Best Things To Do in Calgary

If you want to visit a destination that harmoniously combines metropolitan life with natural landscapes, then you can consider Calgary among the options. Located in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, this city offers from stores and museums to parks and trails that offer some of the best postcards of North America.

Among the best things to do in Calgary is to visit the Calgary Tower observation deck, tour the picturesque Heritage Park, visit the Military Museum and discover the city's surroundings, where you will find Banff National Park, one of the oldest in Canada and noted for its panoramic views.

Calgary Tower is one of the most emblematic icons of the city and also one of the best places to contemplate panoramic views of this destination and its surroundings. Inaugurated in 1968 as Husky Tower, it was built in commemoration of Canada's centennial and reaches a height of 191 meters, making it a reference point from which to discover the cityscape and the Rocky Mountains.

From the observation deck you can enjoy a 360-degree view that spans 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 meters above the ground.

In addition to the views, Calgary Tower offers an educational experience through interactive exhibits that tell the history of the city and the development of the tower. Informative panels on the platform highlight key points of interest that you can observe from the heights, such as McMahon Stadium, the home of the Calgary Stampeders team, 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 activities that take in the main sites of this destination.

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 tour the site on an authentic steam train, allowing you to appreciate the scenery in a native way. In addition, in the park you will find actors dressed in period costumes playing period characters, such as blacksmiths, bakers and merchants, and 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 Indian villages and fur traders lived. The early 20th century area recreates a thriving city, with stores, 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 purchase tickets to Heritage Park you not only get a historical experience, but also a place for the whole family to enjoy, 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, you can't miss the National Music Centre, known as Studio Bell. This space combines a museum, an educational center and a performance stage, all in one architectural building that has transformed the city's landscape. Studio Bell, in its key objective, 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 several 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 most notable pieces is the Kimball Theater 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 historic 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, you'll find workshops and activities designed for all ages, making it an activity suitable for the whole family.

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

One of the most notable features of Olympic Plaza is its fountain, which becomes an outdoor skating rink during the winter months. In addition, the square hosts cultural events, concerts and festivals throughout the year, making it ground zero for the city, which is why it is included when booking a guided tour of Calgary

Also, those looking for a place to rest between excursions will find in the Olympic Plaza large areas with benches and green areas where they can enjoy the wide 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 stores and restaurants along Stephen Avenue, the city's busiest pedestrian street.

In addition to being a place for 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 urban hustle and bustle 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 biking. During the spring and summer, the meadows are filled with wildflowers and the green areas become allies for visitors, who can relax under 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 environment for relaxation. Throughout the year you will be able to watch different birds and during the winter you will find the perfect place for sledding 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 paradise for those who enjoy nature and outdoor photography. Spanning over eleven square kilometers, 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 an excellent place for amateur and professional photographers. Among the animals that can be observed and photographed you will find coyotes, deer, hares and native birds.

In addition to its photographic appeal, Nose Hill Park is an excellent place to hike and explore nature. The park has a network of trails, many of them paved and others dirt, which are perfect for both hiking and biking. Also, along these trails you will find viewpoints, which on clear days 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're someone who enjoys wartime exhibits, in this destination 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 armored vehicles, tanks and airplanes used in different battles. You can also take pictures with one of the Sherman that are presented in the exhibition, a model of heavy tank that was vital during World War II, and learn about its operation and its 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 is located on the Canadian Rocky Mountain Route. And one of the best places to discover the panoramic views of this mountain range is the Banff National Park, which is the oldest in Canada and one of the most visited in the world.

This park was founded in the late 19th century and was created to protect the nearby hot springs and surrounding mountains. It has also had a very important influence on the economic development of the region, as its history is linked to the development of the transcontinental railroad 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. Booking a tour to Banff National Park from Calgary also allows you to see Lake Louise, popular for its turquoise waters and fairy-tale 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 an ideal place for wildlife lovers. The park is home to grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves and bald eagles, which can be seen in their natural environment. You can explore the park on foot, bike or horseback and you will find picnic and camping areas in this area.

One of the most popular rivers in the Canadian Rocky Mountain area, the Kananaskis River is also a destination that captivates 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 exciting 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 both beginners and those with prior knowledge, as along the way you'll find a mix of rapids with 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 is an ideal choice 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 landscapes, Yoho National Park is of vital geological and paleontological 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 and other marked trails.

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