Guidebook - Calgary and neighboring towns
Picnicking and hiking
Bragg Creek Provincial Park is located about 40 minutes west of Calgary on the edge of Kananaskis Country in the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies. With 84 picnic sites, fire pits, playfields, and a gradual slope that leads to the Elbow River, it’s a popular destination for families and groups. Hike and fish in the warmer months and cross-country ski in winter.
Some useful websites:
https://www.travelalberta.com/ca/listings/bragg-creek-provincial-park-1931/
35 locals recommend
Bragg Creek Provincial Park
Bragg Creek Provincial Park is located about 40 minutes west of Calgary on the edge of Kananaskis Country in the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies. With 84 picnic sites, fire pits, playfields, and a gradual slope that leads to the Elbow River, it’s a popular destination for families and groups. Hike and fish in the warmer months and cross-country ski in winter.
Some useful websites:
https://www.travelalberta.com/ca/listings/bragg-creek-provincial-park-1931/
Going for a nature's walk just 10mins away by car. Start from Bebo Grove to Votiers Flats to Fish creek provincial park.
Bebo Grove, Fish Creek Park
13610 24 St SWGoing for a nature's walk just 10mins away by car. Start from Bebo Grove to Votiers Flats to Fish creek provincial park.
City/town information
Rocky Mountain peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, a picture-perfect mountain town and village, abundant wildlife and scenic drives come together in Banff National Park - Canada’s first national park and the flagship of the nation’s park system. Over three million visitors a year make the pilgrimage to the park for a variety of activities including hiking, biking, skiing and camping in some of the world’s most breathtaking mountain scenery. Banff is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Website: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff
614 locals recommend
Banff
Rocky Mountain peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, a picture-perfect mountain town and village, abundant wildlife and scenic drives come together in Banff National Park - Canada’s first national park and the flagship of the nation’s park system. Over three million visitors a year make the pilgrimage to the park for a variety of activities including hiking, biking, skiing and camping in some of the world’s most breathtaking mountain scenery. Banff is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Website: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff
Canmore is a town in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, west of Calgary. It’s known for craggy summits like the Three Sisters and Ha Ling Peak. In nearby Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park, the Grassi Lakes Trail weaves past a waterfall to 2 turquoise blue lakes. The park also features cross-country ski and mountain-bike trails. East, Grotto Canyon’s steep limestone walls flank a narrow creek bed leading to a cave.
Website: https://www.explorecanmore.ca/
307 locals recommend
Canmore
Canmore is a town in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, west of Calgary. It’s known for craggy summits like the Three Sisters and Ha Ling Peak. In nearby Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park, the Grassi Lakes Trail weaves past a waterfall to 2 turquoise blue lakes. The park also features cross-country ski and mountain-bike trails. East, Grotto Canyon’s steep limestone walls flank a narrow creek bed leading to a cave.
Website: https://www.explorecanmore.ca/
Sightseeing
The Calgary Tower is a 190.8-meter free standing observation tower in the downtown core of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Originally called the Husky Tower, it was conceived as a joint venture between Marathon Realty Company Limited and Husky Oil as part of an urban renewal plan and to celebrate Canada's centennial of 1967. The tower was built at a cost of CA$3,500,000 and weighs approximately 10,884 tonnes, of which 60% is below ground. It opened to the public on June 30, 1968 as the tallest structure in Calgary, and the tallest in Canada outside Toronto. It was renamed the Calgary Tower in 1971.
757 locals recommend
Calgary Tower
101 9 Ave SWThe Calgary Tower is a 190.8-meter free standing observation tower in the downtown core of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Originally called the Husky Tower, it was conceived as a joint venture between Marathon Realty Company Limited and Husky Oil as part of an urban renewal plan and to celebrate Canada's centennial of 1967. The tower was built at a cost of CA$3,500,000 and weighs approximately 10,884 tonnes, of which 60% is below ground. It opened to the public on June 30, 1968 as the tallest structure in Calgary, and the tallest in Canada outside Toronto. It was renamed the Calgary Tower in 1971.
Prince's Island Park is an urban park in the city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is developed on an island on the Bow River, immediately north of downtown Calgary. It was named after Peter Anthony Prince, the founder of the Eau Claire Lumber Mill. The park was built on land donated in 1947 to the city by the Prince family. It is often incorrectly referred to as "Princess Island Park". The park is open from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. every regular day.
419 locals recommend
Prince's Island Park
698 Eau Claire Ave SWPrince's Island Park is an urban park in the city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is developed on an island on the Bow River, immediately north of downtown Calgary. It was named after Peter Anthony Prince, the founder of the Eau Claire Lumber Mill. The park was built on land donated in 1947 to the city by the Prince family. It is often incorrectly referred to as "Princess Island Park". The park is open from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. every regular day.
History
Heritage Park Historical Village is a historical park in Calgary, which is about 10mins away from our house. It sits on 127 acres of parkland on the banks of the Glenmore Reservoir. As Canada's second largest living history museum, it is one of the city's most visited tourist attractions. Exhibits span western Canadian history from the 1860s to the 1950s. Many of the buildings are historical and were transported to the park to be placed on display. Others are re-creations of actual buildings. Most of the structures are furnished and decorated with genuine artifacts.
290 locals recommend
Heritage Park Historical Village
1900 Heritage Dr SWHeritage Park Historical Village is a historical park in Calgary, which is about 10mins away from our house. It sits on 127 acres of parkland on the banks of the Glenmore Reservoir. As Canada's second largest living history museum, it is one of the city's most visited tourist attractions. Exhibits span western Canadian history from the 1860s to the 1950s. Many of the buildings are historical and were transported to the park to be placed on display. Others are re-creations of actual buildings. Most of the structures are furnished and decorated with genuine artifacts.
Lougheed House, or as it was originally known Beaulieu, is a National Historic Site located in the Beltline district of Calgary, Alberta. Originally constructed in 1891 as a home for Senator James Alexander Lougheed KCMG PC KC and his spouse Isabella Clarke Hardisty, the structure has since become an iconic heritage building in Calgary.
6 locals recommend
Beaulieu Gardens
707 13 Ave SWLougheed House, or as it was originally known Beaulieu, is a National Historic Site located in the Beltline district of Calgary, Alberta. Originally constructed in 1891 as a home for Senator James Alexander Lougheed KCMG PC KC and his spouse Isabella Clarke Hardisty, the structure has since become an iconic heritage building in Calgary.
Every first Thursday of the month is free entry for everybody to have a look around the museum. The Glenbow Museum is an art and history regional museum in our city. The museum focuses on Western Canadian history and culture, including Indigenous perspectives
492 locals recommend
Glenbow Museum
130 9 Ave SEEvery first Thursday of the month is free entry for everybody to have a look around the museum. The Glenbow Museum is an art and history regional museum in our city. The museum focuses on Western Canadian history and culture, including Indigenous perspectives
Food scene
Long-running farmers' market offering a diverse array of produce & other goods, plus a food court.
70 locals recommend
Crossroads Market
1235 26 Ave SELong-running farmers' market offering a diverse array of produce & other goods, plus a food court.
This is just a 8 mins walk to the nearby plaza. Long-running outpost for steak, seafood & global fare along with craft beer, pool tables & TVs.
Austin's Bar & Grill
11625 Elbow Dr SWThis is just a 8 mins walk to the nearby plaza. Long-running outpost for steak, seafood & global fare along with craft beer, pool tables & TVs.
This is one of our family's favorite place to dine. It is only 5 mins away from our house. Sleek, upscale chain serving gourmet burgers, global comfort food, cocktails, wines & beers.
83 locals recommend
Earls Kitchen + Bar
2401 4 St SWThis is one of our family's favorite place to dine. It is only 5 mins away from our house. Sleek, upscale chain serving gourmet burgers, global comfort food, cocktails, wines & beers.
Vegan/Vegetarian Food
Informal joint for plant-based pub fare, including burgers, tacos & fries, plus cocktails.
Vegan Street Kitchen & Lounge
1413 9 Avenue SoutheastInformal joint for plant-based pub fare, including burgers, tacos & fries, plus cocktails.
Breakfast/brunch
One of the Best places in Calgary to have your breakfast/brunch
27 locals recommend
OEB Breakfast Co. Mission
2207 4 St SWOne of the Best places in Calgary to have your breakfast/brunch
Another favorite place for breakfast which is only 10mins drive from our house. Laid-back spot serving Dutch classics, especially sweet & savory versions of crêpe-style pancakes.
13 locals recommend
Pfanntastic Pannenkoek Haus
2439 54 Ave SWAnother favorite place for breakfast which is only 10mins drive from our house. Laid-back spot serving Dutch classics, especially sweet & savory versions of crêpe-style pancakes.