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Best views in Calgary

10 lookouts and viewpoints in Calgary.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Best views in Calgary

  1. 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

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. SeeCity Centre

    River Park viewpoint

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

    5AM-11PM

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. DoNorthwest

    WinSport

    Canada Olympic Park / Winter Sport Institute at Canada Olympic Park

    Take a tour of the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics, which includes going to the top of the ski jump for a fantastic view. Four runs are available for your skiing pleasure during the winter months, and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame museum is open year-round. The halfpipe and rail park are frequented by some very talented skiers and snowboarders, making for interesting viewing. The COP hosts Canada's first bobsleigh track and you can pay to take a bobsleigh ride in winter. There is also a summer "luge" run (Skyline Luge) and a zipline runs from the top of the ski jump tower.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

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