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Welcome to this article about 25 things to do and see in Calgary . In this article, part of our ultimate guide to traveling to Canada , we share our own 21-day experience traveling through the Canadian Rockies, starting and ending in Calgary , and tell you what you can do and see in Calgary.

Located in the Canadian province of Alberta, just over two hours from the US border , Calgary is one of Western Canada's best-connected cities to Europe and the United States. It is also Canada's third most populous city, with approximately 1,5 million inhabitants , and consistently ranks among the world's top ten most livable cities.

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Despite this, I must say that our experience in downtown Calgary left something to be desired, and it didn't strike us as a particularly beautiful city with a great atmosphere in its center —I'm warning you in advance. It was disheartening to see so many homeless people and drug addicts; we didn't expect that in a city like this. However, outside the city center, the feeling was quite different.

In our case, we arrived in Calgary the next day, without visiting the city, to pick up our rental campervan and explore Banff National Park, a 1,5-hour drive away. It was on the way back, however, that we visited Calgary after visiting Drumheller and Alberta Dinosaur Provincial Park , two highly recommended places if you're traveling through Canada with children , also a 1,5-hour drive from Calgary.

Highlights about Calgary

Calgary is famous throughout Canada and North America for hosting Canada's largest rodeo and outdoor festival , the Calgary Stampede . This massive event takes place in July and is a must-see if you're visiting during this time. The city is nicknamed "Cowtown" precisely because of its strong cowboy and ranching culture, hence this iconic festival.

Since we went in August, we couldn't 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 its “Chinook winds,” warm winds that raise temperatures in a matter of hours, providing some relief during the cold winters.

Calgary is undoubtedly an iconic Canadian city. When you think of it, you immediately picture its famous 191-meter-tall Calgary Tower and its buildings connected by elevated walkways (unlike Toronto, which is connected by underground tunnels).

Furthermore, it's a city with a rich history and culture , where Heritage Park Historical Village stands as its greatest treasure. This museum, the largest in the country, vividly preserves Canadian history, showcasing 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 Calgary airport which is the closest to the Canadian Rockies, where we would mainly travel our route through Canada.

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 difference we notice between North American and European countries is the organization of city and town streets. In Canada, as in the US, streets are not designed for walking. They are very wide and designed for cars rather than pedestrians, although it must be said that Canada is slightly more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly than the US and almost every good town or city has at least one pedestrian street.

In Calgary, you can get around by rental car, taxi, or Uber . But if you want to be more sustainable, there's a very good public transportation system with buses and a subway. There are even Park & ​​Ride zones at some CTRain stations where you can leave your private vehicle and then use 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

Calgary is designed for those who want to park their car and walk downtown. In fact, one of the city's main attractions is its extensive network of pedestrian paths and bike lanes throughout Calgary . These well-marked paths offer benches, gardens, and generally pleasant views.

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

Getting around Calgary by public transport

The best option is undoubtedly to get around by public transport by buying the Day Pass which gives you unlimited buses and subways for a full day (not 24 hours) for $11 and it's free for children under 13.

Oh, and if you're going on a weekend and you're a family, there's the Weekend Family Pass which, for $16, gives you unlimited access all weekend for 2 adults and up to 5 teenagers aged 13 to 17 (children under 17 are free). The downside is that it's only valid on Saturdays and Sundays.

Metro

The subway there is called the C-Train and is the main form of public transportation in the city. There are two main lines that connect the city in all its major directions, always passing through the city center, Downtown. They run from 4 am to 1 am and are very frequent; one comes 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.

Since there were 4 of us, it ended up being a good price and we avoided moving the motorhome we traveled in on our motorhome trip through Canada.

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, Calgary has over 400 accommodations , so you won't have any trouble finding one. We stayed in a hotel that I highly recommend because it was a great choice.

We loved the price, amenities, and services. The hotel is a 4-star called Carriage House Hotel , with a heated pool, breakfast included, a restaurant, a 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 recommends parking RVs (motorhomes) at one of the city's 33 park and ride facilities near subway stations and then using the subway to get around. This option is also available, but overnight stays are prohibited, and you'll need to find a campground near the city at night.

 Calaway Park Campground

Mountain View Campground 

The other option is to park and stay overnight for free at a Walmart supermarket that gives you permission or at the Southcentre Mall shopping center , which allows motorhomes to park during the day and even stay overnight in a reserved area by requesting permission at its 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 road trip through Canada in a campervan like we did, we recommend renting one. We suggest doing so in Calgary or Vancouver with Roadsurfer , a company we would definitely use again. Roadsurfer gave us a $ 150 discount that you, as readers, can also take advantage of by 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 Nakoda, Tsuut'ina, and 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 that we can say Calgary was born with the establishment of Fort Calgary , created by the North-West Mounted Police, the historic Mounted Police of Canada.

The purpose of creating Fort Calgary was to protect the construction of the railroad throughout this area of ​​the Canadian Rockies. Expansion was rapid, and by 1894 Calgary had already been 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 catching our flight back to Spain. You could say we spent a day and a half in the city, plus another half day on the day of our arrival at Calgary airport, where we landed at 19:30 pm and went straight to the hotel to recover from jet lag and spend the night before embarking on our 21-day road trip through the Canadian Rockies in a campervan.

Calgary itinerary in 1 day

The day I'm suggesting would start with a good breakfast at one of the most popular local cafes, OEB Breakfast Co. And after a good coffee first thing in the morning, I'd recommend going up the Calgary Tower . If possible, I'd suggest going at 9:00 a.m., when it opens, so you can enjoy it without the crowds and with the best views of the day.

After visiting the Calgary Tower, the best option is to take a guided bike tour of Calgary or stroll along Stephen Avenue Walk , Calgary's most famous pedestrian street, lined with shops, historic buildings, and restaurants of all kinds. And while you're there, if you'd like, you can visit the Glenbow Museum.

For food, I recommend getting something to take away from one of the many food trucks on the streets and having a picnic in Prince's Island Park.

Leave the park after lunch and take a walk around the Bow River . Follow the marked trail along its banks, enjoying the natural beauty of the area.

Finally, end your visit at the unmissable Heritage Park Historical Village . Remember to eat early to arrive early at Canada's largest open-air museum; it closes at 17 pm.

After the visit, dinner at a restaurant in Chinatown, The Beltline or 17th Avenue SW , and a final stroll across the Peace Bridge and a drink on the rooftop of Sky 360 , inside the Calgary Tower, to round off 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 at Fort Calgary National Historic Site, visiting its museum and the site where the city of Calgary originated. Afterward, I would visit the Esker Foundation to see some of its free exhibits and then finish at the legendary Cold Garden Beverage Company for lunch. A fantastic old brewery for a great meal.

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

And after resting in the peaceful haven of Iglewood, I would head to Olympic Plaza to continue walking and visit Downtown.

From Olympic Plaza I suggest you visit some nearby spots: The Bow and the Wonderland Sculpture, the Central Public Library and finally end up visiting the home of National Music, the Studio Bell , finishing by having dinner at another legendary place in the city, the 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'll detail everything you can do and see in Calgary for the ideal one-day itinerary I mentioned above. In my case, it's based on my own experience visiting the city, a family trip that, in our opinion, was perfect for visiting Calgary with children.

Heritage Park Historical Village

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

At Heritage Park Historical Village, you'll find an authentic Canadian village from the last century. Every corner you visit will transport you back to the movies you've seen about Canada and its history.

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

Heritage Park has several annex buildings and museums with distinct collections. One of our favorites was the Gasoline Alley Museum , a museum full of incredible vintage cars.

Outside there's a very large paid parking lot . Finally, another thing to keep in mind is that it closes very early, at 17 pm.

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 savor all the Chinese culture and gastronomy that has been established in Calgary for over 100 years.

The most remarkable building is the Chinese Cultural Centre , a building whose ground floor houses a free museum and a hidden gem that you shouldn't miss. Once inside, don't forget to look up; the dome is stunning.

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, as throughout Canada, nature is well integrated. You'll find numerous parks and green spaces around the city, but Prince's Island Park 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.

It has free parking right 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 Bow River Trail is a delight to explore on foot or by bike. You can rent a bike and enjoy this trail and the city. Or even better, if you're feeling adventurous, 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

Entry to Studio Bell is free , and it's truly worth the experience. It's Canada's most important 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, the Glenbow Museum , is one of Calgary's must-sees . A place brimming with culture and history from the entire Alberta region, not just the city of Calgary.

The museum has three floors and is located right in the city center. It's a journey through the history of Calgary's first inhabitants, but it's also an art museum, a mineral museum, a military museum, a petroleum museum, and much more . It's one of those places where three hours feel too short.

It's free on the first Thursday afternoon of the month ; if you're lucky enough to go that day, save the ticket and take advantage of it. Otherwise, it's not worth paying.

Central Public Library

Calgary's new Central Public Library, located downtown, is definitely worth a visit. Admission is free, and even from the outside, it's a beautiful, modern building.

The inside is nothing like what you see on the outside . Inside, everything is wood , not metal; it's warm and has very original shapes, but it's 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 quite unusual. They're not in an open-air park, but on the top floor of the Core Shopping Centre.

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 Montreal, which built underground walkways between buildings to connect the city in winter , Calgary boasts this spectacular system of connecting buildings throughout the city: glass walkways above the city streets.

You can move from one building to another through glass tunnels without going outside. It's a brilliant invention, especially during the winter and when it's raining.

It's a system that looks like a maze, so be careful not to get lost, hehehe. It's best to get a map of the connections, which you can download from the Calgary tourism website.

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's an ideal place to enjoy equestrian sports, as it hosts world-class riding competitions. If there's a fair going on, you'll have a great time too. At Christmas, it's a favorite spot 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.

During the months when the festival isn't running, you can visit the Calgary Stampede to see some of its exhibits or events. Check out their website and schedule, and if you're going in July, don't miss the festival.

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