Six Fun Things to Do Off the C-Train

Written by Amanda Carriere

To please children who want to ride the C-Train, many parents leave their cars at home for a day. There are many things parents and children can do in Calgary to learn and stay connected. Just off of the C-Train parents can take their children to parks, malls, bumper car venues, historic and interesting museums, cheap movies and inexpensive meals.

 Here is a list of the top six things to do:

1: See a cheap movie at Canyon Meadows. Featuring stadium-style seating with lots of leg room, Canyon Meadows Cinemas shows second-run films on big screens. The independent theatre's admission prices are less than half that of the city's major studio theatres.

2: Visit Fort Calgary. Fort Calgary is within walking distance from the City Hall station and is open year-round from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is run by the Fort Calgary Preservation Society, who aim at building a greater understanding of Calgary. Admission rates include GST and are $11 per adult, $7 per youth (7 to 17), $5 per child (3 to 6) and free for children two-years-old and younger. Visitors can try on a Northwest Mounted Police Uniform, experience a jail cell from the inside and ride a virtual street car.

3: Go to Kart World Family Fun Centre. It is located by the Chinook station.
The centre offers a track for the Go-Karts, laser tag, mini-golf and an arcade. Go-Karts range in price from $5.50 to $25, depending on age, type of Go-Kart and length of ride. Laser tag is $5.50 per game. Mini-golf costs $5.50 per adult and $4.50 for children under 10-years-old. Competitor's coupons are accepted.

4: Take a look down at Calgary from the top of the Calgary Tower. It has been open year-round since it first opened on June 30, 1968. The observation deck offers a good view of Calgary. There is now a glass floor 36 feet long and four feet wide that is 525 feet above ground. Visitors can stand on the glass floor. Admission rates are $14 per adult, $10 per youth (13 to 17), $6 per child (4 to 12) and free for infants under three-years-old.

5: Have a chicken and corn fritters at Chicken on the Way.Located in Kensington, it is a short walk from the Sunnyside station. Chicken on the Way has been serving crowd favourites like their fried chicken and corn fritters in Calgary since 1958. There is no seating inside, but there are picnic tables outside. The meals are reasonably price and range from $6.25 to $11. Chicken on the Way opens every day at 10:30 a.m. and closes at 11 p.m. on Sundays, 12:30 a.m. from Monday to Thursday and 1:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

6. Devonian Gardens "urban oasis" is Calgary's only indoor public park. Step into a garden of tropical plants and natural light. Meandering walkways lead guests past water fountains, over tree-decked plazas, to ponds teaming with fish. There is also a "living wall" within the Gardens - a favourite spot for photos. Children can enjoy the indoor playground or take in various drop-in programs.

Check some of these places out the next time a child wants to ride the C-Train. It could be an interesting adventure or a chance to explore a new area of the city.