City: Calgary
Top Things to do in Calgary
What to do and see in Calgary, Canada: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
The sophisticated city that grew out of the Canadian West, Calgary balances the modern and the traditional with pioneer charm. For the full western experience, show up in time for the annual Calgary Stampede, complete with rodeos. Year-round you'll find abundant shopping, dining and nightlife; a short drive away are some of Canada's finest national parks.
Restaurants in Calgary
1. Big Rock Brewery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 334 reviews
Please note that due to COVID-19 Tours are temporarily cancelled. Whether you're a craft beer newbie or a seasoned imbiber... a tour through Big Rock Brewery, Canada's leading craft brewery, is a great way to spend some of your valued time in Calgary. A team of beer passionate folks who live, love and drink craft beer will lead you through a 90-minute brewery tour and tasting that is both informative and fun. All tours are booked in advance through our website and cost $25 per person, which includes a tasting. Standard tour times are Thursday & Fridays at 7:00pm and Saturdays at 12:30pm & 3:00pm.
Reviewed By katherinetC9238RS
What a wonderful tour! Our awesome tour guide Nick, was very knowledgeable (with humour) and approachable! No question went unanswered. We got to experience beer making at its finest! I actually LOVE Big Rock Beer after all of our taste testing! I hope everyone gets Nick you’ll love his passion for this company! Left us feeling informed and smiling, thanks!
2. Glenbow Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 868 reviews
At Glenbow, history buffs, art lovers and pop culture fanatics can all find something inspiring. Explore fascinating historical galleries and exhibitions of art and culture from around the world. We are conveniently located in downtown Calgary on Stephen Avenue Mall, just steps from the Calgary Tower and one block away from the C-Train LRT line.
Reviewed By stevetN3509KX - Faversham, United Kingdom
Spent around 5 hours in the museum, it’s vast (especially level 3) and covers a wide variety of subjects including local history, art, First Nation and international exhibits. The museum is spread across 3 floors and there are many exhibits so be prepared for a long visit if you want to see everything. Shop is well appointed and there are coffee shops and restaurants close by. There is also a school class room on site which was nice to see as the children were clearly enjoying their work. Learnt a heap of stuff about Canada that I didn’t know before and it supplemented the knowledge we’d got from the national heritage museum which we’d visited the day before. If you have the time, then it’s well worth a visit.
3. Prince's Island Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,398 reviews
This recreational island is located in the Bow River, providing stressed-out urbanites opportunities to bike, hike and fish.
Reviewed By JLOUcomotion7
This is one of the most beautiful parks in Calgary. This is a must-go-to park for those who are visiting, for sure. Peace Bridge is there, Kensington, the popular stairs where people go to for either pictures or do cardio, fancy restaurants, rafting, Eau Claire Market mall, Sheraton Hotel, movie theatre, YMCA, they’re all nearby. It’s so nice to go for a walk or run or bike, or sit by the river. There’s even lots of events that’s going on there. Whoever said it’s a boring park and there’s nothing to do here, has obviously never explored much.
4. Nose Hill Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 360 reviews
This park's rugged, hilly terrain is full of paths and trails for hikers, bikers and runners.
Reviewed By O7059EArossm - Airdrie, Canada
Awesome ride on EBikes - well we checked out the park - 14.4 Kms- on and off pathways and into the fields and single path trails. Awesome views of downtown, mountains and Olympic Park
5. Fish Creek Provincial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 971 reviews
One of the largest urban wildernesses in the world, with over 54 miles of trails for hiking, biking and running.
Reviewed By JimDCalgary - Calgary, Canada
If you're into birding, want to spend the day cycling some beautiful bike paths, planning a family picnic, swim at Sikome Lake, fly fishing on the Bow River, or simply go for a walk in nature, you should visit this park when you come to Calgary. This is where south Calgarians go to relax and have fun right in the city! I'll probably see you there!
6. The Calgary Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,462 reviews
From the splendor of the Rocky Mountains to the heart of Destination Africa, The Calgary Zoo takes you to see almost 900 animals from around the world. Trek through the gorilla’s rainforest, safari over the Savannah to watch the hippos swim, or climb the Canadian Wilds to see a grizzly bear. Cool off and get beak to nose with 4 species of penguins in our popular Penguin Plunge or visit endangered red pandas and amur tigers in Eurasia! Wind down your trip with a walk through our fragrant Dorothy Harvie Gardens or sit with the butterflies in ENMAX Conservatory. You'll love knowing that every visit helps protect endangered animals at home and in the wild. NEW in 2017 is the unique and immersive permanent Land of Lemurs exhibit. Coming in 2018 are the iconic giant pandas!
Reviewed By 672wadey - Lloydminster, Canada
We took kids here several times really enjoyed the displays the animals seem healthy and well taken care of , the dinosaurs part was a big hit for the kids and are wanting to go again with the grandkids
7. Heritage Park Historical Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,133 reviews
When you have the choice of everything from a thundering steam train to antique midway rides to beautifully preserved heritage buildings and homesteads, deciding what to do first isn't easy. Located in Calgary, Alberta, Heritage Park is Canada's largest living history museum, with hundreds of exhibits, rides, shops, restaurants and daily demonstrations and activities to keep the young and the young-at-heart captivated in the past. No two days at the Park are the same, so come back as often as you like for a history lesson you won't find in any textbook. Our operating season is from mid-May to early October each year.
Reviewed By U8385FQmarys
Our tour started with a delicious pancake breakfast in gasoline alley followed by an interesting tour provided by our guide, Kate. There is so much to see and do. We loved travelling by the paddle wheeler across Glenmore Reservoir, travelling on the train and sampling freshly baked cinnamon buns from the bakery. The staff and volunteers were great at role playing and made the experience fun. The amusement park circa 1910 was astonishingly advanced and we sampled a couple of the rides. We were limited to 3 hours which passed by very quickly. We hope to return with family members to Heritage Park sometime soon.
8. Bow River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 741 reviews
This feisty waterway is popular for its adjacent walkways used by walkers and bicyclers.
Reviewed By 9rocket9 - Medicine Hat, Canada
Kayaked from Bowness to the Peace Bridge in downtown Calgary, had an absolute blast! Some fast water and some calm! Lots of people out but very calming
9. Calgary Pathway System
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 570 reviews
A series of paths used for recreational purposes.
Reviewed By coldbike
These are some of the best recreational pathways I have seen anywhere. I have biked and walked many of them, and they are all different and all enjoyable. From Forest, to prairie, to river bank, to inner city, these paths have it all.
10. The Military Museums
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 553 reviews
The Military Museums. Discover the victories, tragedies, and sacrifices of the Canadian Forces. Experience life at the helm in a Second World War ship's wheelhouse, walk through a First World War trench, and witness a bomber squadron's mission over enemy territory. The Military Museums is dedicated to representing Canada's navy, army, and air force, and educating the public, particularly youth, about Canada's military. Admission: Adults $10, Seniors $5, Youth 7-17 $4, Family $20, Children 6 and under are free. Free admission for veterans and Canadian Forces personnel. Hours: Weekdays 9:00 AM to 5 PM, Weekends & Statutory Holidays 9:30 AM to 4 PM. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's day. TMM is a Canadian Forces tri-service history, heritage, art, research, and educational institution. It is composed of the following organizations: * Naval Museum of Alberta * Army Museum of Alberta * Air Force Museum of Alberta * Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) Museum * Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Museum and Archives * The King's Own Calgary Regiment (Royal Canadian Armoured Corps) Museum * The Calgary Highlanders Regimental Museum and Archives * The University of Calgary Military Museums Library and Archives. The Museum of the Regiments was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 30 June 1990. The Queen Elizabeth II Atrium was dedicated to Her Majesty during the visit of Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh on 25 May 2005. The Military Museums was renamed “The Military Museums” (TMM) by Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex during the visit of Her Royal Highness on 3 June 2006.TMM’s $18.5 million capital expansion and renovation has seen the facility grow from 52,000 sq ft to 104,000 sq ft, making it the second largest military museum in Canada. The expanded facility is now tri-service and includes the relocated Naval Museum of Alberta and the newly-created Air Force Museum of Alberta.TMM’s education programs are tied in with Alberta’s provincial education curriculum and have won both provincial and national awards of excellence.
Reviewed By travellerkid1924
This is a great place to go if you want to spend a couple of hours learning about world War one and two and other Wars that the Canadian army fought and there's also a navy and air force museum connected to it and you don't have to pay for it separately it's included in the regular admission so I recommend it
