Calgary, Canada: travel guide
Stampede city on the prairies with the Rockies on the horizon
Gateway to the Rockies on the prairies, known for the Calgary Stampede and its proximity to Banff.
About Calgary
Calgary sits where the prairies meet the foothills of the Rockies, and on a clear day the mountains show as a jagged line on the western horizon. The city is best known for the Calgary Stampede, its annual rodeo and fair, but its skyline, river pathways and cowboy heritage give it character year-round.
You can wander Stephen Avenue Walk, rise to the viewing deck of Calgary Tower, spend an afternoon among the heritage buildings at Heritage Park, or stroll through Prince's Island Park by the Bow River. Many visitors use Calgary as the practical gateway to Banff and the mountain parks.
The city suits road-trippers and families heading west. Summer is the main season, while winter can be cold and sunny with ski areas within reach.
- Country
- Canada
- Currency
- CAD
- Time zone
- America/Edmonton
- Nearest airport
- YYC
Last updated
Top places to visit in Calgary
Calgary Zoo (Wilder Institute)
zoo · 4.5 rating · about 3.5 h · check the fee at the gate
One of Canada's most-visited zoos on St. George's Island, home to over 4,000 animals plus the Canadian Wilds and Prehistoric Park dinosaur displays.
Calgary Stampede Grounds (Stampede Park)
festival-grounds · 4.5 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
Home of the Calgary Stampede, the annual 10-day rodeo and festival each July. The grounds host events year-round including the Saddledome and BMO Centre.
Calgary Tower
observation-tower · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Iconic 191m observation tower in downtown Calgary with a glass-floor observation deck and 360° views of the city, prairies and Rocky Mountains.
Heritage Park Historical Village
living-history-museum · 4.6 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
Canada's largest living history museum, recreating life in Western Canada from the 1860s–1950s with costumed interpreters, a steam train and antique midway.
Prince's Island Park
urban-park · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Urban island park on the Bow River connected by footbridges, with walking paths, lagoons, festivals and the Eau Claire promenade nearby.
Stephen Avenue Walk
pedestrian-street · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Historic pedestrian shopping and dining street in downtown (8th Avenue), a National Historic Site lined with heritage sandstone buildings, patios and shops.
Fish Creek Provincial Park
provincial-park · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the largest urban parks in North America, with 80+ km of trails, forests, wildlife and Sikome Lake for summer swimming.
WinSport Canada Olympic Park
sports-park · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Legacy site of the 1988 Winter Olympics offering skiing, bobsleigh, zipline, mountain biking and the Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.
TELUS Spark Science Centre
science-centre · 4.4 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Interactive science centre with hands-on exhibits, a digital dome theatre and outdoor Brainasium park, popular with families.
Glenbow Museum
art-history-museum · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Major art and cultural history museum (operating as JR Shaw at Glenbow during renovation) showcasing Western Canadian and Indigenous art and artifacts.
Inglewood
neighbourhood · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Calgary's oldest neighbourhood, a hip district along 9th Avenue SE with indie boutiques, vintage shops, breweries, music venues and the adjacent Bird Sanctuary.
Studio Bell, National Music Centre
music-museum · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Striking architecture in the East Village housing Canada's national music museum, with interactive exhibits, rare instruments and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
Things to do
- Calgary Tower Observation Deck Admission Sightseeing · 1 h · from CAD 21 per person
- Banff & Lake Louise Day Tour from Calgary Day Trip · 10 h · from CAD 199 per person
- Heritage Park Living History Admission Cultural · 4 h · from CAD 35 per person
- WinSport Olympic Park Bobsleigh & Zipline Adventure · 2 h · from CAD 69 per person
- Bow River Float / Raft Trip Water · 3 h · from CAD 85 per person
- Calgary Downtown & Stephen Avenue Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2 h · from CAD 35 per person
- Inglewood Craft Brewery Tour Food Drink · 3 h · from CAD 89 per person
Day trips and tours
- Banff & Lake Louise Full-Day Tour 11 h · from CAD 199
- Drumheller & Royal Tyrrell Museum Dinosaur Day Trip 9 h · from CAD 159
- Kananaskis & Canmore Mountain Escape 8 h · from CAD 175
Where to stay in Calgary
- Downtown / Beltline about CAD 220 per night
Calgary's central core and the trendy Beltline just south — walkable, with the most restaurants, bars, the +15 skywalk and easy CTrain access.
- Inglewood about CAD 170 per night
Calgary's oldest and hippest neighbourhood, full of indie shops, breweries, music venues and cafés along 9th Avenue SE.
- Near Stampede Park / Victoria Park about CAD 190 per night
Area around Stampede Park and the East Village, ideal during the July Stampede with quick access to the grounds and the Saddledome.
Hotels
- Fairmont Palliser 4-star · CAD 320 to CAD 600 per night
- Hyatt Regency Calgary 4-star · CAD 220 to CAD 420 per night
- Acclaim Hotel Calgary Airport 4-star · CAD 150 to CAD 250 per night
- Hotel Arts 4-star · CAD 200 to CAD 380 per night
- Inglewood Boutique Inn 3-star · CAD 140 to CAD 230 per night
- Best Western Plus Suites Downtown 3-star · CAD 110 to CAD 180 per night
Where to eat
- Peters' Drive-In Burgers, Fast Food, American · about CAD 14 per person
- Calgary Farmers' Market Market, International, Canadian · about CAD 20 per person
- OEB Breakfast Co. Breakfast, Brunch, Canadian · about CAD 30 per person
- Village Ice Cream Dessert, Ice Cream, Cafe · about CAD 8 per person
- CHARCUT Roast House Canadian, Steakhouse, Contemporary · about CAD 75 per person
- Spolumbo's Fine Foods & Deli Italian, Deli, Sandwiches · about CAD 18 per person
- Caesar's Steak House Steakhouse, Canadian · about CAD 80 per person
- Ten Foot Henry Contemporary, Vegetarian-friendly · about CAD 45 per person
Getting to Calgary
Airport: Calgary (YYC)
Getting around
- Bus
- Car Rental Self
- Metro
- Ride Hail
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Stampede-week price gouging & fake tickets
Stampede Park / online resale
During the July Stampede, scalpers and fake websites sell counterfeit event/concert tickets at inflated prices, and some unofficial parking lots overcharge.
How to avoid it: Buy tickets only from the official calgarystampede.com site, and use official or reputable parking. Verify any resale tickets carefully.
Downtown panhandling & distraction theft
Downtown core, transit stations, +15 walkways
Occasional aggressive panhandling or distraction tactics near busy transit stops and the East Village; petty theft of unattended bags can occur.
How to avoid it: Keep belongings secure and zipped, do not leave bags unattended, and politely decline persistent requests. Calgary is generally very safe.
More in Canada
Frequently asked questions about Calgary
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Calgary?
- The highest-rated places in our Calgary guide are Fish Creek Provincial Park, Heritage Park Historical Village, Prince's Island Park, Studio Bell, National Music Centre, Calgary Zoo (Wilder Institute).
- Where should I stay in Calgary?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Calgary: Downtown / Beltline, Inglewood, Near Stampede Park / Victoria Park.
- How do I get around Calgary?
- Ways to get around Calgary covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Metro, Ride-hailing app.
- What scams should I watch out for in Calgary?
- Scams reported to us for Calgary include Stampede-week price gouging & fake tickets; Downtown panhandling & distraction theft. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Calgary?
- The nearest airport to Calgary has the code YYC.