Things to do in Calgary
The downtown Glenbow Museum tells the story of Calgary's native peoples and pioneer settlers, while Heritage Park Historical Village brings history to life in an outdoor setting. For many visitors the attractions beyond Calgary are the main draw. You can trek or ski in the exhilarating wilderness of Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, or head for the easygoing provincial capital, Edmonton. Museums have reasonable admission charges (typically C$10-C$20) and generally open daily 10am-5pm.
Glenbow Museum
Western history
Glenbow Museum in downtown Calgary's Cultural District chronicles the history
of western Canada with three floors of informative exhibits and
well-displayed artefacts. Especially intriguing is Niitsitapiisini: Our Way
of Life, a gallery depicting the stories and traditions of native Blackfoot
people.
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Cost
C$14; concessions C$9-C$10; children free-C$9
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-5pm (from 12pm Sun)
Address
130, 9th Ave SE, Calgary T2G 0P3
Telephone
+1 403 268 4100
Heritage Park Historical Village
Pioneer history
The sprawling outdoor Heritage Park Historical Village, south-west of
downtown Calgary, is a recreation of an early 20th-century Canadian pioneer
village where costumed actors explain what life used to be like. Kids love
the authentic blacksmith's shop and horse-drawn buggy rides.
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Cost
C$20; concessions C$16; 3-17s C$15
Opening Hours
Mid May-mid Sep: daily 9.30am-5pmmid Sep-mid Oct: Sat & Sun 9.30am-5pm
Address
1900, Heritage Drive SW, Calgary T2V 2X3
Telephone
+1 403 268 8500
Transport
CTrain to Heritage Station then Calgary Transit bus 502 to Heritage Park
Website
Calgary Zoo
A world of animals
Set on an island in the Bow River, Calgary Zoo houses everything from big
cats to meerkats. The vast Prehistoric Park shows what western Canada would
have looked like with replica dinosaurs hiding in amongst recreated ancient
plant life and rock formations.
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Cost
C$16-C$18; concessions C$14-C$16; children free-C$10
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-5pm
Address
1300 , Zoo Rd NE, Calgary T2E 7V6
Telephone
+1 403 232 9300
Jasper National Park
Wilderness and wildlife
Jasper National Park is situated just north of Banff, its better-known
neighbour. Home to the glacial Columbia Icefield, the dizzying heights of
Mount Edith Cavell and the turquoise waters of Maligne Lake, the natural
attractions here are no less impressive.
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Cost
C$9.80; concessions C$8.30; children C$4.90
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
500, Connaught Drive (visitor centre), Jasper T0E 1E0
Telephone
+1 780 852 6176
Banff National Park
Mountainous yet accessible
Set in Canada's Rocky Mountains and within day-tripping distance of Calgary,
Banff National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site offering rugged mountain
beauty and powder skiing at its finest. Mirror-like Lake Louise and Moraine
Lake are stunning in their calmness.
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Cost
C$9.80; concessions C$8.30; children C$4.90
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
224, Banff Ave (visitor centre), Banff T1L 1K2
Telephone
+1 403 762 1550
Dinosaur Provincial Park
Fossilised dinosaurs
In the moon-like badlands near Patricia, 200km east of Calgary, erosion is
slowly revealing one of the world's most extensive dinosaur fossil beds.
Take a guided tour to learn more about this extraordinary place, protected
as a provincial park.
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Cost
Free (minimal charge for tours)
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Near Patricia, Patricia T0J 2K0
Telephone
+1 403 378 4342
