5 interesting things you have to do in and around Calgary

Calgary is one of the biggest cities in Western Canada, and plays a leadership roles in a number of capacities in the region. It’s also a fun city with a lot of things to do, like the Calgary Zoo which is relatively close to the downtown core.

What makes Calgary so interesting is how diverse a range of activities there are to do in the city. It’s a “something for everyone” kind of situation, and some of those options are completely unexpected in a city like this.

Stroll down Stephen Avenue Walk

In the core of downtown Calgary, you will find Stephen Avenue Walk. It’s mostly made up of heritage buildings that were built after a massive fire in the late 1800s. Five blocks of 8th Avenue are closed to vehicles during the day, creating this incredible venue.

Naturally, there is some great shopping in the area but the main reason to head down there are the patios. There are several great restaurants with patios perfect for enjoying a beautiful Calgary summer day.

Check out the public art installations around Calgary

At it’s heart, Calgary is an oil town. That’s a fact that would make a lot of people assume that there’s no appreciation for art and culture in the city. Nothing could be further from the truth as Calgary has quite a vibrant arts scene.

One incredibly fun thing to do when you’re in town is explore all of the public art installations around the city. Not surprisingly, there are a lot in downtown but there’s even more spread out across Calgary. It can be an adventure trying to find it all.

Go fly-fishing on the Bow River

The Bow River runs from the nearby Rocky Mountains and through Calgary. The clear, cool water flowing past the lush, green riverbanks makes for some incredible views in many parts of the city. But the Bow River offers more than good looks.

For fans of fly fishing, the Bow River has some excellent opportunities. The Blue Ribbon section of the river is filled with both Rainbow and Brown Trout. The fishing is superb, and you don’t even have to leave the city to do it.

Swing by Calaway Park

Finding an amusement park open year round in any part of Canada is an absolute rarity. The brutal winters in most parts of the country make it difficult at best. That’s why West Edmonton Mall is so unique with its various indoor attractions.

But during the prime weather seasons in Calgary, anyone visiting the city needs to check out Calaway Park. It’s the largest amusement park in Western Canada, and it’s just a few minutes west of Calgary. And it’s also a lot of fun.

Head down to Inglewood

As the oldest neighborhood in Calgary, Inglewood has been around since 1875. Keeping the historic nature of the area in mind, it has grown into a center of arts, culture and more. It’s the kind of place people can go to kill a leisurely day.

On top of all the great restaurants, shops and galleries that are always there, Inglewood has several major festivals and events at different times of the year. Keep an eye on their calendar because one might dovetail nicely with your visit.