Visit Calgary’s Beltline neighborhood for an area that’s easy to get around on foot. The city community in Canada’s province of Alberta is a dream for walkers and cyclists, with many things to see and do within its 1.1-square-mile (2.9-square-kilometer) area. Dine or have a drink at over 370 restaurants, bars and coffee shops in this conveniently compact neighborhood.
Relax in Central Memorial Park, Calgary’s oldest park, which resembles a formal Victorian garden. At one end is Memorial Park Library, opened in 1912. The spot became a national historic site as the first public library in the province. Pride in the area’s heritage is shown by the extensive preservation of older buildings, with many repurposed for businesses.
The neighborhood’s name refers to a section of the city’s earlier trolley route, popularly known as the Belt Line, which connected the area with downtown. The city surrounds the neighborhood, with the downtown sector serving as one boundary and the Elbow River as another. Adjacent to the community is the setting for the famous Calgary Stampede, termed the greatest outdoor show on earth. Attend this celebration held each year in July.
Families go to Thomson Family Park for its playgrounds, walking paths, open green space and public artwork. In winter, the park has an outdoor skating rink.
Plan to visit Paul Kuhn Gallery for contemporary Canadian art exhibitions. Located in an area of Beltline known as the Calgary Design District, the Gibson Fine Art gallery promotes local and regional artists. Spend a full day exploring the district and its unique stores and art galleries.
Travel to Calgary on an extensive list of airlines that fly to its airport, travel by rail or drive to this western Canadian city. In the city, get to Beltline via public bus or light rail.
