25 Best Things To Do in Calgary

Calgary is one of the best places to visit if you’re planning a trip to Alberta, Canada. There are plenty of things to do in Calgary, Alberta, and it’s a great destination for people of all ages. Not only is there a wide range of attractions and activities, but there’s also a wealth of national parks and scenic areas for you to enjoy regardless of the time of year.

In this post, we list 25 of the best things to do in Calgary. We have options for families, adults and couples, so you’re sure to find different activities to make the most of your stay.

1. Calgary Zoo

Located right on St. George's Island and surrounded by the Bow River, the Calgary Zoo is a great attraction to check out during your stay. This zoo first opened in 1929 and has over 1,000 animals from around the world. The zoo hosts regular events, like safari brunches on Sundays, as well as holiday events, like ZOOLIGHTS during the winter time. The zoo has different “zones,” like Wild Canada and Destination Africa, where you can find various animals from different regions.

2. Glenbow Museum

The Glenbow Museum is one of the most educational things to do in Calgary, Canada, as it showcases different cultural artifacts from the area. Many of the exhibits teach visitors about Indigenous Canadians, like those belonging to the Blackfoot Confederacy. The different exhibit areas include Native North America, Community History and Minerals. The museum also has guided tours of different collections.

3. Heritage Park Historical Village

There are many great outdoor activities in Calgary, and one that offers a beautiful setting is the Heritage Park Historical Village. The park is somewhat of a living museum. You’ll find horse-drawn wagons, a 19th-century paddle wheeler, a working steam train and much more history from the area. Not only can you ride on the steam train, but you can also take a tour of the S.S. Moyie.

4. Calgary Tower

If you ask most people what to do in Calgary, they’ll likely mention the Calgary Tower. This is one of the city’s most famous attractions, located in the heart of its downtown area. This iconic tower has been around since the late 1960s and offers 360-degree views of the city, as well as the snow-capped Canadian Rocky Mountains. You can get a ticket to take the elevator to the top of the tower, where you’ll find an observation deck with binoculars and a restaurant that rotates to give you great views of the area.

5. Scotiabank Saddledome

Sports fans visiting Calgary can catch an ice hockey game at the Scotiabank Saddledome. This stadium is the home of the Calgary Flames, and you can see them play during hockey season. Throughout the year, the stadium also hosts various concerts and events, so be sure to check their calendar before your trip.  

6. Spark Science Centre

The TELUS World of Science is a spectacular building to see during the nighttime when the geodesic dome lights up the area. During the day, you can visit Science World, one of the more fun things for families visiting Calgary. Inside, different galleries host exhibits about various aspects of science, like physics and illusions. They also have an OMNIMAX dome movie theater and regular live science demonstrations. 

7. Canadian Rockies By Train

If you’re planning a longer stay, you can see Calgary, along with more of Canada, by taking this train tour. The Canadian Rockies by Train allows you to explore the mountainous region on a multiday train tour with plenty of stops along the way. You’ll see areas like Lake Louise and the Athabasca Glacier. The train also goes through additional locations, like Vancouver, where you’ll visit Stanley Park and Granville Island.

8. Calgary Stampede

One of the best ways to celebrate Canada’s Western heritage is by going to the Calgary Stampede. This annual event started back in 1923 and has a lot of different activities for the whole family to enjoy. There are First Nations cultural events, a midway, blacksmithing competitions and chuck wagon races. The Calgary Stampede also features various rodeo events, which it’s most known for. 

9. Fort Calgary

Just east of Downtown Calgary, you can visit one of the city’s most historic locations, Fort Calgary. Built in the late 1800s, this wooden fort is over 100 years old and was constructed by the North West Mounted Police. When visiting Fort Calgary, you can go to the interactive exhibits and take a guided tour to learn more about the history of the area’s mounted police. There are replica barracks on location as well.

10. Bow River

The Bow River goes through Calgary, so you can see it whether you’re downtown or near the edge of town. For a more relaxing time near the river, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can head toward the western side of the city. Here, you’ll find the Bow River Trail, a great hiking trail with some picturesque views and scenery. The river also offers additional fun outdoor activities like kayaking and fly fishing. One of the best parts about visiting the Bow River is that it’s perfect if you’re on a budget in Calgary.

11. Calaway Park

Whether you’re looking for family fun or traveling as a group of adults, Calaway Park is a great way to spend a day in Calgary. Calaway Park is an amusement park with an assortment of rides and attractions for everyone to enjoy. The park has exciting roller coasters, bumper boats, and classic carnival rides like the Dream Machine and Free Fallin’. It’s also helpful to note that Calaway Park is seasonal and typically open during the summer months.

12. The Hangar Flight Museum

The western part of Canada has some rich aviation history, which you’ll find at the Hangar Flight Museum. The museum has many exhibits featuring aircraft from throughout the area’s history, like the Avro 652 Anson MK. II, which dates back to the 1940s, as well as the Barkley Grow T8P-1. There are many more aircraft at the museum, along with an impressive engine collection.

13. Studio Bell

Studio Bell in Calgary is a state-of-the-art cultural center, and it’s also where you can find the National Music Centre. The Studio Bell is roughly 160,000 square feet and has plenty to do and see. Here, you’ll find a museum, performance hall, radio station, media center and recording studios. There are also over 20 exhibitions, and you can come here to enjoy some live music.

14. Medalta

The Medalta is another historical site in Calgary that’s open to visitors for tours and pottery workshops. The Medalta was open from 1916 to the 1950s and was a factory that created various forms of pottery, like dishes and storage crocks. Today, you can visit the museum to see their massive beehive kilns and the Yuill Family Gallery. They also have pottery classes for adults as well as children. 

15. Glacier National Park Getaway

Glacier National Park is just outside of Calgary and offers an incredible adventure for those who love the outdoors. This getaway is four days and three nights long, and you’ll go on a sightseeing journey through the area. This national park has a wide range of wildlife, like bears, deer and elk. You’ll stay at the Glacier Lodge and also take a boat cruise through Two Medicine Valley to get great views of the area.

16. Banff Area 1-Day Tour

Banff National Park is roughly 90 minutes west of Calgary and is another one of the perfect attractions for those who either want some relaxation or adventure. This specific Banff area 1-day tour takes you along a walking trail in Johnston Canyon, to Banff Avenue for lunch and to Bow Falls. While at Banff, you can also kayak and zip line in the summer or go skiing and snowboarding in the winter.

17. Calgary Bar Crawl

If you’re in an adult group visiting the city, you’ll definitely enjoy a night out doing the Calgary Bar Crawl. This self-guided bar crawl uses the popular Let’s Roam app, so you can go at your own pace. While using the app, you’ll stop at great bars in the area, see some great Calgary landmarks and answer trivia along the way. 

18. Lake Minnewanka-Lake Louise-Yoho National Park Day Trip

Just 15 minutes east of Banff, you can take a day trip to Lake Minnewanka, and you can also visit the nearby Yoho National Park and Lake Louise. Gorgeous foliage surrounds both Lake Louise and Lake Minnewanka, and you can hang out by the water for the day. At Yoho National Park, you can go on a shale fossil hike, go camping and visit the spiral tunnels.

19. 3-Hour Bike Ride Tour

If you’re looking to explore the city of Calgary, this three-hour bike tour is a great way to do it. On this tour, you’ll see many different points of interest throughout the city and also ride along the Bow River. Some of the popular stops on this tour are the Peace Bridge, Prince’s Island Park, Fort Calgary and the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum.

20. Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology

The Royal Tyrrell Museum is a great place to visit if you’re taking a family trip to Calgary. This museum specializes in dinosaurs, and they have over 130,000 fossils as well as 30 complete dinosaur skeletons. There are 10 different galleries within the museum, and they also host activities like outdoor hikes and dig experiences where you can search for fossils in the area.

21. Kananaskis River Rafting Adventure

For those looking for some adventure while in Calgary, you can go rafting in the Kananaskis River. This rafting adventure is hosted by professional guides who will teach you how to paddle and give safety instructions for your journey, which lasts about 90 minutes to two hours. While rafting, you may also see some wildlife along the banks of the river, as well as eagles soaring above.

22. Snowshoeing in Kananaskis

If you’re visiting Calgary during the winter months and are looking for some outdoor activities in the snow, head over to Kananaskis. Kananaskis is covered with thick snow in the winter, and you can take a snowshoeing tour through the area. Snowshoeing is a 6000-year-old way people have traveled around the Kananaskis Valley, and you can embrace the experience as you enjoy the incredible landscapes surrounding the valley.

23. Jasper National Park 2-Day Tour

Jasper National Park is just a few hours outside of the city of Calgary, and it’s perfect for exploring the Canadian Rockies during your stay. You can take a 2-day Jasper National Park tour to take in the beauty of the Canadian wilderness. On this tour, you’ll ride on the all-terrain Ice Explorer as you visit the Athabasca Glacier, and you’ll also get to see some of the waterfalls in the area. There’s also a 918-foot-high walkway that gives you great views of the wildlife and scenery.

24. Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site

The Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site is a fun historic location for the whole family. The mines date back to the 1930s, with over 130 mines in the area. This Calgary tourist attraction offers guided tours of the mines, and you can also go on their Mine Portal hike or ride on their 90-year-old train. While here, you’ll learn the history of the mines, the processing plant and about the Indigenous people from the area.

25. Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

In addition to being able to attend a Calgary Flames hockey game, sports fans can visit Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is over 40,000 square feet and hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 1988. There are various interactive exhibits where you can learn about different, lesser-known sports and try them as well. The Hall of Fame also has over 1,000 sports artifacts on display.

Book Your Calgary, AB Trip Through AAA

If you’re planning a trip to Calgary, AB, be sure to book your trip with AAA Travel Services. We have a friendly team of agents who can help you organize your trip that fits within your budget and gives you an unforgettable experience. And with our AAA membership, you can enjoy the benefits of discounts on hotels, rental cars and more while also getting the benefits of roadside service.