You don’t have to go far to feel like you are getting away and experiencing new things.
The community of Airdrie (otherwise known as Calgary’s hat) is home to more than 80,000 people, and it is much more than a bedroom community. With places to shop, eat, play and have fun, you can get out of town for a day and unwind.
Here are our favorite things to do in Airdrie, “the city of community and opportunity”:
Fun
Bert Church LIVE Theatre - airdrie.ca
1000 East Lake Boulevard NE
Bert Church LIVE Theatre is a fully equipped, live performing arts venue. The 377-seat facility provides audiences with a unique opportunity to experience world-renowned performers in a local setting. The facility features professional-grade sound and lighting systems, combined with the charm of a small city venue that provides an up-close-and-personal experience, free parking and wheelchair accessibility.
Chinook Winds Regional Park - airdrie.ca
2853 Chinook Winds Drive SW
This beautiful park in Airdrie’s southwest is 55 acres of land with an abundance of kids’ activities including a playground, splash park, skatepark, two kilometres of paved pathways, a multi-use court, two concessions, four beach sand volleyball courts, eight ball diamonds and a cross-country ski track.
Genesis Place Recreation Centre - airdrie.ca
800 East Lake Boulevard NE
This impressive recreation centre boasts a pool, fitness centre, gymnasium, fieldhouse and arenas as well as facility rentals. There is something for every member of the family to enjoy.
Glitch! Gaming Lounge - glitchgaming.ca
203 - 127 Kingsview Road SE
If you have a gamer in your house, this is the place to be. This gaming lounge has 12 VR stations and an ever-growing library of the most popular and immersive games out there. They also have a PS5, Xbox X, and a retro arcade system in their VIP rooms as well as a number of computers set up with PC games. Their lounge area is serviced with a full restaurant, pool tables, ping pong and arcade style games.
Iron Horse Park – ironhorsepark.ca
820 Railway Gate SW
This might be the best kept secret in Airdrie. Iron Horse Park is a miniature rideable railway operated by The Alberta Model Engineering Society. The miniature trains, track and landscape at Iron Horse Park represent the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) from the prairies to the coast. Take the 1.6km interpretive journey aboard one of the one-eighth-scale diesel or steam locomotives at the park and get a feeling of what the railway was like in Western Canada during the late 19th century. The journey will take you over hills, across trestles and through tunnels across the varied landscape. Admission is free and train rides are $3.
Nose Creek Regional Park - airdrie.ca
1691 Main Street S
This park, located right beside the Nose Creek Valley Museum, offers 20 acres of stunning natural area in the heart of the downtown core. The family-oriented park boasts an amphitheatre, concession area and fire pit. The space also offers picnic tables, a covered shelter and nature trails, making it an appealing location for many community events. Nose Creek Pond also stocks trout twice over the summer months and offers fishing as an option to spend some family time.
Nose Creek Valley Museum - nosecreekvalleymuseum.com
1701 Main Street S
This museum’s motto – big history, little museum – could not be more fitting! Within the walls of this small building just off Main Street there are 2000 years of history, 20,000 artifacts and ten exhibits. Take your family to get an interesting glimpse into the historical aspects of Airdrie, Nose Creek, and surrounding areas. Admission is by donation.
Shopping
Airdrie Farmers’ Market (Wednesdays from 3:30 to 7pm) - airdriefarmersmarket.com
320 Centre Avenue E
Original quilts, locally made art, natural soaps and lotions, these are just a few of the things you will find at Airdrie Farmers’ Market. Don’t forget about the fresh produce and variety food trucks ready to serve you every week.
Muk-Luk Magpies Stained Glass Emporium - muklukmagpies.com
103 - 2966 Main Street SE
Whether you create your own stained-glass creations or want to buy a gorgeous piece for yourself or as a gift, Muk-Luk’s has what you are looking for. They offer glasswork classes, supplies, custom glasswork and sell hand-crafted pieces by local makers.
Squiggly Pig Marketplace – Instagram @thesquiggypig.airdrie
2109 - 109 Gateway Drive NE
This local marketplace has been uniting customers with cottage-industry products in a relaxed shopping atmosphere for two years. With more than 120 vendors from across Canada filling their shelves, they are offering an easier way for small businesses to sell their wares year ‘round and for customers to get everything they want in one place.
SNAP! Collectables – snapcollectables.com
4101 - 104 MacKenzie Way SW
This retailer of comic books, modern vintage toys and collectibles has been in operation since 2019. It has hundreds of items that will have you reminiscing about your childhood and your kid saying, “Can we get this?!” Don’t see what you want, just ask the staff as they have a huge warehouse with many more items to choose from.
Where on Earth Did You Get That? Antique Mall and Vintage Markets – whereonearth.ca
325 Edmonton Trail SE
A local, family-owned and operated business with a love for all things vintage and unique. This massive store has more than 15,000 square feet and over 60 vendors for you to peruse. Items are added daily so no matter how often you come, there is always something new.
Food
Abe’s Modern Diner – abesfood.ca
101 - 30 Market Boulevard SE
Abe’s is a cozy, casual and modern diner established in 2015. It is locally owned by a family that is passionate about food and service. Your Abe’s experience will feel and taste good, like a home away from home. All the diner classics are here for your to enjoy.
Flavours of Montreal Bakery & Deli – flavoursofmontreal.com
4 - 213 Main Street NW
The name might have tipped you off that this is the place in and around Airdrie to get the best Montreal classic smoked meat sandwich but that is not all this quaint bakery and deli has to offer. Their larger-than-life sandwich selection and authentic poutine can’t be missed. If you are more of a sweet tooth, they have you covered as well with a delectable New York style cheesecake, tourtière and many more desserts.
Jam’s Airdrie – jamsairdrie.com
113 - 1700 Market Street
If you are planning to be up and at ‘em bright and early in Airdrie, you can’t pass up a chance to visit Jam’s. All their jams and jellies are made in house and they offer an impressive menu with all of the breakfasts you expect as well as a “grocery store” where you can purchase a dozen eggs, their signature jams, salad dressings, hot sauce, sausages and even clotted cream.
Rocket Fizz Candy Store - rocketfizz.com
101- 3 Kingsview Road SE
This independently owned and operated candy store has a massive selection of candy and bottled sodas. You can find anything to satisfy your sweet tooth, but you might be surprised to find some not-so-appetizing flavors as well. Sodas and candies come in some unusual flavors like snot, Caesar salad, macaroni and cheese and even sardines!
Sweet Tooth Candy Company – on Instagram @sweettoothcandyco
106 - 2914 Kingsview Boulevard SE
Sweet tooth is a family owned and local business specializing in cakes, cupcakes, cookies, tarts, pastries, and homemade chocolates. They offer concession items like popcorn, cotton candy, foothills ice cream and a candy zone. Check out their retail therapy room where they carry a selection of more than 20 local vendors.
What’s Pop‘N Pop Shop – whatspopn.ca
2 - 704 Main Street SE
Pick your favorite pop and add some delicious flavors and creamers to make it your own. This tiny shop also offers popcorn with a variety of seasonings, soft serve ice cream options, cafe products, hot dogs, nachos, sugar cookies and more.
With options like this your family is sure to find a way to spend an adventurous day in the city that is our neighbor to the north. No doubt you will drive home with some great memories and full tummies.
Stacie is the associate editor of Calgary’s Child Magazine and mother of a delightful daughter and silly son. Her days are filled with playing in parks, creating crafts and keeping up with the chaos. She thoroughly enjoys supporting, connecting and informing parents through interesting stories like this one.
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