Calgary, the largest city in the Canadian province of Alberta, sits at the juncture of the Elbow and Bow Rivers at the foot of the Canadian Rockies. The city of around 1.5 million residents is famous for its annual Calgary Stampede rodeo festival in July, but the city offers a lot more than that. Calgary is one of Canada's cultural hubs, with a vibrant art and theater scene. The city also has more than 20,000 acres of parkland, an eclectic restaurant culture and a full schedule of annual events and festivals.
This Calgary travel guide will tell you what you need to know to get the most out of your visit to "Stampede City". Whether you're looking for an exciting weekend or a quiet, relaxing visit, Calgary has plenty to offer.
How to Get Around Calgary
Getting around Calgary can be relatively straightforward. If you want to primarily stay downtown, you can walk to most attractions, shops and restaurants. For trips further afield, the Calgary public transportation system, both the buses and the CTrains, are affordable and easy to navigate.
Public Transportation
The public transportation system in Calgary, operated by Calgary Transit, includes an extensive bus network plus two light rail lines, called CTrains. Tickets and multi-day passes are available at most stations, as well as local grocery, drug and convenience stores. You can also pay cash to the driver, but no change is given. A range of tickets are offered for a wide variety of needs. Those 12 and younger ride for free and there are discounts for seniors. Pets ride for free but must be in a carrier or on a leash.
Walkability
Downtown Calgary is very walkable, with wide sidewalks and plenty of shops and restaurants. However, if you want to venture outside the city's core, you'll need to either rent a vehicle or embrace the city's excellent public transportation system.
Rideshare
Uber and Tappcar (a regional rideshare company) provide rideshare services. For Uber, US apps work in Canada. Using Tappcar requires that you download the free Tappcar app.
Vehicle rental
All the major rental car companies are represented in Calgary. You can pick up a vehicle at the airport when you arrive or rent one in town for a day or two. Those renting a car in Canada must be at least 21 or 24 years of age, depending on the car rental company If you only need a vehicle for a day or two, you'll save money by renting it in the city, using AAA and avoiding the airport surcharges.
Best Time to Visit Calgary
When you visit Calgary depends on what type of activities you are planning on doing. If you are looking to enjoy the scenic countryside, attend a festival or simply walk around downtown, then the best time to visit is June, July and August. That's when the weather is the warmest and driest. If you are planning a ski vacation, then November through March is the optimal time to visit. To save a little money, consider traveling to Calgary in April or September when the temperatures are still relatively mild, but the summer crowds have departed and hotel rates are generally lower.
In addition to the annual Calgary Stampede in July, there are other events worth planning your trip around. These include the Calgary Folk Music Festival (also in July), the International Jazz Days Festival (in April), the Calgary International Blues Festival (in August), Calgary International Beer Fest (in May), Calgary Underground Film Festival (in April) and Calgary Pride Fest (in August).
Top Things to Do in Calgary
There is a host of fun and exciting things to see and do in Calgary. Below are a few of the attractions we consider "must-sees".
Explore the Calgary Zoo Botanical Garden and Prehistoric Park
Arguably, Canada's best zoological park, the 120-acre Calgary Zoo is located east of downtown and home to more than 1,000 animals. The is divided into seven themed areas, including Destination Africa, Canadian Wilds and the prehistoric park. The zoo is open every day except for Christmas Day.
Attend the Annual Calgary Stampede
The biggest event in Calgary each year, the Calgary Stampede draws more than one million visitors for ten days each July. Billed as the "Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth," activities at the Stampede include one of the world's biggest rodeos, parades, midway rides, stage shows and concerts. Most events take place at Stampede Park, located about five miles southeast of downtown Calgary.
Marvel at Heritage Park Living History Museum
Heritage Park in Calgary celebrates Western Canadian history from the mid-1860s to the 1950s. Located on 127 acres in the southwestern part of the city, Heritage Park features a museum, a collection of historic buildings that have been moved to the park, several restaurants and Gasoline Alley, a museum dedicated to Canadian automobile history. Heritage Park is the most-visited attraction in the Province of Alberta.
Stroll through Prince's Island Park
Prince's Island, located in the heart of downtown Calgary, on an island in the Bow River, is linked to the mainland by three bridges. The 50-acre park has an extensive hiking trail system and is the site of many annual festivals, including the Calgary Folk Music Festival and Shakespeare in the park. An excellent way to explore Prince's Island Park is taking a bike tour through the peaceful escape of the park.
Visit Fort Calgary
Fort Calgary dates back to 1875, long before Calgary was more than a frontier outpost. The fort continues to be the home base of the Canadian Mounted Police (aka the Mounties). The foundations of the original fort remain and the museum there helps tell the story of European settlement in the Calgary area. The restaurant at Fort Calgary is a popular place for brunch.
Where to Stay in Calgary
Calgary offers a wealth of places to stay. There's something for every style and every price range. Below are a few of our favorite accommodations in the "Stampede City".
The Westin Downtown Calgary
- Address: 320 4th Avenue SW, Calgary AB T2P 2S6
- AAA Diamond-designation: Three Diamond
- Great for: Those wanting a convenient downtown location.
The Westin Downtown Calgary is located in the heart of the city, with a dozen floors and 200 guest rooms and suites, all with safes, coffee/tea makers and refrigerators. Amenities at this hotel include free WiFi, a rooftop swimming pool and a health club. The Westin is a pet-friendly hotel and is connected via elevated, covered walkways to downtown shopping, offices and restaurants.
The Dorian
- Address: 525 5th Avenue SW, Calgary AB T2P 1P7
- AAA Diamond-designation: Four Diamond
- Great for: Couples and those wanting an upscale, downtown Calgary experience
The Dorian Hotel, in downtown Calgary, is part of Marriott's luxury Autograph Collection of hotels. Guest rooms here feature free high-speed WiFi, a beverage trolley and a mini-fridge. Many rooms have sweeping views of the city. Facilities at The Dorian include a 24/7 fitness center and three restaurants. The Dorian welcomes pets and even has a "pampered pooch" program.
Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Calgary Downtown
- Address: 239 12th Avenue SW, Calgary AB T2R 1H7 ·
- AAA Diamond-designation: Three Diamond
- Great for: Families and those looking for a budget-friendly, yet still comfortable downtown hotel
Another hotel with a prime downtown location, the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott features comfortable rooms, many with views of the downtown skyline. All rates include WiFi and a daily, hot breakfast. Facilities at the Fairfield Inn and Suites include a fitness room. There is no restaurant onsite for lunch and dinner, but there are dozens of eateries within walking distance of the hotel. This hotel is pet-friendly.
Hyatt Regency Calgary
- Address: 700 Centre Street SE, Calgary AB T2G 5P6
- AAA Diamond-designation: Four Diamond
- Great for: Those looking for a reasonably-priced, upscale hotel with a pool
The Hyatt Regency in downtown Calgary makes a nice oasis in the center of the city. The 355-room property offers free high-speed Internet access and Google Chrome connectivity plus automatically filtered drinking water. Facilities at the Hyatt Regency include an indoor swimming pool, spa and exercise room, as well as two restaurants. The Hyatt Regency welcomes both cats and dogs for a modest fee.
Fairmont Palliser
- Address: 133 9th Avenue SW, CALGARY AB T2P 2M3 ·
- AAA Diamond-designation: Four Diamond
- Great for: Those looking for a luxurious place to stay in downtown Calgary
The Fairmont Palliser is, arguably, the most luxurious hotel in Calgary. In business for more than 100 years, the Fairmont Palliser greets visitors with its opulent and elegant lobby and gracious service. The 405-room hotel features a health club and spa, a fitness center and an on-site restaurant and lounge. High tea is served in the lobby each afternoon.
Where to Eat in Calgary
One of the best things about visiting Calgary is being able to sample the diverse array of restaurants the city offers. Below are just a few of our favorites.
Vintage Chophouse and Tavern
- Address: 322 11 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB, T2R 0C5
- AAA Diamond-designation: Three Diamond
- Reservations: Suggested
For traditional steaks and grilled meat, Vintage Chophouse and Tavern is hard to beat. This AAA Three Diamond-designated club-like eatery is located in the heart of downtown Calgary's historic district. Menu items include grilled Alberta lamb chops, Canadian prime steaks and braised prime short ribs. This restaurant is open for lunch and dinner from Sunday through Friday and for dinner only on Saturday. Vintage Chophouse and Tavern is noted for its extensive wine list of more than 700 items and offers live jazz on Saturday and Sunday evenings.
River Cafe
- Address: Prince's Island Park, 25 Prince's Island Park SW, Calgary, AB, T2P 0R1
- AAA Diamond-designation: Three Diamond
- Reservations: Suggestions
Located inside Prince's Island Park, in the middle of the Bow River, River Cafe offers excellent Canadian fare with spectacular river and city views. Named as one of Canada's top 100 restaurants, this AAA Three Diamond-designated eatery is open for dinner seven days a week, lunch Monday through Friday and weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Menu items include Yukon arctic char, Alberta bison and Alberta organic duck breast.
Ten Foot Henry
- Address: 1209 1st Street SW, Calgary, AB, T2R 0V3
- AAA Diamond-designation: Three Diamond
- Reservations: Suggested
Ten Foot Henry, located on 1st Street in downtown Calgary, specializes in "vegetable-anchored" cuisine. According to the restaurant's website, they "bridge the gap between what you should be eating and what you want to eat." Menu items include a mushroom medley with pea purée, mint, shallots and gremolata; pasta with kale pesto, pistachios and grana padano cheese. You may not recognize all the ingredients on the menu, but the combinations are delicious. This AAA Three Diamond-designated restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily.
Native Tongues Taquería Victoria Park
- Address: 235 12 Ave SWComida Taqueria Ltd, Calgary, AB, T2R 1H7
- AAA Diamond-designation: Approved
- Reservations: Not available
No trip to Calgary would be complete without sampling some of the city's excellent ethnic cuisine and Native Tongues Taquería offers some of the best. This Mexican restaurant is located at the edge of Victoria Park in downtown Calgary and offers a diverse menu of Mexican specialties for light or hearty appetites. Menu items include meat and fish tacos with a variety of ingredients, slow-cooked lamb shoulder with all the accompaniments, baked potatoes loaded with goodies and breakfast burritos (all day). Native Tongues Taquería is open daily for lunch and dinner.
Top Calgary Photo Spots
Any trip to Calgary needs a few photos with which to remember your vacation. Below are some of our favorite photo spots to make sure your vacation pictures are Instagram-worthy.
Outside the Calgary Central Library
This textured building is one of the most unique on the Calgary skyline and makes a great backdrop to your vacation photos. This building is extra special at dusk and in the evening when its unusually-shaped windows are illuminated.
Scotsman Hill
Who doesn't like a skyline view? For one of the best views of the Calgary skyline, venture up to Scotsman Hill in the heart of the city. This is also a great place to view the sunset. Park benches make it easy to spend time here.
The Peace Bridge
The Peace Bridge across the Bow River connects downtown Calgary with the Sunnyside neighborhood. This unusual bridge is made of steel and is shaped like a cylinder with diamond cut-outs on both sides. It's certain to add interest to your photo.
Calgary Tower
This symbol of Calgary stands more than 500 feet above downtown, offering spectacular 360-degree views of the city and the Canadian Rockies beyond. Note there is an admission charge to go up to the top of the tower.
Griffith Woods Park
This 230-acre city park offers miles of hiking trails and a beautiful mix of evergreen and deciduous trees, making it a great photo spot in any season. Griffith Woods Park is located along the banks of the Elbow River in southwest Calgary.
Top Day Trips from Calgary
Although there are plenty of exciting things to see and do right inside the city limits of Calgary, there are also interesting sights and museums within a short drive of the city. Below are a few of our favorites:
Banff and Lake Louise
- Distance: Banff is about a 90-minute drive from downtown Calgary. Lake Louise is just less than two hours from Calgary.
- Cost: There is an admission fee to enter Banff National Park, with a discount for those aged 65 and older.
These twin resorts have been delighting visitors since the 19th century. Located about an hour and a half by car from Calgary, Banff and Lake Louise are located inside Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. Both are ski resorts in the winter. During the summer months, visitors can enjoy the miles of hiking trails in the park as well as rock scrambling and the area's famous hot springs. As one of the most popular day trips from Calgary, there are plenty of tour groups you can book to enjoy a robust experience of these spectacular parks.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum
- Distance: Drumheller and the Royal Tyrrell Museum is about an hour's drive from the center of Calgary.
- Cost: There is an admission fee to enter the Royal Tyrrell Museum, with a discount for those aged 65 and older.
Located in Drumheller, northeast of Calgary, the Royal Tyrrell Museum is a paleontology museum with a collection of more than 160,000 Canadian fossils. The town of Drumheller, located along the Red Deer River, is also home to the "World's Largest Dinosaur" and the Badlands Amphitheater, which hosts a passion play each summer.
Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park
- Distance: Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park is around an hour and a quarter drive from downtown Calgary.
- Cost: There is an admission fee to enter Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, with discounts for seniors and youth.
Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, a Canadian National History Site, tells the story of the Blackfoot (indigenous) nation. The park features a museum, library and amphitheater. According to the site's website, the unique building is intended to be "a literal metaphor of traditional Blackfoot iconography". There's also a tipi village that welcomes overnight guests.
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
- Distance: Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is about two hours away from downtown Calgary by car.
- Cost: There is an admission fee to the three-level museum and visitors center.
Don't let the unusual name put you off. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the world's largest buffalo jumps. A buffalo jump is where early plains hunters would herd animals to jump to their death, so they could harvest them. Today, the site offers insight into 6,000 years of indigenous culture and history.
Aspen Crossing
- Distance: Aspen Crossing is about an hour drive away from Calgary
- Cost: There is a ticket fee for the train ride, the main attraction.
Located in the Canadian Badlands, in the hamlet of Mossleigh, about an hour's drive from Calgary, Aspen Crossing is home to an authentic 1887 Pullman rail car. This unique and well-preserved railway car once belonged to the Canadian prime minister. Today, it makes three-hour journeys through the scenic Badlands. Some of the options include Champagne brunch, history lectures and a dinner theater.
Visiting Calgary on a Budget
Traveling to Calgary doesn't have to break your travel budget. There are a number of things you can do to reduce your spending when visiting Calgary, while still having an enjoyable trip.
Visit the Many Free Attractions
Not every attraction in Calgary counts a fortune, as there are several that don't cost a dime. These include the city's many public parks, the Glenbow Museum with its collection of art from the northwest region of North America (free on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.), the art galleries at Alberta University of the Arts and the diverse array of plants and flowers at Devonian Gardens.
Consider Visiting During the Shoulder Seasons
As we mentioned above, traveling to Calgary during April, May and September will generally be less expensive than visiting during the peak summer months or during the winter ski season. You'll also find fewer crowds during those months.
Check Out AAA Member Discounts
Being a member of AAA comes with a myriad of perks. Among these are car rental discounts, discounts on admission tickets and hotel discounts. Make sure to ask your travel consultant about these membership perks.
Take Public Transportation
Calgary's public transportation system is easy to navigate and affordable, especially when compared to high-priced taxis and rideshare services.
Take a Free Walking Tour
One of the best ways to see Calgary is on foot. Several companies offer guided free walking tours. All you need to do is tip your guide if you think they deserve it. Recent tours include "Heritage Homes" and "Discover the City".
Plan Your Calgary Vacation with AAA
Don't let planning your trip to Calgary become stressful. Once you’ve gathered inspiration for your dream Calgary trip on Trip Canvas, contact one of AAA’s Travel Agents today to start making your dream a reality, using your AAA membership to access exclusive deals. No matter your budget, they can help you simplify the planning process with prepackaged trips or à la carte options.