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- Corinne Whiting
- Travel Expert
- Proximity to the Canadian Rockies. No matter how many natural wonders you've checked off your bucket list, the Canadian Rockies stand in a league of their own.
- A cyclist's dream. Little-known fact: Calgary makes an excellent cycling town, thanks to its uber-flat landscape and impressive network of bike paths that weave throughout downtown's streets and parks.
- Green spaces galore. Calgarians have no problem finding downtown Zen, thanks to the city's bounty of beautiful public parks and gardens. Take a stroll or cycle along the Bow River, which often bustles with paddlers and surfers, before traversing the Peace Bridge to stop for a bite at Prince's Island Park's beloved River Café.
- Luxury lodging. Looking to get pampered while away, eh? Le Germain Hotel, centrally located in downtown Calgary, offers a plush urban oasis with detail-oriented service that truly goes above and beyond.
Mar 18, 2023 · Things To Do & Reasons To Visit - Destination Checkoff. Want to know if Calgary is worth visiting on your trip to the Canadian Rockies and Banff or by itself? Calgary is absolutely worth visiting! There is so much to see and do in this western Canadian city.
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Feb 11, 2021 · Overview. Things to do. Hotels. Dining. When to visit. Getting around. Map & Neighborhoods. Photos. 19 Best Things To Do in Calgary. Updated February 11, 2021. There are numerous reasons to go to...
Jan 13, 2024 · Calgary has its roots in cowboy culture, and you can see this Western heritage on display every year at the Calgary Stampede, one of the most popular festivals in the entire country. But Calgary is also the hub for Canada's energy sector, making it a rapidly growing place that's facing the future.
- About The City
- How to Get to Calgary
- Best Things to Know About Visiting Calgary
- Where to Stay
- Sights to See in Calgary
- Best Things to Do in Calgary
- Best Free Things to Do in Calgary
- Enjoying The Holidays in Calgary
- Where to Eat in Calgary
- Things to Do Near Calgary
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.
History
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 saw significant growth when the Canadian Pacific Railway finally connected Calgary to Eastern Canada in 1883. Only 18 years after becoming a city, the first Calgary Stampede wa...
Driving
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 stop...
Flying to Calgary
The Calgary International Airport (YYC)is a busy one with many connections, making it an easy way to get there. Getting into the city from the airport is possible through public transit, rental cars, and shuttles. 1. There are multiple options for renting a car at the Calgary airport. Book in advance to avoid any hassle! We recommend booking via RentalCars.comto select the cheapest rate or to book with whichever company you prefer. 2. There are hotel courtesyshuttles that take you to nearby h...
By Bus
Multiple bus companies have stops in Calgary (it’s easy to compare them on Busbud, but here are a couple of our favourite options): 1. We’ve personally taken Red Arrowseveral 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. 2. Ebusis Red...
Best Time 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 inhospitab...
There are plenty of choices for accommodations in Calgary. Whether you’re looking for an experience or just a simple room – there’s something for everyone.
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 Caféor just enjoy a picnic in the grass and watch the wildlife go by! Eau Claire Market is close too, which is great for some local shopping.
Calgary Peace Bridge
This eye-catching red bridge was finished construction 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!
Wonderland
Don’t miss this 12-metre-high metal sculpture in front of The Bow, the tallest building in Calgary. You can walk right through the sculptured, mesh share of a girl’s head and get a new perspective on the downtown buildings.
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!
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 the best things to do in Calgary. L...
Nosehill Park
Take on these beautiful hiking trails right in the heart of Calgary! Nosehill Parkboasts 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! At the south end of Calgary, the park stretches for an astonishing 20 km. 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 th...
If all of the above isn’t enough for you, then try coming to Cow Town 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...
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 Calgaryand funky hole-in-the-wall restaurants increasing every year, you’ll have to make a couple of trips to try it all! Here are our top picks for Calgary food spots:
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:
Aug 30, 2023 · Calgary Travel Guide. Last Updated: August 30, 2023. Calgary is one of the largest cities in Canada and home to the massive Calgary Stampede, an annual rodeo and festival that brings in over 1 million visitors each year. It’s the economic hub of Alberta, one of the country’s western provinces, and is just a stone’s throw from the stunning ...
Jul 9, 2020 · Alberta’s large Vietnamese population means that banh mi sandwiches are a popular choice in Calgary, as are pierogis, thanks to a Ukrainian influence. Calgary also boasts a growing craft beer scene. In fact, there are more than 30 breweries in the city as well as two distilleries and a cider house.
