Calgary Travel Guide

The Calgary Tower is a landmark in downtown Calgary, about 191 meters tall, completed in 1968 and once the highest point of the city. The observation level at the top offers a 360-degree view of Calgary's skyline, the meandering Bow River, and on clear days even the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the west—a vast panorama. The most thrilling feature of the observation level is a glass floor that juts out from the tower, looking straight down about 191 meters to the street below—an exhilarating experience. The top also has a revolving restaurant where you can dine while slowly taking in the whole city. On major holidays the tower's torch is lit. Ascending the Calgary Tower for a view of the city and the distant mountains is a great way to quickly grasp the layout of this western city.

Prince's Island Park is an urban oasis in downtown Calgary, Canada. This park on an island in the Bow River features large lawns, shaded walkways, flower beds and water features, and serves as Calgary's main festival venue and leisure hub — the largest riverfront park and most popular green space in the city center. Built in the 1970s and linked to downtown by footbridges — though called an "island," it is technically a peninsula in the Bow River. The park has large lawns, shaded paths, flower beds and ponds, ablaze with flowers in summer. It hosts the Calgary International Fringe Festival, Canada Day celebrations and music festivals. River Café, an upscale pond-side restaurant, is within the park. In winter, paths become cross-country ski trails. Visiting to feel Calgary's transformation from cowtown to cultural city in a riverside oasis is a relaxed, pleasant urban green experience.

Calgary Zoo is the main zoo of Calgary, Canada. On St. George's Island in the Bow River, with over 1,000 animals, Canadian native wildlife and global rare species, and the Prehistoric Park dinosaur garden, it is one of Western Canada's largest zoos — Calgary's most popular family attraction and a wildlife conservation education center. Founded in 1929 on St. George's Island in the Bow River — across from Prince's Island Park. Over 1,000 animals of ~100 species — Canadian natives (grizzly, cougar, elk, beaver) and global rarities (Asian elephant, snow leopard; giant pandas have stayed here). Prehistoric Park is a highlight — life-size dinosaur models, loved by children. The zoo actively participates in endangered species conservation and breeding. In winter, Zoolights features millions of lights — a signature Calgary winter event. Visiting to see Canadian wildlife and global species up close on a river island is an educational, fun family experience in Calgary.

Heritage Park Historical Village is a large living-history park in Calgary on the Glenmore Reservoir, recreating Alberta life from 1860s Indigenous and fur-trade days to early-20th-century westward settlement. Over a hundred relocated heritage buildings, an antique steam train, streetcar and paddlewheeler, plus costumed interpreters staging old trades and markets, bring the past to life. For a one-stop grasp of the prairie province's story, it is Calgary's signature family-culture destination.

Canada Olympic Park, on Calgary's west edge, was a venue for the 1988 Winter Olympics and is now a year-round sport and adventure centre. The iconic ski-jump tower (WinSport) still stands—ride the elevator to the top for city and foothills views. Winter brings skiing; late spring through autumn offer chairlift sightseeing, mountain biking and a zip line. For Olympic atmosphere without the big mountains, it is Calgary's easiest adrenaline fix.

Spruce Meadows is located on the southern outskirts of Calgary, Alberta. Founded by the Southern family in 1976, it is one of the world's premier equestrian show jumping venues. It hosts multiple international competitions each year, with the September 'Masters' tournament serving as a stop on the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. The grounds are open free of charge on non-competition days, with affordable tickets on event days, and it also hosts events such as the GlobalFest fireworks festival.