Summer’s not quite done yet, but fall is on the horizon – make the most of the warm weather while we still have it!
Here are a bunch of great things to do in the last few glorious weeks of summer.
Get a bird’s eye view
View the stunning mountain scenery from above by riding the Jasper Sky Tram up Whistler Mountain or Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain!
Pack a picnic
Whether you want to set up in the park down the street from your house or drive out to the mountains, the last days of summer are a great time for a picnic. Pack up your basket and munch on your favorite portable provisions. Make your picnic about spending time together by bringing your favorite games and having some fun, or choose a lakeside spot and take a dip while you still can!
Sip some cider
Did you know that Calgary has several local cideries? What better way to welcome the harvest season than tasting one of its famous fruits in beverage form?
Many have non-alcoholic apple-based drinks for the kids as well. Check out Uncommon Cider Co., SunnyCider Bar and Taproom, Elite Brewing & Cidery and Lekker Cider.
Play minigolf
There are about a dozen minigolf places in Calgary. Swing a club with your kids and see who gets the best score. Maybe you can even make it interesting and bet on who pays for ice cream or hot chocolate (depending on the weather) on the way home.
Grab a spot of tea
Get out your hats and pearls and make it an elegant afternoon to remember. The Lougheed House and the Palliser Hotel are two locations that offer an afternoon tea complete with tiny sandwiches and tasty desserts.
Harvest Lights and Fall Days at the Calgary Farmyard
Starting September 15, a fall trip to the Calgary Farmyard is an annual tradition for many families and friends. In addition to enjoying hours of fun on the farm, pumpkins are on display for photos and for purchase. Learn more at calgaryfarmyard.com.
Calgary Philharmonic Fall Shows
The Calgary Philharmonic Fall lineup is incredible! September includes shows like Never Break the Chain: The Music of Fleetwood Mac and Serena Ryder with the Calgary Phil and October will see The Sneetches By Dr. Seuss and Disney + Pixar’s Up in Concert on stage at Jack Singer Concert Hall. Learn more and get tickets at calgaryphil.com.
Snuggle in at a cozy cafe
As the weather gets chillier towards the end of September, it is the perfect time of the year to enjoy a hot drink together and catch up as a family. Calgary is home to dozens of amazing independent cafes and coffee shops and they all offer a little something unique.
Volunteer together
Volunteering as a family is a great way to teach your children tons of important skills and life lessons, but it is also a great way to have fun together! Whether you collect food for the food bank, make warm clothes for a homeless shelter or sell some old toys and donate the money to your favorite cause, you are working together for the greater good. Learn more about local volunteer opportunities at volunteerconnector.org.
Travel to a ghost town
Check out the abandoned town of Bulwark, the haunted bar and hotel in Wayne, the once-prosperous coal town of Bankhead, the seven-resident town of Orion, along with quite a few more that are well within driving distance of Calgary.
Go birdwatching
Learn about some of the more than 270 species of birds that call Calgary home by taking one of the City of Calgary’s birdwatching programs. Programs include visits to some of Calgary’s natural areas and are led by birding experts, who are eager to share their knowledge and experience with birders of all levels. Learn more at calgary.ca.
Take a delicious drive
There are a few treats in local towns around Calgary that are worth the extra time and gas money. Some of our favorites are the cinnamon bun at Roy’s Place Restaurant in Claresholm, donuts from Donut Man in Crossfield, and cupcakes at 94 Take the Cake in Okotoks.
Glenbow Ranche Provincial Park
This huge park (in a gorgeous natural setting) is steeped in western culture, Indigenous history, and numerous recreational opportunities, including family-friendly mountain biking trails. A few of the additional attractions in the park include a quaint museum located in a historic 110-year-old building, a reconstructed corral and an interpretive trail that highlights the natural and human history of the site.
Tailgate
Even if it is just in your driveway, have a casual gathering with some snacks and a few friends before a football game. Cheer on your favorite team and even let the kids create their own halftime show for everyone to enjoy.
Visit a cave
Did you know that there is a Cold War era bunker in Kananaskis Country? Just a one-hour drive from Calgary, the official Heart Creek trailhead is in a huge parking lot near the Lac des Arcs overpass. From the parking lot, it is a short (2km) walk to the Heart Creek Bunker. This cave was originally dug out of the mountain during the Cold War to house important documents, but never used. Visit alltrails.com for detailed directions.
Get in the car for candy
There are a number of small candy stores that are sweet enough to get in the car and drive out of town for. You can get things in these shops that you won’t find at your local gas station including some nostalgic candy and even gross flavor options. Some of our favorites are Rocket Fizz in Airdrie, Horsecreek Heritage Candy & Gifts in Cochrane, Old Tyme Candy Shoppe in Canmore and Frontier Candy & Ice Cream in Bragg Creek.
Play tourist in Banff
Plan a day trip to Banff with a ride on the gondola, a walk along the river or a short hike up Tunnel Mountain. The town is much quieter in the fall than the summer months, making it an excellent place to take the family to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Get historic
Take a road trip to visit a historic place in Alberta. Make your own memories while learning about the people and places that made our province the flourishing land it is today. Some of our favorite places to learn about the past include Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village in Lamont County, Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site, Atlas Coal Mine and Heritage Park.
Catch a game
Pick a sport, any sport. Hockey, soccer, football, lacrosse… check out a game whether it’s with the pros, a recreational league or anything in between! Learn a new sport or share one of your favorites.
Keep up with all the latest events in Calgary by signing up for our newsletter or checking out our online calendar at calgaryschild.com. CCM
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