Calgary Tower
The 1968 tower that still anchors the skyline, with a glass floor, a 360-degree deck high above the Bow River and the Rockies on the western horizon. Go on a clear day and book a timed ticket ahead for the best rate.
Canada
Calgary
Calgary is where the prairie ends and the Rockies begin, a bright, walkable downtown of glass towers on the Bow River with a cowboy streak that never quite went away.
This guide covers the city properly: the Calgary Tower and its glass floor, Studio Bell and the National Music Centre in the old King Edward Hotel, the Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo on its river island, the Peace Bridge and Prince's Island Park, the Confluence site where the Bow meets the Elbow and the Mounties built their fort, Stampede Park outside its July season, and Inglewood, the city's oldest neighbourhood. Then it points you out of town to the two day trips that justify a base here: the dinosaur halls of the Royal Tyrrell Museum among the Drumheller badlands, and a guided day among the lakes and peaks of Banff National Park. Five hotels, from the grand railway hotel beside the Tower to a sensible downtown budget stay, cover the walkable core, and two guides explain what to book ahead and where to sleep.
Don't miss
Calgary Tower
The 1968 tower that still anchors the skyline, with a glass floor, a 360-degree deck high above the Bow River and the Rockies on the western horizon. Go on a clear day and book a timed ticket ahead for the best rate.
Studio Bell, Home of the National Music Centre
A striking music museum in the East Village that wraps a restored 1905 hotel in modern terracotta towers. Hands-on instruments, rare synthesizers and rock history make it the best rainy-day or cold-day choice in the city.
Royal Tyrrell Museum and Drumheller Badlands Day Trip
A full-day guided trip from Calgary to the Alberta badlands: Horseshoe Canyon, the hoodoos and a two-hour visit to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, one of the world's great dinosaur museums. Museum admission is included.
Wilder Institute / Calgary Zoo
One of Canada's best-known zoos, set on St George's Island in the Bow River. It stays open through winter, and from mid-November the evening ZOOLIGHTS festival adds a seasonal reason to go.
Things to do in Calgary
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Studio Bell, Home of the National Music Centre
A striking music museum in the East Village that wraps a restored 1905 hotel in modern terracotta towers. Hands-on instruments, rare synthesizers and rock history make it the best rainy-day or cold-day choice in the city.
Wilder Institute / Calgary Zoo
One of Canada's best-known zoos, set on St George's Island in the Bow River. It stays open through winter, and from mid-November the evening ZOOLIGHTS festival adds a seasonal reason to go.
Prince's Island Park and the Peace Bridge
A 20-hectare river island park a few minutes from the Calgary Tower, reached by footbridge from Eau Claire. Cross the Peace Bridge, walk the lagoon and the Bow River pathway, and look for skating once the ice is ready.
1-2 hoursDetails →
The Confluence Historic Site and Parkland (Fort Calgary)
The site where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet and the North-West Mounted Police built their fort in 1875, now a cultural centre and parkland. Blackfoot history leads the story, and the audio tour of the land is free.
Stampede Park and the Sam Centre
Home of the Calgary Stampede, which runs ten days every July. Outside that window the Sam Centre museum on Stampede Park tells the story year-round, so you can learn Calgary's cowboy identity even in November.
Inglewood
Calgary's oldest neighbourhood, a few minutes east of downtown, with independent shops, record stores, good restaurants, a free contemporary art gallery and a bird sanctuary on the Bow River.
2-4 hoursDetails →
Royal Tyrrell Museum and Drumheller Badlands Day Trip
A full-day guided trip from Calgary to the Alberta badlands: Horseshoe Canyon, the hoodoos and a two-hour visit to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, one of the world's great dinosaur museums. Museum admission is included.
Banff National Park Small-Group Day Trip from Calgary
A full-day small-group trip from Calgary into Banff National Park, with Lake Louise, Banff town, Bow Falls and Lake Minnewanka on the itinerary, hotel pickup and the park fee included.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
The Fairmont Palliser
Downtown Calgary
Calgary's grand railway hotel, opened in 1914 and still the city's most traditional luxury address, steps from the Calgary Tower and Stephen Avenue. It is the splurge stay for visitors who want history, service and a prime downtown location.
Check rates →Hotel Le Germain Calgary
Downtown and Beltline
A stylish boutique hotel on the Beltline edge of downtown, from the Quebec-founded Germain group. It suits couples and design-minded travellers who want a walkable base close to Stephen Avenue and the Beltline restaurants.
Check rates →Hyatt Regency Calgary
Downtown Calgary
A large, dependable downtown hotel on Centre Street near Stephen Avenue and the convention centre, and a pickup point for Banff day tours. A strong mid-range pick for first-time visitors and families.
Check rates →Delta Hotels by Marriott Calgary Downtown
Downtown East / East Village
A comfortable Marriott-brand downtown hotel on the east side of the core, close to the East Village, Studio Bell and the Confluence. A good mid-range choice for culture-focused stays and families.
Check rates →Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel
Downtown West
A value-focused downtown hotel on 7 Avenue SW, formerly the Sandman Hotel Calgary City Centre. The budget choice for travellers who want a central base and the CTrain at the door.
Check rates →Calgary guides
First Time in Calgary: What to Book, How to Get Around & How Many Days
The practical primer for a first Calgary trip: which sights need advance tickets, how the CTrain and the heated walkways work, how many days to allow, and where the Drumheller and Banff day trips fit.
Where to Stay in Calgary: Downtown, the Beltline & the East Village
A neighbourhood guide to Calgary hotels: downtown for the Tower and Stephen Avenue, the Beltline for restaurants, the East Village for Studio Bell and the Confluence, with five hotels matched to each.
