Top 5 Things to See and Do in Calgary
So, you’re going to Calgary? The Wild West! Calgary is an incredibly lively Canadian city, with so much to offer tourists.
Here is our list of the top 5 things you need to do on your trip to Calgary this summer!
1. Rent A Bike along the Bow River
We had two hours downtown one afternoon and wanted to see as much as we could within that short period of time. We found Rath Bicycle’s little shop and rented bikes for an hour. It was the perfect way to see downtown and explore the Bow River. Plus, Rath’s customer service was incredible! They gave us maps, and showed us all the key places to stop along our hour long loop. We highly recommend popping by to say hello, rent a bike, or check out the adorable cruisers they rent out/ sell. Benny and I got matching His & Hers vintage style cruisers, and they even let me try out their new light pink cruiser with a basket (swoon!)
2. Prince’s Island Park
This was one of the stops on our bike journey. This was a nice place to sit and relax, while enjoying the views of the city skyline. If we had more time, we would have loved to have packed a picnic and some books, and spent the afternoon lounging in the summer sun.
3. Go to the Stampede
By total fluke, we were in Calgary during the Stampede! We arrived at the grounds by train (super easy and convenient), and made sure we got there early to beat some of the crowds. We booked tickets to see the afternoon rodeo, went on some rides, and enjoyed lots of great food! (Mac & Cheese hot dogs, perogie poutine and more!) We also were able to see some incredible musical artists in concert, so be sure to check out who is playing each day! Ben and I both are really not into country music… sorry, folks. But, we were amazed at the variety of musical artists who played at the stampede each day. For example, 2019 had Deathcab for Cutie, Metric, Tribe Called Red, Feist, Tiesto, Dj Pauly D, and more. For all you country lovers out there, Zac Brown Band, Tim McGraw, and more were also in attendance.
Overall, if you’re able to check out the Calgary Stampede, DO IT!
4. Calgary Tower
This was an incredible place to see the city, and look at the rocky mountains in the distance. The line up to head up and down the tower was not too long, even in July (their busiest season for tourists), and was reasonably priced at $18 each.
From the top, the 360 views are incredible, and the glass floor is quite the experience (especially for someone who is afraid of heights like me haha). There was even a mini movie theater at the top, which showcased a short film all about the making of the Tower. We highly recommend taking the time to head up and enjoy the breathtaking views.
**Afterwards, walk to 8 Avenue, which includes lots of great places to grab a bite to each. Our personal favourite is El Furniture Warehouse (all food is $5.95, baby!)
5. Check out the Library
Architecture & books! Sign me up! The new Central Library in Calgary is a sight to behold! It is stunningly beautiful, while being incredibly functional. It has embraced the balance between old & new, and does so in a gorgeous way. It is definitely worth stopping in to see and strolling through.
