Wondering what to do in Calgary? Here are 5 fun things to do.
If you’re wondering what to do in Calgary, then wonder no more, especially if you’re a foodie! This October I went to visit my best friend, a local resident of Calgary, and dined, wined and explored some of the best corners of this Canadian city.
From top restaurants that locals have been buzzing about to unbelievable nature sights that’ll take your breath away, you won’t have a shortage of places to eat at and things to do in Calgary.
Without further ado, here’s what to do in Calgary for foodies!
This post on what to do in Calgary was written in partnership with the Calgary Tourism Board and Travel Alberta and contains affiliate links. All insight is from my genuine, personal experience!
Eat at Top Calgary Restaurants
One thing you might be surprised about is this city’s food scene, which is innovative, diverse and oh so delicious! Actually, one of the best things to do in Calgary is to eat!
Here are a few restaurants you must visit if you’re wondering where to eat in Calgary:
- Anju for modern Korean (pictured)
- Lulu Bar for a chef-driven bar
- Ten Foot Henry for veggie-anchored meals
- Great Taste for soup dumplings
- Calcutta Cricket Club for modern Bengali Indian food
- Rouge for farm-to-fork cuisine
Need data while traveling in Canada? Use a portable wifi device like I did! Read the blog post here or see your options on tep wireless.
Take a Food Tour
If you want more of an introduction to the food scene, then make sure to take a food tour such as this Inglewood Edibles tour I took that gets you familiar with the neighborhood, Inglewood, and the mavericks that made the city into what it is today.
This tour is one of the best things to do in Inglewood, Calgary and got deemed by the Canadian Tourism Board as a Canadian Signature Experience meaning it’s extra special.
Also, if Rouge was on your list of places to eat in Calgary, then you’re in luck, this tour goes to Rouge! Book this tour direct or through Viator.
Another food tour that my friend went on is the 17th Avenue food tour that visits the trendy and hip street, 17th Avenue SW, full of modern eats. This goes to both Anju and Calcutta Cricket Club (in my Calgary restaurants list above).
It’s a great way to try multiple spots immediately if you don’t have too much time in Calgary or you want to sample some places before deciding where to go for a full meal! Book this tour direct or through Viator.
Visit a Local Farmer’s Market
To get a taste of local life, you can visit the farmer’s market that happens at cSPACE, an arts incubator, every Saturday from 10AM – 1PM (indoor season hours; outdoor season goes until 3PM).
Make sure to keep an eye out for Flora Fromage, which is my friend’s vegan cheese company. Even if you’re not vegan, you’ll want to try this healthy cheese full of probiotics, which will make your gut quite happy!
Also, make sure to take time to peruse the building after the market as it’s full of art and unique finds.
For more of a hands on experience with a local farmer’s market where you’ll get to personally meet vendors of the farmer’s market and hear their stories, take this Calgary Farmers Market tour. You’ll get to tour a market, meet the vendors and enjoy a delicious brunch with these local ingredients. Book direct or through Viator.
Drink Craft Beer and Specialty Liquors
Calgary is home to over 30 microbreweries and specialty distilleries. Even Visit Calgary’s website has a Calgary Beer Map if you want to embark on a beer tasting adventure.
Nonetheless, if you want to go to a local chef’s favorite, check out Cold Garden Brewing then hop over to Eighty-Eight Brewing for a fun brewery with an 80s theme.
What to Do in Calgary When You’re Not Eating or Drinking
Obviously there is more to do in Calgary than just eat all their delicious food. In between meals, there are many ways to explore the city. Here are some fun things to do in Calgary:
- Take photos at Instagrammable places around the city.
- Visit the Glenbow Museum, an art and history museum that’s one of the top things to do in downtown Calgary alongside visiting the Calgary Tower.
- Cycle around Calgary to see public art pieces.
- Learn about major sights in Calgary while riding in a sidecar.
- Check out cSPACE, an arts hub and innovative venue.
- Discover past and present mavericks who made Calgary into what it is today with this food tour I took.
- Find a concert to enjoy through Arts Common.
To experience something quite special, you can take a day trip from Calgary to Banff it’s only an hour to two hour drive away depending on the location you are going to!
I rented a car from Budget and drove up with my friend to Lake Louise. You can find the must-know tips for visiting Lake Louise, Canada in this post, especially to avoid parking hell and finding out the best times of the year to visit.
If you don’t want to drive yourself to Lake Louise, you can take this day tour that leaves from Calgary and visits Lake Louise, Lake Moraine and Yoho National Park. This is only available in the summer.
Get a rental car through Budget here or book the day tour on Viator.
Where to Stay in Calgary
Since you’ve already got a lot on your plate on deciding what to do in Calgary, don’t worry about where to stay. Book a room at the Residence Inn by Marriott, which is where I stayed.
All the rooms in the hotel are suites with a full kitchen, ample space and comfortable beds. The hotel has an awesome complimentary hot breakfast and an ample gym for health enthusiasts.
Plus, this hotel is quite convenient. It’s a close walk to all the trendy restaurants and hotspots on 17th Avenue SW and interesting things to do in downtown Calgary such as visit the Glenbow Museum and Calgary Tower.
See if the Residence Inn by Marriott has availability for your trip here!
Booking.comI hope this post helps you with what to do in Calgary and that you have the best time on your trip here!
Thanks for making it all the way down to the end of this post.
If you found it to be helpful, you might like what I share on my Instagram @sarchetrit.
Till then, thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!
xo,
Sarah
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