Best Things To Do in Calgary

If you want to visit a destination that harmoniously combines metropolitan life with natural scenery, then Calgary is one to consider. Located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, this city offers everything from shops and museums to parks and trails that offer some of the best postcard views in North America.

Some of the best things to do in Calgary include visiting the Calgary Tower observation deck, touring the picturesque Heritage Park, checking out the Military Museum and discovering the city's surroundings, where you'll find Banff National Park, one of Canada's oldest national parks and noted for its scenic views.

Calgary Tower is one of the city's most iconic landmarks and also one of the best places to take in panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. Opened in 1968 as the Husky Tower, it was built to commemorate Canada's centennial and stands at a height of 191 metres, making it a landmark from which to view the cityscape and the Rocky Mountains.

From the observation deck you can enjoy a 360-degree view of everything from the skyscrapers of downtown Calgary to the vast plains surrounding the city. On clear days you can see the Canadian Rockies and from the glass floor you can experience the sensation of walking on air more than 150 metres above the ground.

In addition to the views, Calgary Tower offers an educational experience through interactive exhibits that tell the story of the city and the development of the tower. Information panels on the platform highlight key points of interest that you can see from the heights, such as McMahon Stadium, the home of the Calgary Stampeders, or the Bow River, which meanders through the city.

Calgary Tower, because of its inextricable link to the city, is often included when booking a guided tour of Calgary or traditional tours of the city's main sites.

Heritage Park Historical Village is one of Canada's largest and most popular history museums. This one-of-a-kind interactive park offers visitors a journey back in time to discover what life was like in Western Canada from the 1860s to the mid-20th century. The park features more than 180 restored and recreated historic buildings, making it a window into the past to learn about the history and development of the region.

One of the main attractions at Heritage Park, located on the Canadian Rocky Mountain Trail, is the opportunity to ride through the area on an authentic steam train, allowing you to appreciate the landscape in a native way. In addition, the park features actors dressed in period costume playing period characters such as blacksmiths, bakers and merchants, recreating the daily life of yesteryear.

The park is divided into several themed zones, each representing a different historical period. In the 1860s section you can see how the indigenous people and fur traders lived. The early 20th century area recreates a thriving town, with shops, schools and even a train station. In the 1930's section you can learn about the impact of the discovery of oil on Alberta's economy.

When you buy tickets to Heritage Park, you'll not only be treated to a historical experience, but also a family-friendly place with carriage rides, vintage amusement parks and themed restaurants. Special events such as Christmas markets and harvest festivals are held here throughout the year.

If you want to see one of Calgary's most popular sites, the National Music Centre, known as Studio Bell, is a must-see. This space combines a museum, an education centre and a performance stage, all in one architectural building that has transformed the city's landscape. Studio Bell, at its core, has a mission to preserve and promote Canada's musical heritage.

Inside Studio Bell you can explore a collection of more than 2,000 musical instruments and objects spanning centuries of history. From historic pianos to synthesizers to electric guitars, the National Music Centre's collection offers a window into the evolution of music both domestically and internationally.

One of the museum's highlights is the Kimball Theatre Organ, a monumental instrument from the 1920s that can still be heard in action during live demonstrations. If you want to book tickets for Studio Bell you can also visit the special exhibit that houses the mobile recording console that was used by legendary artists such as the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan.

The museum not only displays historical instruments and objects, but also invites visitors to experience music in immersive exhibits. In these exhibits you can try out your musical talent at instrument stations, record sounds and create your own mixes. In addition, there are workshops and activities designed for all ages, making it an activity suitable for the whole family.

Calgary's Olympic Plaza is a downtown open space that celebrates the legacy of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games, which were the first to be held in Canada. The square was created as a hub of activity during the games and has remained a meeting and recreation point for locals and tourists alike ever since.

One of the most notable features of Olympic Square is its fountain, which turns into an outdoor skating rink during the winter months. The square also hosts cultural events, concerts and festivals throughout the year, making it the city's ground zero, which is why it is included when booking a guided tour of Calgary.

Those looking for a place to relax between excursions will find large areas with benches and greenery in Olympic Square where they can enjoy the sweeping views. Its central location makes it an ideal place to take a break after visiting the nearby Glenbow Museum, Calgary Tower or after browsing the shops and restaurants along Stephen Avenue, the city's busiest pedestrian street.

In addition to being a place of recreation, the square also has important symbolic value. The Olympic rings and commemorative sculptures that adorn the space pay homage to the 1988 Winter Games, reminding visitors of Calgary's pivotal role in the history of Olympic sport since it was chosen as a winter venue.

Confederation Park is a natural oasis in the middle of Calgary, ideal for those looking for a quiet place to relax or enjoy outdoor activities. This sprawling 160-hectare park is a popular spot for locals and tourists who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and connect with nature without straying too far from the metropolitan core.

The park is known for its scenic landscapes, with trails winding along a tree-lined creek, perfect for walking, jogging or cycling. During the spring and summer the meadows are filled with wildflowers and the green spaces become allies to visitors, who can relax in the shade of the trees. In addition, Confederation Park has children's playgrounds and golf courses.

However, one of the highlights of the park is the ornamental pond and fountain, which create a perfect atmosphere for relaxation. Throughout the year you can watch a variety of birds and during the winter you will find the perfect place for tobogganing and cross-country skiing. This is why this park is often included in the Calgary sidecar tour itinerary at all times of the year.

Nose Hill Park is one of Canada's largest urban parks and a haven for those who enjoy nature and outdoor photography. Spanning over eleven square kilometres, this park offers wide open spaces and rolling hills that provide panoramic views of the city, the Rocky Mountains and the surrounding plains.

Founded in the 1980s to preserve the natural ecosystem, it is now a park with a wide variety of native plant species and wildlife, making it a great place for amateur and professional photographers. Among the animals that can be observed and photographed are coyotes, deer, hares and native birds.

In addition to its photographic appeal, Nose Hill Park is a great place to hike and explore nature. The park has a network of trails, many paved and some dirt, that are perfect for both hiking and biking. Along these trails you'll also find lookout points, which on a clear day will allow you to see the Rocky Mountains on the horizon.

Nose Hill is usually included when booking a guided tour of Calgary.

If you enjoy wartime exhibits, you can visit the Calgary Military Museum, which is the second largest of its kind in the country and offers an in-depth experience of the conflicts in which Canada has been involved, as well as the impact these events have had on its society. The museum covers more than a century of military history, from the two world wars to UN peacekeeping missions.

In this military museum you can see a collection of armoured vehicles, tanks and planes used in different battles. You can also have your photograph taken with one of the Shermans on display, a model of heavy tank that was vital during the Second World War, and learn about how they worked and their role in combat.

The military aviation section features aircraft used in historic missions in an exhibit that allows visitors to have a tangible experience of the machinery and technology that have defined the battlefield over the years.

In addition to the vehicles, the museum houses a collection of military accoutrements and historic uniforms that chronicle the experience of Canadian soldiers. Exhibits detail everything from life in the trenches of World War I to the challenges and sacrifices faced by the military during the Cold War and in more recent peacekeeping operations in the far corners of the globe.

One of Calgary's main attractions is that it's on the Canadian Rocky Mountain Route. And one of the best places to discover the panoramic views of this mountain range is Banff National Park, which is the oldest national park in Canada and one of the most visited in the world.

Founded in the late 19th century, the park was created to protect the nearby hot springs and surrounding mountains. It has also had a major influence on the economic development of the region, as its history is linked to the development of the transcontinental railway and the first explorers who came to the park thanks to the Canadian Pacific Railway, which also promoted the construction of the Banff Springs Hotel.

This site is known for its alpine landscape, which includes crystal clear lakes, ancient glaciers and peaks that attract visitors from all over the world. When you book a tour to Banff National Park from Calgary, you can also see Lake Louise, popular for its turquoise waters and fairytale setting, and Moraine Lake, whose icy waters can be discovered from the scenic trail along its shores.

In addition to its natural beauty, Banff is a great place for wildlife lovers. The park is home to grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves and bald eagles, all of which can be seen in their natural environment. You can explore the park on foot, bike or horseback and you'll find picnic and camping areas in the area.

One of the most popular rivers in the Canadian Rocky Mountain area, the Kananaskis River is also a destination for nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts. Originating in Kananaskis Country Provincial Park, this river meanders through mountainous landscapes, offering a combination of calm waters and thrilling rapids.

Located just an hour from Calgary, the Kananaskis River is the ideal place for those looking for an adrenaline-filled experience, as it is considered one of Alberta's best rafting destinations. Also note that the Kananaskis River is home to a rich biodiversity, so you may spot deer, beavers, eagles and bears along the way.

Booking a rafting experience on the Kananaskis River is a perfect adventure for beginners and experienced rafters alike, as along the way you'll find a mix of rapids and calmer sections, ideal for enjoying the view of the mountains, surrounding pine forests and local wildlife.

After Banff, Yoho National Park is the largest national park in Canada and also one of the most visited. Located a two-hour drive from Calgary, it's a great place to see some of the region's most remarkable geological formations, including the limestone cliffs surrounding the Kicking Horse Valley and Emerald Lake, whose crystal-clear waters attract visitors from all over the world.

In addition to its scenery, Yoho National Park is of vital geological and palaeontological importance. Within the park is the Burgess Shale formation, a fossil site more than 500 million years old that has revealed a diversity of prehistoric marine species. During your visit you can walk through this open-air museum as well as other marked trails.

Also, among the most outstanding natural attractions, you will also find Takakkaw Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in Canada, reaching a height of 373 metres. You can also enjoy the Natural Bridge, where the Kicking Horse River has carved a stone bridge over thousands of years.