Stand on the observation deck of the Calgary Tower and, on a clear day, the Rockies rise to the west beyond the downtown skyline. Below you, the Bow River and the Elbow River meet at the point where a North-West Mounted Police fort was established in 1875, and the city grew outward from there.
Calgary suits travellers who want a city with a working history, a strong museum and gallery scene, and easy access to big landscapes. It also suits anyone planning around a major event: the Calgary Stampede fills Stampede Park every July, and the city hosted the 1988 Winter Olympic Games, leaving venues you can still visit.
This guide covers the landmarks, museums, parks and sports sites worth your time, followed by a one-day plan and answers to common questions.
Top things to do in Calgary
1. Calgary Tower
The Calgary Tower commands a wide view over the city and its surroundings, and on a clear day you can see the Rockies to the west. It has a revolving gourmet restaurant, a bar, and an observation deck.
Approach it from 8th Avenue, since the 10th Avenue side is dominated by railway tracks, parking lots and parkades. The pamphlet "Calgary attractions", available at the Tourism Calgary airport kiosk on the arrival level or in the ground floor lobby of the Calgary Tower, includes discount coupons for 14 tourist attractions.
2. Glenbow Museum
Western Canada's largest museum, the Glenbow Museum has more than 20 galleries across three floors, filled with artifacts emphasising local history. Permanent exhibitions include Indigenous Cultures, Western Canadian History, Asian Art, West African Art, and Military History.
The Glenbow has changed focus to be more of an art gallery, and this is reflected in the temporary exhibitions, so check what is on before you go.
3. Calgary Zoo
The Calgary Zoo is home to over 1,000 animals from around the world, as well as the Botanical Garden and a Prehistoric Park for dinosaur lovers. It is the second largest zoo in Canada.
It sits in the Northeast, so pair it with Telus Spark, which is also in that quadrant.
4. Heritage Park
Heritage Park is one of the largest living historical villages in North America, on 66 acres of land near the Glenmore Reservoir. Attractions include a working passenger train, 155 historical exhibits, a candy store and bakery, an old fashioned amusement park, and riding on the S.S. Moyie, a paddlewheel boat.
In the winter, only a few attractions are open, so plan this one for the warmer months. The "Calgary attractions" pamphlet carries a coupon for 50% off a second admission here.
5. Fort Calgary
Fort Calgary is a museum and historic site focusing on the history of the city and of the RCMP. The fort was built in 1875 at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers, near modern Inglewood, and became the nucleus around which Calgary grew; the original fort was destroyed decades ago.
Its location near Inglewood makes it easy to combine with a walk along Atlantic Avenue (9th Avenue S), which has an abundance of tightly packed, small, old commercial buildings with fine architectural details.
6. Calgary Central Library
The flagship branch of the Calgary Public Library opened on November 1, 2018. Its interior centres on a four-storey central atrium topped by a skylight; the lower floors hold meeting spaces and activity centres, while the upper floors feature book stacks and a reading room. There is also a 340-seat theatre, conference rooms, and a small café.
It is in the City Centre, which makes it an easy stop between downtown sights.
7. Stampede Park
Stampede Park is the site of Calgary's exhibition and rodeo, east of the Beltline in Victoria Park. Beyond the Calgary Stampede itself, the grounds house a conference and exhibition centre (the BMO Centre) and a casino.
During Stampede Week in July, events run all around the city, but the highlights are the rodeo and chuckwagon races, along with a performance of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride. Note that over the years concerns have been raised about the treatment of animals at the event.
8. WinSport (Canada Olympic Park)
Take a tour of the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics, which includes going to the top of the ski jump for a fantastic view. Four runs are available for skiing during the winter months, and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame museum is open year-round.
It is in the Northwest, so it pairs naturally with Nose Hill Park.
9. Prince's Island Park
Calgary's largest inner city park is an island with a number of pleasant trails for walking and relaxing.
It sits in the City Centre, close to the Peace Bridge, the pedestrian bridge crossing the Bow River from the downtown core that opened in 2012 and was designed by Santiago Calatrava.
10. Telus Spark
Telus Spark is a place where people of all ages and abilities can put their imagination into action. It features over 100 hands-on exhibits, four exhibit galleries, a travelling exhibition gallery, a Creative Kids Museum, Calgary's only HD digital Dome Theatre, and a 4-acre outdoor park.
It is in the Northeast, near the Calgary Zoo, so the two work well as a single outing.
11. Nose Hill Park
Nose Hill Park is a natural environment park in the northwest quadrant, commonly regarded as a retreat from city life and a place to enjoy nature.
Combine it with WinSport (Canada Olympic Park), which is also in the Northwest.
12. Fish Creek Provincial Park
Fish Creek Provincial Park is a natural area park stretching along the banks of Fish Creek and the Bow River in south Calgary, from roughly 14 Street SW in the west to the Bow River in the east.
It is in the Southeast. Out in suburbia, the pyramid-shaped Fish Creek Library near Southcentre Mall is a local landmark worth a look if you are already in the area.
13. The Military Museums
One of the few military museums in Western Canada, The Military Museums features four museums dedicated to the regiments in the Calgary area. There is also an extensive library and archives centre in the museum, run by the University of Calgary.
It is in the Southwest, so it can be paired with Heritage Park or Spruce Meadows on the same day.
14. Spruce Meadows
Just south of the city on Highway 22X, Spruce Meadows is a show jumping and equestrian facility. The facility also houses ATCO Field, a soccer stadium that is home to Cavalry FC, a soccer team in the Canadian Premier League.
Check the event calendar before travelling out, since the draw here is the competition rather than the grounds alone.
15. Olympic Plaza
This public square was built as the site of medal presentations during the 1988 Winter Olympic Games.
It is in the City Centre, so it slots easily into a downtown walk that also takes in the Calgary Tower and Stephen Avenue (8th Avenue S), which has an abundance of tightly packed, small, old commercial buildings with great architectural details.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at the Calgary Tower, approaching from 8th Avenue, and go up for the view over the city and, on a clear day, west to the Rockies. Walk from there to Olympic Plaza and on to the Calgary Central Library, whose four-storey atrium and reading room are worth the stop.
Afternoon: Head to Fort Calgary to learn how the city grew around the 1875 fort at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers, then walk the old commercial buildings of Atlantic Avenue in Inglewood nearby. If you would rather spend the afternoon outdoors, cross the Peace Bridge to Prince's Island Park and follow its trails.
Evening: Finish at Stampede Park in Victoria Park. If you are visiting in July, this is where the Calgary Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races take place; outside Stampede Week, the grounds still hold the BMO Centre and a casino.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Calgary Stampede held?
It runs for 10 days in July at Stampede Park. During Stampede Week events take place all around the city, with the rodeo and chuckwagon races as the highlights.
Can I see the Rocky Mountains from the city?
Yes. From the Calgary Tower, on a clear day you can see the Rockies to the west.
Is Heritage Park worth visiting outside summer?
In the winter, only a few attractions are open, so the working passenger train, the historical exhibits and the S.S. Moyie are best planned for the warmer months.
Where can I find discounts on Calgary attractions?
The pamphlet titled "Calgary attractions" has discount coupons for 14 tourist attractions. It is available at the Tourism Calgary airport kiosk on the arrival level or in the ground floor lobby of the Calgary Tower.
Use this list to sketch your days, check the event calendar for your dates, and start booking the trip.