How to make the most of a city break in : Calgary
With limited vacation time, an abundance of natural beauty, as well as some of the world’s most unique cities, right on our doorstep, it’s no surprise that, according to Expedia, 77% of Canadian vacationers decided to holiday in the homeland. With no borders to cross, and only travel insurance to worry about, travelling to a new province could be the easy, breezy vacation you’ve been looking for.
If you’re hoping for a short stay jam-packed with things to do then look no further. We’ve put together a ten-part series guiding you on how to make the most of your weekend break in some of Canada’s coolest metropolises.
This week we look at “Cow Town”: Calgary.
With roughly 2,600 hours of sun a year, Calgary is the sunniest city in Canada, so if you’re after a vitamin D top-up it's the ideal location for a city break. Set in Alberta, around 50 miles east of the Rockies, Calgary is perfect for some stereotypical Canadian views. Characterized with North American prairies, the city was labelled “Cow Town” and still has some wild western features you might normally associate with American cowboy country.
With a walkable downtown core, laid out in a grid plan, it's easy for out-of-towners to find their way around, and there is plenty to discover.
Explore Nature
A city with so much of Canada’s natural beauty in reach, it’s hard not to get a taste of nature when visiting. There are endless hiking trails ranging in difficulty and offering unique views, surrounding the city; just an hour-long drive can get you to a huge bulk of them. Just 40 minutes outside of the city is Big Hill Springs, an easy hike which stays mostly flat and takes you past some beautiful waterfalls. Or, head 42km from the city to Jewell pass, another hike perfect for all skill levels, which follows a loop. Take the trail counter-clockwise for an easier route, or clockwise for something a little harder due to the direction of the incline.
Drive just a little further, (around one hour and 15 minutes) and you can find yourself in Banff-if you’re visiting Calgary this is a must do! When you tell a tourist to think of Canada, the idyllic imagery of Banff springs to mind. That's perhaps why it is such a tourist hotspot. A town all about the great outdoors, get acquainted with skiing, snowboarding, hiking, canoeing and cycling. Or really appreciate the beauty of the Rockies by taking the eight-minute Banff Gondola ride.
Luckily, you don’t have to leave the city to feel at one with nature. The Bow River runs right through the city and can be a calming piece of tranquillity in the hustle and bustle of city life. Rent a raft from Lazy Day Raft Rentals and cruise downstream with some friends on a summer’s day. Get your buddies together and try your hand at trout fishing or take in the river while staying completely dry and bike along its edge.
Alternatively, pack a picnic and head to Prince Edward Park, a horticultural haven amidst the concrete jungle. Developed in the 1950s, these days the park also hosts festivals every year, including the Calgary Folk Festival and Expo Latino, so be sure to check one out if you’re in town on the right day.
Go shopping
You know that those big cities; Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, are all known for their fashion offering, but Calgary can certainly give them a run for their money. Calgary actually has an average population age of around 32, making it a pretty young city, and all those kids are certainly influencing its retail selection. Stroll down 17th and choose from mainstream favourites like Frank & Oak, or more unique boutiques, record stores and jewellery shops. Plus, the strip also has plenty of restaurants and bars if you feel like a mid-shop break.
Calgary Tower
Every major Canadian city seems to have its own tower offering 360-degree views of the urban atmosphere, and Cow Town is no different. In just 62 seconds, find yourself 1228 metres above sea level and get that perfect snap of the city. Once you’re finished up on the observation deck, why not grab a drink or a bite to eat in the Sky 360 lounge and watch the sunset.
Get sporty
Alberta is a province that is home to two Stanley Cup champion teams: the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames. So, it comes as no surprise that hockey is one of Calgary's most loved sports. If you find yourself in the city between October and April, try and catch an excitement-fuelled game at the Saddledome.
Hockey isn’t all Calgary is about either; from baseball to football, the city is rife with sports fanatics, and if you share a similar passion be sure to check out the Sports Hall of Fame. Situated in the grounds of the Canada Olympic Park, the 40,000 sq ft museum has all kinds of educational and interactive exhibits dedicated to some of Canada’s biggest sporting heroes.
The Olympic Park, once a host to the 1988 Winter Olympics, is also the perfect place to engage in some sports yourself. Try your hand at downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and bobsledding in the winter months. Or, head there on a sunnier day to enjoy mountain biking, zip-lining and all kinds of fun, summer camps for the kids.
Eat well
After all the excitement Calgary has to offer, refuel in one of its many restaurants. The city is diverse in its offerings, with tastes influenced by its multicultural population.
If you want something fancy, you need to try Alloy. In 2017, this low key restaurant was voted one of the best restaurants in Calgary and serves up a unique mix of local ingredients and global flavours. Situated in one of the downtown core’s more industrial areas, the restaurant encourages its diners to step away from their cell phones, and focus on the experience instead, by refusing to offer free WiFi.
Another contemporary stop is The COUP-a modern vegetarian hub with an intimate atmosphere. Before you carnivores turn your nose up at the thought of a vegetarian eatery, you should know that this place offers food of such high quality that you won’t even notice the meat is missing. The restaurant also has a whimsical offering of vegetarian cocktails that incorporate ingredients like fresh fruit juice, kombucha and oat milk, so you can feel good while being a little bit bad.
For a snack on the go, but with a unique twist, check out Pretty Sweet. This downtown bakery offers some really special sweet treats-including some creative looking doughnuts that you certainly won’t find anywhere else. They also offer individually made celebration cakes and adorable cupcakes, in all kinds of decadent flavours, including vanilla bean, cotton candy, fruity pebble, s'mores, raspberry rose, and strawberry white chocolate. Whether you need a sugar rush to fuel your busy day or want to grab one as a gift for a loved one, it's not like anything you will find elsewhere.
Grab a drink
Calgary is a city that is young at heart. There are five public post-secondary institutions in Calgary, including two major universities, The University of Calgary has 30,201 students alone. Couple that with the city’s young population age, and it's no surprise that recent years has seen Calgary’s offering of bars, clubs and pubs sky-rocketing.
Check out the iconic Red Mile; the name was given to a stretch of 17th Avenue after the Calgary Flames 2004 Stanley Cup playoff run after a mardi-gras style celebration had broken out. These days the area has a high concentration of clubs, pubs and lounges suitable for all kinds of party animals.
The beer scene in the city has seen a boost in recent years, with 20 micro craft breweries popping up. A number of breweries in the region offer brew tours, where you can get educated on the beer making process while you sip on a beverage. Some of the most notable breweries in the city include Brewsters Brewing Company, Wild Rose Brewery, National Beer Hall, Bottlescrew Bill’s Pub, and The Craft Beer Market which offers over 100 beers on tap.
If cocktails are your thing, get down to Cannibale, a stylish hub of cocktails, fine spirits and wines. Unexpectedly, you can also get yourself a sweet haircut or a close shave while you’re there, as Cannibale doubles as a barber shop! Their cocktail list is categorised by pre-prohibition, post-prohibition, tiki, revivals and original cocktails, and really is like nowhere you’ve been before.
Finally, for some fun, try Pinbar-arcade bar. This vintage spot is open late every day of the week and has 18 different pinball games to hold your attention. Plus, the bar offers a food challenge called the F’getaboutit, which challenges customers to eat five pounds of food in just 30 minutes!
With all of that fun to be had, you want to make sure that your trip goes off without a hitch. Search the market and find a travel insurance policy that will keep you and your family fully protected.