Calgary, Canada: travel guide
Gateway to the Rockies on the prairies, known for the Calgary Stampede and its proximity to Banff.
- Country
- Canada
- Currency
- CAD
- Time zone
- America/Edmonton
- Nearest airport
- YYC
Top places to visit in Calgary
Calgary Zoo (Wilder Institute)
Wildlife · 4.5 rating · about 3.5 h · entry CAD 40
One of Canada's most-visited zoos on St. George's Island, home to over 4,000 animals plus the Canadian Wilds and Prehistoric Park dinosaur displays.
Calgary Stampede Grounds (Stampede Park)
Cultural · 4.5 rating · about 4 h
Home of the Calgary Stampede, the annual 10-day rodeo and festival each July. The grounds host events year-round including the Saddledome and BMO Centre.
Calgary Tower
Viewpoint · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · entry CAD 21
Iconic 191m observation tower in downtown Calgary with a glass-floor observation deck and 360° views of the city, prairies and Rocky Mountains.
Heritage Park Historical Village
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 4 h · entry CAD 35
Canada's largest living history museum, recreating life in Western Canada from the 1860s–1950s with costumed interpreters, a steam train and antique midway.
Prince's Island Park
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h
Urban island park on the Bow River connected by footbridges, with walking paths, lagoons, festivals and the Eau Claire promenade nearby.
Stephen Avenue Walk
Market · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h
Historic pedestrian shopping and dining street in downtown (8th Avenue), a National Historic Site lined with heritage sandstone buildings, patios and shops.
Fish Creek Provincial Park
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h
One of the largest urban parks in North America, with 80+ km of trails, forests, wildlife and Sikome Lake for summer swimming.
WinSport Canada Olympic Park
Activity · 4.5 rating · about 3 h
Legacy site of the 1988 Winter Olympics offering skiing, bobsleigh, zipline, mountain biking and the Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.
TELUS Spark Science Centre
Museum · 4.4 rating · about 2.5 h · entry CAD 28
Interactive science centre with hands-on exhibits, a digital dome theatre and outdoor Brainasium park, popular with families.
Glenbow Museum
Museum · 4.3 rating · about 2 h
Major art and cultural history museum (operating as JR Shaw at Glenbow during renovation) showcasing Western Canadian and Indigenous art and artifacts.
Inglewood
Cultural · 4.5 rating · about 2 h
Calgary's oldest neighbourhood, a hip district along 9th Avenue SE with indie boutiques, vintage shops, breweries, music venues and the adjacent Bird Sanctuary.
Studio Bell, National Music Centre
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry CAD 18
Striking architecture in the East Village housing Canada's national music museum, with interactive exhibits, rare instruments and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
Things to do
- Calgary Tower Observation Deck Admission Sightseeing · 1 h · from CAD 21 per person
- Banff & Lake Louise Day Tour from Calgary Day Trip · 10 h · from CAD 199 per person
- Heritage Park Living History Admission Cultural · 4 h · from CAD 35 per person
- WinSport Olympic Park Bobsleigh & Zipline Adventure · 2 h · from CAD 69 per person
- Bow River Float / Raft Trip Water · 3 h · from CAD 85 per person
- Calgary Downtown & Stephen Avenue Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2 h · from CAD 35 per person
- Inglewood Craft Brewery Tour Food Drink · 3 h · from CAD 89 per person
Day trips and tours
- Banff & Lake Louise Full-Day Tour 11 h · from CAD 199
- Drumheller & Royal Tyrrell Museum Dinosaur Day Trip 9 h · from CAD 159
- Kananaskis & Canmore Mountain Escape 8 h · from CAD 175
Where to stay in Calgary
- Downtown / Beltline about CAD 220 per night
Calgary's central core and the trendy Beltline just south — walkable, with the most restaurants, bars, the +15 skywalk and easy CTrain access.
- Inglewood about CAD 170 per night
Calgary's oldest and hippest neighbourhood, full of indie shops, breweries, music venues and cafés along 9th Avenue SE.
- Near Stampede Park / Victoria Park about CAD 190 per night
Area around Stampede Park and the East Village, ideal during the July Stampede with quick access to the grounds and the Saddledome.
Hotels
- Fairmont Palliser 4-star · CAD 320 to CAD 600 per night
- Hyatt Regency Calgary 4-star · CAD 220 to CAD 420 per night
- Acclaim Hotel Calgary Airport 4-star · CAD 150 to CAD 250 per night
- Hotel Arts 4-star · CAD 200 to CAD 380 per night
- Inglewood Boutique Inn 3-star · CAD 140 to CAD 230 per night
- Best Western Plus Suites Downtown 3-star · CAD 110 to CAD 180 per night
Where to eat
- Peters' Drive-In Burgers, Fast Food, American · about CAD 14 per person
- Calgary Farmers' Market Market, International, Canadian · about CAD 20 per person
- OEB Breakfast Co. Breakfast, Brunch, Canadian · about CAD 30 per person
- Village Ice Cream Dessert, Ice Cream, Cafe · about CAD 8 per person
- CHARCUT Roast House Canadian, Steakhouse, Contemporary · about CAD 75 per person
- Spolumbo's Fine Foods & Deli Italian, Deli, Sandwiches · about CAD 18 per person
- Caesar's Steak House Steakhouse, Canadian · about CAD 80 per person
- Ten Foot Henry Contemporary, Vegetarian-friendly · about CAD 45 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Metro main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ride Hail main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Stampede-week price gouging & fake tickets
Stampede Park / online resale
During the July Stampede, scalpers and fake websites sell counterfeit event/concert tickets at inflated prices, and some unofficial parking lots overcharge.
How to avoid it: Buy tickets only from the official calgarystampede.com site, and use official or reputable parking. Verify any resale tickets carefully.
Downtown panhandling & distraction theft
Downtown core, transit stations, +15 walkways
Occasional aggressive panhandling or distraction tactics near busy transit stops and the East Village; petty theft of unattended bags can occur.
How to avoid it: Keep belongings secure and zipped, do not leave bags unattended, and politely decline persistent requests. Calgary is generally very safe.