Mini Guide to Calgary – Places to go in Calgary
Calgary is a vibrant city located in the province of Alberta, Canada. A city that’s bustling with activities, opportunities and life! Most people touch down Calgary for work, or go to Edmonton via Calgary for work or to visit the Canadian Rockies. But the many times that I visited Calgary, it offered me a perfect getaway – a lively night life, food culture, magnificent nature, an urban scene and the magical moonlight. Read ahead to find the perfect guide to Calgary!
Guide to Calgary: Places to go in Calgary Alberta
Calgary Stampede
Let me start with the obvious, Calgary Stampede. The Calgary Stampede is an annual event that occurs every July in Calgary. Its a ten-day rodeo, exhibition cum festival that attracts millions of visitors every year.
This event dates back to the 19th century and now the area even hosts a museum, market and exhibition. Museum can be visited all year around.
Website: Calgary Stampede
Address: 1410 Olympic Way SE Calgary, AB
Price: $18 (adult prices in 2017)
The Saddledome
Scotiabank Saddledome is an indoor arena, which is also home to Calgary Flames of the NHL.It is located in the Stampede Park in the southeast end of downtown Calgary.
The Saddledome is best viewed from the Calgary Tower (as pictured above). Inside the Saddledome, there are restaurants and it also hosts events other than sports.
Address: 555 – Saddledome Rise S.E. Calgary, Alberta
Price: Variable (tickets available at Ticketmaster)
Calgary Tower
Calgary Tower is a free standing tower, located in downtown Calgary. The observation tower offers amazing views of Downtown Calgary and beyond.
There is also a restaurant and souvenir store in the Calgary Tower. There is entry fee to the tower. I rate this tower, a must visit, because of the amazing views of the city of Calgary.
Website: Calgary Tower
Address: 101 9 Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Price: $18 per adult
Downtown Calgary
A vibrant downtown, Calgary has lots to offer. Tall buildings, shopping, amazing restaurants and cafes and most importantly nature and parks within the downtown core. Get the ultimate things to do in Calgary downtown here.
The park pictured above is Eau Claire Market Park.
Price: Free
Stephen Ave Walk
Whenever I visit Calgary, I look forward to taking a stroll in Stephen Ave Walk. Every time I have visited, there are tons of activities going on in this street.
I so love its vibe and energy!
As you stroll along, you can see little bits of history and historical facts jotted on different pillars. As always, this place has lots of restaurants and shopping areas, and falls within the Downtown Core region of Calgary.
Price: Free
Fort Calgary
Fort Calgary National Historic Site is the birthplace of the city of Calgary. It is the site where the North West Mounted Police built a fort at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers. This site is filled with history and a great visit, if you wish to know more about Calgary’s past. There is a museum and a gift shop as well. You can spend 2-3 hours here.
Website: Fort Calgary
Address: 750 – 9th Avenue SE Calgary, Alberta, T2G 5E1
Price: $12 per adult
Heritage Park
Heritage Park Historical Village is a living history museum and park in Calgary. This heritage park is one of the most visited sites in Canada. Many of the buildings are historical and were transported and reserved in the park. My personal favorite was the gasoline museum and the train stations – it does take you to the 1960’s. Certain buildings and amusement buildings are re-creations.
Imagine, being welcomed with people in historic costume, and antique automobiles including horse-drawn vehicles. That’s the Heritage Park for you – educational, yet fun.
In this park, you can also learn about history of Indigenous people and the Hudson’s Bay Company. There are tapis and other items (like cookware, fur, cots), etc.
You can expect to spend around 3-5 hours here. There are educational and cultural events that are hosted by the Heritage Park.
Website: Heritage Park of Calgary
Address: 1900 Heritage Dr SW, Calgary, AB T2V 2X3
Price: $27 per adult for single day admission. You can purchase 2 day or summer or annual pass at discounted prices
Olympic Park
Canada Olympic Park in Calgary was the site of 1988 Winter Olympics. Currently the area is operated by WinSport and they conduct ski and zip-lining courses. Canada Olympic Park is a popular place for people looking to go skiing without driving out to the mountains.
If you are short on time and just want to see the site, you can pay a quick visit and get pictures taken by the compound that has all international flags from Olympics participants. While you approach the site, the ski lifts are visible from a distance, making it a great spectacle to look at!
Website: Olympic Park (Winsport)
Address: 88 Canada Olympic Road SW Calgary, AB T3B 5R5
Price: $26 per adult for single day admission. You can purchase 2 day or summer or annual pass at discounted prices (ranges from $499+)
Food Tours
Alberta has seven signature products – bison, beef, canola, honey, Saskatoon berries, root vegetables and Red Fife Wheat. So it will a great idea to book a Food Tour to experience the local delicacies.
Several food tours feature those unique products. Food tours last 3 – 3.5 hours and involve walking 4 to 16 blocks.
Price: CAD 55+
River-Front & Segway Tours
A wonderful way to experience the river-front of Calgary is to take a segway tour. The River Valley adventure group located in the Riverfront area, provides training and conducts the segway tours in the river-valley area. Its a fun way to explore the city.
Website: River Valley Segway Tours
Address: Sien Lok Park Riverfront Ave & 1st Street, SW Calgary AB
Price: Starts at $60+
Gateway to Canadian Rockies
And of course, when in Calgary, Rockies are closer then you think. You can drive an hour or so to reach the beautiful Canadian Rockies. I envy Calgarians for this – they have a heavenly detox right at their door-step – a perfect weekend getaway, nature-therapy, adventure-tour, you name it and Rockies has it all <3
Price: Admission fees to Banff National Park – $19/vehicle of 4 passengers for 1 day
Want more Things to do in Calgary
Good to Know
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- Nearest Airport: Calgary has an international airport. (YYC) You will most likely be arriving to YYC (Calgary) or YEG (Edmonton), if flying into Canada internationally
- By Road: Calgary is well-connected by road from Edmonton and Canadian Rockies.
- Visa Requirements: Visitors from the European nations (and certain other countries) have to get an ETA before flying to Canada. It costs CAD $7 and takes a few minutes to apply online
- Accessibility: Bus service and LRT is very good in Calgary. Its safe, fast and convenient. Car rentals services are available as well.
- Where to stay: Calgary offers state of the art hotels like Fairmont, Sheraton Hotels (both in Downtown Calgary). Hotel prices range from CAD$ 300+ for 5 star hotels. There are budget hotels available, with free parking and breakfast. Hotel prices start at CAD$ 70-100+ for motels and budget styles. Newer hotels with great rooms are in and around the airport area. Find the best hotels to stay in Calgary
So, when are you booking your trip?
Pin – Essential Guide to Calgary – Places to go in Calgary Alberta
I’m Canadian, but from Toronto :). I would actually really love to visit Calgary! Looks like talking a walk down Stephen Ave will be a must, and the food from that food tour looks beyond incredible! Thanks for writing and sharing!
You should definitely visit!
FOOD TOURS!! Sorry haha I just got really excited – these are my favorite things! You learn so much!! Shamefully, I’m Canadian and I’ve yet to travel to Calgary, but it’s in the works!! I love your post – will use your suggestions when I go x
Thank you so much <3
We’re hoping to visit Calgary next year so this will be handy!
Thank you, glad it was useful
Great article, and wonderful photos! The Heritage Museum definitely sounds like my kind of thing! I’ve really got to get to Canada sometime soon.
You should definitely plan a visit here
A family friend lives in Calgary and in the first days of having internet at home, when I was sharing an email address with my mom, I remember gettng pictures of the tonnes of snow he’d get every winter 😀 He loved sharing that with us and got me stoked on that. Would love to experience one winter there, even if just for a week!
You will love all winter festivities here
This is a part of Canada that I haven’t had a chance to explore yet! And I go to that country from time to time! I would love to come to this wonderful city one day and your guide has some great tips!
Thank you for reading! Hope you enjoy your stay here
Hah! We were JUST talkling about our endof year holiday and whether or not to visit Calgary. It looks lovely and I rekcon ‘d love Stephen Avenue Walk. Thought we could then get a car and drive to Banff but it will be the dead of winter and was wondering if that was a good idea! But I can only imagine how stunnng it would be.
For winter travels, I did recommend Banff as its so picturesque and beautiful. Consider Lake Louise as well. You wont be able to walk on Stephen Ave during winters though
oh that street looks amazing to stroll down. Is it a bit lame I’m excited at the thought of a food tour? LOL
That is a good thing. I LOVE food tours too
I really only remember Calgary because of the winter olympics when I was a kid, so I was suprised to see it looking so nice and temperate in your photos.
Thanks for the informative guide! I only spent a couple of days in Calgary between exploring the rest of Alberta and wish I knew about this while I was there!
I still haven’t been in Canada but this post is making me want to visit! I would definitely want to do a food tour as well.
I would like to visit Canada one day, and had Toronto, Montreal and even the Rockies in mind, but I never really had Calgary in mind!
Checked out the website for the Olympic park, looks insane!
I almost made it to Calgary in February but the flight prices were just a little out of reach!! This post is making me wish I could’ve made it there though!
Loving this guide and the photography! Such beautiful photos. It makes me regret that I did not make it up to Calgary and to Banff before I moved away from the states. Def saving this for my future travel inspiration when I make it back over stateside again!
I checked out the olympic park website, looks insane! Canada is totes on my someday list, including Montreal, Toronto and even the Rockies, but I didn’t think to go to Calgary.
Thanks for the guide!
This looks like such a fun place to explore! You’ve inspired me to add Calgary to my list of places to visit.
I’ve wanted to visit Calgary ever since my brother told me how much he enjoyed staying a few years ago! It sounds like a wonderfully vibrant place, and being so close to the mountains is my dream! Thanks for sharing such a great guide 🙂
The view from Calgary tower is incredible! I haven’t been to Canada in ages, but this city looks like it’s worth a visit.
Perfect guide you have here! Planning on going to Canada actually next year, not sure if will have time to stop by Calgary – the stampede sounds like a great time though.
Wow I had no idea Calgary is so gorgeous. The Stampede and Stephen Ave Walk are my top picks. I love exploring streets like these, that one looks so vibrant. Hope to visit Canada one day.
Calgary seems so beautiful! Thanks for the informative guide. Added Calgary to my bucket list.
I have always spoken about New Zealand and Canada in the same breath – pretty but boring. Your post has changed my perspective though! I wasn’t expecting so much culture and history.
I am glad! Canada is a nature’s paradise – lots of things to see. There is some history in certain cities for sure, especially the capital cities of provinces.