Once a farming and ranching town, Calgary has experienced expansive growth thanks to the escalating price of its richest resource: oil. Now Calgary is Canada’s third largest municipality, offering a modern urban culture that embraces its pioneer past. It’s easy to discover Calgary’s attractions: The well-planned city is laid out in a grid and has an excellent public transportation system. Get a bird’s-eye view of the city from the observation deck of the Calgary Tower. The Calgary Stampede is the city’s most well-known event, attracting over a million visitors with its 10-day line-up of rodeos, music and agricultural displays. Cheer with the crowd for the displays of horsemanship in the chuck wagon derby and hold your breath at the competitive bareback bull riding. When the stampede’s not in town, you can still see animal life at the Calgary Zoo where you’ll be immersed in habitats from Canada and beyond, as well as from the past! The zoo features a Prehistoric Park, where life-size replicas of dinosaurs roam through ancient landscapes. In the Drumheller Valley, around 85 miles (135 kilometers) from Calgary, you’ll find the fossils these replicas are based on at the Royal Tyrrell Museum. If you’re visiting in winter, there’s plenty of skiing, snowboarding, bobsledding and ice skating on offer at Canada Olympic Park. If you’re an indoor type, check out the art galleries south of downtown on Stephen Avenue and the Glenbow Museum downtown. In the evening, head to downtown Jubilee Auditorium for a Broadway musical, an opera or a ballet. Or, try one of the multicultural restaurants across the Bow River at 17th Avenue Southeast, also known as International Avenue. Here you’ll find diverse flavors from Ethiopia, Portugal, Vietnam, India, the Philippines, Hong Kong and more. Foodies will love the gourmet tours of this area! Calgary is also the gateway to ski villages such as Banff, Canmore and Kananaskis. It’s also close to the Alberta Badlands, a photogenic wonderland of strange rock formations, paleontological finds and ghost towns.
Calgary
![Scotiabank Saddledome featuring a park, a sunset and landscape views](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/515000/515509-alberta.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)
Where to stay in Calgary
![Prince\'s Island Park featuring a city, a high rise building and street scenes](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/515000/515376-downtown-calgary.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium)
Downtown Calgary
Dense urban district with a mix of residential, commercial, and corporate areas, Downtown Calgary offers shopping and dining along the pedestrian-friendly Stephen Avenue Walk. Explore attractions like the Devonian Gardens, Calgary Tower, and Glenbow Museum, or take advantage of the free CTrain light rail along 7th Avenue S.
![17 Avenue SW which includes outdoor art](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/515000/515232-17-avenue-sw.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium)
Southwest Calgary
Southwest Calgary is a destination travelers like for its river views, and you might hop aboard the metro at Southland Station or Anderson Station to explore sights like Stampede Park.
![Peace Bridge showing a city, a bridge and a river or creek](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/515000/515309-peace-bridge.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium)
Northwest Calgary
If you're spending time in Northwest Calgary, check out sights like Market Mall or Nose Hill Park and hop on the metro to see more the city at Dalhousie Station or Crowfoot Station.
![Inglewood featuring a small town or village](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/515000/515206-inglewood.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium)
Southeast Calgary
If you're spending time in Southeast Calgary, check out sights like Calgary Zoo or Deerfoot Casino and hop on the metro to see more the city at Chinook Station or 39th Avenue Station.
![Default Image](https://mediaim.expedia.com/destination/1/729b5a2b532558525e15e72e13eb7262.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium)
University District
Take time in University District to visit attractions like Olympic Oval and Trans Canada Pipeline Arch. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at Banff Trail Station to see more of the city.
![Default Image](https://mediaim.expedia.com/destination/9/4c50063253864ff91572e337437fe789.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium)
Banff Trail
If you're passing through Banff Trail, you may want to check out its live music. From there, jump on the metro at Banff Trail Station to see more of the area.
![Acclaim Hotel By CLIQUE](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/3000000/2340000/2333500/2333447/98b9a84e_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
Reviewed on Jul 23, 2024
![Divya Sutra Plaza and Conference Centre Calgary Airport](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/430000/428700/428621/148bf18f_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
Reviewed on Jul 25, 2024
![Holiday Inn Calgary-Airport, an IHG Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/10000/5200/5177/e0637229_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
Reviewed on Jul 26, 2024
![GLOBALSTAY. Modern Downtown Condos. Free parking](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/46000000/45840000/45838600/45838600/837b35e7_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
Reviewed on Jul 24, 2024
![New Apartments in Cranston by GLOBALSTAY](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/92000000/91980000/91979100/91979058/008f3c8f_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
Reviewed on Jul 23, 2024
![Monki-Di Executive Suites - Alura](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/18000000/17460000/17457500/17457407/d7090614_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
Reviewed on Jul 13, 2024
Getting around Calgary
Make the most of Calgary’s great location close to stunning countryside by renting a car. Organize your rental at the airport or at one of the many car rental services in the city center. Within Calgary itself, you can easily get around on the public buses and the LRT, known as the C-Train. The heart of the city can be explored on foot, and copious bike paths make it simple to get around on two wheels. Visit the Calgary Transit website.Browse Calgary rental cars.
Best time to visit
Beautiful Calgary is renowned for the stunning scenery that surrounds it and the many opportunities for outdoor fun it offers. Take full advantage of the city’s natural charms by visiting when the weather will allow for lots of time outdoors. Avoid the icy winter and choose instead to come between May and September, when daytime temperatures will be pleasant and you will only need a jacket in the evenings.
Popular places to visit
Calgary Zoo
See exotic animals and even dinosaurs as you wander through botanic gardens and re-creations of diverse habitats ranging from Africa to South America.
Scotiabank Saddledome
Watch exciting professional hockey games, lacrosse matches, or famous musical acts in this former Olympic ice arena in downtown Calgary.
Calgary Tower
With a tourist information center and views over the zoo, Olympic Plaza, Old City Hall and Chinatown, this downtown landmark is the ideal place to get your bearings.
Canada Olympic Park
Ski the slopes, take a bobsled ride, catch an ice hockey game and tackle mountain biking trails at this park that was opened for the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Chinook Centre
You can do some window-shopping at Chinook Centre during your trip to Calgary. Discover the top-notch restaurants and acclaimed theater scene in this vibrant area.
BMO Centre
Learn about the events happening at BMO Centre during your trip to Calgary. Amble around this vibrant area's riverfront or experience its acclaimed theater scene.
Things to do
Full Day Tour in Moraine Lake, Lake Louise & Yoho N.P.
Lake Louise Moraine Lake JohnstonCanyon fromCalgary/Canmore/Banff
In-Depth Banff Area & Canyon Day Tour from Calgary or Banff
Calgary: 3-Hour Sightseeing Bus Tour
Full Day Tour in Columbia Icefields, Peyto lake and Bow lake
Day Tour to Banff Gondola Hot Springs Johnston Canyon fromCalgary
Reviews of Calgary
1/5 - Terrible
There’s nothing to do here
4/5 - Good
We enjoyed Banff & Lake Louis more than Calgary, but it was winter. The Zoo was Awesome! The hockey game would have been walkable from apartment had Covid-19 not shut it down. Can’t wait to visit again.
4/5 - Good
Just passing through.
5/5 - Excellent
beats Detroit!
4/5 - Good
Clean and small city with much attractions except going to Banff.
5/5 - Excellent
Great. Winter sports lover will enjoy during the season. Summer time also great for outdoor activity. Banff is nearby.
Other places like Calgary
- Stampede Park
- Calgary Zoo
- Calgary TELUS Convention Centre
- University of Calgary
- Scotiabank Saddledome
- Calgary Tower
- Grey Eagle Casino
- Cross Iron Mills Mall
- Canada Olympic Park
- Calaway Park
- Foothills Medical Centre
- Chinook Centre
- BMO Centre
- Spruce Meadows
- 17 Avenue SW
- McMahon Stadium
- Deerfoot Casino
- Heritage Park Historical Village
- Sunridge Mall
- Prince's Island Park
- Alberta Children's Hospital
- Shawnessy Shopping Centre
- TELUS Spark
- South Health Campus
- Max Bell Centre
- Fort Calgary Historic Park
- Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
- Stephen Avenue
- WinSport
- Market Mall