Your guide to Calgary
Calgary highlights
Game time
Home to the Calgary Flames, the city takes its ice hockey seriously. Book your stay in Calgary between October and April to cheer on the home team at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Want to blend in with the crowd? Be sure to wear red or grab an official jersey from the arena’s gift shop.
Winter fun
When the temperatures drop, there’s no need to leave the city to get your fill of winter sports. Canada Olympic Park lets you hit the slopes with skiing, snowboarding and bobsledding. In Downtown Calgary, Olympic Plaza hosts an outdoor skating rink between November and March. For a natural setting, try the frozen lagoons of Bowness Park and Prince’s Island Park.
Natural wonders
Calgary puts you close to the Canadian Badlands and the Rockies, both just over an hour away by car. Head to Drumheller, the Dinosaur Capital of the World, and spend a day exploring Banff National Park. If you’re prepared to drive a little further, Lake Louise’s unbelievably turquoise waters and chiselled mountain scenery are well worth the trip.
Calgary: Know before you go
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Currency | Canadian dollar ($) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST) and UTC-6 (MDT) |
| High season | July - August |
| Low season | January - February |
Find the best time to go to Calgary
Weather in Calgary
March – May: Spring is Calgary’s most unpredictable season. You could experience warmth and sunshine one day, followed by a dusting of snow the next.
June – August: Summers are generally warm and sunny.But the humidity remains low and the nights stay cool, even in the hottest months.
September – November: Blue skies and golden larch trees are glorious in the crisp Calgary autumn, a perfect season for outdoor adventures. The city usually sees its first snowfall in mid-to-late October.
December – February: Winters are cold and snowy. Warm, dry winds from the Pacific bring a welcome relief from icy temperatures.
Events in Calgary
Chinook Blast (January to February): Art installations and winter recreation share the spotlight at this winter festival. Bundle up to watch outdoor light shows, or try your hand at Nordic skiing and curling.
Calgary Expo Comics & Entertainment (April): Lovers of comics, anime, sci-fi and fantasy flock to Calgary for this fan convention, featuring Q&A panels and cosplay. Shop for one-of-a-kind souvenirs in the Artists’ Alley.
Calgary Folk Music Festival (July): This four-day, multi-stage folk music celebration brings together local artists and global sounds. Past lineups have included folk icons like Joan Baez, plus up-and-coming musicians from Canada and abroad.
The best neighbourhoods in Calgary
Crescent Heights
If you’re after the best views in the city, this is where to stay in Calgary. Vistas of Downtown and the Rocky Mountains stretch out from the Crescent Hills Lookout Point and McHugh Bluff. An easy stroll across the Bow River will take you to scenic Prince’s Island Park. And with restaurants and shops along 16th Avenue and the Edmonton Trail, this neighbourhood delivers on all fronts.
Good for: Views, parks, restaurants
Beltline
This neighbourhood is known as one of Canada’s best dining districts. Beyond a collection of great restaurants, you’ll find craft beer bars, trendy coffee shops and independent art galleries. On sunny days, head to Central Memorial Park for a picnic. If you’re in Beltline on a weekend, drop by The Lougheed House, a mansion turned museum dating back to 1891.
Good for: Restaurants, craft breweries, art galleries
Kensington
One of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Calgary, Kensington stands out for its independent shops, brunch spots and colourful street art. Families love Riley Park for its wading pool, rock garden and cricket pitch. Plan to be in the neighbourhood on a Sunday if you love bargain hunting. The HSCA Flea Market has great deals on crafts and antiques.
Good for: Independent shops, brunch, street art
Things to do in Calgary
Places to eat
Calgary was once known as Cowtown for its strong beef industry, but the city has now staked its claim on the world food scene. Chinatown is the place to go for Calgary’s famous ginger beef while 4th Street in the Mission district has dozens of independent restaurants. Travelling on a budget? You’ll find cheap eats in Calgary's University District.
Shopping
When you’re ready for some retail therapy, make your way to Stephen Avenue Walk in Downtown Calgary for boutiques, galleries and speciality food stores. If vintage stores are more your thing, check out Inglewood’s 9th Avenue. Looking for the perfect souvenir? Bring a slice of the Wild West home from the Alberta Boot Company, founded in 1978.
Museums and culture
You could easily spend all day exploring the Heritage Park Historical Village, the largest living museum in Canada with 200 exhibits and attractions. If you’re down for some museum-hopping, Fort Calgary, the Esker Foundation and Studio Bell – which houses the Canadian Music Hall of Fame – are all within easy walking distance of one another.
Nightlife
From honkey tonks to clubs with VIP service, Calgary’s nightlife doesn’t disappoint. Beltline’s 17th Avenue is the place to go for packed dance floors. But if you’re after live music, head to 9th Avenue SE from Inglewood to East Village, also known as “Music Mile”. For a more low-key night, visit The Westin Calgary, the birthplace of the Caesar cocktail.
Beaches
Although Alberta is a landlocked province, there are picturesque lake and river beaches around the wider Calgary area. A short drive from the city takes you to Chestermere and Sikome lakes – both offering sandy beaches. If you’re planning a day trip to Banff, stop off at Johnson Lake for a dip with the Rockies as your backdrop.
Family-friendly things to do
You’ll find plenty of things to do in Calgary to keep all ages entertained. The TELUS Spark Science Centre and The Hangar Flight Museum have interactive exhibits that combine culture with education. And it’s only a short drive from the city for heart-pumping fun at Calaway Park, Western Canada’s Largest Outdoor Amusement Park.
Get ready for Calgary
Budget
With bike paths and green spaces to explore and a strong food truck culture, an inexpensive stay in Calgary is very doable. You can find a meal at an inexpensive restaurant for around 25 Canadian dollars ($) and a domestic beer for about $7. A short taxi ride costs around $10, but you can save more money by opting for public transport.
Day trips from Calgary
In the heart of the Canadian Badlands, Drumheller is also known as the ‘Dinosaur Capital of the World’. Look for fossils in the canyons, or visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology. Explore charming downtown shops and restaurants in nearby Cochrane. Once there, uncover Alberta’s ranching history at the Historic Cochrane Ranche.
Getting around Calgary
With Calgary’s rush-hour traffic and tricky downtown parking, the best way to get around the city is by public transport. Use Calgary Transit’s network of bus routes and light-rail systems (like the CTrain) to explore. You can buy bus tickets when boarding and CTrain tickets from station vending machines. If you have excursions planned, consider hiring a car for the day.
