17 Wonderful Places to Visit and Top Things to Do in Calgary, Alberta


Calgary is a city in the Alberta province of Canada. The city sits at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers. The city has the Rocky Mountains on one side and the Canadian Prairies on the other. Some of the best things to do in Calgary include exploring regional museums, entertainment venues, and national parks. The city was voted the most livable city in North America and the third most livable city in the world in 2022.

The museums are some of the best places to visit in Calgary downtown. The city has a wonderful array of museums dedicated to regional history, Canadian history, northwest mounted police, art, aviation, and more. Though the most interesting things to see in Calgary reside in the Heritage Park living museum. This place recreates the late 1800s era complete with costumed performers enacting chores. You can also enjoy a variety of fun stuff to do in Calgary at this place. This is also the largest living history museum in Canada and holds a special place among Calgary attractions.

Aside from history, there are also fun Calgary tourist attractions. The city has one of the most popular zoos in Canada. The place has more than 800 animals from different parts of the world and you get to enjoy animal interaction activities. The zoo is one of the best parts of Calgary sightseeing. The city also has nature parks, amusement parks, entertainment venues, shopping spots, and more. You will find plenty of outdoor activities to do in Calgary, Alberta.

Stepping out of the city, you can reach several conserved areas in a few hours. You can explore forests, lakes, valleys, mountains, wetlands, and more. These Calgary tourist spots are popular for hiking, trekking, wildlife safari, mountain biking, river rafting, horseback riding, and other adventure activities. You can also go to mountain resorts for the best things to do in Calgary in winters such as skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, and more.

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Top 17 Tourist Places to Visit in Calgary in 5 Days (Trip Itinerary)

Day 1

1. TELUS Spark Science Centre

This science museum has interactive exhibits concerning astronomy, geology, energy, metrology, and more. The museum has five galleries themed after different science disciplines. It is one of the best places to visit in Calgary, downtown for family tourists. Some of the most popular galleries at this museum include Being Human, Earth and Sky Exhibit, and Energy and Innovation. This place also has fun indoor activities to do in Calgary. You can create your own science project at the Open Studio Workshop. People can easily spend 2 hours or more at this museum.

TELUS Spark Science Centre

2. Calgary Zoo

This zoo has more than 900 animals brought in from different parts of the world. You will see African Lions, Siberian Tigers, Hippopotamus, Gorillas, Giraffes, Penguins, Sharks, Pythons, Snow Leopards, and many more. The zoo also has fun things to do in Calgary, Canada for children including animal interactions. You will need about 2 to 3 hours to explore this zoo when you visit Calgary.

Calgary Zoo

3. Fort Calgary

This fort was built in 1875 and is linked to the origin of the North West Mounted Police. The fort no longer exists, but you will see an interpretive outline of the original fort. You will see interesting historical things to see in Calgary. The museum looks into the history of Calgary and noteworthy historical figures. You will see a reconstructed 1888 barracks, a 1932 newspaper writing room, an 1883 railway station, and more. You will need about 2 hours to tour this place.

Fort Calgary

Day 2

1. The Hangar Flight Museum

This museum celebrates the evolution of human flight. It was established by former WWII pilots and aviation enthusiasts. It is one of the most interesting Calgary tourist attractions. You will see 24 aircraft and 58 engines. You will get to learn a lot of stories about flight and pilots from different eras. You will need about an hour or so from Calgary sightseeing to tour this museum.

The Hangar Flight Museum

2. Peace Bridge

This pedestrian bridge was built in 2012 and was designed by Santiago Calatrava. It is well known among Calgary attractions for its aesthetic appeal. It got the nickname “Finger Trap Bridge”, because it looks like a puzzle toy. The bridge is one of the best Calgary tourist spots to watch the sunset over the Bow River. You will need 15 to 20 minutes to explore this bridge.

Peace Bridge

3. Prince’s Island Park

This park has green space, hiking trails, forested areas, a wetlands area, picnic spots, cafes, restaurants, and sports facilities. People come here for leisure and outdoor activities to do in Calgary. You can easily spend a couple of hours at this park.

Prince’s Island Park

4. Glenbow Museum

This art and history museum is the largest one of its kind in Western Canada. It is popular among the top things to do in downtown Calgary. You will see exhibits like a Canadian print collection, aboriginal art, Asian sculptures, North American pop culture, Arctic artworks, a Blackfoot gallery, and so on. You will need about two hours from Calgary sightseeing to tour this museum.

Glenbow Museum

5. Calgary Tower

This 158 meters tall tower is one of the most well-known places to see in Calgary. You can get a 360-degree view of the city and its surroundings from this tower. You can see all the way to the Rocky Mountains from this vantage point. Aside from the view, the tower also has fun stuff to do in Calgary. You will come across an interactive map that tells you more about the view and the landmarks. You will need about an hour to experience this place.

Calgary Tower

Day 3

1. Fish Creek Provincial Park

This park is built around an artificial lake and is surrounded by a forest. It is also home to a variety of wildlife including deer, coyotes, beavers, owls, eagles, herons, and more. People come here for several outdoor things to do in Calgary, Alberta including hiking, trekking, camping, mountain biking, and more. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying nature at this park.

Fish Creek Provincial Park

2. Heritage Park Historical Village

This living museum focuses on Western Canada between 1860 and 1950. It is one of the most fun places to go in Calgary for its exhibits, activities, and experiences. This museum basically recreates the era. You will find people dressed in costumes and performing chores relevant to the time. The museum also has a bunch of cool things to do in Calgary, Alberta for people to experience life during the late 1800s and early 1900s. You will need about 2 to 3 hours to experience this place when you visit Calgary.

Heritage Park Historical Village

3. The Military Museums

This museum focuses on the military history of Canada and its various branches. You will see military artifacts, types of equipment, uniforms, vehicles, war machines, and more. It is also one of the best places to visit in Calgary, Canada to learn about stories of soldiers and their sacrifices. You will need about 2 hours to tour these 8 museums.

The Military Museums

Day 4

1. Olympic Plaza

This urban park has several attractions and facilities. The outdoor ice skating rink in this park is one of the best things to do in Calgary in winter. It also hosts several music festivals, concerts, and events. The park also has Famous Five Installations. These are bronze sculptures of women who fought for women’s rights in the country in the 20th century. You will need an hour from Calgary sightseeing to explore this park.

Olympic Plaza

2. Gasoline Alley Museum

This museum has the largest public collection of oil and gas-related artifacts from the 20th century. You will come across some of the most interesting things to see in Calgary at this museum including gas signs, antique vehicles, gas pumps, and more. You will need about an hour to tour this museum when you visit Calgary.

I suggest you should get your Admission Ticket to Gasoline Alley Museum in advance.

Gasoline Alley Museum

3. Studio Bell, Home of the National Music Centre

This museum is dedicated to the history of music in Canada. It is one of the top things to do in Calgary for music lovers. You will see a variety of instruments, and learn about genres and artists. This place is also famous for the wonderful events and performances held in the center. You will need an hour from Calgary travel to tour this center.

I suggest you should get your Entry Ticket to Studio Bell in advance.

Studio Bell, Home of the National Music Centre

Day 5

1. Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary

This sanctuary is situated just outside the city and is dedicated to saving wolves, wolfdogs, and their natural habitat. It is one of the top things to do in Calgary, Alberta. The sanctuary has a variety of tours where you will a variety of wolfdogs and learn about them. The best part about this place is the interactive tour where you get to touch, feed, and play with these majestic creatures. You will need at least 2 hours to explore this sanctuary.

I suggest you should book your Admission Ticket to Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary in advance.

Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary

2. Banff National Park

This national park is home to the famous rocky mountains and is quite popular for outdoor activities to do in Calgary such as hiking, trekking, snowshoeing, zip-line, river rafting, horseback tours, camping, wildlife spotting, birdwatching, mountain biking, and more. The national park has mountains, river valleys, caves, lakes, waterfalls, forests, wetlands, grasslands, and so on. The park has a rich variety of wildlife including Elk, Moose, Deer, Mountain Goats, Caribou, Wolves, Mountain Lions, Black Bears, Grizzly Bears, and more. You will need at least a day from Calgary sightseeing to explore the wonders of this place.

I suggest you should go for a Day Trip to Banff National Park from Calgary.

Banff National Park

3. Lake Louise Ski Resort

This resort has some of the best things to do in Calgary in winter. Although it is situated about 2 hours away from the city. But, it is one of the best places to visit in Calgary, Alberta if you want to go for skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, and so on. You can take a gondola ride to reach the resort. You will get wonderful views of the snow-clad mountains and the forests in the valleys during this trip. People usually make an overnight trip at this resort during Calgary travel.

I suggest you should book a Day Trip to Lake Loise Ski Resort with a visit to Johnston Canyon.

Lake Louise Ski Resort

If you are looking for more Calgary attractions, check out the sections below. We have created an exhaustive list of all the wonderful places to visit and things to do in and around the city.

Things to do in Calgary

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Calgary

  1. Heritage Park
  2. Glenbow Museum
  3. Fort Calgary
  4. TELUS Park Science Center
  5. Studio Bell
  6. The Military Museums
  7. The Hangar Flight Museum
  8. Lougheed House National and Provincial Historic Site
  9. Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
  10. Esker Foundation
  11. Gasoline Alley Museum
  12. Wonderland Sculpture
  13. Contemporary Calgary Art Gallery
  14. Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre
  15. The New Gallery
  16. Nickle Galleries
  17. Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame
  18. Baitun nur Mosque
  19. Paul Kuhn Gallery

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Calgary

  1. Fish Creek Provincial Park
  2. Nose Hill Park
  3. Banff National Park
  4. Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
  5. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Nature Centre
  6. Carburn Park
  7. Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park
  8. Glenmore Reservoir
  9. Sikome Lake
  10. Weaselhead Flats
  11. Chestermere Lake
  12. Griffith Woods Park
  13. Ralph Klein Park
  14. Harvie Passage
  15. Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Calgary

  1. Calgary Zoo
  2. WinSport
  3. Prince’s Island Park
  4. Calaway Park
  5. Lake Lousie Ski Resort
  6. Bowness Park
  7. Devonian Gardens
  8. Olympic Plaza
  9. Edworthy Park
  10. Skyline Luge
  11. Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
  12. Bowmont Park
  13. Confederation Park
  14. Reader Rock Garden
  15. Granary Road
  16. North Glenmore Park
  17. Bow Habitat Station
  18. Baker Park
  19. Central Memorial Park
  20. Cobb’s Adventure Park
  21. Pearce Estate Park
  22. South Glenmore Park
  23. St. Patrick’s Island
  24. Prairie Winds Park
  25. Riley Park
  26. Silver Springs Botanical Gardens
  27. Century Downs Racetrack & Casino
  28. Calgary Farmyard
  29. Sandy Beach Park
  30. Village Square Leisure Center
  31. Sue Higgins Park
  32. Shaw Millenium Park
  33. Southland Leisure Centre
  34. St. Patrick’s Island Park
  35. Elbow River Casino
  36. Olympic Oval Ice Skating Rink
  37. Butterfield Acres Petting Farm
  38. Stanley Park
  39. Elliston Park
  40. iFly Calgary Indoor Skydiving
  41. Shouldice Park
  42. Cowboys Casino
  43. Ace Casino
  44. Nose Creek Regional Park
  45. Pure Casino
  46. Chinook Winds Regional Park

Shopping in Calgary

  1. Stephen Avenue
  2. 8 Avenue Southwest
  3. 17 Avenue Southwest
  4. Granary Road Farmer’s Market
  5. Kensington Road Northwest
  6. Calgary Farmer’s Market
  7. Crossroads Market

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Calgary

  1. Hiking
  2. Trekking
  3. Wildlife Safari
  4. Mountain Climbing
  5. Mountain Biking
  6. Kayaking
  7. Snowboarding
  8. Skiing
  9. Snowshoeing
  10. Tobogganing
  11. River Rafting

Sightseeing in Calgary

  1. Calgary Tower
  2. Peace Bridge
  3. Stephen Aveneue Walk
  4. 8 Avenue Southwest
  5. The Bow
  6. 17 Avenue Southwest
  7. Scotman’s Hill
  8. Macleod Trail Southeast
  9. Bow River Pathway
  10. Mchugh Bluff
  11. Centre Street Bridge

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Calgary

  1. Calgary Momo House
  2. Notable Restaurant
  3. Silver Inn
  4. Model Milk
  5. Vendome
  6. Big T’s BBQ
  7. River Cafe
  8. Saltlik
  9. Vero Bistro Moderne
  10. Santorini Greek Taverna
  11. Winebar Kensington
  12. Foreigh Concept
  13. Jinbar
  14. Bridgette Bar
  15. Rogue
  16. Paper Lantern
  17. Pizzeria Gaga
  18. Caesar’s Stake House
  19. The Himalayan
  20. Koji Katsu
  21. Ten Foot Henry
  22. Major Tom Bar
  23. Minas Brazilian Steakhouse
  24. Pure Kitchen & Bar
  25. River Cafe
  26. Con Mi Taco
  27. Park by Sidewalk Citizen
  28. Sukiyaki House
  29. Eight
  30. Deane House
  31. Orchard

Where to Stay in Calgary?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Calgary. You can check the below-listed hotels for your perfect stay in Calgary.

Luxurious Hotels

  1. Fairmont Palliser
  2. Hyatt Regency Calgary
  3. The Westin Calgary
  4. Delta Hotels by Marriott Calgary Downtown
  5. Le Germain Hotel Calgary
  6. Hotel Arts
  7. Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel
  8. The Dorian, Autograph Collection
  9. Homewood Suites by Hilton Calgary Downtown
  10. Residence Inn by Marriott Calgary South

Mid-Range Hotels

  1. Carriage House Hotel & Conference Centre
  2. Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel
  3. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Calgary, an IHG Hotel
  4. Applause Hotel by CLIQUE
  5. Four Points by Sheraton Hotel & Suites Calgary West
  6. Deerfoot Inn and Casino
  7. Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre
  8. Grey Eagle Resort & Casino
  9. Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Downtown
  10. Best Western Plus Port O’Call Hotel

Budget Hotels

  1. HI Calgary City Centre
  2. Hampton Inn & Suites By Hilton Calgary- University Northwest
  3. Executive Residency by Best Western Calgary City View North
  4. Best Western Plus Suites Downtown
  5. Days Inn by Wyndham Calgary Northwest
  6. Aloft Calgary University
  7. Best Western Plus Calgary Centre Inn
  8. Coast Calgary Downtown Hotel & Suites By APA
  9. Royal Hotel Calgary, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
  10. Best Western Plus Village Park Inn

TripAdvisor

Custom Tours Package in Calgary

How to Reach Calgary?

By Air

The city is served by YYC Calgary International Airport. It is situated about 11 miles (17 km) outside the city center. You can get direct flights to visit Calgary from Frankfurt, Halifax, London, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, San Francisco, Quebec City, Seattle, Dallas, Zurich, Amsterdam, Saskatoon, Hamilton, Denver, and several other cities from North America and Europe.

You can get buses and cabs to reach Calgary from the airport.

By Road

There are no direct train routes for Calgary travel. The closest train stations to visit Calgary are Jasper and Edmonton. Then you can take a bus to reach Calgary from either of these cities. You can also get buses to visit Calgary from several other cities in Canada and the USA.

If you are planning to reach Calgary by road, you can head for Trans Canada highway 1. You can also take highway routes 2, 9, or 22 to get to Calgary.

By Water

Being a landlocked city, there are no direct water routes for Calgary travel.


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