10 Things to Do in Calgary

If you want to visit a destination that harmoniously combines metropolitan life with natural landscapes, then Calgary is definitely worth considering. Located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, this city offers everything from shops and museums to parks and trails that provide some of the best views in North America.

Among the best activities you can do in Calgary are visiting the Calgary Tower observation deck, touring the picturesque Heritage Park, visiting the Military Museum, and exploring the city's surroundings, where you will find Banff National Park, one of the oldest in Canada and renowned for its panoramic views.

Calgary Tower is one of the city's most iconic landmarks and also one of the best places to enjoy panoramic views of this destination and its surroundings. Opened in 1968 as Husky Tower, it was built to commemorate Canada's centennial and stands 191 metres tall, making it a landmark from which to discover the urban landscape and the Rocky Mountains.

From the observation deck , you can enjoy a 360-degree view that stretches from the skyscrapers of downtown Calgary to the vast plains surrounding the city. On clear days, you can see the Canadian Rockies, and from the glass floor, you can experience the sensation of walking in the air more than 150 metres above the ground.

In addition to the views, Calgary Tower offers an educational experience through interactive exhibits that tell the story of the city and the development of the tower. The information panels on the platform highlight key points of interest that you can see from above, such as McMahon Stadium, home of the Calgary Stampeders, or the Bow River, which winds its way through the city.

Due to its inextricable link with the city, Calgary Tower is often included when booking a guided tour of Calgary or traditional activities that take in the main sites of this destination.

Heritage Park Historical Village is one of Canada's largest and most popular history museums. This one-of-a-kind interactive park offers visitors a journey back in time to discover what life was like in Western Canada from the 1860s to the mid-20th century. The park features more than 180 restored and recreated historic buildings, providing a window into the past to learn about the history and development of the region.

One of the main attractions of Heritage Park, located on the Canadian Rocky Mountain route, is the opportunity to tour the site on an authentic steam train, allowing you to appreciate the landscape in an authentic way. In addition, in the park you will find actors dressed in period clothing who play characters from the past, such as blacksmiths, bakers and merchants, and recreate everyday life from yesteryear.

The park is divided into several themed areas, each representing a different historical period. In the 1860s section, you can see how indigenous peoples and fur traders lived. The early 20th century area recreates a thriving town with shops, schools and even a railway station. In the 1930s section, you can learn about the impact of the discovery of oil on Alberta's economy.

When you purchase tickets to visit Heritage Park, you not only gain access to a historical experience, but also find a place to enjoy with your family, with carriage rides, old-fashioned amusement parks and themed restaurants. In addition, special events such as Christmas markets and harvest festivals are held here throughout the year.

If you want to visit one of Calgary's most popular sites, don't miss the National Music Centre, known as Studio Bell. This space combines a museum, an educational centre and a performance venue, all in an architectural building that has transformed the city's landscape. Studio Bell's key objective is to preserve and promote Canada's musical heritage.

Inside Studio Bell, you can explore a collection of more than 2,000 musical instruments and objects spanning several centuries of history. From historic pianos to synthesizers and electric guitars, the National Music Centre's collection offers a window into the evolution of music both nationally and internationally.

One of the museum's most notable pieces is the Kimball theatre organ, a monumental instrument from the 1920s that can still be heard in action during live demonstrations. If you want to book tickets for Studio Bell, you can also visit the special exhibition featuring the mobile recording console used by legendary artists such as the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan.

The museum not only displays historical instruments and objects, but also invites visitors to experience music in immersive exhibitions. In these exhibitions, you can test your musical talent at instrument stations, record sounds and create your own mixes. In addition, you will find workshops and activities designed for all ages, making it a suitable activity for the whole family.

Calgary's Olympic Plaza is an open space located in the city centre that celebrates the legacy of the 1988 Winter Olympics, which were the first to be held in Canada. This plaza was created as a hub of activity during the games and has since remained a meeting and recreation spot for locals and tourists alike.

One of the most notable features of Olympic Plaza is its fountain, which becomes an outdoor skating rink during the winter months. In addition, the plaza hosts cultural events, concerts and festivals throughout the year, making it the city's ground zero, which is why it is included when you book the Calgary guided tour.

Those looking for a place to rest between excursions will find spacious areas with benches and green spaces in Olympic Plaza where they can enjoy the expansive views. Its central location makes it an ideal place to take a break after visiting the nearby Glenbow Museum, Calgary Tower or after browsing the shops and restaurants on Stephen Avenue, the city's busiest pedestrian street.

In addition to being a recreational area, the plaza also has significant symbolic value. The Olympic rings and commemorative sculptures that adorn the space pay tribute to the 1988 Winter Games, reminding visitors of Calgary's fundamental role in the history of Olympic sport since it was chosen as the winter host city.

Confederation Park is a natural oasis in the middle of Calgary, ideal for those seeking a quiet place to relax or enjoy outdoor activities. This extensive 160-hectare park is a space much appreciated by locals and tourists who want to escape the urban hustle and bustle and connect with nature without straying too far from the metropolitan centre.

The park is known for its picturesque landscapes, with trails winding along a tree-lined stream, perfect for walking, running or cycling. During spring and summer, the meadows are filled with wildflowers and the green areas become allies of visitors, who can rest in the shade of the trees. Confederation Park also has children's playgrounds and golf courses.

However, one of the park's highlights is the ornamental pond and fountain, which create the perfect atmosphere for relaxation. Throughout the year, you can spot different birds, and in winter, you will find the perfect place for sledding and cross-country skiing. This is why this park is usually included in the itinerary of the Calgary bike tour at all times of the year.

Nose Hill Park is one of Canada's largest urban parks and a paradise for those who enjoy nature and outdoor photography. Covering more than 11 square kilometres, this park offers wide open spaces and hills that provide panoramic views of the city, the Rocky Mountains and the surrounding plains.

Established in the 1980s to preserve the natural ecosystem, it is now a park with a wide variety of native plant species and wildlife, making it an excellent location for amateur and professional photographers. Among the animals that can be observed and photographed are coyotes, deer, hares, and native birds.

In addition to its photographic appeal, Nose Hill Park is an excellent place for walking and exploring nature. The park has a network of trails, many of them paved and others unpaved, which are perfect for both walking and cycling. Along these trails, you will also find lookout points, which on clear days allow you to see the Rocky Mountains on the horizon.

Nose Hill is usually included when booking a guided tour of Calgary.

If you enjoy military exhibitions, you can visit the Calgary Military Museum, which is the second largest of its kind in the country and offers an in-depth experience of the conflicts in which Canada has been involved, as well as the impact these events have had on its society. The museum covers more than a century of military history, from the two world wars to UN peacekeeping missions.

At this Military Museum, you can see a collection of armoured vehicles, tanks and aircraft used in various battles. You can also take photos with one of the Shermans on display, a heavy tank model that was vital during the Second World War, and learn about how it worked and its role in combat.

In the section dedicated to military aviation , you can see aircraft used in historic missions in an exhibition that allows visitors to have a tangible experience of the machinery and technology that have defined the battlefield over the years.

In addition to vehicles, the museum houses a collection of military equipment and historical uniforms that tell the story of the Canadian soldiers' experience. The exhibits detail everything from life in the trenches of the First World War to the challenges and sacrifices faced by the military during the Cold War and in more recent peacekeeping operations in the most diverse corners of the globe.

One of Calgary's main attractions is its location on the Canadian Rocky Mountain route. And one of the best places to discover the panoramic views of this mountain range is Banff National Park, which is the oldest in Canada and one of the most visited in the world.

This park was founded in the late 19th century and was created to protect the nearby hot springs and surrounding mountains . It has also had a significant influence on the economic development of the region, as its history is linked to the development of the transcontinental railway and the first explorers who arrived at the park thanks to the Canadian Pacific Railway, which also promoted the construction of the Banff Springs Hotel.

This site is known for its alpine landscape, which includes crystal-clear lakes, ancient glaciers and peaks that attract visitors from all over the world. In addition, when you book a trip to Banff National Park from Calgary, you can also see Lake Louise, popular for its turquoise waters and fairytale setting, and Moraine Lake, whose icy waters can be discovered from the scenic trail that runs along its shores.

In addition to its natural beauty, Banff is an ideal place for wildlife lovers. The park is home to grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves and bald eagles, which can be seen in their natural environment. You can explore the park on foot, by bicycle or on horseback, and you will find picnic and camping areas in this area.

The Kananaskis River, one of the most popular rivers in the Canadian Rockies, is also a destination that captivates nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts. Originating in Kananaskis Country Provincial Park, this river winds through mountainous landscapes, offering a combination of calm waters and exciting rapids .

Located just an hour from Calgary, the Kananaskis River is the ideal place for those seeking an adrenaline-filled experience, as it is considered one of Alberta's best destinations for rafting. Keep in mind that the Kananaskis River is also home to a rich biodiversity, so during the trip you may spot deer, beavers, eagles, and bears.

Booking a rafting experience on the Kananaskis River is a perfect adventure for both beginners and those with previous experience, as along the route you will find a mix of rapids and calmer sections, ideal for enjoying the view of the mountains, the surrounding pine forests and the local wildlife.

After Banff, Yoho National Park is the largest national park in Canada and also one of the most visited. Located two hours by car from Calgary, it is an ideal option for exploring some of the region's most remarkable geological formations, including the limestone cliffs surrounding Kicking Horse Valley and Emerald Lake, whose crystal-clear waters attract visitors from all over the world.

In addition to its landscapes, Yoho National Park is of vital geological and palaeontological importance. Within the park is the Burgess Shale formation, a fossil site dating back more than 500 million years that has revealed a diversity of prehistoric marine species. During your visit, you can walk through this open-air museum and along other marked trails.

Among the most notable natural attractions, you will also find Takakkaw Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in Canada, reaching a height of 373 metres. You can also enjoy the Natural Bridge, where the Kicking Horse River has carved a stone bridge over thousands of years.