Whether you're visiting from out of town or are a lifelong local, these are some iconic Calgary destinations that you need to add to your bucket list.
Calgary Tower
Price: Starting at $19 per adult
Address: 101 9 Ave. SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: See Calgary from an entirely different perspective from the top of the Calgary Tower. The tower rises 191 metres above the downtown core, offering incredible 360-degree views of the city and the Rocky Mountains in the distance.
Even if you're not afraid of heights, the Observation Deck might make you a bit weak in the knees. It features a glass floor that juts out from the sides of the building. Stand on it if you dare, and gaze down at the city streets below.
The Calgary Tower also has two upscale restaurants where you can dine in style. Ruth's Chris Steak House is on the second level, and Sky360 is a rotating restaurant perched 155 metres above the city.
Calgary Tower website
Bar U Ranch
Price: $13.25 per adult.
When: May to September
Address: Township Roads 17B & 17A, Longview, AB
Why You Need To Go: Bar U Ranch is about an hour's drive from Calgary, but it's worth the trip to see what ranch life was like over 140 years ago. The ranch was established in 1882 and became one of the largest cattle ranches and Percheron horse breeding sites in southern Alberta.
Wander around the ranch and you'll find many of the original buildings still intact and restored to what they would have looked like in the old days. You can explore the blacksmith shop, cookhouse and horse barn.
Bar U Ranch is still a working ranch today, so you can see horses and bison on the property. You can also take a ride on a carriage drawn by Percheron horses and have cowboy coffee at the fire pit.
Parks Canada Bar U Ranch website
The Calgary Zoo
Price: Starting at $34.45 per adult
Address: 210 St. George's Dr. NE, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: For a wild day out, make your way to the Calgary Zoo. The zoo features numerous zones where you can see animals from around the world, including polar bears, meerkats, Komodo dragons, tigers and more.
The Wild Canada zone is particularly interesting because you can see Canadian wildlife that you're not likely to run into on a day-to-day basis, like muskoxen, grizzly bears and cougars. There's also a Prehistoric Zone with life-size replicas of the dinosaurs that once roamed Alberta.
The zoo has regular events throughout the year that are fun for all ages. You can plan your visit around fun brunches, scavenger hunts or adults-only Wild After Dark events. No matter when you go, locals say this is one Calgary attraction that is totally worth the money.
Calgary Zoo website
Stephen Avenue Walk
Price: Free
Address: 340 8 Ave. SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Spanning three blocks in the heart of downtown Calgary, Stephen Avenue Walk is a hub of activity. The pedestrian-only area is home to a slew of hip restaurants, eclectic shops and happening bars.
You'll find plenty of fun things happening on Stephen Avenue Walk throughout the year. In the warmer months, there are buzzing patios and street performers. During the winter months, there are seasonal festivals and light displays.
From Stephen Avenue Walk, you can also visit interesting sites like museums, historic buildings and the Arts Commons. It's a vibrant part of the city that has to be experienced at least once.
Calgary Stampede
Price: $25 per adult for park entry; additional fees for the rodeo and evening show
When: Starts the first Friday in July and runs for 10 days
Address: 1410 Stampede Trail SE, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Calgary's biggest event of the year by far is the Calgary Stampede. For 10 days in July, the city has an electrifying energy as people flock from all over the world to take part in rodeos, exhibitions and performances by world-renowned musicians.
Make your way to the Midway to experience the bright lights, carnival rides and games. You'll also find tons of food and drink options, including food trucks and vendors selling OTT treats. Think watermelon burgers and Flamin' Hot Cheetos pickle pizza.
You don't even have to hit up the fairgrounds to take part in the Stampede mania (although we highly recommend it). There are always tons of events going on around town during the festival, from concerts to special bar nights and brunches.
Calgary Stampede website
Prince's Island Park
Price: Free
Address: 698 Eau Claire Ave. SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: One of the great things about Calgary is how many beautiful parks there are around the city. If you can only visit one, Prince's Island Park should be at the top of your list. Located on an island in the Bow River, the park is an oasis of nature in the city.
Walk over one of the footbridges to the park and you'll find yourself in a 20-hectare space with leafy trees, wetlands, gardens, picnic areas and a lagoon. It’s a gorgeous spot to spend the day immersed in nature.
Prince's Island Park is also home to River Cafe, which has been named one of Canada's best restaurants. It's a scenic spot to sample fresh, seasonal cuisine. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner all week, and it also offers weekend brunch every Saturday and Sunday.
Prince's Island Park website
Heritage Park Historical Village
Price: $34.95 per adult
When: May to September, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Address: 1900 Heritage Dr. SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Immerse yourself in the history of the Canadian West at Heritage Park Historical Village. This living museum has over 180 exhibits that showcase everything from the early fur-trapping days to the obsession with oil and automobiles in the 1950s.
There is so much to see at Heritage Park, from working steam engines to replicas of log cabins and authentic antique cars. You could spend an entire day here strolling the old-timey streets and stopping to chat with characters dressed in period pieces.
When you're not soaking up history at the park, you can stop into the shops and cafes to try old-fashioned ice cream and pick up unique souvenirs, toys and homewares. Be sure to give yourself at least a few hours to explore the park.
Heritage Park website
The Saddledome
Price: Varies
Address: 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: You haven't really experienced Calgary until you've sat in the stands at the Saddledome with thousands of fans cheering on the Calgary Flames or rocking out to a sold-out concert.
There's always something exciting going on at the Saddledome. From high-energy hockey games to wrestling matches and performances by superstar musicians and comedians, this is the spot for entertainment in Calgary.
Be sure to check out the Saddledome's website to see what events are coming up. Tickets can sell out fast, so you don't want to miss out on all the action.
Scotiabank Saddledome website
Devonian Gardens
Price: Free
Address: CORE Shopping Centre, 317 7 Ave. SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: If you're craving some nature but the weather isn't great, make your way to Devonian Gardens on the fourth floor of the CORE Shopping Centre. This indoor botanical garden is a sanctuary of greenery in the heart of the urban core.
Step inside the gardens and you'll find yourself in a lush, green space made up of a full hectare of tropical plants, fountains, fish ponds and sculptures. Glass walls offer views out to downtown Calgary's skyscrapers. There's also a playground for kids.
As a city park, Devonian Gardens is free to enter, which makes it a fun thing to do in Calgary without leaving the city or spending a cent.
Devonian Gardens website
Drumheller
Address: Drumheller, AB
Why You Need To Go: Drumheller is another spot that's outside the city but still well worth the hour-and-a-half drive. Dubbed the "Dinosaur Capital of the World," this is the gateway to the Canadian Badlands, a vast, otherworldly landscape filled with massive deposits of dinosaur bones.
After you're done exploring trails through the hoodoo rock formations, be sure to stop by the Royal Tyrrell Museum to learn about the dinosaurs that used to inhabit this corner of Canada.
The easiest way to reach Drumheller is by car. However, if you want to visit this small town near Calgary without a car, there are several companies, like RTB Shuttles and Tours, that offer tours of the Drumheller and the Badlands departing from Calgary.
Drumheller web page
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
