Calgary (situated in Alberta, Canada however not the capital, that’s Edmonton) is an easy-to-access, giant, approachable metropolis that works for an extended weekend or a brief break. Right here’s what to do over an extended weekend and why a pitstop in Calgary is journey bucket listing worthy.
What To Do on a Calgary Metropolis Break
Calgary (pronounced Cal-Gree, not Cal-Guh-Ree), a inhabitants of 1.6 million, sits on the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. Calgary’s airport is a couple of 20-30 minute drive from the town’s coronary heart and has direct flights from main U.S. cities resembling New York Metropolis, Los Angeles, and Dallas.
Why Go to Calgary?
In the event you’re watching airfare offers and Calgary comes up, that’s your signal to dig into what this Canadian metropolis affords. Most main airways function flights out and in of Calgary, though some might codeshare with Canadian carriers. Upon leaving Calgary on the finish of my journey, I went by U.S. immigration on the Canadian aspect, so there was no lengthy line after I returned to the U.S.
The town is protected, and the downtown space is walkable, though winter temperatures and icy sidewalks might ship you operating for an Uber or Lyft. There’s additionally a community of indoor sidewalks to maintain pedestrians out of the weather. Calgary’s Plus 15 Community covers 10 miles and connects 86 buildings, together with downtown resorts, eating places, and procuring facilities.
Add a Journey to Banff
If Calgary alone doesn’t pique your curiosity, think about including it to a visit to Banff Nationwide Park, a couple of two-hour drive from Calgary Worldwide Airport. Vacationers flying into Canada to go to Banff or Lake Louise cease at Calgary Worldwide Airport (YYC). Banff is legendary for snowboarding, snowboarding, and year-round out of doors journey, so tacking on a little bit metropolis break provides a enjoyable dimension to a Banff journey.
Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede is a 10-day out of doors rodeo and competition referred to as “The Biggest Out of doors Present on Earth.” The Calgary Stampede is the town’s most well-known occasion yearly in July. The 2023 dates are July 7-16. Along with rodeo occasions, guests will discover halfway rides, leisure, cultural experiences, and a good meals scene. In the event you plan to go to Calgary throughout the Calgary Stampede, make your reservations effectively prematurely and count on crowds and busier venues all through the town.
Listed here are 5 concepts for issues to do year-round in Calgary.
1. Go to The Calgary Tower
The Calgary Tower is a freestanding statement tower in downtown Calgary and a definite a part of the town’s skyline. A visit to the highest will deal with guests to 360-degree views of the town and the Canadian Rockies. There’s additionally a rotating restaurant, Sky360. The tower is lit at night time. The colours rotate and often imply one thing. A schedule on-line will let you know what the colours imply or signify.
Check your braveness by stepping out onto the plexiglass flooring. This expertise affords a sense of stepping off the constructing and isn’t for the faint of coronary heart.
2. Discover Calgary’s East Village Neighborhood
Calgary’s East Village neighborhood is within the coronary heart of downtown and has simply walkable streets with a lot of public artwork. East Village has a mixture of everlasting and non permanent artwork installations to find.
Some of the widespread (and peculiar) items of road artwork in East Village is the Gadget to Root Out Evil by Dennis Oppenheim of New York. This piece of artwork is best often called the “upside-down church” as a result of that’s what it’s. With the steeple buried within the floor, this piece is supposed to offer a thought-provoking have a look at faith, which doesn’t come as a shock given its identify.
One other landmark piece of artwork is the trio of out of doors sculptures at Calgary’s Central Library. Two of the swaying items grace the west aspect of the constructing, whereas a 3rd stands alone on the east, close to the steps resulting in the principle library entrance. An entire listing of East Village road artwork will be discovered right here.
3. Cease by The Calgary Central Library
In the event you’re a e-book lover or library nerd, you’ll wish to put Calgary’s Central Library excessive in your listing of locations to see within the metropolis, however even in the event you’re not, this distinctive area is value a cease. The exterior hexagon patterned structure is exclusive. The within space has the stuff you’d count on a library to have, with a couple of design components and additions that pleasantly shock you.
Guests to the town will most likely not return books, however the course of continues to be exceptional. Watch the Bookscalator – an enormous escalator only for books – in motion. Watching the books go from the e-book drop to the second-floor sorting room is fascinating. There’s a espresso and plant store on the second flooring, a sturdy youngsters’s space, a lot of pure gentle, and a basic sense of airiness. Examine the library’s web site for particular data on programming that you simply may be capable of take part in with out being a library card holder.
4. Examine Out Fashionable Inglewood
Calgary’s Inglewood neighborhood is a couple of five-minute cab or Uber trip from downtown/East Village or a couple of 30-minute stroll, relying in your tempo. Spend the day exploring the specialty retailers that line ninth Avenue and discovering distinctive spots to cease and have espresso or tea. Inglewood favorites embody The Apothecary, which options sustainable private care merchandise, child merchandise, residence, and backyard provides, and the Silk Street Spice Service provider.
Anybody who appreciates an excellent e-book – an precise e-book and never the digital, e-reader model – ought to carve out a while to discover The Subsequent Web page, an impartial bookseller providing new and used books and far more. Along with books and associated sundries, resembling stickers, totes, and bookmarks, this inviting area additionally incorporates a pay-what-you-can espresso bar and a seed library.
Don’t skip the basement mini-theater. The environment is clear, heat, and welcoming, and an ideal place to take a sit-down break (comfortable chairs and tables are plentiful) and revel in a heat drink amongst the stacks.
Extra Inglewood Should-dos
One other Inglewood must-do is Canela’s Vegan Bakery. Even in the event you’re not plant-based, this girl and immigrant-owned bakery is a deal with for all of the senses. Vegan cinnamon rolls are Canela’s specialty – canela is the Spanish phrase for cinnamon – however they’ve a wide range of candy and savory drinks plus a espresso bar.
Word: There are extra enjoyable neighborhoods to discover in Calgary, however the two talked about above are a brief leap from downtown Calgary. See extra of Calgary’s neighborhoods right here.
5. Take pleasure in a Spa (Or Two)
Whether or not a spa therapy is a part of the specified panorama to your metropolis break or in case your muscle mass want some TLC after the slopes in Banff, Calgary has a number of tempting choices for pampering. The rnr Wellness spa on the Fairmont Palliser is lush and indulgent and contains entry to the pool and saunas.
You don’t should be a lodge visitor to e-book a spa therapy. The pool space is gorgeous, and the entire expertise is oh-so-indulgent, which mirrors the Fairmont Palliser vibe.
One of many metropolis’s newly opened downtown wellness escapes, SKA Thermal Spa, is a extra budget-friendly possibility. SKA, an acronym for Self Kindness Amplified, affords two-hour hydrotherapy packages that begin at about $48*. This contains entry to a whirlpool, plunge pool, numerous steam and sauna areas, and leisure chairs.
Massages and facials will be added on for an additional payment. The one draw back is that the areas (each the wellness space and the locker rooms) are very condensed. SKA doesn’t overbook the area, however it might really feel crowded if the hydrotherapy is at full capability.
Downtown Lodges and Eating
For luxurious, the Fairmont Palliser is value testing. Benefit from the white glove service, the Hawthorne Eating Room and Bar (seize a pre-dinner drink or afternoon tea), and the spa/pool services talked about above. The posh facilities include a price ticket: the rooms begin at about $200 per night time and go up.
I stayed in a Gold-level room, together with continental breakfast, night canapes, lounge entry, and a premium toilet with heated flooring tiles. Costs will range primarily based on season, specials, and different components, however a beginning worth for the room I stayed in comes at round $400.
Skilled Recommendation on Calgary Lodging
Casandra Karpiak, journey author and proprietor of Savoteur, recommends staying on the Fairmont Palliser’s sister property in Banff in the event you get there. “A keep on the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs tops most bucket lists and doesn’t disappoint. The indoor pool is heavenly, and the patio overlooking the Bow River is a perfect location for completely happy hour.”
Strive the Calgarian model of the Bloody Mary, the Ceasar. The Ceasar has clamato as a substitute of plain tomato juice, and the one I had on the bar on the Hawthorne had a splash of balsamic vinegar.
Funds-friendly Choices
For these looking for extra budget-friendly choices, the Alt Lodge Calgary East Village is situated inside steps of the Bow River and has many procuring and eating choices. This newer property has a vivid, ethereal, stylish vibe. Rooms begin at $169 per night time.
Eating in Calgary
There are lots of eating choices in downtown Calgary, so you could find no matter your style buds fancy. Newly opened Barbarella Bar and Ten Foot Henry are enjoyable downtown locations with small, shareable plates.
Usually, followers of classic comedian strips or popular culture will discover 10 Foot Henry amusing. The restaurant is so named due to a 10-foot mural of Henry from the Thirties cartoon of the identical identify. The mural is situated exterior the restroom at 10 Foot Henry however has been in numerous spots round Calgary through the years earlier than settling in its present location.
In the event you’re a sushi lover, I like to recommend you e-book a desk at NUPO. You possibly can order off the common menu or e-book extra unique experiences, such because the Omakase counter service expertise or EIGHT, Chef Darren McLean’s non-public, seasonal tasting. Take a look at the NUPOs web site for extra data or to see their menu.
Word: All pricing listed is in U.S. {Dollars}. Costs in Calgary can be listed in Canadian {Dollars} (CAD), so take a look at the present alternate charge earlier than your journey.
This text was produced and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks journey.
Jill is a Wealth of Geeks journey editor and an professional author specializing in household and journey journey in addition to sensible suggestions to assist vacationers get essentially the most worth out of their trip experiences. Along with Wealth of Geeks, Jill has written for Enterprise Insider, MSN, Tripsavvy, Matador Community, Canadian Traveller, and Journey Awaits. She lives in San Antonio along with her husband and sons however she’s often some place else.
