10 Best Things to Do in Calgary: From the Stampede to the Rockies

If you want to explore Canada, I have a city suggestion for you. It is a destination with lots of greenery, the sunniest in Canada and also one of the cleanest and most livable cities in the world. Sound cool? Well, ladies and gentlemen, meet the city of Calgary.

The largest city in Alberta is located in the transition zone between the foothills of the Canadian Rockies and the Prairies. Approximately 1.5 million people have found their home here, and they have some advice for you: “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes.” Funny people, right? And that’s a bonus, for sure.

If at any moment you need help, you’ll find it easily here, as Calgary has the highest number of volunteers per capita in Canada.

So, what are the must-dos in this cool, eclectic city after landing in YYC? Find out in this Calgary travel guide.

1. Calgary Stampede

Get your cowboy hats, good vibes and festival food cravings ready because it’s time for the greatest outdoor show in the world. The Calgary Stampede is a must-see and one of the city’s top attractions.

Every July in downtown Calgary, well over a million visitors gather to jump into the real Cow Town. This ten-day event offers rodeos, parades, various competitions, a First Nations village and live music in the world-class Grandstand show. Trust me, it’s really grand.

Thousands of volunteers participate in the organization, and even office buildings put on their cowboy boots. Long story short, when you visit Calgary, this century-old show will show you why this city is nicknamed Cow Town.

Also, during these days, please forget about your diet because pancakes and barbecue are among the top attractions.

2. Rocky Mountains

If you want a reminder of just how stunning and powerful Mother Earth is, I promise the day trip to the Canadian Rockies will leave you speechless.

This natural wonder stretches from northern Alberta and British Columbia to New Mexico. You can explore it on foot, by bike or by car. Just keep in mind the roads bordering on steep cliffs test even those who believe they don’t have a fear of heights.

In return, you’ll enjoy beautiful scenes of flowery meadows, wildlife, rushing rivers and majestic mountains. Although that sounded sweet, be aware that elk, native to North America, can weigh several hundred kilograms.

If you still want to see elk, as well as many other animals, start early in the morning before they hide from visitors. Also, make sure to visit the top attractions of Bear Lake and Alberta Falls.

Hiking, camping, mountain biking, and picnicking in the milder months, or skiing and snowboarding in the winter, are all popular activities in Alberta.

If you want to take sightseeing in the Rocky Mountains to another level, buy a ticket for a luxurious multi-day train journey on the Rocky Mountaineer. On board, you will enjoy food prepared by award-winning chefs and be awed by the stunning scenery through the windows and glass roof. This world-class experience is once-in-a-lifetime, so if you are able, as Nike would say, just do it.

Read More: Rocky Mountaineer Launches Luxury Rail Journey in the USA: Rockies to Red Rocks

3. Heritage Park Historical Village

If you want to visit the past, it awaits you at Heritage Park Historical Village, one of Calgary’s best outdoor activities.

This year-round museum about the history of Western Canada is located 15 minutes from downtown Calgary, next to Glenmore Reservoir. You can sail the reservoir by, wait for it, a paddle-wheeler.

During the walking tour through the park, you will discover the history and success of Western Canada from 1860 to 1930.

A bunch of interactive exhibits will get you back there: a steam train ride, costumed interpreters, a historical village, an amusement park, restaurants and much more. Also, don’t miss visiting one of many people’s favorites, the Gasoline Alley Museum.

So buy some fresh cinnamon rolls and jump into this 127-acre history. Oh yes, if you have children, this is a must-see. Trust me, they will thank you.

Check out this 3.5-Hour Bus City Tour that includes a visit to the Gasoline Alley Museum

4. Calgary Tower

One question: would you dare to step on the glass floor at a height of 190 meters? If your answer is yes, test your mental strength at Calgary Tower.

If your answer is no, that’s ok too; simply enjoy its light shows from the ground, and the fact that you are not up there.

But for those who step onto the observation deck, this top attraction offers a panoramic view of the city’s hustle and bustle and the Rocky Mountains.

If you do not want to just get out of there as soon as possible, eat something nice at a restaurant or buy a souvenir to remind you of your own bravery.

For a more specific reward, you can escape the city to go hiking in Kananaskis, watch show jumping at Spruce Meadows, visit the Military Museums, or go to a game of the most popular Canadian sport, ice hockey.

A Calgary Flames battle at the Saddledome will set you on fire, especially if it’s against their great rival, the Edmonton Oilers. If your inner flame becomes too strong, you can just balance it with a famous beer. It might be the most expensive beer you’ve ever had, but Go, Flames, Go.

5. Studio Bell: National Music Center

Once you dare to step onto the glass floor of the Calgary Tower, your inner rock star will definitely awaken, and that’s the perfect time for another must-do activity: visiting Studio Bell.

The National Music Center is located in the East Village, a neighborhood of good energy, optimism, and the future. Sounds perfect, right? With five floors of stunning architecture and over 3,000 objects, it will take you through more than 450 years of musical history.

You will see an impressive collection of memorabilia and musical instruments, Randy Bachman’s 1959 Gibson Les Paul “American Woman” guitar and Elton John’s songwriting piano for his first five albums.

There is also a Rolling Stones recording studio where you can listen to live music or visit four Canadian Music Halls of Fame.

Of course, you will have the opportunity to show off your skills too. Who knows, maybe a new world hit will emerge? I suggest ending this tour with a meal at King Eddy because your inner rock star has now really earned a reward.

6. Bow River and Elbow River

I have one unusual suggestion for you: let the river be your tour guide for a day. The Bow River and Elbow River both have a lot to offer, but the Bow River is more popular because it runs through the center of Calgary.

It’s perfect for walking tours and sightseeing. The river will take you to the striking red Peace Bridge that connects Memorial Drive to Eau Claire Park. Go ahead and cross it since it was made for pedestrians and cyclists.

If you’re in the mood, you can try rafting, but definitely don’t miss visiting Prince’s Island Park and the Calgarians who chill there. Feel free to join them in this wonderful plan, and after that, you can dine at River Cafe. (Also, when talking about parks, consider Nosehill Park and Fish Creek Provincial Park too.)

If you’re a history lover, visit the Fort Calgary Museum. Fans of fishing will be amazed by the fact that the Bow River is one of the best trout-fishing rivers in the world. Long story short, at the end of the day, you will be very satisfied with your local guide.

7. Stephen Avenue Walk

You’d be really missing out if you didn’t go to the Stephen Avenue Walk along the most beautiful and historic street in the heart of Calgary. This pedestrian mall is an eclectic mix of boutiques and galleries and a stage for artistic and cultural events.

It’s also a favorite spot for walking, shopping or drinking coffee. From here, you can easily reach numerous other attractions, such as the Glenbow Museum, a world-class public library, or Studio Bell.

And if you’ve never seen what $1.4 billion looks like, head up to the 236-meter-tall Bow. That’s the price of this third-tallest building outside of Toronto.

Although you will certainly see this top attraction without looking for it, get closer. Why? Because the entrance to Wonderland awaits you ahead.  

This must-see Wonderland Sculpture is a 12-meter-tall public art installation shaped like a woman’s head in front of the Bow. You can enter it and assess whether you see what the creator wanted to present: the dreams of young people from the province.

8. Winsport (Canada Olympic Park)

Are you in the mood for some sports? If so, it’s time for the premier outdoor activity center, WinSport. True sports fans may remember that the Canada Olympic Park hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.

On as many as 260 acres, WinSport offers year-round activities such as mini-golf, cycling and the fastest zip-line in North America in the summer.

Meanwhile, in the winter, you can demonstrate your skiing, snowboarding or tubing skills on world-class slopes.

If you get tired or are not a fan of these activities at all, head to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. Here, you’ll learn some fun facts about sports and see the torch that was lit at the 1988 Olympic Games.

9. The Calgary Zoo

I’m usually not someone who would put a zoo on a list like this, but the Calgary Zoo is a must-see. By buying a ticket, you enter the home of more than 1000 animals across 272 different species from all over the world.

This is a year-round activity, but on Sundays, you can start the day there with a really nice Sunday Safari Brunch.

After that, you can visit botanical gardens, and if you have children, they will be impressed by the life-size models of dinosaurs and the many playgrounds.

By the way, if you need more activities to animate your little ones, I also suggest the Telus Spark Science Center, Drumheller, with its surrounding badlands and the largest outdoor park in Western Canada, Calaway Park.

If you’re not so much into the animals but still want to please your kids and take them to the Calgary Zoo, don’t despair; they have a chocolate fountain at Sunday brunch.

10. Banff National Park and Canmore

I believe I saved the best for last: the dream road trip to the surreal sights of Banff National Park and Canmore. If you prefer less famous and less crowded spots but still want to see those magic scenes of the Rocky Mountains, choose Canmore, which is not yet as popular as Banff. But why not choose both?

Banff is Canada’s first national park, and its value is recognized by UNESCO. It borders some other must-see attractions, such as Yoho, Kootenay and Jasper.

Although visiting Banff is a year-round activity, if you’re a fan of skiing, come between November and May. However, if you are more of a warm-weather person and want to come during the summer months, you can enjoy hiking, sightseeing and cycling.

Also, when in Banff, treat yourself to a luxury stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. This magical hotel, with its surrounding stunning nature, has hosted royalty and celebrities since opening in 1888, including King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1939, and Marilyn Monroe in 1953.

When visiting this area, make sure to head to must-see Lake Louise and Lake Moraine for a dose of unreal beauty. You can visit Lake Louise year-round, but if you plan to include Moraine Lake, I recommend visiting in the summer.

The only thing that’s left is to take a gondola ride and enjoy a moment of pure beauty. Also, if you’re looking for that perfect Instagram viral backdrop, it’s here. So, finally, pick up your camera and say “Cheese.”

If You Go

Getting There: Calgary International Airport (YYC) is well-connected with direct flights from across North America. Search flights at CheapOAir.

Getting Around: Calgary’s CTrain offers free rides within the downtown core. Ride-share (Uber) and taxis are widely available from the airport. For day trips to Banff, Canmore, and the Rockies, a rental car is recommended — compare rates at Discover Cars.

Where to Stay

• For a classic Banff experience: Fairmont Banff Springs — the iconic “Castle in the Rockies.”
• Browse the top hotels in Calgary here

Top Experiences

• Calgary Stampede — held annually in July; tickets available on the official site
• Heritage Park Historical Village — year-round, 15 minutes from downtown
• Studio Bell / National Music Centre — East Village; pay-what-you-can admission option available
• WinSport / Canada Olympic Park — zipline, mountain biking, skiing, and bobsleigh
• Wilder Institute / Calgary Zoo — Sunday Safari Brunch is a family favorite
• Day trip to Banff National Park — Viator has several guided day tours departing from Calgary

Need a hand planning your trip? Here are the sites and services we rely on most, from booking tools to travel products we love.

Inspire your next adventure with our articles below:

• Exploring Canada’s Own Grand Canyons and Badlands Near Drumheller, Alberta
• Pedal Paradise: Canada’s Most Breathtaking Cycling Adventures

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