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Welcome to this article about 25 things to do and see in Calgary. In this article, belonging to our Super guide to travel to Canada, we tell you through our own experience of 21 days of travel through the Canadian Rockies from Calgary as a starting point and return, we tell you what you can do and what to see in Calgary.

Belonging to the Canadian province of Alberta It's been a little over 2 hours now border with the United StatesCalgary is one of the best-connected cities in Western Canada to Europe and the United States. In addition to being the third most populous city in Canada, with around of 1,5 million inhabitants, and one of the top 10 best cities to live in the world.

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Despite this I must say that our experience in the Downtown of the city of Calgary It left a little to be desired and it did not seem to us to be a very pretty city or one with a good atmosphere in its centre.I'll warn you in advance. We were a little disheartened to see so many homeless people and drug addicts, we didn't expect that in a city like this. Although outside the centre it was certainly a different feeling at all times.

In our case we arrived in Calgary the next day, without visiting it, picking up our rental motorhome and touring the Banff National Park to 1,5 hours. It was on the way back, but, when we visited Calgary after coming from visiting Drumheller y Alberta Dinosaur Provincial Park, Two highly recommended places if you are going to take a trip through Canada with children, 1,5 hours from Calgary.

Highlights about Calgary

Calgary is famous in Canada and North America for being the city of Canada's largest outdoor rodeo show and festival, Calgary stampede. A great event that takes place in July and that you cannot miss if you travel here at this time. It is nicknamed the “Cowtown” precisely because of its strong cowboy and livestock culture, hence this great iconic festival of the city.

We went in August and were unable to visit the Stampede, but we were lucky enough to see a rodeo in Patricia, a small town about 3 hours from Calgary, when we were in Alberta's Dinosaur Provincial Park, and I assure you it was a great experience!

Calgary is also famous for being The best gateway to the Canadian Rockies and for their “Chinook winds”, warm winds that raise temperatures in a matter of hours, providing some relief during the cold winters.

Calgary is undoubtedly an iconic city in Canada. When you think of it, its famous skyline comes to mind. Calgary Tower 191 m high and its buildings connected by elevated walkway systems (not like in Toronto where they are connected by underground tunnels).

In addition, it is a city with a rich history and cultureWhere Heritage Park Historical Village becomes its greatest treasure. A museum that preserves Canada's history in a living way and is the largest in the entire country, showing Canadian life from 1860 to 1950.

Calgary is definitely worth experiencing and you can finally decide whether you like it or not!

As we are not from the city, I can tell you in advance that we were not entirely convinced, but we admit that you have to see it to decide 😛

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How to get to Calgary in Canada

On our trip we arrived in Canada at airport Calgary which is the closest to the Canadian Rockies, where our route through Canada would mainly take place.

Without a doubt, the best option if you are coming from Spain is to land at Calgary Airport. It is the airport in Western Canada with the most frequent flights to Europe, although there is usually a stopover in Toronto or Montreal beforehand.

If not, there is Vancouver airport, but from Vancouver to Calgary you have a 10-hour drive. On the map you may see it close, but Canada is huge, so much so that it is the second largest country in the world after Russia.

Once you arrive at Calgary airport you can take an Uber, a taxi (they cost more or less the same, around $40 was the cost for both the taxi and the Uber on the way back) or a public bus to downtown Calgary, the number 300, which takes you to downtown Calgary in 30 minutes at a good price. Although if you are 4 like us, an Uber always ends up being better.

How to get around Calgary city

The first thing we find different between North American countries and Europe is the organization of the streets in cities and towns. In Canada, as in the USA, the streets are not designed for walking. They are very wide streets and are designed for cars before, for pedestrians, although it must be said that Canada has a little more in favor of pedestrians and bicycles than the USA and always has some pedestrian street in every good town or city.

In Calgary You can move around by rental car, taxi or Uber. But if you want to be more sustainable you have a very good public transport system of buses and metro, there are even Park & ​​Ride zones at some CTRain stations so you can leave your private vehicle there and then move around by public transport.

If you travel by car, there is ample parking on every corner, although in Downtown most of them are paid.

Calgary Pathway System to visit the city's downtown on foot

The City of Calgary is designed for parking your car and walking in its center. So much so that one of the city's attractions is its system of Extensive pedestrian and bike paths throughout Calgary. Well-marked paths with benches to sit on, gardens and generally good views.

Also, if you go in winter all these trails are maintained.

Getting around Calgary by public transport

The best option without a doubt is to move around by public transport by purchasing the Day Pass that gets you unlimited buses and subways for a full day (not 24 hours) for $11 and children under 13 are free.

Oh and if you go on the weekend and you are a family there is the weekend family pass For $16 you get unlimited access all weekend for 2 adults and a maximum of 5 teenagers aged 13 to 17 (children under free). The downside is that it only works on Saturdays and Sundays.

Metro

The subway there is called CTrain and is the main public transport existing in the city. They are two main lines and connect the city in all its main cardinal points, always passing through the center of Downtown. They work from 4am to 1am and they are very frequent. One passes almost every 5 minutes.

Buses

The public bus network operates as a complement to the CTrain where it does not reach, and there are many bus routes.

The good thing is that there are a series of buses, called BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) that are like express buses on key routes that go faster.

Uber

For us it was the option chosen to travel long distances and then we walked all around the center.

 Being 4, it ended up being a good price for us and we avoided moving the motorhome with which we traveled on our trip through Canada by motorhome what we were doing.

Where to stay in Calgary to Canada

On our trip through Canada, our main accommodation was a rental motorhome.

In Calgary, but I don't recommend sleeping in a motorhome, there are no campsites and you can't sleep peacefully anywhere in the city. This way of travelling is only for villages and nature. I can assure you this because we have had a motorhome, a camper and a caravan for over 30 years.

Now, in Calgary there are more than 400 accommodations so you won't have any problem finding one. We stayed in a hotel that I must recommend because it was a great choice.

We loved the price, amenities and services. The hotel is a 4* called Carriage House Hotel, with heated pool, breakfast included, restaurant, pub and activities.

We loved it, both the adults and the children in the family, and the price was very good. The location was also very good, close to Roadsurfer, where we rented the motorhome, which we could walk to, and close to Heritage Park, a must-see that for us is definitely one of the best things to do in Calgary.

Calgary if you visit it with an RV. Calgary by motorhome

Visit Calgary advises parking motorhomes, called RVs in North America, in one of the 33 park and rides which is located next to the metro stations and then move around by metro. This option is possible, but overnight stays are prohibited and at night you will have to move to one of the campgrounds near the city:

 Calaway Park Campground

Mountain View Campground 

The other option is to park and spend the night for free in a Wallmart supermarket that gives you permission or in the shopping center Southcentre Mall which allows motorhomes to park during the day and even spend the night in a reserved area by requesting permission from the Guest Center.

We do not recommend staying overnight or visiting this great city in a motorhome, it is not at all convenient.

TIP: If you want to do this route by Canada by motorhome Like us, we recommend renting a motorhome. Do it in Calgary or Vancouver with Road surfers, a company we would repeat with. Roadsurfer  gave us un discount of 150 $ that you as readers can also benefit from applying the DISCOUNT CODE: KUCAVANAAMERICA

A little history of Calgary and its origins

Calgary is located in a region historically inhabited by indigenous peoples. The peoples of Nakoda, Tsuut'ina and the Blackfoot. These were its historical inhabitants for thousands of years, the so-called First Nations of Alberta and Calgary.

But as you know, the history of Canada changed for the peaceful life of these indigenous tribes during the last 4 centuries of history.

It was in 1875 We can say that Calgary was born by establishing itself Fort Calgary, created by the North-West Mounted Police, the historic Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The purpose of the creation of Fort Calgary was to protect the construction of the railway in this entire area of ​​the Canadian Rockies. The expansion was rapid and in 1894 Calgary was already incorporated as a city.

Initially, Calgary was a city that survived on railway work and agriculture and livestock, but in 1947 the discovery of oil wells nearby changed the story a bit. Calgary then became a centre of Canada's oil industry, growing economically and demographically very quickly.

Today it is the third largest city in Canada and is a cosmopolitan, open and multicultural city, where its economy has diversified, although oil and gas are still fundamental in the area.

Route to visit Calgary in 1 or 2 days

The route I propose is for the 12 essentials that I have detailed below. It is only for one day, since we believe that one day is enough to visit the city.

In our case, we visited Calgary the day before taking the flight back to Spain. You could say, in reality, that we spent a day and a half in the city. Plus another half day that we spent on the day of arrival at the Calgary airport, where we arrived at 19:30 pm at the airport and went straight to the hotel to overcome the jet lag and spend the night before embarking on our route through the Canadian Rockies by motorhome for 21 days.

Calgary itinerary in 1 day

The day I propose to you would start with a good breakfast in one of its most famous local cafes, OEB Breakfast Co. And with a good coffee first thing in the morning I would tell you to go up to the Calgary TowerIf possible, I would recommend going at 9am, opening time, when you can enjoy it without people and with the best views of the day.

After visiting the Calgary Tower, it is best to do the guided bike tour of calgary or walk freely through the Stephen Avenue Walk, Calgary's most famous pedestrian street, with shops, historic buildings and restaurants of all kinds. And there, if you feel like going into the Glenbow Museum.

To eat, I recommend you grab something to take away from one of the many food trucks on the streets and have a picnic in the park. Prince's Island Park.

Leave the park after lunch and visit and walk around the bow river. Walk along its marked path along its banks, enjoying the nature of the place.

To finally end up with the essential Heritage Park Historical VillageRemember to eat early to arrive early at this largest open-air museum in Canada, which closes at 17 p.m.

After the visit, dinner at a restaurant chinatown, The Beltline or 17th Avenue SW and final walk through Peace Bridge and a drink on the rooftop of Sky 360, inside the Calgary Tower, to round out the day and night.

Calgary itinerary in 2 days

The 2-day route through Calgary would be the first day doing the same and the 2nd day the following stops and route:

I would start the day in Fort Calgary National Historic Site visiting its museum and the place where the city of Calgary originated. Afterwards I would continue on to a visit to the Esker Foundation to see some of its free exhibitions and end up in the mythical Cold Garden Beverage Company for lunch. A great old brewery for lunch.

In the afternoon I would breathe some fresh air and go to see the free-access bird sanctuary, the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.

And after the rest in the haven of peace of Iglewook he would leave for the Olympic Plaza to continue walking and visit Downtown.

From Olympic Plaza I suggest you visit some nearby places: The Bow and the Wonderland Sculpture, the Central Public Library and finally end up visiting the National Music House, Studio Bell, finishing, having dinner in another mythical place in the city King Eddy where there is usually live music.

I hope you like the great routes to discover what for us was the best of Calgary!

Things to do and see in Calgary: 25 must-sees

In this section I will detail everything you can do and see in Calgary for the ideal one-day route that I mentioned above. In my case, it is the result of the experience of visiting this city, a family trip that, for our taste, was perfect for visiting Calgary with children.

Heritage Park Historical Village

The most essential place for us in Calgary would be this one open-air museum founded in 1961. You may think that since we travel with children, this statement is conditional on them, but believe me, this place is for young and old.

On Heritage Park Historical Village You will find an authentic Canadian village from the last century. It will take you back to the films you have seen about Canada and the history of this country in every corner you visit.

You can enjoy getting on a train and a vintage ship, being in contact with the local fauna and flora and seeing all kinds of gadgets and tools from more than a century ago, between 1860 and 1950.

The Heritage Park has several annex buildings and museums with different collections. One of the spaces that we liked the most was the Gasoline Alley Museum, a museum full of brutal vintage cars.

Outside has parking fee very large for parking. Finally, another thing to keep in mind is that it closes very early, at 17 hours.

Calgary Tower

If there is one iconic place in the city, it is this tower, more than 190 metres high, opened in 1968 and offering one of the most spectacular 360º panoramic views of Calgary and the nearby Canadian Rockies.

To go up you have to buy a ticket which costs 19 dollars for adults and 9 for children. It's not cheap for a viewing point, but truth be told, the views from the place are spectacular.

Chinatown and the Chinese Cultural Centre

A must-see neighborhood on a visit to Calgary is Chinatown, not only because it is in the downtown area, but also because of its colorful streets, its gastronomy and its cultural center.

From Centre Street North We can delve into and savour all the Chinese culture and cuisine that has been established in Calgary for over 100 years.

The most notable building is the Chinese Cultural Centre, a building that on its ground floor is a free museum and a hidden gem that you must visit. Don't forget to look up once you're inside, the dome is beautiful.

It may not be as spectacular or have an entrance door as those in other large cities around the world, but being in the middle of the city centre it is a good place, especially to eat at a good price.

Prince's Island Park

In Calgary, nature, as in all of Canada, is well integrated. You will find multiple parks around the city and green areas, but the Prince's Island Park It is undoubtedly the most admired in the city.

A park on the banks of the Bow River full of peace, paths for walking, picnic areas, flowers, fountains, playgrounds, a legendary coffee shop, the River Café, and in winter it even has skating and cross-country skiing areas.

Peace Bridge

Just to the left of Prince's Island Park is Calgary's famous pedestrian Peace Bridge. The Peace Bridge is one of the most photographed bridges in the city due to its red colour and characteristic architecture by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

Fort Calgary, also called today The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland

In 2024, they changed the name of Fort Calgary to The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland. I don't quite understand why, but in the end the site is the same and it is still the place where Fort Calgary was, the origin of the city.

Today there is a museum here where the history of the city is explained. You can see an old printing press, a pharmacy and many other things that tell the story of the founding of the Mounted Police in Western Canada.

You have free parking just in front.

Stephen Avenue Walk

This pedestrian-only street in Canada is Calgary's main shopping artery. Here you'll find many shops and all the local atmosphere of Calgary.

Shops, restaurants and local life await you here in downtown Calgary. Between historic and modern buildings, it is a popular and lively street.

If you don't intend to do any shopping, I recommend you simply take a look at Olympic Plaza, where you will get a good photo of its buildings.

Iglewood Bird Sanctuary and Nature Center

A beautiful park full of peace, good trails, birds and a nature center that has been operating since 1929. You will find deer, elks, more than 270 species of birds and the best thing is that it is completely free to enter and they do not accept donations. A little Eden in the middle of the city.

It is open from 9:30 a.m. to 16 p.m. only

Bow River Pathway

This is undoubtedly one of the favourite plans of Calgary residents and also of many visitors.

The trail along the banks of the Bow River is a pleasure on foot or by bike. You can rent a bike and enjoy this trail and city. Or better yet, if you feel like it, you can take a Guided bike tour of Calgary.

The Military Museums

Curiously, this museum is one of the most visited in Calgary after the Heritage Village, despite the fact that Canada is not at all a warlike country. It has armed forces, but it has always been minimally involved in any war. Canada has for years had a clear commitment to multilateralism and to the principles of peace and freedom and has always strongly supported peacekeeping forces rather than those of any war.

In this museum, which closes at 17 p.m., you can see a comprehensive account of the military history of the museum, including its support for peacekeeping forces.

Studio Bell, National House of Music

La Entrance to Studio Bell is free and the truth is that it is worth the experience. It is the Canada's premier music museum and the building is beautiful.

The architectural design of the place makes it already impressive, that alone makes it worth going in. It is in the style of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

In the museum you will find 5 floors with exhibits about musicians, many times, and also about the different musical styles heard in Canada, about its most famous international and national artists and about instruments, among others.

The Bow and Wonderland Sculpture

Near Olympic Plaza there is a building that stands out for its futuristic architecture. This is The Bow, impressive.

Right in front of its base is a spectacular sculpture, the Wonderland Sculpture, a colossal head made of wire in the middle of an urban area by the sculptor Jaume Plensa, a Spanish sculptor.

Glenbow Museum

This museum, Glenbow Museum, is one of Calgary's must-sees. A place full of culture and history of the entire Alberta region and not just the city of Calgary.

The museum is 3 floors and is located in the heart of the city. It is a tour of the history of Calgary's first inhabitants, but it is also an art museum, a mineral museum, a military museum, an oil museum and much more.. One of those places where 3 hours seem short.

Es Free el First Thursday of the month in the afternoonIf you are lucky and go that day, save it and take advantage. Otherwise, it is worth paying.

Central Public Library

La Calgary's new public central library located in Downtown It is an interesting plan and a visit without a doubt. Admission is free and open to the public and from the outside it is a beautiful modern building.

Inside it has nothing to do with what you see on the outside. Inside everything is wood and not metal, warm and with very original shapes, but functional.

It is worth a stop and visit.

The family of Man

A family of giant sculptures located in this square are also a must-see in downtown Calgary.

It represents a family in the park and is also by the Spanish sculptor Mario Armengol. The sculptor made a work for the British Pavilion at the Expo 67 in Montreal and was later bought by a local Calgary businessman and given to the city in 1968.

Devonian Gardens

These gardens are most curious. They are not in an open-air park, but on the top floor of the Core Shopping Center.

In addition to trees, flowers and plants, it is full of fish ponds and fountains illuminated by natural light through its glass roof. And the best thing is that if you know how to play the piano, there is one ready for you to play. A beautiful place.

Olympic plaza and the 5 Famous Statues

If there is one square you must see in Calgary, it is this one, although you might not think that it is much more than a square. In the heart of Downtown, the city centre, this square is Calgary's central promenade.

The Town Hall is nearby and this place recalls the city's Olympic past.

It stands out for being the place where many people sit down to rest and where many city events usually take place.

In the middle of the square we find the 5 Famous Statues. The famous 5 women who led the fight for women's rights in Canada and which are life-size.

Calgary's +15 Skywalk

Unlike Monreal, who built underground corridors between buildings to Connecting the city in winter, in Calgary we find this spectacular system of connection between buildings in the City. A connection made by glass walkways over the city streets.

You can move from one building to another between glass tunnels without going outside. During the winter and with rain it is a great invention.

It is a system that looks like a labyrinth, so be careful not to get lost hehehe, it is better to get a map of the connections that you can download from the website of Calgary Tourism.

TELUS Spark Science Centre

This is Calgary's science museum. A museum with many interactive and educational exhibits where you can spend an entire busy morning or afternoon.

A place where children and adults alike can learn about science through games.

Calaway Park

Calaway Park is Calgary's and Western Canada's largest amusement park. A place with attractions for all ages. There are everything from roller coasters to traditional amusement rides.

The good thing about this amusement park is that it has a camping and RV area, ideal if you are traveling by motorhome to Calgary.

The Hangar Flight Museum

If you like airplanes, you'll find your own museum near Calgary Airport.

Here you will find a unique collection of very good vintage and modern aircraft.

Spruce Meadows

A large meadow, sports complex, large green park full of nature with many places to eat, sports stadiums for football, equestrian sports, bathrooms, spaces for local fairs and events, etc.

It is an ideal place to enjoy the equestrian hobbies This is where world-class equestrian competitions are held. A place that you will also enjoy a lot if there is a fair. At Christmas, it is the favourite place for Calgary residents.

Fish Creek Provincial Park

Just south of the city is an exceptional natural park with miles of hiking trails. It has picnic areas, a few restaurants and, above all, it is an excellent place to enjoy the tranquility, nature and wildlife.

Esker Foundation

With free parking at the back, perfect for visiting Downtown, this small museum from the Esker Foundation is a good place to see some of their art exhibitions. If you like art, this is the place to visit.

Calgary stampede

During the month of July, Stampede Stadium and its surroundings host Canada's largest festival, where rodeo, shows, fairs and music fill Calgary.

In the months when the festival is not taking place, we can visit Calgary stampede to see some of their exhibitions or events. Check out their website and calendar and if you go in July don't miss the Festival.

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