Discover Calgary's Wonders

Calgary is a bustling city known for its mix of Western heritage and urban sophistication. Visitors can explore the Calgary Stampede, wander through the lively downtown, and enjoy scenic views from the Calgary Tower. With nearby access to the Rockies, an exciting food scene, and family-friendly attractions, Calgary offers a diverse and welcoming experience for travelers.

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Description

Calgary's path towards becoming one of the biggest cities in Canada started in the second half of the 1800s, when many settlers developed the local agricultural economy. The Calgary Stampede is an annual festival that celebrates this period, together with the western culture and heritage. The discovery of oil just outside the city at the start of the 1900s breathed even more life into the town, a turning point so important that the energy sector is still one of the main strongholds of Calgary's economy. It wasn't until the city hosted the Winter Olympics in 1988 that it was granted international recognition, becoming one of the main Canadian tourism destinations. The view from the signature Calgary Tower has become a fan favorite, just like the many festivals and events hosted by the town. The mountain ridges that can be found nearby are nice locations for both winter sports and hiking, otherwise one is left with plenty of options for a more relaxed day in the local national parks.

Useful information

Population:

1.3 million Calgarians (2021)

Currency:

Canadian Dollar, 1 CAD = 100 cents

Emergency Info:

Police, ambulance & fire brigade: 911

Opening Hours:

Most shops in Calgary are open from 10am to 8pm during weekdays, while on the weekends they tend to shorten their business hours, ranging from noon to 5pm. Supermarkets instead are usually open from 9am to 9pm the whole week.

Events

Beakerhead (September)

Beakerhead is an annual festival that celebrates the ways in which engineering and science can create art. Recurring displays include exhibitions featuring robots, street experiments and music on Stephen Avenue Walk, workshops and panels for educational purposes and nightly events with 3D projections and dance performances.

Block Heater (February)

Organized by the Calgary Folk Fest, Block Heater is a winter music festival taking place across several locations like the National Music Centre, King Eddy, Festival Hall, and the Central Library in Downtown Calgary. Both Canadian and international performers join this annual celebration of all genres of music, from electronic to folk.

Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo (April)

The Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo comes with everything a comic fan would need: scheduled autograph and photo sessions with international authors, Q&A panels with your favorite artists, over 700 retailers with articles and gadgets on sale, as well as cosplay contests that bring fictional characters to life.

Calgary Folk Music Festival (July)

The Calgary Folk Music Festival has been an annual staple for both Calgarians and tourists since 1980. Set in Prince's Island Park, the festival not only gives a stage to many local and international artists, both up-and-coming and well-established, but also includes a Talk Tent where comedy shows and panels take place, as well as an artisan market and a beer garden.

Calgary International Film Festival (September)

Since the year 2000, Calgary has hosted the largest film festival in Alberta every year, with screenings of feature and short films of any genre, coming from not only Canada but also other countries. During these twelve days the audience is able to ask questions and engage with the filmmakers during panels, film talks and behind-the-scenes events.

Calgary Stampede (July)

A ten-day festival that takes its roots at the start of the 1900s, the Calgary Stampede starts off with a western-themed march through the town. It is mostly famous for having the world's biggest outdoor rodeo, with a range of activities including bull riding and barrel racing that take place during the afternoon. Every day ends with a chuckwagons derby, followed by a variety show featuring comedy, music and dancing, while a firework display acts as the grand finale.

GlobalFest (August)

The GlobalFest is further split into the OneWorld Festival and the International Fireworks Festival. The first aims to showcase different cultures from around the world through onstage performances, interactive activities and food stalls, while the latter is a competition between five countries' best pyro-musical artists.

High Performance Rodeo (January)

High Performance Rodeo is Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts, featuring performances from Canadian and foreign artists who will entertain audiences using many different spots in the Downtown as their stage. The diversity of the performances is the main draw: you can find theatrical, dancing and musical exhibitions, but also wrestling matches, cabaret and burlesque shows.

Do & See

Banff National Park

Established in 1885 Banff is the first national park in Canada. Located at a distance of 120 km from Calgary, it can be reached via the On-It Regional Transit company offering public rides. You can explore its trails either by hiking or biking, enjoy fishing from the Bow River shores, join a zipline tour or have a relaxing birdwatching session, among the many outdoor and learning activities available.

Calaway Park

Calaway Park is the biggest amusement park of Western Canada, with more than 30 rides that cater to kids and adults alike. All the classics such as the carousel, bumper cars and Ferris wheel are here, along with their own spin on the drop tower with "Free Fallin'" and on roller coasters with "Vortex". Seasonal events are also hosted all year long, examples being "Halloweekend" and for Canada Day.

Calgary Tower

Calgary's main landmark — Calgary Tower — is almost 200 meters high and mostly known for offering a 360° view of the city, thanks to the observation deck's glass floor. Included in the ticket is the admission to their Theatre Room, featuring a short film that goes through the history of the tower.

Calgary Zoo

African lions, Amur tigers, giant pandas and whooping cranes are only a few of the animals that can be seen at the Calgary Zoo. You will also be able to witness events such as tiger training sessions and learn more about gorilla family dynamics. Restaurants are also available if you are planning for a longer stay, as well as gift shops and playgrounds for kids.

Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

There are more than 600 honored members in Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, which houses exhibits that celebrate the country's sporting achievements. You will find themed galleries such as the Glide Gallery, focusing on winter sports, the Bounce Gallery, which ranges from baseball to soccer, and the Olympic and Paralympic Gallery displaying the medals won by Canadian athletes.

Devonian Gardens

The Devonian Gardens is a botanical garden located in Downtown Calgary, on the fourth floor of The Core shopping center. You don't have to buy a ticket in order to visit its living wall, koi carp ponds, fountains and waterfall, while kids can enjoy the playgrounds. Being enclosed in glass, natural light is all that you need in order to also see the art that adorns the walls, like masks and banners.

Downhill Karting by Skyline Luge Calgary

Skyline Luge gives you the chance to ride down tracks that stretch for more than 1800 meters featuring 50 twists and turns, using karts powered only by the force of gravity. You can book rides for groups and get a picture of you taken during the ride as well. There are height limits for kids: those who do not reach 110cm in height cannot ride alone.

Glenbow Museum

The list of permanent exhibitions available at the Glenbow Museum includes a dynamic gallery depicting the lives and stories of the men who contributed to shaping Alberta, a mineralogy collection and a presentation about warriors around the world, from Maoris to Samurais. Limited events showcase art by contemporary artists not only from Canada, but from all parts of the world.

Dining

Blue Star Diner

Blue Star Diner's sandwiches, salads, hamburgers and steak dishes are made with ingredients that are locally sourced, and can be ordered for breakfast, lunch or dinner. A drink list that includes house cocktails, draft beer and wines complements their food offering, and they also host discount events like Taco Tuesday or Burger and Beer Wednesday.

Gaga Pizzeria

Whether you stop and have a seat at Gaga Pizzeria or pick from one of their Grab & Go options, you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of topping combinations made with imported goods. Their menu also includes homemade soups, sandwiches and their baklava dessert, a Turkish pastry made with dried fruits.

Himalayan

The Himalayan is a fine choice for those who want to have a taste of Nepali cuisine. You can start your meal with steamed dumplings called momo, and then order a rice and lentil soup-based 'dal bhat', with your choice of either lamb or chicken meat or paneer cheese. Grilled seafood and vegetarian dishes are available as well, with some options being gluten free.

Jimmy's A&A Deli

Jimmy's A&A Deli has won many awards for their shawarma: chicken meat or beef cut into thin slices and then served in a salad or with pita (a slice of round, thin bread). Their menu is based on Mediterranean cuisine, featuring also falafel, fatayer, which is a Middle Eastern meat pie, and empanadas, turnover pastries filled with beef or vegetables.

John's Breakfast & Lunch

John's Breakfast & Lunch is a fine choice if you feel up to trying out some of what Canada's cuisine has to offer, with the added bonus of being easily accessible thanks to the free parking nearby. They're open for breakfast, brunch and lunch, with food options like poutine made with fries, cheese and gravy, omelettes with ham and eggs Benedict coupled with bacon.

Minas Brazilian Steakhouse

Minas Brazilian Steakhouse offers rodízio, an all-you-can-eat service featuring skewered cuts of meat that follows the culture of Southeastern Brazil. Dishes are complemented by vegetables like beans, squash and okra, as well as fruits like pineapple and banana. They also offer take-out service if you want to have a taste of Brazilian cuisine in the comfort of your home.

Modern Steak

The bright white walls and sofas contrast against dark wooden tables at the Modern Steak, where the marble counter and soft lighting add finishing touches to the interiors. They exclusively serve Alberta beef in different cuts, be it filet, rib eye or flat iron, cooked as you like. They also have seafood, pasta-based and vegan dishes, and can accommodate for gluten and lactose intolerance as well.

Pfanntastic Pannenkoek Haus

Pfanntastic Pannenkoek Haus is a corner of Calgary where you can have a taste of Dutch cuisine. Pannenkoek is the traditional Dutch pancake which can be either savory, with a prime example being their potato, onion, bacon and cheese pannenkoek, or sweet, such as their Black Forest with cherries, ice cream and chocolate sauce.

Cafes

Alforno Bakery & Café

Located in the neighborhood of Eau Claire, Alforno offers a menu that includes quick bites like sandwiches, yogurt parfaits and tartines that can be coupled with either hot or cold beverages, as well as more filling meals like pizza and pasta coming in the form of risotto and tagliatelle. They also have a delivery service allowing you to enjoy their food wherever you prefer.

Analog Coffee 17th Ave

Taking the name from the street in which it is located, Analog Coffee 17 Ave couples their cups of latte, espresso and tea with pastries like ham and cheese puffs, blueberry muffins and lemon scones. Their cornered position allows you to enjoy the view of the bustling crossroad, and you can also buy some of their coffee beans to bring back home with you.

Cafe Gravity (Inglewood)

Gravity's interiors feature dark blue walls contrasting with the bright wooden furniture and lighting, a nice setting in which you'll be able to enjoy their selection of pastries or cheesecake, as well as savory meals like panini, quiche, soups and salads. Their list of hot beverages includes coffee, tea, ciders and wines, and the experience is further improved by the presence of live music.

Caffe Beano

At Caffe Beano, you can enjoy your meal either sitting beside the counter, in their back room or on their outdoor benches. Their cowboy cookies and muffins are fan favorites, just like their award-winning chocolate espresso milkshake. Their savory options include the Breakfast Sandwich featuring mozzarella cheese, coppa cold cut and sunny side up that can be coupled with their homemade dark espresso.

Cornerstone Music Cafe

You can head to the Cornerstone Music Cafe for either breakfast or lunch, where you'll be able to order gluten-free quinoa bowls, egg wraps and tacos, as well as beef kebab panini and grilled cheese croissants. Your meals can be accompanied by live music events by local artists, and they also offer the chance to join a music lesson for various instruments in their studio.

Hexagon Board Game Cafe

More than 100 board games are available at Hexagon, ranging from classics like Jenga! and Clue to the most recent releases. Since the games can also be bought, you can try them out here before you make a purchase, all while sipping from a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and having a bite of their pastries and sandwiches.

Higher Ground Cafe

Higher Ground is a local coffee house that promises to serve guests with fresh organic coffee. You can couple your hot beverage, be it a decaf or an espresso, with a selection of side meals such as soups, gluten-free vegan chili, salads and chicken quesadilla, a stuffed tortilla.

Monogram Coffee

Monogram Coffee's interior features white walls, wooden planks, stump chairs and tables equipped with lamps. Muffins, open sandwiches and tarts are served along with their iced or hot coffee, and before leaving you have the option of buying some of their coffee beans, brewers or mugs.

Bars & Nightlife

Greta Bar

The neon-lit interiors of Greta contain more than 50 arcade games for you to enjoy, including pinball, air hockey and Donkey Kong, as well as a dance floor. The bar has an assortment of house specials for cocktails and beers, and also serves street food coming from all over the world, from Italian arancini to Jamaican patties. The events hosted here include a happy hour lasting from 3pm to 6pm from Tuesday to Saturday and half-off prices on games from 7pm until closure on Tuesday.

Last Best Brewing & Distilling

The Last Best is a fine spot for those who are passionate about beer. Here you'll be able to taste their in-house There Will Be Porter, a black English Ale, and spirits such as the Afterglow Gin. There's also an ample selection of beer on tap, featured in their daily happy hour from 2 pm to 6 pm. Coupled that with their food options ranging from sandwiches and burgers, to their signature Last Best Bowl with Moroccan Chicken and toasted red quinoa.

Modern Love (formerly Broken City)

Modern Love, was once known as a "social club", aiming to support Calgary's entertainment culture and all of its forms. Today, it's a lively vegan dance bar with regular live music events. You can also enjoy a meal or a cocktail on their rooftop patio, open to guests from April to Thanksgiving.

Palomino Smokehouse

The Palomino, or The Pal as the locals call it, is located in the heart of downtown Calgary. The BBQ restaurant equipped with a basement where both local emerging artist and professional musicians entertain the crowd. It is a 18 and up zone where you can enjoy different genres of music, including hip-hop, folk, metal, country and rock n’ roll.

Proof

With multiple lines of bottles decorating its walls, Proof has an ever-changing menu that features drinks whose flavors and names are inspired by works of literature. You'll be able to couple these with snacks like steamed dumplings, vegan or pork steam buns and sugar pies.

The Blues Can

Located in Inglewood, The Blues Can is a live Blues bar with a monthly calendar featuring events for every day of the week. Both local and well-known performers get on the stage and entertain their audience, who is also able to order dishes like popcorn prawns, sirloin steak and blackened catfish or chicken.

The Palace Theatre

While The Palace first opened in 1921, it went through renovations to become one of Canada's most famous theaters, hosting many events ranging from seminars and corporate events to concerts and other musical performances. The main floor is where you can join the dancing crowd, while a mezzanine is there as a place to take a break and order a drink from the bar.

Twisted Element

Twisted Element is an LGBT club where you'll be able to enjoy a drink from their bar and join many of the events that are hosted here: there's karaoke on Wednesdays featuring board games and free pool as well, open variety nights on Saturdays and drag shows on Fridays.

Shopping

17th Avenue Retail & Entertainment District

This district of 17th Avenue, also called The Red Mile, is a good destination for those who are looking for fashion accessories: here you can find boutiques selling scarves and ties, jewelry, eyewear, but also stores selling music equipment and Indian carpets. There are plenty of bars and cafes as well if you need a quick stop.

Alberta Boot Company

Whether you're looking for something that could help you blend in during the Calgary Stampede or just for a souvenir to bring home, you can find it at Alberta Boot Company, the only Western boot manufacturer of the province. They offer leather footwear for both men and women, but also accessories such as hats, belts and necklaces.

Calgary Farmers' Market

Calgary Farmer's Market aims to support the city's growers and small businesses, by providing a space where they can sell locally grown products. It has more than 70 vendors selling not only fresh produce, meat and all things food, but also crafted goods, pet products, art and jewelry items. They also host season-themed events, often featuring live music.

CF Chinook Centre

The largest shopping mall in Calgary, the CF Chinook Centre mostly features high-end boutiques like Louis Vuitton, Tiffany's and Saks Fifth Avenue, but more affordable deals are offered by the local Old Navy and H&M stores. The center also includes a food court, as well as a bowling alley and a movie theatre as entertainment options.

CORE Shopping Centre

Natural light shines on The Core's interiors thanks to the suspended glass skylight, which also allows the mall to house its own botanical garden on the fourth floor. The stores that you can find here supply apparel, clothing and cosmetics items as well as electronics, food and books. Many of them host limited events and workshops that you can join, plus you can always make use of the free Wi-Fi available here.

CrossIron Mills

The CrossIron Mills shopping center was built also as an homage to Alberta itself: it is divided into six "neighborhoods" with designs and architecture themed around the province's landmarks and well-known spots. The retailers here sell a range of items that include fashion products for men and women, kids' toys, furniture and technology. The tour culminates in a food court, but there is also an entertainment center equipped with a cinema.

Fair's Fair Books

The modest entrance to Fair's Fair Books hides lines of shelves filled with books of different genres that you can browse at your leisure. DVDs and accessories are also available, and they offer trade and sell services, where you can bring in your own used books to get either cash or store credit in exchange for them.

Inglewood

With its wide green spaces merging with multiple coffee shops and occasional art installations and exhibitions, Inglewood is one of Calgary's most characteristic neighborhoods, housing many local small businesses. You can pay a visit to Cody & Sioux for Western apparel, The Knitting Tree if you're searching for items made with yarn and The Next Page Bookstore to find your next good read.

Tourist Information

Best Time to Visit

The months going from June to September are the ones during which most of the city's events take place, like the famous Calgary Stampede and the firework show of GlobalFest. Summertime is also when Calgary is most crowded and accommodation prices peak though, so booking in advance is advised. If you're into winter sports, the period between November and February is the best choice to visit the nearby Rocky Mountains and go skiing down its slopes. This is also when most of the locals leave in search of warmer climates, leaving the city in a quieter state where the prices on rooms are also lower. If you prefer to have the city all to yourself and aren't really into winter sports, the autumn and spring seasons are your best bets: lower accommodation prices and tourist influx coupled with mild temperatures to give you the ideal setting for exploring Calgary's neighborhoods. Just be mindful of bringing warm clothes with you, as the weather can be quite unpredictable with its sudden snowfalls.

Passport & Visa

Citizens wishing to visit Canada must obtain a visitor visa issued by one of the Canadian diplomatic missions unless they hold a valid passport issued by one of the EU countries, Australia or New Zealand. From 2016, visa-exempt countries (except for the US) must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) when arriving in Canada by air. However, travelers don't need an eTA if traveling to Canada by land or sea. Generally, you can submit your application online, but for some countries, after the online application, fingerprints and photo (biometrics) are required.

Calgary International Airport (YYC)

Calgary International Airport comes equipped with eateries that make for a fine stop after your arrival, and even two in-terminal hotels. From the airport, you can take a shuttle, bus or taxi to get to the city. Many Hotels in Calgary offer the "Hotel Courtesy Shuttle" service that will be able to pick you up, provided that you request it after your landing by calling. Alternatively, there's the Allied Downtown Shuttle Service, offering rides every 30 minutes; tickets are available at the Allied Shuttle counter at the Arrivals level. The airport's official website has a list of bus operators that have rides going through the airport. Either by shuttle or bus, it takes about 30 minutes to reach Downtown Calgary. The on-demand taxi service at Calgary International Airport is provided by Associated Cab, with the trip to Downtown Calgary lasting 25 minutes and costing around $40.

Public Transport

Calgary Transit is the public transit provider of the city. The main mode of transportation is the CTrain, a light rail system that operates on two lines: Route 201, connecting the southern and northwestern parts of the city, and Route 202, going from east to west. Both of them go through the Downtown area, which doesn't require any payment as long as you stay within its boundaries. Complementing this system are the 160 bus lines that connect various parts of the city. Fare payment options include cash, tickets, day or monthly passes. In order to plan your trips, you can use the planner on the Calgary Transit website or their mobile app, Calgary Transit App.

Taxi

There are plenty of taxi companies in Calgary. They all charge a flat rate for rides to and from the airport, but always remember to ask what the rate is before departure in any case. Delta Cab Ltd Phone: +1 403 278 9999 Website: www.deltacab.ca Calgary United Cabs Phone: +1 403 777 1111 Website: www.calgarycabs.ca Uber is also available in Calgary.

Electricity

Canada uses 110-volt electricity, 60 cycle electric power, same as the USA. Power outlets are designed for use with a two-prong and some accept a 3-prong (with ground) plug.

Pharmacy

The most common pharmacy chain is Remedy'sRX. There are also many stand-alone pharmacies, but many of them are closed on Sunday. The biggest hospital in Calgary, as well as one of the most renowned medical centers in Canada, is the Foothills Medical Clinic.

Post

Canada Post handles the postal services in Calgary, and has many offices around town where you can buy stamps and send your mail. You can also make use of the many red mail boxes.

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