Once a farming and ranching town, Calgary has experienced expansive growth thanks to the escalating price of its richest resource: oil. Now Calgary is Canada’s third largest municipality, offering a modern urban culture that embraces its pioneer past. It’s easy to discover Calgary’s attractions: The well-planned city is laid out in a grid and has an excellent public transportation system. Get a bird’s-eye view of the city from the observation deck of the Calgary Tower. The Calgary Stampede is the city’s most well-known event, attracting over a million visitors with its 10-day line-up of rodeos, music and agricultural displays. Cheer with the crowd for the displays of horsemanship in the chuck wagon derby and hold your breath at the competitive bareback bull riding. When the stampede’s not in town, you can still see animal life at the Calgary Zoo where you’ll be immersed in habitats from Canada and beyond, as well as from the past! The zoo features a Prehistoric Park, where life-size replicas of dinosaurs roam through ancient landscapes. In the Drumheller Valley, around 85 miles (135 kilometers) from Calgary, you’ll find the fossils these replicas are based on at the Royal Tyrrell Museum. If you’re visiting in winter, there’s plenty of skiing, snowboarding, bobsledding and ice skating on offer at Canada Olympic Park. If you’re an indoor type, check out the art galleries south of downtown on Stephen Avenue and the Glenbow Museum downtown. In the evening, head to downtown Jubilee Auditorium for a Broadway musical, an opera or a ballet. Or, try one of the multicultural restaurants across the Bow River at 17th Avenue Southeast, also known as International Avenue. Here you’ll find diverse flavors from Ethiopia, Portugal, Vietnam, India, the Philippines, Hong Kong and more. Foodies will love the gourmet tours of this area! Calgary is also the gateway to ski villages such as Banff, Canmore and Kananaskis. It’s also close to the Alberta Badlands, a photogenic wonderland of strange rock formations, paleontological finds and ghost towns.
Calgary
Where to stay in Calgary
Downtown Calgary
Dense urban district with a mix of residential, commercial, and corporate areas, Downtown Calgary offers shopping and dining along the pedestrian-friendly Stephen Avenue Walk. Explore attractions like the Devonian Gardens, Calgary Tower, and Glenbow Museum, or take advantage of the free CTrain light rail along 7th Avenue S.
Southwest Calgary
Southwest Calgary is a destination travelers like for its river views, and you might hop aboard the metro at Southland Station or Anderson Station to explore sights like Stampede Park.
Southeast Calgary
If you're spending time in Southeast Calgary, check out sights like Calgary Zoo or Deerfoot Casino and hop on the metro to see more the city at Chinook Station or 39th Avenue Station.
Northwest Calgary
If you're spending time in Northwest Calgary, check out sights like Crowchild Twin Arena or Market Mall and hop on the metro to see more the city at Dalhousie Station or Crowfoot Station.
Beltline
Take time in Beltline to visit attractions like Stampede Park and Cowboys Casino. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at Victoria Park - Stampede Station to see more of the city.
University District
Take time in University District to visit attractions like Olympic Oval and Trans Canada Pipeline Arch. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at Banff Trail Station to see more of the city.
Reviewed on May 11, 2024
Reviewed on May 11, 2024
Reviewed on May 12, 2024
Reviewed on Mar 6, 2024
Reviewed on Aug 26, 2023
Reviewed on May 4, 2024
Getting around Calgary
Make the most of Calgary’s great location close to stunning countryside by renting a car. Organize your rental at the airport or at one of the many car rental services in the city center. Within Calgary itself, you can easily get around on the public buses and the LRT, known as the C-Train. The heart of the city can be explored on foot, and copious bike paths make it simple to get around on two wheels. Visit the Calgary Transit website.Browse Calgary rental cars.
Best time to visit
Beautiful Calgary is renowned for the stunning scenery that surrounds it and the many opportunities for outdoor fun it offers. Take full advantage of the city’s natural charms by visiting when the weather will allow for lots of time outdoors. Avoid the icy winter and choose instead to come between May and September, when daytime temperatures will be pleasant and you will only need a jacket in the evenings.
Popular places to visit
Calgary Zoo
See exotic animals and even dinosaurs as you wander through botanic gardens and re-creations of diverse habitats ranging from Africa to South America.
Calgary Tower
With a tourist information center and views over the zoo, Olympic Plaza, Old City Hall and Chinatown, this downtown landmark is the ideal place to get your bearings.
Scotiabank Saddledome
Watch exciting professional hockey games, lacrosse matches, or famous musical acts in this former Olympic ice arena in downtown Calgary.
Chinook Centre
You can do some window-shopping at Chinook Centre during your trip to Calgary. Discover the top-notch restaurants and entertainment choices in this vibrant area.
Canada Olympic Park
Ski the slopes, take a bobsled ride, catch an ice hockey game and tackle mountain biking trails at this park that was opened for the 1988 Winter Olympics.
17 Avenue SW
During your visit to Calgary, you can search for that perfect souvenir at 17 Avenue SW. While you're in the area, wander around the parks.
Things to do
Private Tour Flights Amidst Nature's Grandeur in Calgary
3-Hour Tips Based Walking Tour of Calgary
Reviews of Calgary
1/5 - Terrible
There’s nothing to do here
4/5 - Good
We enjoyed Banff & Lake Louis more than Calgary, but it was winter. The Zoo was Awesome! The hockey game would have been walkable from apartment had Covid-19 not shut it down. Can’t wait to visit again.
4/5 - Good
Just passing through.
5/5 - Excellent
beats Detroit!
4/5 - Good
Clean and small city with much attractions except going to Banff.
5/5 - Excellent
Great. Winter sports lover will enjoy during the season. Summer time also great for outdoor activity. Banff is nearby.
Read travel guides and advice on visiting Calgary
Top-rated vacation destinations in North America
Other places like Calgary
- Stampede Park
- Calgary Zoo
- University of Calgary
- Calgary Tower
- Scotiabank Saddledome
- Chinook Centre
- Cross Iron Mills Mall
- Calgary TELUS Convention Centre
- Calaway Park
- Canada Olympic Park
- Grey Eagle Casino
- Foothills Medical Centre
- BMO Centre
- 17 Avenue SW
- Spruce Meadows
- Deerfoot Casino
- McMahon Stadium
- Heritage Park Historical Village
- Prince's Island Park
- Alberta Children's Hospital
- Sunridge Mall
- WinSport
- South Health Campus
- Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
- Shawnessy Shopping Centre
- Max Bell Centre
- Southcentre Mall
- The Military Museums
- Rockyview General Hospital
- Stephen Avenue
- Market Mall
- TELUS Spark