How to Spend a Weekend in Calgary
If you’re planning to spend a weekend in Calgary, you can enjoy many of the city’s best sights and attractions, such as the Calgary Tower and the Glenbow Museum. Use this guide to plan your exciting weekend in Calgary filled with can’t-miss landmarks and experiences.
Friday Evening
After checking into a boutique hotel near the central downtown district, you’ll be ready to start your weekend in Calgary. You can enjoy dinner at one of the fine restaurants near your hotel that boast such excellent delights as Italian cuisine with a French twist or authentic Afghan recipes.
Calgary boasts many exciting nightlife spots and evening entertainment options to enjoy after dinner. You can enjoy a night of cocktails in quiet nooks by a fire or throbbing dancing venues with live music. Downtown Calgary has excellent pubs, lounges, and nightclubs to experience your first night in the city.
If you prefer a quieter night, you could try a walking tour of the downtown area to see public artwork and browse shops, or you could take in the spectacular night views of the city from the Calgary Tower. The city also hosts Calgary Ghost Tours on select nights that give you a glimpse into the fascinating history.
Saturday Morning
Saturday morning is the start of a fun-filled day exploring Calgary. You can start with gourmet coffee and breakfast at one of the city’s independent cafes or coffee shops or sleep in a little and enjoy brunch at one of the local restaurants in the downtown area.
After breakfast, you’ll find endless attractions to explore. You can visit the Glenbow Museum, which boasts art and local history exhibits with permanent collections and archives, or stroll through Heritage Park Historical Village, a large Western Canadian history museum with working antiques and seasonal actor re-creations. Prince’s Island Park, an urban park built on the site of a former sawmill, has picnic areas and walking trails to enjoy some of the scenery.
During your travels, be sure to stop into a restaurant in the city for lunch before returning to your hotel to prepare for your evening on the town.
Saturday Evening
Whether you like nightlife or offbeat experiences, you’ll find plenty of variety for a Saturday night in Calgary. You could enjoy a movie-themed dinner before heading to the Gasoline Alley Museum to see a classic movie or watch independent art films at the Globe Cinema and Plaza Theatre. You can also take a Full Moon Bike Ride for casual, fun adventures along Calgary’s lovely network of pathways and parks.
If you prefer a night of cocktails and music, you’ll have plenty of nightclubs and pubs to choose from. You’ll find a high concentration of clubs, pubs, and lounges in the 17th Avenue area that range in style from formal dress to casual attire. You may enjoy a night at one of the city’s casinos that feature some of the best entertainers in the world and live shows on weekend nights.
Sunday Morning
With just 24 hours left in Calgary, Sunday morning should be an early day that begins with breakfast or brunch before sightseeing. This is a great day to visit Fort Calgary, a wooden fort from 1875 with historic displays and tours, or Fish Creek Provincial Park, a vast outdoor park with networks of hiking and biking trails around a man-made lake with native wildlife.
You might also stop at Devonian Gardens, a tropical botanical garden within a shopping centre that has fish ponds, palms, and vibrant blooms. The Military Museums, a set of museums featuring Canadian Navy, Army and Air Force history from the 1885 North-West Rebellion to recent operations in Afghanistan, and the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary & Nature Centre, a nature centre with walking paths, birds, and wildlife in a picturesque setting, are two highlights for the day.
In between sightseeing, be sure to stop in one of the quaint restaurants throughout the city to enjoy lunch before preparing for the evening’s festivities.
Sunday Night
To top off your weekend, you can enjoy a Sunday night out in Calgary that starts with a lovely dinner at one of the many great restaurants and bistros that serve everything from European fare to Asian cuisine.
After dinner, you can try a quieter night with a comedy show at one of the casinos or theatres in the city, or you might enjoy cocktails and artwork at a Paint Nite in one of the local bars. You’ll also find an array of unique events such as ballroom or swing dancing, poetry nights, and storey slams, as well as mystery dinners at the dinner theatre.
For more conventional nightlife, many of the bars in the city host open mic and jam nights to listen to up-and-coming bands and artists. You’ll also enjoy the Inglewood Night Market, an open-air market with craft vendors, local produce, trunk sales, and live music.
If you’re ready to enjoy a full weekend in Calgary, Expedia can help. Check out our accommodation options to get a great deal on your trip and plan your excursions.
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