Calgary is typically seen because the entry level to the nice outside in Alberta. Sure, it’s inside quick access of the dramatic Banff Nationwide Park, nevertheless it’s additionally a cosy little metropolis to spend a couple of days exploring. Truthfully, there’s a heap of locations to see and a few epic issues to do in Calgary; a lot in order that it’s value tagging onto any Alberta itinerary.
To be sincere, I hadn’t even considered visiting Calgary earlier than we visited. I noticed it as ‘the airport’ to get into the Canadian Rockies and discover the gorgeous nature. That being mentioned, I’m so glad we made a cease within the metropolis as we cherished our few days right here; a lot in order that we’ve been again fairly a couple of instances since!
In fact, in the event you’re travelling to the very best locations in Alberta, you’ll be wanting to go to Banff, perhaps go snowboarding in Sunshine Village, see the gorgeous Lake Abraham (bubble lake) or Grotto Canyon and Canmore?
Properly, simply remember to go away a day or two to spend a while in downtown Calgary, too.
With that in thoughts, I needed to share among the finest issues to do in Calgary in your subsequent journey. Oh yeah, and with any of our posts, pop us a message in the event you want every other recommendation. Have the very best time in Canada!
1.) Kensington
Okay, so Kensington is one in every of my favorite neighbourhoods in Calgary and a spot that’s received a extremely cool vibe! It sort of jogs my memory of Camden in London (or the Decrease East Facet in NYC) and is a superb place to wander across the impartial shops or yummy eating places.
For me, wandering this space is well probably the greatest issues to do in Calgary, particularly in the event you’re hungry. For some tasty bites to eat, be sure to pop into
Additionally, for some nice espresso, pop into Greater Floor. Their roast is so good.
Learn extra: Best issues to do in Alberta
2.) Inglewood
Inglewood is a type of areas that’s so easy to go to when staying within the centre of Calgary. With it being round a 25-minute stroll, it’s actually value heading throughout on a weekend or within the night to profit from the cool little bars and eateries.
We popped over to Gorilla Whale which is a Japanese-fusion restaurant that serves up among the finest ramens in all of Calgary. Plus their yakitori skewers and cocktails are superb. It’s the right place for dinner; simply be sure to order a desk earlier than you go. This place fills up quick.
While right here, remember to go to Honest’s Honest Books, too. It’s such a comfortable place that has an epic e book collection of previous and new books. It’s a treasure trove for bookworms.
Lastly, in the event you fancy warming up, pop into Gravity Espresso & Wine, which, not solely has nice espresso (and wine) but additionally stay DJs on sure days, too.
Learn extra: Best issues to do in Banff
3.) Studio Bell
Perched within the centre of Calgary, Studio Bell is one in every of Canada’s largest and finest properties of Canadian music. Housing hundreds of reveals, it’s someplace that any music lover will completely love. If that’s you, you’ll simply discover this to be probably the greatest issues to do in Calgary. Not solely that, the constructing is fairly cool, too.
Now, a go to to Studio Bell will doubtless take round 90-minutes and is effectively value stopping by in your stroll across the centre. That being mentioned, in the event you’re not a music-lover, you would possibly wanna give this spot a miss. In any case, it’s all concerning the music!
Afterwards, you’ve had your fill at Studio Bell, King Eddy is effectively value visiting (subsequent door). It’s a historic music venue and eatery that’s excellent for a chew, or an compulsory Ceasar!
Learn extra: Our time exploring Studio Bell
4.) Wonderland Sculpture
Proper subsequent to the Bow skyscraper (within the centre of Calgary), seeing the Wonderland Sculpture is likely one of the finest issues to do in Calgary if you wish to see some native arts.
Being a whopping 12-metre excessive wire face, the Wonderland Sculpture is nice to see. Now, you clearly received’t spend greater than 10-minutes right here, nevertheless it’s effectively value seeing.
Oh yeah, and for a tasty brunch, pop over to OEB Breakfast Co that serves up one of many mightiest breakfasts within the metropolis. Their partitions are so fluffy and the eggs benedict is so good.
Learn extra: One-week itinerary for exploring Banff
5.) Calgary Library (Central Library)
Now, you won’t assume that visiting a library is likely one of the finest issues to do in Calgary, however belief me, this one is.
Properly, in the event you love books and structure no less than!
You see, Calgary Library is completely gorgeous and homes an enormous mixture of books a beautiful cafe and a few unimaginable structure that you must see. Even in the event you’re not ‘into’ books, simply pop in for a fast wander. It’s beautiful.
Learn extra: Visiting the Calgary Library
6.) Prince’s Island Park
Strolling Prince’s Island Park is likely one of the finest issues to do in Calgary on a sunny summer time day. For me, it’s the kinda place that’s excellent if you wish to step away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Calgary and actually simply sit back for a short while. That being mentioned, in the event you go to in winter, it’s also possible to attempt your hand at some outside skating )on the lagoon), too.
Plus, there are trails for each walkers and cyclists, too. Oh, and throughout the summer time months, it’s possible you’ll be there on a day when one of many metropolis’s occasions are held. Preserve an eye fixed out for listings once you arrive.
Afterwards, pop over to Village Ice Cream for a few of Calgary’s most yummy treats. No joke, their salted caramel gelato is heaven.
Learn extra: Best hikes in Alberta
7.) Calgary’s Heritage Park
Calgary’s Heritage Park brings historical past again to life on this residing historical past village.
This can be a paradise for historical past lovers such as you with re-enactments of how life ‘within the west’ was as soon as like. Throughout your go to, you should have the prospect to commerce at a reproduction buying and selling put up, go to a ranch in addition to the historic village, too.
Lastly, in the event you’re feeling as much as it, you’ll be able to then go on a steam prepare, take a trip in a horse-drawn wagon or cruise alongside in a paddle wheeled boat. It’s nice for households.
Learn extra: One-week itinerary for exploring Banff
8.) Glenbow Museum
The Glenbow Museum is heralded as one of many best of Canada’s museums and probably the greatest issues to do in Calgary for positive!
The reveals are primarily centered on Western Canada’s tradition with shows from the First Nations historical past and extra historic artefacts that return centuries.
Not solely that, however you’ll additionally see artwork and sculptures from Europe, Asia and Africa, too.
Lastly, for a chew to eat, jump over to Ten Foot Henry that serves up among the tastiest sharing plates in Calgary. Their salmon gravlax and masala rooster is every thing and extra!
9.) Canada Olympic Park
The Canada Olympic Park was the venue for the 1988 Winter Olympics and this large winter sports activities advanced is used as each a coaching floor for any future Olympians. 😉
It’s an incredible place to attempt your hand at snowboarding, too! Although, if snowboarding is just not thrilling sufficient for you then you’ll be able to attempt bobsleigh or the luge, too.
Oh, and Don’t overlook to go to the Olympic Museum when you are there.
10.) Calgary Tower
The Calgary Tower was as soon as town’s tallest constructing at 626 ft excessive and constructed to commemorate the nation’s Centennial in 1967.
In the present day, you’ll be able to go to the highest for the spectacular views of town and the close by Rocky Mountains. To get to the highest you’ll be able to take the elevator or would you like to climb the 762 steps? Ha!
Simply an FYI, we took the elevator. There’s no approach we’d have made these steps!
Afterwards, take a cab over to Native Tongues for among the finest Mexican meals in all of Canada.
Plus, they create among the tastiest mescal cocktails, yummy tostadas and freshly-fried doughnuts. Love this place.
Learn extra: Our go to to the Calgary Tower
11.) See some Canadian Hockey
The Saddledome is the place you will see the Calgary Flames play their residence video games!
We cherished watching a sport and it was a lot enjoyable. Although, it completely stunned me how brutal and call-heavy hockey is! We noticed a participant get knocked out by a puck. Nonetheless, he was all fantastic… I feel!
All in all, it’s such an incredible expertise, and effectively value going while in Calgary.
Learn extra: Best hikes in Alberta
12.) Fort Calgary
Fort Calgary is the place the historical past of town all started as a mounted police stronghold. These days, seeing it is likely one of the finest issues to do in Calgary if you wish to discover among the metropolis’s historical past.
Though it was buried till the 1970s, now although you’ll be able to go and witness the reconstruction and see some authentic stays of the fort, too.
Learn extra: One-week itinerary for exploring Banff
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