, Vancouver are probably the first names that people will think of when it comes to Canada tourism. However, this country is extremely large and there are many other attractive destinations and cities with countless interesting things for us to explore. One of them is Calgary – which was once voted as the most livable city in North America. And in this article, we will share with you everything about Calgary to help you make a perfect trip to this beautiful city. So, is Calgary worth visiting, what to do in Calgary and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Calgary for the first-time? Let’s check out our Calgary travel blog (Calgary blog) with the fullest Calgary travel guide (Calgary city guide, guide to Calgary, Calgary guide, Calgary tourist guide) from how to get there, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit, what to eat and top things to do in Calgary to find out the answer!

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With a vibrant, modern life, rich tradition and a desirable green living space, Calgary is planned to be a modern city, with a developed transportation system and bustling streets. Coming to Calgary, visitors not only discover the beautiful natural landscape but also experience a dynamic city no less than the leading cities of the United States.

Calgary travel blog: Overview of Calgary

Calgary is the largest city in in the southern provincial state of Alberta, located near the Rocky Mountains. It has many skyscrapers that thrive on one resource: Oil. Calgary is the “oil center” of Canada. Due to the fast and strong development, it makes Calgary more American and more vibrant than many other Canadian cities. Visiting the tourist sites, attractions of Calgary is easy because the city is well planned, with an excellent public transport system.

Calgary is about 300km from Edmonton and 240km from the border with the United States. With an area of ​​825 square kilometers, a population of more than 1.6 million people, Calgary is currently Canada’s third largest city. Despite being a rich, bustling and developed industrial city, Calgary topped the list of the greenest cities in the world (according to Forbes magazine in 2007), this also explains why people call this “green industrial city”.

Calgary has an average elevation of about 1,045 meters above sea level. The main terrain here is mountainous and majestic plateau. Not only that, this city is also considered the “oil field” of Canada. Therefore, Calgary has an extremely developed economy, people’s living standards are very high. In recent years, the city government has also made strong investments in tourism sector, making it one of Canada’s top destinations.

The Economist Intelligence Unit has ranked Calgary as the most livable city in North America in both 2018 and 2019. Calgary has been a top contender for the title for the past 10 years. Calgary was also ranked as the best city in the world for motorists in 2019.

Calgary blog: When to visit?

Calgary is influenced by a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold dry winters, but compared to many other Canadian cities, it has a much milder and more pleasant climate.

The best time to come here is from June to August every year, this is the time when Calgary has a pleasant cool air and takes place many festivals and special events of the city. In addition, if visitors want to experience winter activities such as skiing, they can also choose to travel to Calgary during the period from November to March.

Calgary guide: How to get to Calgary?

Calgary International Airport is located about 17km northeast of downtown Calgary. To getting to the city center, you can choose a taxi or shuttle service for about 40 USD. A more economical solution is to go by bus (costs about 10 USD) depends on routes.

To find the cheap airfares as well as best flight routes based on your location, you can hit Google Flights , Skyscanner or Kayak to hunt in advance.

Calgary travel guide: Getting around Calgary

You can choose the means of transportation in the city easily and economically thanks to the advanced transportation system here. Calgary, like many cities in Canada, has a good public transport system. The system has a light rail system (C-Train), regular and low-rise buses and community buses. Transit bus routes run through most of Calgary’s major roads.

Calgary travel blog: Where to go, what to do in Calgary and top things to do in Calgary

Calgary tower.

Address: 101 9 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 1J9, Canada Hours: 12–9PM/Saturday, Sunday: 10AM–9PM

As soon as you arrive in Calgary, you will definitely be impressed with a soaring tower in the center of the city with a red observatory, which is the Calgary Tower – the tourist symbol of this city.

Not only is a famous tourist spot, the Calgary Tower is also considered a symbol of the city. It was built in 1967, with a height of up to 197 meters. This is currently the second tallest tower in Canada (after CN Tower in Toronto with a height of 553 meters).

On the top of the tower there is an observatory surrounded by a layer of transparent glass. This is a great place for you to see the beautiful city of Calgary from above or admire the majestic scenery of the Rockies located not far away.

In the city of Calgary, there is an interesting neighborhood that anyone who comes here wants to explore is Chinatown. Here, you will have the opportunity to get lost in a Chinese world right in Canada. Not only that, this place is also considered as a culinary paradise with countless attractive street foods of China as well as many other Asian countries that you can enjoy such as the most Chinese signature dish Dimsum.

Bow River and Peace Bridge

Flowing through the heart of the city of Calgary is the beautiful and poetic Bow River. The river water is clear and green with undulating white cliffs. Please go up to the Peace Bridge with green trees to check in with beautiful photos. In winter, the Bow River freezes over and is a favorite place for people to enjoy skating here.

The Peace Bridge spanning the romantic Bow River is a place that anyone visiting Calgary wants to have a check-in. The river water below is clear and green, combined with the red color of the bridge to create a charming scene.

Calgary Zoo

Address: 210 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7V6, Canada Hours: 9AM–5PM

Another place you should not miss is the Calgary Zoo. There are currently about 1,400 animals, from 272 different species living here. Among them are rare and endangered species. The zoo has a Prehistoric Park area, with life-size dinosaur models in ancient natural formations.

Olympic Park

You may not know, in 1988, the Winter Olympics were successfully held in Calgary and this place became the first Canadian city to hold the position of the host of this major worldwide sports festival.

At that same time, Calgary built a high-speed skating rink on the campus of the University of Calgary, becoming one of the largest indoor skating rinks in the world. If you come here in winter, don’t forget to visit this famous ice rink to experience fascinating winter sports!

Glenbow Museum

Address: 130 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0P3, Canada

A history and art museum in the city, which focuses on the history of unknown peoples in North America. The museum’s good location and many permanent art collections make it a must-visit in Calgary. In 2021, the museum was undergoing major renovations with plans to expand the existing and subsequent artworks to open to the public for a period of three years.

If you don’t like the outdoor recreational activities, check out the art galleries on Stephen Avenue and the Glenbow Museum downtown.

Devonian Gardens

Address: CORE Shopping Centre, 333 7 Ave SW 4th floor, Calgary, AB T2P 1B5, Canada Hours: 11AM–5PM/Sunday: 12–5PM

As an indoor botanical garden in the heart of the city, this unique green space features hundreds of different plants and trees. Like an urban oasis in the heart of the city, the indoor park is located inside one of the floors of the shopping mall. It is one of the great and perhaps only largest indoor places in the world to see tropical gardens in a visit to Downtown Calgary’s cultural sites.

Bowness Park

Address: 8900 48 Ave NW, Calgary, AB T3B 2B2, Canada Hours: 5AM–11PM

Located on the banks of the Bow River in the Bowness neighborhood of Calgary, the park is especially known for its lagoons, skating rinks, picnic spots, and overall serene setting. This green space is one of the city’s favorite spots for boating and riverside picnics and one of the city’s best all-season locations.

Calgary Stampede

The Calgary Stampede is the city’s most popular festival. During the 10 days of the festival, horse riding competitions, music and agricultural product displays attract millions of visitors. This is an opportunity for visitors to join the cheering crowd to watch the horse-drawn carriage performances, or hold their breath to watch the adventurous bull-riding competition.

Calgary is an extremely ideal destination for an overseas trip in your summer, because in the summer there is a very special rodeo Stampede (this is considered the largest event in the world). You have been fascinated by the wild beauty of the cowboys of the West through the movies, rest assured that you will see many such “manly men” in this event.

Fish Creek Provincial Park

Fish Creek Park is the perfect spot for those looking for a taste slice of nature in the American skies where there are walking trails that lead through forested areas; and along streams. There are also several heritage buildings in the park.

The Hangar Flight Museum

Address: 4629 McCall Way NE, Calgary, AB T2E 8A5, Canada Hours: 10AM–4PM

Also known as the Aero Space Museum of Calgary focuses on Canadian and Western Canadian aviation history, about Canadian pilots who fought in World War II.

In the museum there are series of exhibits a variety of aircrafts, simulators, aeronautical art prints, radio equipment, and information on aviation history. The museum is housed in a large building near the Calgary airport.

Heritage Park

Address: 1900 Heritage Dr SW, Calgary, AB T2V 2X3, Canada Hours: 10AM–5PM

On 127 acres next to Glenmore Reservoir Calgary, visitors will be able to visit the typical cultural models here. Friendly atmosphere and information, interesting images and landscapes at Heritage Park will bring attraction not only for adults but also for children.

Royal Tyrrell Museum

Address: 1500 N Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y0, Canada Hours: 9AM–9PM

An in Drumheller Valley, about 135km from Calgary, visitors can view fossils of these dinosaurs at the Royal Tyrrell Museum.

At night, go to the Jubilee Theatre, enjoy a Broadway musical, opera or ballet. Or cross the Bow River, to 17th Southeast Avenue, or International Food Avenue, to enjoy the multicultural cuisine, from Ethiopia, Portugal, Vietnam, India Philippines, Hong Kong to many other regions. This is a must-visit destination for foodies.

In addition, Calgary is also close to the Banff, Canmore and Kananaskis ski resorts. The city is also not far from the Alberta Badlands, a natural landscape with magical rock formations, paleontological sites and ghost towns.

Rocky Mountains

Coming to Calgary you should not miss the opportunity to go to the Rocky Mountain road, this is one of the most beautiful and famous roads of the Rocky Mountains which starting from the town of Jasper to the town of Banff located about an hour and a half east of Calgary.

These two towns are famous for being beautiful because they have many wooden houses as well as flowers everywhere on the streets or cities crowded with tourists and towering rocky mountains.

On both sides of the road are majestic rocky mountains, waterfalls rivers and streams or snow fields as well as lakes and ponds. This is sure to be one of Banff’s popular winter destinations to be reached. Other highlights on this part of the mountain (at the top 3,600 meters) include Lake Louise, Kicking Horse and Rogers Pass.

Banff National Park

Located in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Banff National Park has endless mountain terrain, wildlife, numerous glacial lakes, dense forests, and everything that defines Canada’s richest natural scenery. The park is known as Canada’s oldest national park, featuring many of the country’s famous lakes, including the famous Moraine Lake and Lake Louise.

Banff National Park also has Canada’s most iconic hot spring, known as Banff Upper Hot Springs or Canadian Rockies Hot Springs. The hot springs pools are one of the park’s commercial developments with spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. Banff Upper Hot Springs is one of the park’s beautiful UNESCO Heritage Sites.

Calgary travel blog: Shopping in Calgary

Calgary is a great place to shop. Visitors will find an array of fashion boutiques in Inglewood and 17th Street by Alberta artisans, from Ette evening wear and Rubaiyat jewelry.

West Edmonton Mall with 350,233 m2, is one of the largest shopping places in the world, 3 hours north of Calgary by car. In addition to 800 booths and diverse services, the center also has the world’s largest indoor theme park and an ice palace. In addition, West Edmonton Mall also has an 18-hole miniature golf course, a cinema and a bowling alley.

Calgary travel guide: What to eat?

The people of Calgary are very gourmet, the dishes in the city are often delicately prepared, perfect like French florentines, Cheezy Waffle Sandwich, Salmon Lox Sandwich, Big Kahuna, Spolumbo Bun, etc.

The wild cowboy feel of the city of Calgary in Canada  is reflected in steaks you’ll find in its cuisine. Calgary citizens are mostly immigrants, so don’t be surprised when you find Japanese cuisine, Thai, Greek, Indian, Korean, German, Spanish or Middle Eastern in the city.

Calgary blog: Where to stay?

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Hyatt Regency Calgary ( Agoda , Booking )
• Grey Eagle Resort & Casino ( Agoda , Booking )
• Wyndham Garden Calgary Airport ( Agoda , Booking )
• Hampton Inn by Hilton Calgary Airport North ( Agoda , Booking )
• Fairmont Palliser ( Agoda , Booking )
• Carriage House Hotel & Conference Centre ( Agoda , Booking )
• Le Germain Hotel Calgary ( Agoda , Booking )
• Best Western Plus Port O’Call Hotel ( Agoda , Booking )

Check out more top and best hotels on Agoda.com or Booking.com

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Calgary you can refer to

• Calgary: Calgary Tower General Admission Ticket
• Calgary: Heritage Park Historical Village Admission Ticket
• Calgary Downtown: 2-Hour Introductory Walking Tour
• Calgary: 3.5-Hour Bus City Tour with Gasoline Alley Museum
• Calgary & Lake Louise: Smartphone Audio Driving Tour
• From Calgary: Private Banff National Park Day Trip
• Downtown Calgary: Smartphone Audio Walking Tour
• Calgary: Discover Calgary Smartphone Audio Walking Tours

Read more Canada travel guide here .

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20 Free Things To Do in Calgary

Calgary is an underrated tourist destination, but it has lots to offer, including free outdoor activities, public parks and cultural experiences. Located in the western province of Alberta, Calgary is the third largest city in Canada.

Exploring any city can be expensive. That's why our travel experts have put together this guide. Our list covers many fun things to do in Calgary for free. It will help you plan a memorable and cost-effective tour of this city.

Here are the 20 best free things in Calgary .

1. Devonian Gardens

Devonian Gardens is a welcoming indoor park located in downtown Calgary. It has water fountains, fish ponds, a 900-square-foot living wall, more than 50 varieties of plants, more than 500 trees, and a playground. With natural light and pleasant temperatures all year long, it is a great place to unwind, read a book or grab a coffee from the food court nearby.

Devonian Gardens is on the fourth level of the CORE Shopping Centre.

2. Central Library Tours

If you're an avid book reader, you'll love spending time at the Central Library. This modern library, with its stunning architecture, is home to a collection of more than 1.4 million items that you can borrow. It is one of the best things to do in Calgary for free.

Featured in The New York Times article "52 Places to Travel in 2019", the Central Library received more than one million visitors during its first three months after opening.

It has a coffee shop, multiple private reading rooms, more than 30 free community meeting rooms, outdoor plazas, recording halls and a performance hall.

The Central Library also organises tours for its visitors. For more information, you can visit their website . ( 1 )

3. Esker Foundation

If you are a fan of contemporary artwork, you must visit Calgary's Esker Foundation. This contemporary art gallery opened in 2012. The Esker Foundation is a non-profit that gives a platform to emerging and established artists who explore contemporary issues through their artwork.

It organizes exhibitions that change every quarter. View beautifully curated artwork from various artists with no entry fees.

#Travel Tip: Explore Calgary by the Plus 15

You can easily explore Calgary in winter thanks to the Plus 15, a system of underground walkways that connects all major shopping malls while providing shelter from the cold.

4. Rocky Mountain Show Jumping

Rocky Mountain Show Jumping, also known as RMSJ, is a prominent horse riding facility and tournament management company, half an hour from Calgary.

You can enjoy free entry into their facility, take a stroll around their park and watch riders compete at different levels of the sport.

Every season, this facility has more than 20+ tournaments, from the grass root to the international level.

Keep reading or discover more travel inspiration in our brochure. This guide showcases our world-famous train journeys, with ideas for personalizing your Canadian vacation.

5. Spruce Meadows

Close to the Rocky Mountain Show Jumping venue is Spruce Meadows. This multi-purpose sports facility contains a complex for horse riding, as well as a 6,000-seat football stadium. It is the home venue of Cavalry FC (Canadian Premier League), owned by the Spruce Meadows themselves.

The facilty hosts a Christmas market, a playground, pubs and food stalls, among other attractions.

6. YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre

Become a forensics expert at the YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre — it's among the best things to do for free in Calgary. This police museum tells stories of the Calgary Police Services. It contains over 100 years of policing history and Alberta's largest collection of police artifacts. The museum also has exhibits on true crime and the Canine Unit and Forensic Crime Scene teams.

7. Baitun Nur Mosque Tours

Famous for being the largest mosque in Canada, the Baitun Nur Mosque is a vast complex built by the Ahmadiyya Muslims. This community follows the teachings of Muhammad, Jesus, Buddha, Abraham and Confucius.

More than a mosque, it is a gathering place for people of all cultures and religions. It also has a dining hall, kitchen, library, multi-purpose gym and bookstores.

Tourists and visitors can book a tour here to get more information about this mosque.

8. Scotiabank Saddledome Tours

Scotiabank Saddledome is a multi-use indoor arena located in Stampede Park. It is the home of the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League. Previously, it hosted figure skating and ice hockey at the 1988 Winter Olympics.

As a tourist, you can book a behind-the-scenes tour of the complex to see how they convert the hockey arena to a concert hall and the luxury suites.

#Travel Tip: Downtown murals

Go for a walk downtown and discover all of the beautiful murals that decorate Calgary. You’ll also find many unique public art pieces dispersed throughout the city.

9. Art at Glenbow Museum

The Glenbow Museum is a regional museum dedicated to the art, culture and history of Western Canada. Its collections span centuries, from the stories of Canada's first humans, including indigenous people, to the lives of people in the modern era. You can also enjoy  travelling exhibitions that explore historical and contemporary art, fashion, design and innovation from around the world. As well, t he museum will give you insights into the history of Calgary.

Admission to the museum is free and timed tickets  must be reserved in advance.

10. Calgary’s Skyline from Scotsman’s Hill

Head up to the top of Scotsman's Hill for one of the best views of Calgary's skyline. On Scotsman's Hill you'll find a  nearby  off-leash dog park , benches, and stairway access that lead to Enmax Park , the  Elbow River Pathway and Downtown Calgary. From here, you can observe amazing views of the skyscrapers and landmarks in Calgary, including the Saddledone and the Stampede Grounds.

You can also explore the trails that start on the hill. The best time to visit it is during sunrise or sunset, when you can get amazing photos of the Calgary skyline.

Download our Brochures and Mini Guides

11. st. patrick’s island.

St. Patrick's Island, also known as St. Patrick's Island Park, is a family-friendly public park on an island. It is a multi-award-winning park that hosts more than 75 annual events, including festivals, family picnics and guided nature walks. It is also one of Calgary's oldest parks, with amenities like an amphitheatre, a fishing area, public art installations and hiking and biking trails.

This island is at the Bow and Elbow Rivers intersection, northeast of downtown Calgary.

12. Fish Creek Provincial Park

Fish Creek Provincial Park is among the largest urban parks in North America. Located in a natural forest area with a creek, it is an ideal setting for nature lovers. At the park, you can enjoy bird watching, explore the hiking and biking trails, swim or observe wildlife.

There is also a cafe and a restaurant near the Visitor Centre.

13. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary

The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a prominent birding spot in Calgary. The sanctuary has 270 bird species, 21 mammal species and 347 plant species. It also has a fishing pond and trails through forests and open grasslands.

The sanctuary is a 5 km drive east of downtown on the Bow River and is open all year round.

14. Ralph Klein Park

The Ralph Klein Park is a small park located inside a 200-hectare engineered wetland habitat.

It has the following amenities:

• Community orchard : This orchard has a variety of pear and apple trees.
• Hawk Hill Calgary Sentinels : These are fascinating monolith sculptures found in the park. 
• Manmade wetland : It is the largest wetland in Canada, constructed for stormwater treatment.
• Natural playground : The playground has a zip line, a sand play area, and a climbing wall.

15. Reader Rock Garden

Designated as an official national historic site in 2018, the Reader Rock Garden is one of the hidden gems of Calgary. Situated on a hill, this 1.65 hectare features bridges, benches, rock pathways and a cafe called Reader's Garden Cafe.  It's the perfect spot in the city for walking, reading a book or relaxing in the sun.

You can visit the Reader Rock Garden in downtown Calgary.

16. Shaw Millennium Park

Famous for being the largest free outdoor skatepark in Canada, the Shaw Millenium Park has 75,000 square feet of skateable surfaces. It has separate areas for beginners, intermediates and experts. A new addition to the park are three climbing boulders, known as The Three Little Brothers. They allow new and experienced climbers the opportunity to boulder outdoors on natural rock while also adding an aesthetic touch to the space.

Shaw Millenium Park is designated as a family activity park and hosts over 35,000 visitors annually, with t he famous Calgary International Blues Fest happens in this park every year.

17. Prince’s Island Park

Prince's Island Park is a wonderful place to relax in downtown Calgary. It is located on an island in the middle of Bow River where you can find many hiking trails, art sculptures, gardens, picnic areas, outdoor skating and fountains. Prince’s Island Park hosts many significant events throughout the year, including the Canada Day Celebration and Calgary Folk Festival.

The island also has a cafe called River Cafe, known for its weekend brunch.

18. Self-guided Walking Tours

A self-guided walking tour ( 2 ) in one of Calgary’s parks is the perfect way to spend a day. You can explore grasslands, wetlands, creeks and riverbanks. Popular walks include Bowmont Natural Environment Park, Griffith Woods Park, and 12 Mile Coulee.

19. City of Calgary Wading Pools, Spray Parks, and Outdoor Pools

Wading pools, spray parks and outdoor pools are a great way to beat the summer heat. It is among the fun, free things to do in Calgary. They're found in various areas of Calgary and are open to the public. You can find more information about them here ( 3 ) .

Entry is free, and these pools are usually open from mid-June to Fall.

20. Swimming or Skating at Bowness Park

Bowness Park is among Calgary's most popular parks. It has a shallow lagoon where you can go paddle boating in the summer and ice skating in the winter. It also has a wading pool, usually open from mid-June to Fall.

Bowness Park also offers a couple of playgrounds, a mini train experience, picnic sites with bbq pits and a view of the Bow River.

Final Thoughts

While Calgary has many tourist attractions worth visiting, we have covered all the free things to do in Calgary, Canada, to allow you to plan an experience in this city without burning a hole in your pocket.

These experiences will also give you the best bang for your buck as you'll learn more about Calgary's landscape, history and culture at no cost.

About Canadian Train Vacations

Want to explore train travel in Canada but need help with planning and execution?

Canadian Train Vacations has got your back.

• We're a team of local experts based in Vancouver that has planned more than 25,000 trips to Canada for various around-the-world travellers since 1996.
• We combine our insider knowledge with your personal preferences to ensure that you have a seamless travel experience in Canada.
• All you have to do is relax and enjoy your travels while we personalise your trip and plan and inform you about all the essential bookings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can i go when bored in calgary.

Many places to visit and experience in Calgary will help you fight boredom. Interesting places you can visit in Calgary for free include: Prince's Island Park, Fish Creek Provincial Park, Bowness Park, Devonian Gardens, and Spruce Meadows.

How can I spend a day in Calgary?

If you want to spend only one day in Calgary, ensure you're in the downtown area, as you'll get plenty of options for food, accommodation and places to visit. Some places you can cover in a day include: Glenbow Museum, Devonian Gardens, Prince’s Island Park, and Reader Rock Garden.

About the author: Katherine is Product Manager with Fresh Tracks Canada. Having worked in the Canadian travel industry for almost 20 years, she enjoys sharing her local expertise with visitors. She is based in Calgary and one of her favourite Canadian destination is the...   Read more

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Canada Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 29, 2024

Canada is often skipped over on many round-the-world trips owing to its proximity to the US, poor flight connections, and few budget cross-country travel options.

But those people miss out on so much! Canada is one of the best countries in the world for RVing and road trips and it’s brimming with outdoor activities for all levels. Backpacking Canada is an amazing experience.

I love my friendly neighbor to the north and believe Canada is a really underrated destination. There’s a reason everyone around the world loves Canadians after all.

To top it all off, it’s also easy to get a working holiday visa here so you can stay longer and make money while you explore (there are huge seasonal industries across the country).

This travel guide to Canada can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit to this friendly natural wonderland!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Canada

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in canada.

1. Tour Toronto

Toronto is often considered the most multicultural city in the world, as over half of the city’s population is foreign-born. It’s an awesome, hip, artsy city. Don’t miss Kensington Market for good eats and cool shops, and there are plenty of tasty eats to be found in the city’s massive Chinatown as well. If you want to play tourist, head up the CN Tower for the best views of the city. For a bit of swimming in the summer, check out some of Canada’s easily accessible beaches on Lake Ontario where you can go kayaking, windsurfing, stand-up paddle boarding, and more. And if you’re traveling with kids, don’t miss the nearby amusement park Wonderland.

2. Explore Jasper and the Columbia Icefield

The Icefields Parkway connects Banff and Jasper in Western Canada and is one of the most scenic drives in the country (if not the world). Stop along the way at the Columbia Icefield, an enormous icefield that feeds into eight glaciers. You can travel onto the 10,000-year-old Athabasca Glacier where you can hike around and even drink from the crystal-clear icy glacial water. If you’re not squeamish about heights, walk out to the cliff-top glass-floored Skywalk to get a spectacular panorama of the entire area. It’s easy to reach via an enormous bus or opt for a hiking tour where you can walk the glacier. There’s even a restaurant at the top that’s a bit expensive but worth at least a coffee for the view.

3. Road trip the Maritimes

Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick make up Canada’s east coast. If you want to spend your days hiking, relaxing by the ocean, and whale watching, this is the place to do it. Nova Scotia is sometimes considered the most beautiful province with rolling hills leading to lush green coastal cliffs over frothy shores. There are colorful little fishing villages like Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site considered one of the “Prettiest Painted Places in Canada.” It boasts delicious fresh seafood and friendly locals to chat with. Be sure to set aside a few days for an incredible road trip on the 298-kilometer (185-mile) Cabot Trail around Cape Breton and spend in the Highlands National Park where you can hike, camp, or fish. The east coast is stunning and sees very few tourists compared to other areas of the country.

4. Hang out in Montreal

Montreal offers a look at the French side of the country. Old Montreal is thriving with culture and a mix of old and new architecture within its European-style cobblestone streets, the Notre Dame Cathedral, museums, and river cruises. The other side of Montreal is extremely modern with an underground city and mall, funky jazz clubs, and amazing cuisine, which make this the hippest and most romantic city in the country. It’s also cheaper than most of the other large cities in Canada. Don’t forget to try the poutine and bagels when you visit!

5. Have fun in Vancouver

Other things to see and do in canada, 1. celebrate the calgary stampede.

During July, over 1 million people descend on Calgary for this multi-day rodeo, drinking festival, and carnival where everyone gets to be a cowboy. It’s a lot of fun, and you’ll meet tons of people from around the world. It’s one of Canada’s premier events so book early — prices rise and accommodation disappears fast! Also, wear cowboy boots and a hat if you want to fit in.

2. Hit the slopes

The mountains in Canada offer great skiing and snowboarding during the winter. Banff is a popular mountain town known for its excellent trails. It’s quite busy during the winter as locals and visitors alike hit the slopes, but it’s popular for a reason. While Banff is the most popular place to go, there are tons of other great skiing destinations in the country. Sunshine Village, Whistler Blackcomb, Lake Louise, Kicking Horse, and Mont Tremblant are just a few to check out (they stretch from British Columbia to Quebec so you’ve got lots of choices).

3. Discover Vancouver Island

Take a few days off from Vancouver to explore nearby Vancouver Island . Eat delicious seafood, hike, spot some whales (lots of orcas live near here), shop, and lounge on the beach. This is a place to just sit and relax. Since it is so close to Vancouver, it’s a popular getaway with the locals during the summer. Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is located on the island. It’s a quiet but gorgeous little city worth a couple days of exploring. From here you can also visit places like Tofino, where the bustling surf community has evolved into a fun hippie town. If you’d rather hike an incredible yet challenging trail, the West Coast Trail is famous for its rugged beach and rainforest trails, man-made ladders through the trees, and rare wildlife.

4. Hike the rainforest

Hike the Pacific Rim National Park for a wonderful look at some temperate rainforests on Vancouver Island. It’s one of the most popular parks in Canada, home to Western Red Cedars, Pacific Silver Firs, and tons of wildlife including deer, wolves, bears, and cougars. The Long Beach area is one of the most accessible places for hiking, but the sand dunes behind Wickaninnish Beach on the South Beach Trail are also worth the trek.

5. Explore Calgary

Often skipped over by travelers since it’s not on the coast, Calgary actually has a lot to offer when it comes to free and low-cost activities. Have a picnic in one of its many parks, go rollerblading, watch a hockey game, or head up to the top of the surrounding peaks. There’s great hiking, kayaking, skiing, water rafting, and camping here and you can easily rent a bike and explore the city via its many bike paths. Although it’s been long dismissed as an oil town, it’s one of the liveliest cities in Canada.

6. Visit the galleries of Toronto

Toronto has some of the best museums and galleries in the country, so take a day or two to admire the art of the city. The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) are the two most famous art museums, but there are a plethora of smaller, specialty galleries too, like the Textiles Museum of Canada and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Galleries often offer discounts on certain days of the week, so check before you go to save some cash.

7. Take a road trip

This huge country is best explored by car or RV. It’s the ideal way to find yourself in tiny little towns, majestic mountains, amazing countryside, and plenty of off-the-beaten-track places. If you have a lot of time, this is your best and cheapest option to see the country. The Trans-Canada Highway stretches from coast to coast, making a road trip relatively easy to plan. Just keep in mind that the weather can be unpredictable (especially in the winter). Of course, you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and you’ll want to be prepared for long stretches of driving without any rest stops or gas stations. However, it’s worth it — the changing landscapes and scenic vistas are out of this world! you could easily spend weeks or months touring the country and still barely scratch the surface. For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

8. Stroll the nation’s capital

Ottawa is a very easy city to explore on foot. Home to museums, art galleries, and plenty of shops, it’s a charming city worth visiting for a couple days. You can take a tour of Parliament Hill (the historic buildings where the Canadian government operates) or cross the Ottawa River and visit Quebec (the great Museum of Civilization is just across the bridge). The Canadian War Museum and the National Gallery of Canada are two must-visit museums in Ottawa. Also, don’t miss the busy Byward Market, and be sure to check out the craft breweries in Westboro. Try a beavertail (a sweet pastry with sugary toppings) when you’re here!

9. Get off the beaten path in Nova Scotia

The locals boast that Nova Scotia is home to the friendliest people in Canada. They might be right. That, combined with over 100 beaches, picturesque lighthouses, great sailing, mouth-watering seafood (this area of Canada is the main fishing region), and a marvelous coastline, makes Nova Scotia an amazing place to visit in Canada. Plus, the province doesn’t see lots of tourists so it’s far less crowded and unspoiled compared to other regions. It’s perfect for road trips and camping.

10. Admire Quebec City

Quebec City’s Old Town offers cobblestone walkways, well-preserved 17th-century architecture, and the only North American fortress, the Citadel. The historical Quartier Petit Champlain is stunning and gives you an authentic French feeling with little cheese shops, bistros, creperies, and boutiques. It’s especially magical in December as it’s fully decorated with twinkling lights, snow-covered canopies, and lined with beautiful Christmas trees. In the warm weather, you can easily lose track of time wandering the streets admiring the flowers everywhere and colorful window shutters and storefronts. Don’t forget to sample the local ice ciders, head out for drinks on Grande Allée, and explore the streets below the stunning Château Frontenac.

11. Visit Kelowna

Warm in the summer and mild in the winter, this glacial valley has some of the best weather in the entire country. It’s no wonder that this is where many Canadians spend their vacations. There’s a marina and a few golf courses, not to mention that the Okanagan Valley is home to Canada’s best vineyards and wineries (a four-hour wine tour costs around 125 CAD). In the summer, Canadians rent fancy houseboats complete with waterslides to vacation on nearby Okanagan Lake. Overall, this is just a gorgeous slice of the country that shouldn’t be missed.

12. Head north to Churchill, Manitoba

This might be a small town in the middle of nowhere, but it also happens to be the Polar Bear Capital of the World, the Beluga Whale Capital of the World, and one of the best places to view the Aurora Borealis. You can ride in a tundra buggy (a special bus raised on giant wheels to keep you out of reach from polar bears) and head out on the open plains to see polar bears in their natural habitats. Mother nature is alive and thriving here. Day tours in a tundra buggy during the summer start at around 250 CAD, including lunch.

13. See the iconic Niagara Falls

This is one of the most visited attractions on the entire continent. You can never imagine how big it is until you see it up close (you never envision so much mist either). To see it up close, on a boat tour and head out into the waterfalls (be prepared to get soaked). Walks runs a daily boat tour that has exclusive access to the best spots and includes access to behind the falls (tours are 107 CAD). The town itself is touristy and cheesy so don’t spend more than a day or two (it’s fun for kids though).

14. Get lost in the Yukon

The Yukon is the perfect place to get your nature fix. The chances of seeing a bear, elk, or deer are incredibly high (or you can tour the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, where you’re guaranteed to see them). Go hiking in Tombstone Territorial Park, soak in a mineral hot pool at the Takhini Hot Springs, or swing by the Sign Post Forest with its unique collection of over 77,000 signposts. Hardly anyone ever visits the Yukon as visitors tend to stick to the major cities in the south of the country. Because of that, you’ll find yourself surrounded by unspoiled nature.

  For more information on specific cities in Canada, check out these guides:

• Calgary Travel Guide
• Montreal Travel Guide
• Nova Scotia Travel Guide
• Ottawa Travel Guide
• Quebec City Travel Guide
• Toronto Travel Guide
• Vancouver Travel Guide
• Vancouver Island Travel Guide

Canada Travel Costs

Accommodation – Rates vary a lot depending on what city you’re staying in. On average, you’ll end up paying 35-45 CAD per night for a dorm room at a hostel. Expect to pay at least 90-120 CAD for a budget hotel room. Prices rise drastically in larger cities (notably Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa).

Airbnb is available across the country, rivaling budget hotels for price and convenience. Expect to pay an average of 60-90 CAD per night for a private room, while entire homes/apartments start around 100 CAD. Keep in mind that many smaller towns won’t have many options. However, there are usually locally owned hotels or motels that are generally quite cheap. Also, Airbnb prices can double (or triple) when not booked in advance so book early.

If camping is your thing, you’ll have plenty of options across the country. Prices vary depending on the grounds but expect to pay between 25-35 CAD per night for a basic pitch for two people. Many of the major national and provincial campgrounds sell out early in the summer, so be sure to book in advance during the peak season (June-August).

Food – Overall, the food here is a collage of dishes from other cultures, owing to the country’s diverse history of immigration. On the coasts, seafood is king while the prairies have more of a meat and potatoes diet. Be sure to sample some of Canada’s famous staples like poutine (fries with gravy and cheese curds), beaver tails (fried dough with maple syrup), Canadian bacon, and the oddly tasty ketchup chips.

Overall, food can be inexpensive if you stick to cooking for yourself, eating street food, and dining at cheap fast-food places. Cheap sandwich shops and fast food are your best bet, usually costing less than 13 CAD per meal.

Pizzas cost 15-20 CAD while Asian food is usually 10-15 CAD for a main dish.

A meal out at a casual restaurant costs 20-35 CAD for a main dish and a drink. Casual fine dining costs double that.

Beer is around 7 CAD while a latte/cappuccino is around 4.60 CAD. Bottled water costs 2 CAD.

If you cook your own food, expect to pay 50-75 CAD per week for groceries. This gets you basic staples like rice, pasta, veggies, and some meat or fish.

Backpacking Canada Suggested Budgets

How much does it cost to visit Canada? Well, it’s complicated. How much you spend largely depends on where in Canada you’re going to visit. For example, Canada’s biggest cities like Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver are considerably more expensive than the smaller ones (like Halifax, St. John’s, and Quebec City). The rural areas are even cheaper but getting around costs more as you may need to rent a car or take expensive buses.

On a backpacking budget, you should plan to spend around 70 CAD per day. This assumes you’re staying in a hostel dorm, cooking all your meals, using public transportation, limiting your drinking, and sticking to free activities like hiking and enjoying nature.

On a mid-range budget of 185 CAD per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb, take buses between destinations, eat out for most meals, enjoy a few drinks, and do more paid activities like visiting museums or taking a food or wine tour.

On a “luxury” budget of 310 CAD per day or more, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink more, rent a car to get around, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though, the sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in CAD.

Canada Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Given the size of Canada, there are plenty of ways to save money when you travel, but it varies by region (as I’ve been repeating). The general tips below can help but for specific tips visit our city guides!

• Stay with a local – As Canada is not the most budget-friendly destination owing to its inconvenient size, you’ll be able to cut down on your costs by using Couchsurfing . While not huge in smaller towns, you won’t have a hard time finding a host in the major cities. Just be sure to plan ahead during the summer as that is prime tourist season and it’s much harder to find a host then.
• Enjoy outdoor summer festivals – Since Canadians are stuck indoors all winter, they love to make the most of hot days by packing in lots of festivals into the short summer. Many of these, like Heritage Days (Edmonton), Kits Days (Vancouver), and Caribana (Toronto), are free. Check out upcoming events online by visiting the local tourism board’s website.
• Embrace the outdoors – A vast country with a relatively minuscule population leaves lots of potential for outdoor activities. Rent a pair of cross-country skis or snowshoes in the winter and enjoy the free use of many trails (versus expensive downhill lift passes). In the summer, you can bike, hike, kayak, or canoe. The cost of most equipment rentals is around 25-100 CAD for a day, and you can explore many areas at no further cost.
• Take the bus – Megabus runs in Ontario and Quebec (with connections into the U.S., including NYC). You can find tickets for as little as 1 CAD if booked in advance. This is the most affordable way to get between Toronto and Montreal (or into the U.S.).
• Use ride-sharing services – If you are going to be traveling between cities or provinces, keep an eye out for people sharing their vehicles. Craigslist, Couchsurfing, Kangaride, and Facebook all have ride-share pages for most major cities. If you can find someone traveling in your direction you can tag along and share the cost of gas.
• Eat street food – Every major Canadian city has plenty of street vendors selling hot dogs, sausages, and veggie dogs for as little as 3 CAD. You won’t find a cheaper lunch!
• Take a free walking tour – Most major cities in Canada offer free walking tours. They are a great way to explore and get a feel for each location and its history. Most last a couple of hours and don’t need to be booked in advance. Just remember to tip your guide at the end!
• Buy gas on native reserves – If you are driving around the country, keep your eyes peeled for native reserves — they are the cheapest places to buy gas in Canada. With lower taxes, you’ll find gas prices significantly cheaper than anywhere else. They are also great places to stop and experience the vibrant cultures of Canada’s First People.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money. LifeStraw makes a reusable bottle with a built-in filter to ensure your water is always safe and clean.

Where to Stay in Canada

Hostels are not that plentiful across Canada, but generally, they’re high quality and clean. Here are my suggested places to stay in Canada:

• The Only Backpacker’s Inn (Toronto)
• The Parkdale Hostellerie (Toronto)
• Cambie Hostel Gastown (Vancouver)
• Samesun Vancouver (Vancouver)
• HI Calgary City Centre (Calgary)
• HI Lake Louise (Banff)
• HI Montreal Hostel (Montreal)
• Alexandrie-Montréal (Montreal)

How to Get Around Canada

Public transportation – Within city limits you’ll find great public transportation networks. Toronto and Montreal are the only two cities in Canada with subway systems (although Vancouver has SkyTrain), but even the smallest Canadian cities have extensive bus routes. It usually costs about 3.25 CAD for a one-way ticket.

Larger cities have passes designed for tourists to make the most of the metro system. For example, Toronto has a daily pass for unlimited travel for 13.50 CAD.

Bus – There’s no singular country-wide bus system here. Instead, regional operators vary per location. Megabus is the cheapest option when it comes to traveling between cities in Ontario and Quebec. Fares can be as low as 1 CAD if booked in advance. Red Arrow is primarily an Alberta coach line. On the east coast, Maritime Bus is the main coach company (except in Newfoundland where it’s DRL Group).

Toronto to Ottawa costs about 30-50 CAD with Flixbus, while Ottawa to Montreal is around 35-50 CAD. A longer ride — like the 13-hour drive from Calgary to Vancouver — costs around 125-165 CAD.

To find bus routes and prices, use BusBud .

Train – There is a train service (VIA Rail) that runs from coast to coast and is very scenic, albeit not cheap. Many train routes are currently suspended or running with limited space due to COVID-19, meaning that journeys take even longer. It takes over 24 hours to get from Halifax to Ottawa, costing about 150-170 CAD. On the other hand, shorter routes like between Montreal and Quebec City (a 3.5-hour journey) are more affordable and start at 36 CAD.

Flying – As your last alternative, you can fly, but since the country has only two major airlines (WestJet and Air Canada) prices are often high. Round-trip flights from Toronto to Vancouver usually start at around 200 CAD when booked early but they can easily cost triple that price. Round-trip from Ottawa to Calgary is around 270 CAD, but again, this is when booked in advance. Expect to pay at least double that price if you don’t book early.

Overall, flying is worthwhile only if you want to see specific cities and have limited time. For shorter routes (like Montreal to Ottawa) you’ll save a lot of money if you just take the bus or train.

Car Rental – If you’re going between provinces or staying a while in the country, consider renting a car for 35-50 CAD per day. This is one of the best, most convenient ways to get around the country — especially if you’re interested in getting out of the cities and into Canada’s wilderness (ideally if you have someone to share the cost with too).

For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

Ridesharing – If you are traveling between cities or provinces, keep an eye out for people sharing their vehicle. Check these websites for rides:

• Couchsurfing

When to Go to Canada

Since Canada is such a large country, climate and temperature vary drastically from coast to coast. Canada has very defined seasons, and winter can be harsh and long in some places. For example, winters in the Northern Territories begin early and end late, and places like Newfoundland and Labrador can experience snow until late May.

On the other hand, winter in the Canadian Rockies is epic and people from all over the world flock to British Columbia and Alberta to hit the slopes around Whistler, Banff, and Revelstoke. Prepare for cold temperatures, though. In some places, like on the prairies, it can get as cold as -40°C (-40°F). In short, only visit in the winter if you’re planning to do winter sports.

Summer in Canada is beautiful, but it’s also the busiest time of year. June to the end of September is the main tourist season, with inflated prices and large crowds. On the other hand, the temperatures are lovely during this time, often in the high 20s°C (70s°F). There are music festivals galore and it’s a great time to hike, bike, and explore the Great Lakes.

Shoulder season is also a fantastic time to visit Canada, although spring (March-June) can be quite wet. Fall (September-October) is highly recommended, as temperatures are still warm enough and the autumn foliage is really something special. Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces are well worth an autumn trek.

How to Stay Safe in Canada

Canada is a safe place to backpack and travel — even if you’re traveling solo, and even as a solo female traveler. Violent attacks are rare and tend to be confined to certain areas (generally where drug and gang violence are a problem). You may encounter petty crime, like theft, around popular tourist landmarks, though that isn’t super common. Nevertheless, always keep an eye on your belongings, especially while taking public transportation, just to be safe.

Solo female travelers should feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).

If visiting in the winter, dress warmly. It gets so cold here that people literally freeze to death so take precautions and always keep an eye on the forecast.

If you’re going out hiking, always check the weather beforehand and ensure you have enough water. Bring sunscreen and a hat too. It can get humid here!

Canada’s cannabis legalization has a whole lot of rules and restrictions. The CBC has a great outline on everything you need to know if you’re thinking of consuming cannabis while in Canada.

Scams here are rare, but it never hurts to be prepared. Read about common travel scams to avoid here if you’re worried about getting ripped off.

If you experience an emergency, dial 911 for assistance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Canada Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Canada Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Canada travel and continue planning your trip:

The 6 Best Hotels in Toronto

Where to Stay in Quebec City: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Where to Stay in Vancouver: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Where to Stay in Toronto: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Canada Road Trip: A One Month Suggested Itinerary

How to Road Trip the Yukon on a Budget

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Where to watch UEFA EURO 2024: TV broadcast partners, live streams

Sunday, June 16, 2024

Article summary

Find your local broadcast partners, and get live streams of UEFA EURO 2024 matches where you are.

Article top media content

Behind the scenes: What it takes to broadcast a EURO

Rest of the world.

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: TVNZ Nicaragua : ESPN Latin America Niger : NEW WORLD TV , Supersport South Africa Nigeria : SportyTV Nigeria , Supersport South Africa Niue : Digicel Oman : beIN Sports MENA Pakistan : Sony Sports Network Palau : Digicel Palestine (Gaza Strip and West Bank) : beIN Sports MENA Panama : ESPN Latin America Papua New Guinea : Digicel Paraguay : ESPN Latin America Peru : ESPN Latin America Puerto Rico : Fox Sports USA English , fubo TV , VIX Qatar : beIN Sports MENA Réunion : M6 , TF1 France Rwanda : NEW WORLD TV , Supersport South Africa Saba : CPSL Samoa : Digicel São Tomé and Principe : SportyTV Nigeria , Supersport South Africa Saudi Arabia : beIN Sports MENA Senegal : NEW WORLD TV , Supersport South Africa Seychelles : NEW WORLD TV , Supersport South Africa Sierra Leone : SportyTV Nigeria , Supersport South Africa Singapore : SPOTV Singapore , MediaCorp Solomon Islands : Digicel Somalia : beIN Sports MENA , SportyTV Nigeria , Supersport South Africa South Africa : Supersport South Africa South Korea : CJ Media South Sudan : beIN Sports MENA , SportyTV Nigeria , Supersport South Africa Sri Lanka : Sony Sports Network St. Barthélemy : M6 , TF1 France St. Barts : CPSL St. Christopher : CPSL St. Eustatius : CPSL St. Helena and Ascension : SportyTV Nigeria , Supersport South Africa St. Kitts and Nevis : CPSL St. Lucia : CPSL St. Martin : CPSL , M6 , TF1 France St. Pierre and Miquelon : CPSL , M6 , TF1 France St. Vincent and the Grenadines : CPSL Sudan : beIN Sports MENA , SportyTV Nigeria , Supersport South Africa Suriname : CPSL , ESPN Latin America Syria : beIN Sports MENA Taiwan/Chinese Taipei : ELTA Tajikistan : Varzish TV Tanzania : SportyTV Nigeria , Supersport South Africa Thailand : PPTV , MCOT , Thairath , TrueVisions Timor-Leste : ETO   Togo : NEW WORLD TV , Supersport South Africa Tokelau : Digicel Tonga : Digicel Tortola : CPSL Trinidad and Tobago : CPSL Tunisia : beIN Sports MENA Turkmenistan : Alma Sport Turks and Caicos Islands : CPSL Tuvalu : Digicel 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