Calgary can be your basecamp for many adventures. This summer, check out these amazing experiences only a short drive from the city.
Daytripping From Calgary
Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - Just 90 minutes south of Calgary, Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump is one of the world's largest, oldest and best-preserved buffalo jumps in the world. Burrow through a treasure trove of prehistoric artifacts and information about archeology exhibits, including a detailed look at the prehistoric life in the area, buffalo hunt ceremonies and the ecology of the region. For more information, visit www.history.alberta.ca/headsmashedin/default.aspx.
Royal Tyrrell Museum - Explore, create and discover at Canada’s only museum dedicated exclusively to the science of paleontology. In addition to staring in awe at the world’s largest displays of dinosaurs, you can spend the day excavating in a realistic quarry, making your own fossil replica or taking a guided hike through the badlands. For more information, visit www.tyrrellmuseum.com.
Kayben Farms Sunshine Adventure Park - Enjoy the fresh air and sun-soaked prairies while taking in the scent of summer blooms at the garden centre, filling a bucket with fresh fruits and vegetables that you’ve picked or watching the kids burn off extra energy as they race around the outdoor adventure park. There are 12+ acres of nature and farm for your kids to discover, learn and have fun in. For more information, visit www.kayben.com.
Butterfield Acres Farm - Experience a slower pace in a real farm environment where you can listen to the sheep munching on their hay, wiggle your fingers into the curly wool of a newborn lamb or inspect the hair in a calf's ear. For more information, visit www.butterfieldacres.com.
Food With Kid Appeal
Kids love to make, eat and have fun with great food. Calgary has many unique food experiences for kids to learn more about what they eat and have a great time. This summer, try a few of these great food experiences both you and your kids will enjoy:
Calgary Stampede Pancake Breakfast - Make sure your little cowpokes start the day with full tummies by checking out one of the many free pancake breakfasts all around the city. Live music, face painting and pony rides are just a few of the activities your family might encounter alongside the steaming pancake griddles and refreshing juice stands. Visit www.flapjackfinder.com for times and locations of the free Stampede breakfasts every day of the festival.
JoJo’s Cafe at Kayben Farms - Savor a meal featuring fresh local products such as greens from the chef’s garden or sunsweet berries while supporting local producers and helping the younger generation learn about the importance of sustainability. After lunch, go exploring through the 12+ acres of nature and farm for your kids to discover, learn and have fun in. For more information, visit www.kayben.com/JoJo's.html.
Kulinary Kids - Kulinary Kitchen - Get your kids chopping, baking and sautéing their way to culinary success! At Kulinary Kids, young chefs can create tasty food items from homemade pizza to enchiladas. Spend some quality time with the kids or take a break yourselves and leave the entertaining to Kulinary Kids when you sign your youngster up for their three-hour unparented fun evening. For more information, visit www.kulinarykids.ca.
Jelly modern birthdays - It’s no secret that kids love doughnuts, so why not host a birthday party at Jelly? With the help of a Jelly staff member, you can entertain your pint-sized guests with doughnut decorating. Using only top quality, locally sourced ingredients, watch the creativity flow as the kids dip and sprinkle their way to a doughnut masterpiece. For more information, visit www.jellymoderndoughnuts.com.
Gummi boutique - Step into this hidden gem candy story and you just might be more excited than the kids when you find yourself surrounded by a wide variety of retro-candy and other treats that are hard to find anywhere else. From Whirly Pops, Nerds and Smoochers, to Willy Wonka chocolate bars, your sweet tooth is sure to be satisfied. For more information, visit www.gummiboutique.wordpress.com.
Marble Slab Creamery - The Marble Slab Creamery experience starts when you enter their stores and are greeted by the aroma of freshly-baked waffle cones, available in a variety of flavors ranging from the traditional waffle to dark chocolate or sprinkles. The kids can peek over the counter to choose their flavor of fresh ice cream and then add toppings to make it just the way they like it. For more information, visit
www.marbleslab.ca.
Village Ice Cream - Village Ice Cream is made in small batches out of super fine ingredients. Their secret lies in their proprietary recipe, bringing you the richest, densest, creamiest all-natural ice cream you've ever tasted. For more information, visit www.villageicecream.com.
20 Calgary Summer Attractions for Families and Kids
1. WinSport Canada - Canada Olympic Park
88 Canada Olympic Road SW
Calgary, AB, T3B 5R5
Phone: 403-247-5452
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.winsportcanada.ca/cop
2. Heritage Park Historical Village
1900 Heritage Drive SW
Calgary, AB, T2V 2X3
Phone: 403-268-8500
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Website: www.heritagepark.ca
3. Calgary Stampede
1410 Olympic Way SE
Calgary, AB, T2G 2W1
Phone: 403-261-0101
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Website: www.calgarystampede.com
4. Calaway Park
245033 Range Road 33
Calgary, AB, T3Z 2E9
Phone: 403-240-3822
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Website: www.calawaypark.com
5. Fort Calgary
750, 9 Avenue SE
Calgary, AB, T2G 5E1
Phone: 403-290-1875
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Website: www.fortcalgary.com
6. Calgary Zoo
1300 Zoo Road NE
Calgary, AB, T2E 7V6
Phone: 403-232-9300
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Website: www.calgaryzoo.org
7. Calgary Corn Maze
284022 Township Road 224
Rockyview, AB, T1X 0J6
Phone: 403-648-2719
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Website: www.calgarycornmaze.com
8. Shakers Fun Center
9900 Venture Avenue SE
Calgary, AB, T3S 0A1
Phone: 403-236-2213
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Website: www.shakerscalgary.com
9. TELUS Spark Science Centre
220 St. George's Drive NE
Calgary, AB, T2E 5T2
Phone: 403-817-6800
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Website: www.sparkscience.ca
10. Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
169 Canada Olympic Road SW
Calgary, AB, T3B 5R5
Phone: 403-776-1040
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Website: www.sportshall.ca
11. Calgary Tower
101, 9 Avenue SW
Calgary, AB, T2P 1J9
Phone: 403-266-7171
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Website: www.calgarytower.com
12. Aero Space Museum of Calgary
4629 McCall Way NE
Calgary, AB, T2E 8A5
Phone: 403-250-3752
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Website: www.asmac.ab.ca
13. Laser Quest Calgary
9950 Macleod Trail SE
Calgary, AB, T2J 4L4
Phone: 403-640-1245
Website: www.laserquest.com/public/locations/AB-Calgary.cfm
14. SpacePort
2000 Airport Road NE
Calgary, AB, P.O. Box 59
Phone: 403-717-7678
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Website: www.yyc.com/Default.aspx?cid=956&lang=1/
15. Air Academy
1, 2139 Pegasus Way NE
Calgary, AB
Phone: 403-717-9082
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Website: www.virtualflights.ca
16. Bow Habitat Station
1440, 17A Street SE
Calgary, AB, T2G 4T9
Phone: 403-297-6561
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.srd.alberta.ca/RecreationPublicUse/BowHabitatStation
17. Devonian Gardens
324, 8 Avenue SW
Calgary, AB, T2P 2Z2
Phone: 403-268-3830
Website: www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/Locations/Downtown-parks/Devonian-Gardens.aspx?redirect=/parks/devonian
18. The Firefighters Museum of Calgary
4124, 11 Street SE
Calgary, AB, T2G 3H2
Phone: 403-246-3322
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.calgaryfirefightersmuseum.com
19. Horsin Around
3729, 146 Avenue SW
Calgary, AB
Phone: 403-263-7433
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.horsinaround.ca
20. CalgaryWalks
Calgary, AB
Phone: 1-855-620-6520
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.calgarywalks.com
Summertime Date Nights
Summer is a great time to explore new Calgary experiences on a date night. Make sure you spend some quality time with your significant other this summer with these activities:
TELUS Spark Science Centre adult only nights - Calgary’s newest attraction has engaging new adults only nights every second Thursday of the month. Treat the 'big kid' in you to music, bar service, special programs and unlimited access to their exhibit experiences. For more information, visit www.sparkscience.ca/events/adults-only-nights.
Lolita’s Lounge - A hidden gem in the heart of the historic neighborhood of Inglewood, Lolita's Lounge features some of Calgary's most unique and enjoyable entertainment in a cozy, stylish, intimate and classic 1940s-style venue. For more information, visit www.lolitaslounge.ca.
The Laugh Shop Comedy Club - Enjoy an evening full of laughter with live stand-up comedy. The Laugh Shop Comedy Club features a changing roster of touring and local comedians and a full dining menu for dinner or a snack. For more information, visit www.laughshopcalgary.com.
Calgary Beer Scene - From innovative new breweries to great new gastropubs, try hundreds of beer varieties from Calgary and around the world. Tap into the secrets of hefeweizen, IPAs and sweet Belgian blondes; you will be sure to find a brew you like at one of these great Calgary establishments:
Calgary Folk Music Festival - July 26 to 29 - This annual summer music event attracts acclaimed acts from around the globe. Enjoy a romantic day or evening featuring amazing music in the beautiful surroundings of Prince’s Island Park. For more information, visit www.calgaryfolkfest.com.
Stephen Avenue Walk - Cruise Calgary's coolest stretch of concrete where people watching is at a premium and the vibe, indisputable. Sit back in the cozy cafes, explore trendy boutiques and delight your appetite with everything from no-nonsense noshing to innovative cuisine. For more information, visit www.downtowncalgary.com/saw.html.
Summer Activities on a Budget
Summer is the perfect time to be out enjoying everything Calgary has to offer, but no one has an endless budget. Try out these inexpensive or free activities to lighten the load on your pocketbook this summer:
Calgary Stampede Parade - July 6 - An annual celebration that runs through Calgary’s downtown featuring horses, colorful floats, celebrity appearances and a host of international marching bands. With the Centennial celebration this year, this year’s parade is sure to be a crowd pleaser. For more information, visit http://parade.calgarystampede.com/.
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary - Take your kids on an urban safari at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and keep your eyes peeled for fanciful sounding birds like the Mourning Warbler, the Western-Wood Pewee and - if you're lucky - the Hairy Woodpecker. Explore this 36-hectare wildlife reserve that is visited by more than 270 species of birds, 21 species of mammals, 27 species of butterflies plus amphibians, reptiles and several species of fish. For more information, visit www.birdscalgary.wordpress.com/tag/inglewood-bird-sanctuary.
Rafting in the Bow River - Put your raft in the Bow River at Bowness Park in the city’s north end and gently float past beautiful homes, thickly-treed urban parks, fly fishers, the glittering towers downtown all the way to the Calgary Zoo.
Calgary’s Amazing Parks
Explore one of the largest urban parks in Canada! Fish Creek Provincial Park extends 20 kilometres from the Tsuu Tina Nation reserve in the west to the Bow River in the east. A day at Fish Creek could include picnicking, walking and biking on the extensive trail system, wildlife viewing or a refreshing dip in Sikome Lake. For more information, visit www.albertaparks.ca/fish-creek.aspx.
Nose Hill Park is one of the largest municipal parks in Canada. Located in North West Calgary, this amazing park covers 11 square kilometres. Nose Hill Park is perfect for a day of hiking, biking and a day out with your family dog. For more information, visit www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/Locations/NW-parks/Nose-Hill-Park.aspx.
Bowness Park is a Calgary family favorite where families can paddle a boat, walk, play and picnic. With terrific access to the Bow River, it is a great location to start your Calgary rafting adventure. For more information, visit www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/Locations/NW-parks/Bowness-Park.aspx.
Ranch and Farm Activities
Rafter Six Ranch Resort - Whether you are interested in a cowboy adventure or relaxation, Rafter Six Ranch is fun for the whole family! Enjoy guided horseback trail riding through picturesque Kananaskis Country, an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip or ziplining through a natural forest of spruce and Douglas fir. Slow it down with a hike on walking trails accompanied by a friendly ranch dog or swim in the heated outdoor pool, followed by a relaxing soak in the hot tub. For more information, visit www.raftersix.com.
Anchor D Guiding and Outfitting Ltd. - Saddle up! Located just an hour southwest of Calgary, Anchor D specializes in horseback vacations for everyone. You can enjoy a two- or three-hour guided trail ride in the high foothills, ranch or mountain day rides, a family-friendly weekend in the saddle, or even a four- or seven-day adventure ride. For more information, visit www.anchord.com.
Bar U Ranch - Head out to the Bar U Ranch and you and the family can discover what life was like for working cowboys in the Old West. Founded in the foothills of Southern Alberta in the late 1800s, the Bar U was once one of Canada’s largest ranching operations. Today, it’s a National Historic Site - and an exciting way to learn about ranching culture. For more information, visit www.friendsofthebaru.ca.
Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions - Riding the rails isn't your typical day out, especially when you do it old-school. Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions takes you on a trip back through time, where you can spend a day traveling through the rolling countryside from Stettler to Big Valley. On-board entertainment is included on some trips, and keep an eye out because the train just might fall victim to ‘Reynold's Raiders,’ a band of fictional robbers who are fended off by the Métis hero Gabriel Dumont. For more information, visit www.absteamtrain.com.
Tourism Calgary specializes in the marketing and promotion of Calgary to bring more people to Calgary for memorable experiences. Representing the tourism industry, and more than 540 members, Tourism Calgary brings the world to Calgary and Calgary to the world for leisure travel, and sport, culture and major events. For more information, visit www.visitcalgary.com, www.facebook.com/visitcalgary and www.twitter.com/calgary.
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