Calgary Things to Do & Calgary Attractions

Calgary Places of Interest

Calgary Tower

Calgary Tower
Since its opening in 1968, the torch-shaped Calgary Tower has been the most recognized landmark in Calgary. Built to honor Canada's centennial and encourage the city's urban renewal, the tower also housed a flame that burned 24-7 during the 16 days of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games, making it the world's largest Olympic torch. Guests can ascend 525 feet above ground to the glass observation deck to enjoy some of the most magnificent views available in the city.

Calgary Tower is open daily; hours vary based on season. Rides to the top run daily beginning at 9 AM. Tower admission is C$5 for children and C$12.95 for adults. Paid parking is available in the tower's parking lot. For more information: 403-266-7171

Canada Olympic Park
The site of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games, Canada Olympic Park is a one-of-a-kind experience in the city. Depending on the season, visitors can take part in sports such as skiing and cycling at the same facility where the country's top athletes train. The Calgary Olympic Development Association used the park as the primary facility for ski jumping, bobsled and luge during the Olympics. During the winter months it allows guests to ski and snowboard without driving to the mountains, and when the weather warms up an extensive mountain bike trail system, BMX track and plenty of hiking tracks offer outdoor enthusiasts numerous options.

Canada Olympic Park's guest services is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 9 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Hours and dates of individual attractions vary based on season. Rates vary based on attraction. For more information: 403-247-5452

Eau Claire Market
Located in one of Calgary's trendiest districts, Eau Claire Market invites shoppers to browse arts, gifts, clothing, food and wine amongst its dozens of specialty stores. From authentic Egyptian imports at Son of the Pharaoh to English rugby jerseys at A Good Taste of Britain, visitors are sure to find a gift for any taste. In between stores shoppers can relax at one of many restaurants, coffee shops and pubs. The north side of the market, on the banks of Bow River, also offers stunning views of the water and native wildlife.

Eau Claire Market is open Monday through Wednesday and Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM, Thursday and Friday from 10 AM to 8 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. Parking is available at a pay lot on the south side of the market.

Glenbow Museum
Located in the heart of downtown, the Glenbow Museum is the self-proclaimed spot "Where the World Meets the West." As one of the largest museums in Canada, Glenbow has over one million artifacts and 28,000 works of art among four floors of exhibits that showcase the history and culture of Western Canada and civilizations around the world. Guests learn about 48 spirited "mavericks" that played important roles in Albertan history in the Incorrigible History of Alberta Exhibit, and marvel at colorful rock crystals and minerals that glow in the dark at the Treasures of the Mineral World Exhibit.

The exhibition galleries at Glenbow Museum are open Friday through Wednesday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Thursday from 9 AM to 9 PM. The library and archives are open Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Admission is C$9 for children ages 7-17 and students with identification, C$14 for adults and C$10 for seniors ages 65 and older. Admission for children under 6 is free. Parking is available at Calgary Tower's Palliser Parkade at a reduced rate for museum guests. For more information: 403-268-4100

Spruce Meadows
Opened in 1976, Spruce Meadows is one of the top-ranked equestrian facilities in the world for show jumping. Located on 360 acres at the base of the Alberta Rocky Mountains, the complex is currently presided over by Linda Southern-Heathcott, who was a Canadian competitor in the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games. Spruce Meadows hosts both the outdoor "Nakoda Series" tournaments and indoor tournaments that begin in June and end with the Masters tournament in September.

Over 500,000 guests attend such events annually, and many locals participate in the "Name the Foal" contest held every year by the meadows, which breeds and trains Hanoverian horses. Spruce Meadows is available for private events, offering venues such as the 12,000-square-foot Spruce Meadows Congress Hall and the 3,600-square-foot British House, a Georgian-style space ideal for quiet, intimate events. Spruce Meadows is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM but hours of operation vary based on tournament schedules. Tickets are required for major tournaments and range in price from C$5 for rush seating to C$60 for reserved seating. Parking is complimentary. For more information: 403-974-4270

Calgary Entertainment

Calgary Stampede

Calgary Stampede
Calgary is known worldwide for this 10-day festival and rodeo, taking place during the first and second weeks of July. Though the Calgary Stampede is a community organization that hosts a number of events throughout the year, the official stampede, an annual tradition since 1923, is the single largest visitor attraction in the area with over 1.2 million guests in 2006. The stampede features the world's largest outdoor rodeo, concerts, amusement rides, entertainment and food booths, fireworks, parades, agricultural competitions, chuckwagon races and more. Though celebrations occur throughout much of the city, visitors, often donning Western attire, can take part in many events at the Stampede Grounds in downtown Calgary. During the rest of the year, the grounds have ample space for events, including the 90,000-square-foot Big Four Building. Ticket prices vary based on event. For more information: 800-661-1260

Deerfoot Inn & Casino
Located in the southeast corner of the city just off of Deerfoot Trail, Deerfoot Inn & Casino offers patrons plenty of gaming options in its Vegas-style casino. With 680 slot machines, 26 tables and a dedicated poker room, gamblers have plenty of choices. The casino's High Limit Room also features blackjack, baccarat and hand-held baccarat. For relaxing breaks between gaming, Deerfoot Inn & Casino has diverse dining options including the Wild Horse Pub, Gold Club Buffet and Cactus. The Sushi & Martini Bar is also open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Deerfoot Inn & Casino is available for private events. The casino is open daily from 9:30 to 3 AM, and the Poker Room is open 24-7. For more information: 403-236-7542

Loose Moose
Guests find it easy to unwind and have a few laughs at the long-running improvisational theater company Loose Moose, found on the second floor of the historic 1920s Crossroads Market. Formed in 1977, Loose Moose runs a number of productions throughout the year ranging from epic tales told in a very unconventional way to skits and hilarious productions based on every day situations. Hours and dates vary based on show. Ticket prices range between C$15 and C$18. For more information: 403-269-1444

Pumphouse Theatre
The Pumphouse Theatre is one of the most popular entertainment venues in the city, welcoming over 50,000 guests to one of its roughly 400 performances each season. Originally built as a pumping house for Calgary, the venue was converted into a community theater in 1972. After various renovations and updates, the Pumphouse now houses two theaters, the Joyce Doolittle Theatre and Victor Mitchell Theatre, and rehearsal rooms used by over 15 arts organizations. A wide range of performances grace the theater's stage each year, from blockbuster musicals to performance art. Both theaters are available for private events. Performance times and dates vary. Tickets range from C$15 to C$20. For more information: 403-263-0079

Calgary Restaurants

Panorama Dining Room
True to its name, Panorama Dining Room is home to the most spectacular views in the city, as it sits at the top of the 626-foot-tall Calgary Tower. The dining room revolves 360 degrees every hour, so every diner has a chance to see the entire city while enjoying items from an international menu as diverse as the view. Popular dishes include Alberta beef tenderloin and Canadian gorgonzola and seafood bouillabaisse. An extensive wine selection is available to complement menu items.

The restaurant is available for private events. Panorama Dining Room serves lunch Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 2 PM and dinner daily from 5 to 9:30 PM. Breakfast is served Monday through Saturday from 7 to 10:30 AM and brunch is offered Sunday from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Lunch entrees range from C$14 to C$24 and dinner entrees range from C$18 to C$62. Reservations are recommended. For more information: 403-266-7171

The Ranche Restaurant
This turn-of-the-century ranch estate located in the public park of Fish Creek has been transformed into one of Calgary's finest restaurants. Originally built in 1896, this once-private estate home serves some of the city's finest regional cuisine with a focus on Alberta meats. Caribou, salmon and crab are often found on the menu, which changes often and features dishes such as pheasant breast with a corn chive cake, caramelized chestnut pear jus and thyme roasted potatoes, and glazed brome lake duck breast with butternut chive quinoa, orange chutney and star anise buckwheat honey reduction.

The restaurant is available for private events of up to 250 guests. Ranche Restaurant is open Monday through Thursday from 11:30 AM to 9 PM, Friday from 11:30 AM to 10 PM, Saturday from 5 to 10 PM and Sunday from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM for brunch and 5 to 9 PM for dinner. Lunch entrees range from C$17 to C$21 and dinner entrees range from C$30 to C$45. For more information: 403-225-3939

River Café
Named "Calgary's Best Overall Restaurant" by Avenue magazine, River Café promises a taste of authentic Canadian cuisine in a stunning setting. Located on the waterfront of Bow River in Prince's Island Park, the café is a warm, inviting spot reminiscent of a fishing lodge in the mountains. Menus change monthly in order to feature the freshest regional ingredients from local farmers, used in selections such as Dungeness crab and barley risotto and roast pork belly with honey glazed turnips and confit potatoes. Over 490 wine selections complement River Café's entrees.

The café is available for group accommodations. River Café serves lunch Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 3 PM and dinner nightly from 5 to 10 PM and to 11 PM in the summer. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 3 PM. Lunch entrees range from C$16 to C$26 and dinner entrees range from C$24 to C$49. For more information: 403-261-7670

Smuggler's Inn
Alberta is famous for producing some of the tastiest and most sought-after beef in the world, and Smuggler's Inn is a great place to take advantage of this fact while visiting Calgary. A classically decorated two-story lake house complete with dim lights, dark wood and fireplaces, the inn invites diners to enjoy Canadian bison, prime rib and beef ribs along with its salad bar and fresh bread baked on-site. Beautifully-crafted seafood dishes as well as chicken, pork and pasta entrees round out the menu.

The inn is available for private events. Smuggler's Inn is open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 10 PM and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 2 PM for brunch and 4:30 to 10 PM for dinner. Lunch entrees range from C$11 to C$29 and dinner entrees range from C$13 to C$30. Reservations are recommended. For more information: 403-253-5355

Wildwood Grill & Brewing Company
A combination restaurant and pub, Wildwood Grill & Brewing Company offers a unique mix of sophisticated dining and a laidback pub atmosphere. The modern hunting lodge décor meant to reflect its Western heritage features rough cut wood and stone and stainless steel accents. The grill offers an eclectic menu that features beef, seafood and pasta, with favorites such as wild mushroom risotto and caribou scallopini. The more casual pub fare includes specialties such as homemade veal meat loaf, venison chili and fish and chips. Brewing award-winning beer since 1999, the pub also offers its classic beers such as Golden Ale, Cherry Ale and Pilsner in sizes from half a pint to a jug, along with wine and cocktail selections.

The restaurant and pub are available for events of up to 120 guests. Wildwood is open Monday through Thursday from 11 AM to midnight, Friday from 11 to 2 AM, Saturday from 5 to 11 PM and Sunday from 5 to 10 PM. Restaurant entrees range from C$16 to C$38 and pub entrees range from C$12 to C$18. For more information: 403-228-0100

Calgary Nightlife

Ranchman's
One of Calgary's oldest and most popular clubs, this cowboy bar features plenty of two-stepping and country music, frequently preformed by some of the most popular country entertainers such as Toby Keith and Clay Walker. To get into the swing of things, Calgarian country-style, the club offers dance lessons including the two-step and line dancing, live entertainment most nights and even a mechanical bull for the more adventuresome. Nightly specials, from C$0.15 shrimp and C$0.25 wings on Monday to half-priced martinis on Friday, make any night a popular night to visit. A full kitchen, giving a Western touch to Calgary fare, offers dishes such as the Alberta beef brisket sandwich and Budweiser chili.

The bar has space for private events of up to 1,000 guests and offers off-site catering for up to 5,000 people. Ranchman's is open Monday through Friday from 4 PM to 2 AM and Saturday from 3 PM to 2 AM. Beer and highballs start at C$4.50. Entrees range from C$10 to C$23. For more information: 403-253-1100

Tantra Nightclub & Lounge
For a night on the town at one of city's hottest nightclubs, visit this alluring bar located in downtown Calgary. As the self-proclaimed "Jewel of the Nile," Tantra's exotic décor features East Indian tent-like structures, statues and a dramatic central circular bar. Local and imported beers, wine and cocktails are available, including specialty martinis such as "Agony and Ecstasy," a blend of vodka, Chambord Liqueur, cranberry juice and pineapple, and "Yawning Cobra," a vodka, Butter Ripple Schnapps and Sour Puss Apple liquor concoction. Small-plate tapas are available as well, including naan bread with cucumber mint raita, chicken satay and vegetarian spring rolls. Tantra is available for private events. Martinis are C$8.50 and beers start at C$5.75. Tapas range from C$5 to C$10. For more information: 403-264-0202

The Whiskey
A rooftop patio, $2 million sound system and steady stream of live entertainment are just a few of the reasons The Whiskey has firmly established itself as one the city's most popular entertainment venues and nightclubs. Illuminated glass floors and columns give a modern, sleek edge to the main room, while the more relaxed vibe of the D'LUX lounge invites guests to enjoy a cocktail while sitting back into the plush seats of a private booth. The glass-enclosed patio offers spectacular views of the Calgary skyline while protecting partygoers from the elements. The Whiskey offers private rooms for events. Tickets may be required for live entertainment and certain events. For more information: 403-770-2323

Family Activities in Calgary

Calaway Park
Calgary is home to western Canada's largest outdoor family amusement park. Since opening its gates for the first time in 1982, this park has grown substantially and now encompasses 90 acres of fun and excitement with 33 different rides, live entertainment and kid's activities. Adventure seekers can ride one of several roller coasters, while more timid guests enjoy a trip around the Ferris Wheel. During the summer heat, sprinklers help guests cool off.

The park offers casual catering for groups of any size. Calaway Park is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, mid-May to June and September to mid-October, from 10 AM to 7 PM. It is open daily, July and August, from 10 AM to 7 PM. Tickets, which include parking, unlimited rides and stage shows, are C$24 for children ages 3-6, C$29 for adults and C$21 for seniors ages 50 and older. For more information: 403-240-3822

Calgary Zoo
Ranked among the top 10 zoos in North America, the Calgary Zoo is home to over 1,000 animals representing nearly 300 species. Visitors can see kangaroos, wallabies and bearded dragons at the Australia Exhibit; get up close with grizzly bears, moose, wood bison and wolves in the Canadian Wilds Exhibit; or hang out with gorillas, spider monkeys and marmosets in the Primates Exhibit. The zoo also features a six-acre botanical garden, Zoo Train, playgrounds and cafe.

The zoo offers several venues for private events as well as several group activities such as behind-the-scenes tours, scavenger hunts and animal encounters. Calgary Zoo is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. Admission is C$10 for children ages 3-12, C$12 for youths ages 13-17, C$18 for adults and C$16 for seniors ages 60 and older. Admission for children under 3 is free. Zoo parking is complimentary. For more information: 403-232-9300

Heritage Park Historical Village

Heritage Park Historical Village
The Heritage Park Historical Village recreates life of a busy Alberta town in the late 19th century. Located on 66 acres along the Glenmore Reservoir, Heritage Park is the largest living historical park in Canada. Both real and re-created buildings line the streets of the town, which is divided up into three areas of history: the Hudsons Bay Company Fur Trading Port, the Pre-Railway Settlement Village and the Railway Prairie Town. Guests can enjoy ice cream from the Vulcan Ice Cream Parlour, watch a real blacksmith at work and even take a ride on the authentic steam train that runs the perimeter of the park. Townspeople dressed in period attire add to the authentic experience.

The park has several venues available for private events for up to 3,000 people and offers on-site catering. Heritage Park is open daily, May 17 to September 1, from 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturday and Sunday, September 1 to October 13, from 9 AM to 5 PM. Admission is C$10 for children ages 3-17, C$15 for adults, C$13 for seniors and C$49 for a family pass with up to two adults and children. Parking is complimentary. For more information: 403-268-8500

TELUS World of Science at Calgary
A hands-on museum, TELUS World of Science at Calgary invites children and adults alike to learn about science and technology in a fun, interactive environment. Guests can experience the wind force of a tornado, lie on a bed of 3,497 nails at the Carnival of Wonders Exhibit or make some music with interesting instruments such as a thunder sheet and howler fan at Amazement Park. The LEGO MINDSTORMS center is a 45-minute program in which guests can create and program a LEGO robot. Visitors can expect more fun when, in 2011, a new $160 million TELUS World of Science facility opens next to the Calgary Zoo. The facility will feature galleries on the environment and the human body, among others.

The museum has several rooms available for private events. TELUS World of Science is open Monday through Thursday from 9:45 AM to 4 PM, Friday from 9:45 AM to 5 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Admission is C$9.50 for children ages 3-17, C$13.50 for adults and C$9.50 for seniors ages 65 and older. Admission for children under 3 is free. Parking is available at a daytime rate of C$1.50 per hour for up to six hours and a nighttime rate of C$1 per hour for up to two hours. For more information: 403-268-8300

Recreation and Outdoors in Calgary

Devonian Gardens
This peaceful indoor park is an oasis in the heart of the city no matter what time of the year. One of the world's largest indoor parks at 2.5 acres, Devonian Gardens spans three levels of downtown Calgary's Toronto TD Square and houses more than 20,000 plants from over 135 varieties of flora. Visitors can walk between the Quiet Garden, Sun Garden, Creek Bed and Reflecting Pond, seeing animals such as koi and catfish and plants including poplars and Norfolk pine. The gardens are available for events for up to 400 people. Devonian Gardens is open daily from 9 AM to 9 PM. Admission is free. For more information: 403-268-2489

Kananaskis Country
This magnificent 1,626-square-mile mountain playground is located within an hour of Calgary and is an excellent choice for a day trip for folks who want to experience the splendor of the Rockies. Outstanding golf courses, hiking trails and fishing waters are among the numerous outdoor activities available. Guests can enjoy a scenic picnic at Elbow Falls or leisurely shopping at Kananaskis Village. Ski resorts Nakiska and Fortress Mountain and cross-country ski area Canmore Nordic Centre are also located in Kananaskis. Park admission is free.

Nose Hill Park
Nose Hill Park is one of the largest parks in North America, and the 2nd largest in Calgary. With 4.4 square miles of lush terrain, the park is an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts, including bikers, runners and hikers who take advantage of its 37 miles of path. The park is home to a variety of flora and fauna, and on any given trip visitors might encounter one of over 198 wildlife species, including deer, red foxes, American badgers, porcupines, moose and coyotes. The park also hosts various events, including Nose Hill Day where visitors can learn about the park through interactive activities. The park is open year-round at no cost.

Prince's Island Park
Located in the heart of downtown Calgary, Prince's Island Park offers a serene getaway from the hustle and bustle just a couple of blocks over. Lining the Bow River, the park has both a lagoon and a wetland, attracting wildlife such as geese and mallard ducks. Lush gardens and fountains are scattered throughout the landscape, which visitors can explore on one of several bicycle and running paths. The park also serves as host to many festivals and events including Shakespeare in the park productions, outdoor concerts, the Calgary Folk Music Festival and Carifest. Prince's Island Park is open year-round at no cost. For more information: 403-268-3888

Calgary Tours

Calgary Ghost Tours
Spooks and specters of Calgary's past come alive on the unique interpretive Calgary Ghost Tours. Guests can choose from four different tours based on location: Downtown, Inglewood, Kensington and 17th Avenue. Guides, donning capes and navigating by lantern light, regale listeners with stories of murders and mischief in the city, as they pass by some of the most notable sites in Calgary's trendiest areas. Customized group tours are available. Tours run Wednesday through Sunday, May to October, at 8 PM. Tickets are C$9 for children ages 6-12 and C$13 for adults. For more information: 403-472-1989

Fort Calgary

Fort Calgary
The Northwest Mounted Police, now called the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, built Fort Calgary in an effort to suppress whiskey traffic along the Bow River. Guests are transported to the 1800s in Calgary on this two-hour tour as an interpretive guide introduces them to Fort Calgary and the 1875 North West Mounted Police. Visitors explore at the 1875 fort, reconstructed to resemble its original state, learn about the heroes and villains of centuries past at the interpretive center, grab some coffee at the 1888 Barracks cafeteria, and even try on a Northwest Mounted Police uniform. Pre-booked group tours of 20 to 50 people can also opt for breakfast, lunch or dinner on the grounds.

Fort Calgary is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. Tours are C$6.75 for youths ages 7-17 and C$10.75 for adults. Group discounts for 10 or more people are available. Parking is complimentary. For more information: 403-290-1875

Wild Rose Brewery
Wild Rose Brewery opened in 1996 with a goal of brewing the wildest beer in Alberta. Bottling began in 2002, and by 2005 over 200 outlets in Alberta carried the label. The brewery moved to the Calgary Farmers' Market in 2006, where it resides today, still producing its original four unique selections: WRaspberry Ale, Industrial Park Ale, Velvet Fog and Brown Ale. Wild Rose prides itself on unpasteurized, preservative-free libations made with the freshest ingredients, such as the fresh, whole raspberries used to make its WRaspberry Ale, the brand's best selling bottled beer. Visitors can tour the brewery, an old aircraft hanger, to learn about the brewing process and enjoy a complimentary glass of beer. After the tour, visitors can also grab a bite to eat at the Taproom, which is available for private events.

The Taproom is open Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 11 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 9 PM. Tours cost $10 per person. Tours are given by reservation and require groups of 10 or more people. For more information: 403-720-2733

Calgary Attractions

Calaway Park
Calgary Tower
Deerfoot Inn & Casino
Eau Claire Market
Glenbow Museum
Loose Moose
Pumphouse Theatre
TELUS World of Science at Calgary

Calgary Things to Do and Calgary Attractions