Sights and landmarks in Calgary

Sights and landmarks in Calgary

1. SeeCity Centre

   Barclay Parade

   Barclay Parade (3 St SW) is a pedestrian-friendly section of downtown street that runs from Eau Claire Market in the north to Stephen Avenue (8 Ave S) in the south. It is home to a number of high end shops.

2. SeeSoutheast

   Bow Valley Ranche

   William Roper Hull Ranche House

   Former ranch, now a historical site. Features interpretive walks, art gallery, artisan gardens, and restaurant.

3. SeeNorthwest

   Bowness Park

   Bowness Park is along the Bow River between Stoney Trail and 85 St NW. A shallow lagoon runs along the along the park's southern edge, a favourite spot for paddle boating in the summer and ice skating in the winter. Bowness Park is highly used for picnicking and accessing the Bow River.

   5AM - 11PM·free

4. SeeCity Centre

   Calgary Tower

   The Calgary Tower may not be quite as impressive as the CN Tower in Toronto, but it still commands a great view over the city and the surroundings. On a clear day you can see the Rockies to the west. It features a revolving gourmet restaurant, a bar, and an observation deck. The tower is best approached from 9th Avenue, as the 10th Avenue side is dominated by railway tracks, parking lots, & parkades.

   Jun-Aug 10AM-10PM, Sept-May 10AM-9PM·$19/adult, $17/senior, $9/child

5. SeeNorthwest

   Crescent Heights Park

   This park offers a pleasant walk, along with popular views of Downtown Calgary.

   Free

6. SeeCity Centre

   Crescent Road viewpoint

   This ridgetop gives a great view of Prince's Island Park and downtown Calgary. Follow the pathway to a staircase going down the hillside for more varied perspectives.

7. SeeCity Centre

   Devonian Gardens

   A large indoor urban park in TD Square, above the shopping area.

   Free

8. SeeSoutheast

   Elliston Park

   A small park located along 17 Ave SE; the site of the annual Globalfest fireworks competition and home of the first BP BirthPlace Forest.

   5AM-11PM

9. SeeCity Centre

   Enmax Park

   Salisbury Street is in a residential area on the east side of Enmax Park. There are houses on one side of the street and, on the other, a great view of the Saddledome, Stampede Grandstand, Calgary skyline and the Calgary Tower.

10. SeeSoutheast

    Inglewood Bird Sanctuary & Nature Centre

    Registration for tours is recommended. The Nature Centre building, housing washrooms & drinking fountains, is closed until 2021. This 32-hectare wildlife reserve offers more than 2 km² of walking trails throughout the riverine forest. More than 250 species of birds and 300 species of plants, plus several kinds of mammals, have been observed in the area. As it is a bird sanctuary, no bicycles or dogs (except assistance dogs) are allowed.

    Trails open sunrise–sunset, Nature Centre Tue-Sun 10AM-4PM, closed Mon and statutory holidays, closed at noon on Dec 24·Free

11. SeeSouthwest

    North Glenmore Park

    North Glenmore Park borders the north side of the Glenmore Reservoir and has a tennis court, pathways, playgrounds and many picnic areas. It is the area surrounding the north side of the reservoir and is the home to both the Calgary Canoe Club and Calgary Rowing Club.

    Daily 5AM-11PM

12. SeeCity Centre

    Nose Hill viewpoint

    The views of downtown Calgary from Nose Hill Park can only be accessed on foot or by bicycle. Park your car at one of the parking lots near the top of the hill (opposite Edgemont Blvd NW or Berkely Gate NW) and then head towards the southern edge of the hill.

13. SeeCity Centre

    Olympic Plaza

    This public square was built as the site of medal presentations during the 1988 Winter Olympic Games. It continues to host free public events and festivals. During the summer, waders can enjoy the water-filled plaza, while winter visitors can go skating. Also the site of Calgary's "Women are Persons!" sculpture, celebrating a landmark achievement in the status of women in Canada. Calgary's quaint old City Hall is across the street from the north-east corner of Olympic Park.

14. SeeNortheast

    Prairie Winds Park

    16-hectare park in northeast Calgary, hosts the Country Thunder annual country music festival in mid-August.

15. SeeCity Centre

    Prince's Island Park

    Calgary's largest inner city park is an island with a number of pleasant trails for walking and relaxing. In the summer, it plays host to Shakespeare by the Bow and it is also the site of one of the city's largest annual festivals: the Calgary Folk Music Festival.

16. SeeCity Centre

    Repsol Sport Centre

    Talisman Centre

    Near the Stampede Grounds and just south of downtown, Repsol Sport Centre is a multi-sport centre used by both recreational and Olympic-level athletes. Facilities include two 8-lane 50 m long Olympic-size swimming pools, a dive tank with spring boards and platforms for 3 m, 5 m, 7 m, and 10 m dives, shallow teaching pool, 5 full-size gyms, 2 running tracks, fitness centre for cardio & weight training, basketball and volleyball courts, classes.

    Mon-Fri 5AM-11PM, Sat 6AM-10PM, Sun 7AM-10PM·$14 adult/$8.75 youth

17. SeeCity Centre

    River Park viewpoint

    In Calgary's southwest on ridge above Sandy Beach, large designated off-leash area.

    5AM-11PM

18. SeeSouthwest

    River Park, Sandy Beach & Britannia Slopes

    River Park, Sandy Beach and the Britannia Slopes together form a popular park and recreation area for Calgarians. This regional park is located north of the Glenmore Dam and along the Elbow River in southwest Calgary.

19. SeeCity Centre

    Scotsman's Hill viewpoint

    The top of this very high riverbank overlooks the Stampede Grandstand. It is a good place to watch the fireworks which are scheduled every evening during Stampede week after the chuckwagon races and the stage show (11PM). The parking in the neighbourhood is 'permit only' so you must park elsewhere, walk up the hill and watch the fireworks for free.

20. SeeSouthwest

    South Glenmore Park

    South Glenmore Park is the area surrounding the south side of the reservoir which includes the Weaselhead Natural Area. It is also home to the Variety Children's Park, a playground and water park that is accessible to disabled children. South Glenmore Park also houses the Glenmore Sailing School.

    Daily 5AM-11PM

21. SeeCity Centre

    Stampede Park

    The site of Calgary's world-famous exhibition and rodeo, the Stampede Park is east of the Beltline in Victoria Park. Not only are the grounds the site of the excitement of every July's Calgary Stampede, they also house a conference and exhibition centre (the BMO Centre) and a casino.

22. SeeSouthwest

    Stanley Park

    Located along the Elbow River in southwest Calgary, Stanley Park is a favourite destination place for picnicking, swimming, canoeing, tobogganing and lawn bowling.

    Daily 5AM-11PM

23. SeeCity Centre

    The Confluence

    The Confluence (formerly known as Fort Calgary), a Northwest Mounted Police (NWMP, now RCMP) fort was built in 1875 at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers (near modern Inglewood). It became the nucleus around which Calgary grew. The original fort was destroyed decades ago. Today, it is a museum and historic site focusing on the history of the city and of the RCMP.

    9AM-5PM·$11/adult, $11/concession, $6/youth, $8/senior, indigenous peoples and children free

24. SeeCity Centre

    Tom Campbell's Hill Park viewpoint

    Views of the confluence of the Bow River and Nose Creek, with the towers of downtown Calgary off to the southwest.

25. SeeNorthwest Not mapped

    Alberta University of the Arts

    formerly Alberta College of Art + Design (ACAD)

    Publicly funded art and design university. Formerly part of SAIT, it gained autonomy in 1985 and was renamed in 2019.

26. SeeSouthwest Not mapped

    Ambrose University

    Ambrose University and Seminary

    Private Christian liberal arts university; official Canadian school of both the Church of the Nazarene and the Christian and Missionary Alliance.

27. SeeSouthwest Not mapped

    Battalion Park

    A tribute to local soldiers that trained for the First World War at the former Sarcee Camp, this small park has an interpretive 500-m-long walking trail/staircase up the side of a steep hill. Soldiers of the Canadian Expeditionary Force left enormous battalion numerals spelled out in whitewashed stones on the hillside, which have been restored as a permanent memorial. The trail also includes a monument and a self-guided tour with historical tablets and photographs. Most of the numbers are easily seen from the parking lots of the nearby Signal Hill and West Hills shopping centres.

28. SeeCity Centre Not mapped

    Bow Valley College

    Offers year-round career programs that lead to certificates, diplomas, and post-diploma certificates, as well as adult upgrading and English language learning. Also offers career services and specialized services that help newcomers to Canada.

29. SeeNortheast Not mapped

    Bridgeland

    Bridgeland-Riverside

    An urban revitalization area northeast of the downtown. Although the community has long been Calgary's "Little Italy" (hence the abundance of Italian restaurants in the area), the demolition of the old General Hospital in 1998 sparked a long-term project redevelop much of the era. The area is expected to be a family oriented Pearl District (see Portland, Oregon) and the initial phases are already done. The area includes posh shops, chic apartments, and beautiful lofts, while maintaining the old charm of the distinct houses. The area is undergoing massive gentrification due to its proximity to downtown and the now cleaned up East Village. It is a great area to walk through for those interested in architecture and planning. The far eastern end of Bridgeland connects with the Calgary Zoo and Telus Spark Science Centre. Tom Campbell's Hill is an excellent viewpoint of downtown.

30. SeeCity Centre Not mapped

    Calgary Central Library

    New Calgary Central Library

    Flagship branch of the Calgary Public Library, opened on November 1, 2018. interior centres around a four-storey central atrium topped by a skylight. The lower floors contain the library's meeting spaces and activity centres, while the upper floors feature book stacks with space for 450,000 titles and a reading room. Also features a 340-seat theatre, conference rooms, and small café. Named one of the 12 Most Anticipated Buildings of 2018 by Architectural Digest.

    Mon-Thu 9AM-8PM; Fri 9AM-6PM; Sat 9AM-5PM; Sun noon-5PM·free

31. SeeNortheast Not mapped

    Calgary Zoo

    The world-class Calgary Zoo is home to over 1,000 animals from all over the world, as well as to the Botanical Garden and a Prehistoric Park for dinosaur lovers. It is the second largest zoo in Canada.

    9AM-5PM·$29.95/adult, $27.95/senior, $19.95/child

32. SeeCity Centre Not mapped

    Central Memorial Park

    Memorial Park

    Calgary’s oldest park. Completed in 1912 and redeveloped in 2009, the grounds were modeled after a formal Victorian garden featuring geometric pathways, elaborate garden beds, and rows of imported and native trees. The park features monuments for soldiers who fought in the Boer War and World War I.

33. SeeCity Centre Not mapped

    Chinatown

    Canada's third largest Chinatown is in the northeast portion of downtown Calgary. It is the heart of Calgary's Asian diaspora, although much of northeast Calgary has a Pacific Rim influence. The area of about a half-dozen blocks is along Centre Street S, from 4 Ave S (on the south) to the Bow River (on the north). Calgary's Chinatown packs in a dense network of Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and other Asian restaurants, shops, housing and cultural facilities. The area along Centre Street on the north side of the river almost functions as a loosely organized "second Chinatown" with Chinese-oriented businesses stretching for 20 or more blocks.

34. SeeCity Centre Not mapped

    Chinese Cultural Centre

    Located in Chinatown, the centre piece of the complex is modeled after the Hall of Prayers of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. The Chinese Artifacts Museum is located on the lower level of the centre. Exhibits include the story of Chinese immigration in Canada, and the history of the Chinese community in Calgary. There are also replicas of different kinds of Chinese artifacts, including Terracotta warriors, mahogany furniture set, ceramics, sculptures, clothing, bronze pieces and art.

    Cultural Centre: 9AM-9PM daily; Museum: 11AM-5PM daily

35. SeeNorthwest Not mapped

    Confederation Park

    Confederation Park 160 hectares (400 acres) between the neighbourhoods of Mount Pleasant, Capitol Hill, Collingwood and Highland Park. 10 Street NW bisects the park from north to south. The park has picnic tables, toboggan hills, cycle paths, tennis courts and baseball diamonds. Adjacent to the park is the Confederation Golf Course. In winter the golf course is open for cross-country skiing and the park hosts the Lions Club Christmas Light Display in December and January.

    5AM-11PM

36. SeeNortheast Not mapped

    Crescent Heights

    Bisected by Centre Street N with the western portion situated in the Northwest, Crescent Heights has become the northern extension of Chinatown, located on the opposite side of the Centre Street Bridge in the City Centre. Features a network of Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and other Asian restaurants, shops, and markets. The Crescent Road viewpoint, located at the top of the Bow River valley, offers stunning views of the downtown core.

37. SeeSouthwest Not mapped

    Edworthy Park

    Edworthy Park sits in a valley along the Bow River in southwest Calgary and includes the majestic Douglas Fir Trail and historical Lawrey Gardens.

38. SeeSoutheast Not mapped

    Fish Creek Provincial Park

    Fish Creek Provincial Park is one of North America's largest urban parks, covering. This natural area park stretches along the banks of Fish Creek and the Bow River in south Calgary, from roughly 14 St SW in the west to the Bow River in the east. The park includes the Sikome Lake Aquatic Facility (a man-made lake open in summer), the Bow Valley Ranch Visitor Centre, The Ranche Restaurant and Annie's Café (both privately operated), picnic sites, group use areas, trails for walking, bicycling, mountain biking, and horseback riding, a native garden, and a sculpture garden.

    8AM to sunset·Free

39. SeeSouthwest Not mapped

    Glenmore Reservoir

    The Glenmore Reservoir and Dam are located on the Elbow River, they were constructed in 1932 to provide safe and sufficient supply of drinking water. The City of Calgary offers sailing lessons and boat rentals on the reservoir. The reservoir is home of the Glenmore Sailing Club, the Calgary Rowing Club and the Calgary Canoe Club for both social and organized sporting events in Calgary. From May 1 to October 31 the reservoir is open for fishing, sailing, rowing and canoeing. Swimming in the reservoir is not permitted. There are popular pathways and bikeways looping around the perimeter of Glenmore Reservoir that are open all year.

40. SeeSoutheast Not mapped

    Inglewood

    Inglewood is Calgary's oldest neighbourhood and the site of the city's original downtown. It is also one of Calgary's most culturally influenced and eclectic areas. Inglewood contains everything from stores targeted at bikers, to unique boutiques, antique stores, galleries, and restaurants. It is not as developed as some of the city's downtown districts, but it is quickly becoming one of the city's most popular "urban chic" neighbourhoods. It lies immediately east of downtown (east of 1st Street E) and is concentrated along 9th Avenue SE. Just to the north is the Bow River and the Calgary Zoo.

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Calgary (CC BY-SA 4.0).