Calgary, Canada
Calgary will surprise you with its beauty, cool eateries, nightlife beyond honky-tonk, and long, worthwhile to-do list. The city is waking up and smelling the single-origin home-roasted coffee, too, with top-notch craft bars, boutique shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues exhibiting more color and experimentation. Long stretches of riverside jogging and even a lone surfing spot make for outdoor activities that other cities can't hold a candle to. The longer you stay, the more there is to surprise you.
Know Before You Go
Cowboy Country
The annual Calgary Stampede is one of the largest rodeos in North America that attracts tens of thousands of visitors every summer
Banff’s a Beaut
As much a piece of early pioneer history as a natural wonder, the world’s third oldest national park was founded in 1885 and is Canada personified: a rugged but easily accessible wilderness that caters to every possible taste, from bus tour seniors sipping afternoon tea in the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel to adventurous hikers in search of backcountry isolation.
Victory Lap
Calgary hosted the Winter Olympics in 1988 and since then has had a variety of world class facilities (the Olympic Oval, Olympic Plaza, the ski hill, etc.). There are even fun activities to do there in the summer as well; the Olympic Park opens its chair lift to mountain bikers in the summer, while the ski jump morphs into North America’s fastest zipline.
Bow Down
The Bow River is the famous river that flows throughout Calgary. It passes by numerous beautiful parks (Baker Park, Bowness Park, etc.) and is open for tubing, swimming, fishing, etc.
Up-and-Coming Eats
Calgary is Canada’s third most cosmopolitan city after Toronto and Vancouver, and the diversity is reflected in the food. Ethnic restaurants abound – pho is a recent trend - but it’s the burgeoning farm-to-table movement that has really raised the game.
Hoofing It
Calgary has the most comprehensive network of urban parkways in North America: Close to 800 kilometers of trails have been developed purely for walkers, cyclists, and other non-motorized traffic, and, defying inclement weather, almost half of them are snow-cleared in the winter.
Can’t-Miss Neighborhoods
Marda Loop
Small neighbourhood in south Calgary that has a bunch of quaint shops and delicious restaurants
Inglewood
It's the original main street in Calgary and is very trendy/artsy with galleries, restaurants, and vintage shops (very hipster area)
Kensington
It's located right in downtown Calgary and offers a variety of high class shops and restaurants in a quaint yet urban atmosphere
When to Go
The best time to visit Calgary is in the summer (early July to be precise). That is when the Stampede occurs (which is a super fun 2 week event that locals go crazy for) and also when we have the best weather. As a northern city, we get our fair share of snow and freezing temperatures, so unless someone wanted to take advantage of the numerous ski hills we have around the area, the summer is definitely the time to visit
Featured Local: Kortnee Paiha
Kortnee is a grad student majoring in English and the co-founder of On Her Side, an after-school nonprofit program designed to help girls age 11-14 explore and develop new skills. With her passion for writing, Kortnee has published several short stories in various American and Canadian literary journals and has written two novels that she hopes to eventually publish. Along with her love for music, running, and dogs, Kortnee strongly believes in creating a world in which every individual, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion, is free to express his or her belief in a positive environment and excel at his or her skill set.
Kortnee’s Must-Dos
The Nash
Located in the old National Hotel, The Nash is one of Inglewood’s trendiest restaurants and the perfect place to impress your date. With its classic decor and fabulous menu, it almost feels as if you are in a different city when dining on the meticulous and beautifully crafted dishes. One of my favourite things about The Nash is its dedication to community and relationship with local producers and growers. It is definitely one of Calgary’s local treasures and one of my favourite places to eat!
Johnston Canyon
Just outside of Banff is one of my favourite trails in the Calgary area. A relatively light hike of three miles, the scenery is beautiful and the picturesque waterfall at the end makes every step worth it. Winding through the mountains with the trail cut right into the terrain, Johnston Canyon allows for the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in nature. For those wanting a little reward for making it all the way to the Upper Falls, a bar, restaurant, and cafe await at the end of the trail.
Kortnee’s Recs
Posto Pizzeria
A self described “curious” restaurant, Posto Pizzeria and Bar offers a wide range of delicious pizzas and other interesting options such as pirogies and black kale salad. While this trendy little pizzeria is eccentric and delicious, its pizza will leave you drooling for more. Make sure to snap a picture before you dive into your pizza and share it with all your friends; they might just take a bite of their phones!
Tool Shed Brewing Co.
Tool Shed is one of the coolest local spots in Calgary. Its rustic and inviting atmosphere is unique and relaxing and the brews are second to none. With both indoor and outdoor patios, pinball machines, and a huge projector for sports games, Tool Shed is the ultimate night out brewery. Along with tours, Tool Shed also has an area where you can watch beer being made while enjoying a pint of your own!
The Trop
This cozy tavern places an emphasis on making the atmosphere one you will want to come back to time and time again. It also makes ridiculously good food that has made it a personal favourite of mine whenever I'm looking to unwind. Another fun aspect of the Trop is its live music scene. Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night, they feature local live bands!
