Calgary is typically seen because the entry level to the good outdoor in Alberta. Sure, it’s inside quick access of the dramatic Banff National Park, however it’s additionally a cosy little metropolis to spend a couple of days exploring. Actually, there’s a heap of locations to see and a few epic issues to do in Calgary; a lot in order that it’s price 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 stated, I’m so glad we made a cease within the metropolis as we liked our few days right here; a lot in order that we’ve been again fairly a couple of occasions since!
In fact, in case you’re travelling to the best places 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?
Effectively, simply be sure you go away a day or two to spend a while in downtown Calgary, too.
With that in thoughts, I needed to share a number of the finest issues to do in Calgary in your subsequent journey. Oh yeah, and with any of our posts, pop us a message in case you want some other recommendation. Have the perfect time in Canada!
1.) Kensington
Okay, so Kensington is one among my favorite neighbourhoods in Calgary and a spot that’s bought a extremely cool vibe! It sort of jogs my memory of Camden in London (or the Decrease East Facet in NYC) and is a good place to wander across the impartial shops or yummy eating places.
For me, wandering this space is definitely top-of-the-line issues to do in Calgary, particularly in case you’re hungry. For some tasty bites to eat, ensure that to pop into
Additionally, for some nice espresso, pop into Greater Floor. Their roast is so good.
Read more: Best things 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 price 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 a number of the finest ramens in all of Calgary. Plus their yakitori skewers and cocktails are wonderful. It’s the right place for dinner; simply ensure that to order a desk earlier than you go. This place fills up quick.
While right here, be sure you go to Fair’s Fair Books, too. It’s such a comfortable place that has an epic ebook number of previous and new books. It’s a treasure trove for bookworms.
Lastly, in case you fancy warming up, pop into Gravity Espresso & Wine, which, not solely has nice espresso (and wine) but additionally reside DJs on sure days, too.
Read more: Best things to do in Banff
3.) Studio Bell
Perched within the centre of Calgary, Studio Bell is one among Canada’s largest and finest properties of Canadian music. Housing hundreds of displays, it’s someplace that any music lover will completely love. If that’s you, you’ll simply discover this to be top-of-the-line issues to do in Calgary. Not solely that, the constructing is fairly cool, too.
Now, a go to to Studio Bell will probably take round 90-minutes and is properly price stopping by in your stroll across the centre. That being stated, in case you’re not a music-lover, you may wanna give this spot a miss. In any case, it’s all in regards to the music!
Afterwards, you’ve had your fill at Studio Bell, King Eddy is properly price visiting (subsequent door). It’s a historic music venue and eatery that’s excellent for a chew, or an compulsory Ceasar!
Read more: Our time exploring Studio Bell
4.) Wonderland Sculpture
Proper subsequent to the Bow skyscraper (within the centre of Calgary), seeing the Wonderland Sculpture is among 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 gained’t spend greater than 10-minutes right here, however it’s properly price 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.
Read more: One-week itinerary for exploring Banff
5.) Calgary Library (Central Library)
Now, you may not suppose that visiting a library is among the finest issues to do in Calgary, however belief me, this one is.
Effectively, in case you love books and structure at the least!
You see, Calgary Library is completely gorgeous and homes an enormous mixture of books a stunning cafe and a few unbelievable structure that you need to see. Even in case you’re not ‘into’ books, simply pop in for a fast wander. It’s beautiful.
Read more: Visiting the Calgary Library
6.) Prince’s Island Park
Strolling Prince’s Island Park is among the finest issues to do in Calgary on a sunny summer season 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 stated, in case you go to in winter, you can too strive your hand at some out of doors skating )on the lagoon), too.
Plus, there are trails for each walkers and cyclists, too. Oh, and in the course of the summer season months, you could be there on a day when one of many metropolis’s occasions are held. Preserve a watch out for listings whenever 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.
Read more: 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.
It is 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’ll have the prospect to commerce at a reproduction buying and selling publish, go to a ranch in addition to the historic village, too.
Lastly, in case you’re feeling as much as it, you possibly can then go on a steam practice, take a experience in a horse-drawn wagon or cruise alongside in a paddle wheeled boat. It’s nice for households.
Read more: One-week itinerary for exploring Banff
8.) Glenbow Museum
The Glenbow Museum is heralded as one of many best of Canada’s museums and top-of-the-line issues to do in Calgary for positive!
The displays 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 a number of the tastiest sharing plates in Calgary. Their salmon gravlax and masala hen is all the things and extra!
9.) Canada Olympic Park
The Canada Olympic Park was the venue for the 1988 Winter Olympics and this large winter sports activities complicated is used as each a coaching floor for any future Olympians. 😉
It’s an excellent place to strive your hand at snowboarding, too! Although, if snowboarding is just not thrilling sufficient for you then you possibly can strive bobsleigh or the luge, too.
Oh, and Don’t neglect to go to the Olympic Museum while you’re there.
10.) Calgary Tower
The Calgary Tower was as soon as the town’s tallest constructing at 626 ft excessive and constructed to commemorate the nation’s Centennial in 1967.
Immediately, you possibly can go to the highest for the spectacular views of the town and the close by Rocky Mountains. To get to the highest you possibly can take the elevator or would you like to climb the 762 steps? Ha!
Simply an FYI, we took the elevator. There’s no means we’d have made these steps!
Afterwards, take a cab over to Native Tongues for a number of the finest Mexican meals in all of Canada.
Plus, they create a number of the tastiest mescal cocktails, yummy tostadas and freshly-fried doughnuts. Love this place.
Read more: Our visit to the Calgary Tower
11.) See some Canadian Hockey
The Saddledome is the place you will discover the Calgary Flames play their dwelling video games!
We liked watching a sport and it was a lot enjoyable. Although, it completely stunned me how brutal and contact-heavy hockey is! We noticed a participant get knocked out by a puck. Nonetheless, he was all fantastic… I believe!
All in all, it’s such an excellent expertise, and properly price going while in Calgary.
Read more: Best hikes in Alberta
12.) Fort Calgary
Fort Calgary is the place the historical past of the town all started as a mounted police stronghold. These days, seeing it is among the finest issues to do in Calgary if you wish to discover a number of the metropolis’s historical past.
Though it was buried till the Seventies, now although you possibly can go and witness the reconstruction and see some unique stays of the fort, too.
Read more: One-week itinerary for exploring Banff
Test Out The Very Best Of Great Britain!
