Whether you're just looking for a great place to start your Calgary vacation or you're already there and ready to plan the rest of your day, there are plenty of ways to spend a day in this city.
Prince Island Park
Located near downtown Calgary, Prince Island Park is a great place to spend a day. It offers a variety of attractions and activities, and is a popular park for both locals and visitors alike. In fact, it's one of the city's most visited parks.
If you're looking for a day of fun with the kids, consider a visit to Prince's Island. It's an ideal destination for a family picnic, or you can enjoy a walk through the wetland marsh. It also hosts several festivals and events throughout the year.
If you're looking for something more active, you can explore the Peace Bridge, which is a pedestrian bridge. This iconic structure in downtown Calgary is a popular tourist attraction. It's painted bright red, which pays homage to the Canadian flag. You'll see it in travel guides and posters across the globe.
Prince's Island Park is also home to a variety of birds, including Canada geese. In addition, it features a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink.
If you're feeling peckish after your day of sightseeing, Prince's Island has a full service restaurant, the River Cafe. You can purchase food and drink from the cafe's counter.
There are also a variety of shops and restaurants on the nearby Eau Claire Market. You can enjoy a meal or a cup of coffee while you take in the view of the Bow River. It's only a short walk away.
The Chevron Learning Pathway is another feature of Prince's Island Park. This educational pathway connects people to nature, while educating them about the wildlife and habitats of the area. You can learn about the different ecosystems of the city and how they help keep the area clean.
Diner Deluxe
Whether you're planning a day trip to Calgary or looking for a new dining spot, these retro diners offer delicious food, a warm atmosphere and good value. You can choose from a variety of classic dishes and enjoy them in an environment that's sure to suit your tastes.
The Beltliner is a modern take on the classic diner experience. This restaurant uses local ingredients and serves a variety of dishes in an updated setting. It also features baked goods and coffee to-go.
CHIX Eggshop offers in-house dining, a to-go counter and fantastic cocktails. Their menu features a variety of breakfast options, such as fried chicken and eggs. They also have a children's menu that's perfect for little ones.
The Chopped Leaf has a wide range of high quality options to meet the needs of everyone in the family. They're able to accommodate any dietary restriction, so you can feel confident that you'll get what you want.
The Aspen Landing location of Diner Deluxe focuses on seasonal, local, ethical and sustainable ingredients. They use rice flour for their fries and real herbs in their fried foods. You can even order a fried chicken platter.
You can also find a variety of brunch dishes at Belmont Diner, which has a fun, hip, and lively atmosphere. This place is perfect for a morning brunch before a day of shopping or an evening out on the town. They also have a Happy "Hali" hour.
Another great option for brunch is Blue Star Diner, which features delicious breakfast dishes. They also source ingredients from local farmers. They've received a lot of great reviews.
Unlike most other brunch places in Calgary, the menu at Orchard focuses on Asian Mediterranean fusion. They have a few savoury options as well as some of the best fried chicken, bao buns and sushi rolls in town. They're open for brunch daily.
Calgary Zoo
Located in St George's Island in Bow River, Calgary Zoo is one of the most popular attractions in the city. It is home to more than 1,000 animals, and is an ideal place to spend a day.
The zoo is divided into seven distinct zones. The Prehistoric Park is the largest zone and features life-size dinosaur models. It is also the area of the zoo that hosts Canada's underwater hippo observation pool.
The other major area of the zoo is the Enrichment Center, which features educational exhibits and displays. There is also a butterfly conservatory. Another zone is Canadian Wilds, where cougars and grizzly bears can be found. There are also several playgrounds.
For those who prefer to stay inside, there is the ENMAX Conservatory, which is a great place to visit when butterflies are in season. The zoo also offers the Brawn Family Foundation Bugtopia, a themed area of the zoo based on insects.
The Prehistoric Park is a six-acre area of the zoo that features life-size dinosaurs and a replica of a volcanic mountain. There is a dinosaur-themed Dino slide and other fun features.
During the winter, the zoo offers a light show called Zoolights. The display features over 1 million lights and is the largest in western Canada. The event is held only during the Christmas season.
If you're visiting in the spring or summer, you can take a tour of the zoo's rain forest. You can also explore the botanical gardens and the Enrichment Center. There are plenty of events to attend at the zoo, and some are free.
The Calgary Zoo is a family-friendly attraction that will entertain the entire family. There are lots of different species to see, and there are many ways to spend a day at the zoo.
Scotiabank Saddledome
Whether you're a Calgary Flames fan or a visiting sports fan, you're sure to have a memorable time at the Calgary Scotiabank Saddledome. Home to the Calgary Flames NHL hockey team, the arena is one of the most unique arenas in the National Hockey League.
The arena is located in Stampede Park, on the southeast end of downtown Calgary. The stadium is open for public tours during non-event days. It also hosts other events other than sporting events.
There are a number of restaurants within the arena, including Dutton's Lounge, Chrysler Club, Saddleroom Grill, and the Alumni Lounge. The restaurants offer sit-down meals. In addition to food, there is a craft beer market that provides a fun and unique experience.
The Calgary Flames have made it a point to create a welcoming atmosphere for fans. There are seating areas for wheelchair users throughout the stadium. However, you should check the accessibility of the event before purchasing a ticket.
The stadium has several parking lots. There are accessible parking spaces on the north side of the stadium. There are also private parking lots located in downtown Calgary. There are a few bus routes that can take you to the arena.
If you're interested in a luxury box tour, the tickets are available until the end of the month. The tour includes access to the viewing areas and provides an opportunity to see Flames legends. You will also need to dress comfortably for walking around the arena.
In order to purchase a ticket, you can visit the Scotiabank Saddledome ticket office. Alternatively, you can purchase a ticket online. For some tickets, you can choose to pay a 50/50 split, which means half of the proceeds go to a local charity.
Fort Calgary National Historic Site
Whether you're looking for historical landmarks, parks, museums or fun winter activities, Calgary has it all. If you want to see how the city's history began, you'll want to check out Fort Calgary National Historic Site.
Built in 1875 by the North West Mounted Police, the fort is a national historic site that is home to an interpretive center and museum. The fort is located at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers.
The museum features 200 exhibits, including a working printing press, a First Nations Emcampment and a 1860s Fur Trading Fort. The museum also offers train rides and interactive displays. You can even try on authentic RCMP uniforms.
If you're a fan of the outdoors, you'll love spending time in the Calgary Botanical Garden. This park has 500 trees and waterfalls. It's also a great place to view the Rocky Mountains.
The Calgary Tower is the city's most famous landmark. The observation deck provides a 360-degree view of the city. It's also a great place for a bite to eat. You can purchase souvenirs in the souvenir store.
You'll also find a museum dedicated to the Hudson's Bay Company. The museum has a range of exhibits that explore Indigenous peoples and the company's relationship with them. The museum also features a bakery and an ice cream parlor.
One of the most exciting things to do in Calgary is to ride the Skyline Luge. The lugged runs for two miles. The lugged is the longest in Canada.
You'll also find a Chinese Cultural Centre, a place where you can learn about the Chinese community that arrived in the city in 1880. The building is decorated in a traditional style.