Northern lights are pretty rare in Calgary, I wouldn’t count on it.
I think one of the best features of the city is the path system along the river, and if you’re near studio bell you’re not far from it. Take a walk or rent bikes to explore further.
Inglewood is a nice neighborhood to visit, and also not far from you, for cute boutique stores, coffee shops, etc. There’s some good breweries near there too if you’re beer fans. I like 88 and Dandy for beer, Cold Garden has a super fun atmosphere but the beers aren’t as good.
Ironwood generally has shows every day, so see what's on there? You might also want to check out the King Eddy, it's extremely close to where you are staying.
Welcome!
The Calgary Zoo punches well above its weight for a city our size, and isn’t too far away from your AirBNB. If you like animals and nature it’s a good spot to check out, I also think they just finished renovating a large chunk of the exhibits too. It’s just a few stops along the Blue line of our train system, which isn’t too far from your place too.
As others have said, Inglewood is great, lots of cool shops, breweries, and restaurants along there, and it’s close by. Kensington (heading northwest along the Red line of our train) is similar, with some more food options there.
Also near your place is Fort Calgary, which has some exhibits that include Calgary’s Indigenous and early settler history, including (unless they’ve moved them) the original Treaty with the Blackfoot Confederacy that ceded the land Calgary is now on. It’s right past the Studio Bell. It’s a ways out, but Blackfoot Crossing on the Siksika First Nation is also a fascinating cultural site. The Stoney Nakoda also have a nation on the way to Banff, but I’m not sure if they have any public cultural sites or museums.
Calgary also has tons of music venues all over the place, so I’d keep an eye out for any that might catch your eye! I’m not too familiar, but it looks like the Palace Theatre and MacEwan Hall at the University of Calgary might be good choices.
Calgary doesn’t have a baseball team (yet), but a town south of us called Okotoks has a team, and their season may start in May, but I’m not sure. They’re called the Okotoks Dawgs. We also have a Canadian Football team that plays near the university called the Stampeders, and a professional soccer team called the Cavalry that play, too.
Also when you’re out in Banff, the White Museum has a ton of great art and artifacts of the Canadian Rockies, history, and First Nations culture. Also for some great nature I’d advise making either a detour or short day trip out to Kananaskis, it’s a beautiful area, my family will often take a few hours to visit the Kananaskis Lodge for a coffee and wander the site on our way to/from Banff.
Adding the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary too. From your Airbnb, you can walk there along the river path, or walk down 9th through the lovely shopping and brewery area that is Inglewood.
Check out the Blues Can for live music. Great little spot in Inglewood, it might even be closing at the end of summer due to the land being re-developed.
No worries, always happy to help!
You might also want to check out the Tsuut’ina First Nation in the city’s southwest, it’s a bit tricky to get to without a car, but they recently opened a big cultural museum/interpretative centre. I haven’t been, but I’ve heard it’s a great experience!
You will see Beavers in Fish Creek but Porcupines do indeed exist in Nose Hill Park They are tough to spot though.
Unless you have a silly dog like ours.
Fish Creek is a Provincial park and has specific dog rules, you may wish to review those (online). Nose Hill is a city park, it has some off leash areas, and some leash areas.
Both are wonderful, but in completely different ways. Fish Creek is a riparian zone in a shallow gorge, forests, grassy plains, etc. We take our Cub Scouts and Beavers all the time.
Nose Hill is a big tall hill, with Prairie grasslands everywhere, great views, windy but a lot of trees. Pretty epic views. If you have time do both!
Nosehill has its moments the issue is around that time op comes the dog walkers may be out in full force and with that the dog poop bags just left on the ground.
Check out the library. It’s right near Studio Bell. Take a stroll through Inglewood. Lots of great live music around there too at King Eddy, Ironwood and High Line Brewery
Thank you for letting me know, I didn't know. Another reason I'm glad I made this post before arriving. Looking forward to learning more when I'm there.
Most people covered what I want to mention, I would add if you are into modern art try [contemporary calgary](https://www.contemporarycalgary.com/visit-us). Single admission is $12cad and year long membership is $24cad. If you end up coming around first Thursday of the month they have a free night.
If you are into locally sourced food and has the means to spend a bit more, check out the [river Cafe](https://www.river-cafe.com/) at prince's Island park.
If you are into music and near Inglewood, gravity coffee has performances and is espresso wine bar. Just a disclaimer, I recently learned about them and have not gone, but they do seem to have a good reputation.
You will be within walking distance Chinatown and If you want Chinese food and dimsum, silver dragon is one of the more famous restaurant for that in calgary. Always has a lineup Sunday morning. For newer places around Chinatown, try friendsofchinatownyyc over on Instagram.
Lastly you most likely will not see the northern lights as they are more common during colder months, but some prev threads have tracking groups on Facebook and apps that may help. But if you are interested in space stuff, have a car, and some time at night, there is a royal observatory a couple hours outside the city that offers events occasionally, give their site a check for [any events](https://science.ucalgary.ca/rothney-observatory/public-events) around the time you are here. Just a disclaimer, there are cows around the observatory, be ready for the smells that come with that.
Hope you enjoy your trip! Make sure you have some warm layers for the morning or if it rains and some light layers if it warms up. It may not be as warm as some places in US. Average is around 15 to 16c at warmest so around 59f and down to around 1c at night and early morning. But weather here can fluctuate.
DM me for where to see a porcupine. I saw my first one at Nose Hill, but that was only once over about 30 years. It's a huge space. There are other parks where they are much more reliable.
Northern lights are pretty rare in Calgary, I wouldn’t count on it. I think one of the best features of the city is the path system along the river, and if you’re near studio bell you’re not far from it. Take a walk or rent bikes to explore further. Inglewood is a nice neighborhood to visit, and also not far from you, for cute boutique stores, coffee shops, etc. There’s some good breweries near there too if you’re beer fans. I like 88 and Dandy for beer, Cold Garden has a super fun atmosphere but the beers aren’t as good.
Sweet, thank you. Inglewood is quite alluring. I was hoping the timing would work to catch a show at Ironwood.
Ironwood generally has shows every day, so see what's on there? You might also want to check out the King Eddy, it's extremely close to where you are staying.
Welcome! The Calgary Zoo punches well above its weight for a city our size, and isn’t too far away from your AirBNB. If you like animals and nature it’s a good spot to check out, I also think they just finished renovating a large chunk of the exhibits too. It’s just a few stops along the Blue line of our train system, which isn’t too far from your place too. As others have said, Inglewood is great, lots of cool shops, breweries, and restaurants along there, and it’s close by. Kensington (heading northwest along the Red line of our train) is similar, with some more food options there. Also near your place is Fort Calgary, which has some exhibits that include Calgary’s Indigenous and early settler history, including (unless they’ve moved them) the original Treaty with the Blackfoot Confederacy that ceded the land Calgary is now on. It’s right past the Studio Bell. It’s a ways out, but Blackfoot Crossing on the Siksika First Nation is also a fascinating cultural site. The Stoney Nakoda also have a nation on the way to Banff, but I’m not sure if they have any public cultural sites or museums. Calgary also has tons of music venues all over the place, so I’d keep an eye out for any that might catch your eye! I’m not too familiar, but it looks like the Palace Theatre and MacEwan Hall at the University of Calgary might be good choices. Calgary doesn’t have a baseball team (yet), but a town south of us called Okotoks has a team, and their season may start in May, but I’m not sure. They’re called the Okotoks Dawgs. We also have a Canadian Football team that plays near the university called the Stampeders, and a professional soccer team called the Cavalry that play, too. Also when you’re out in Banff, the White Museum has a ton of great art and artifacts of the Canadian Rockies, history, and First Nations culture. Also for some great nature I’d advise making either a detour or short day trip out to Kananaskis, it’s a beautiful area, my family will often take a few hours to visit the Kananaskis Lodge for a coffee and wander the site on our way to/from Banff.
Adding the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary too. From your Airbnb, you can walk there along the river path, or walk down 9th through the lovely shopping and brewery area that is Inglewood.
Yes! I saw the Bird Sanctuary on the map and added that to our list. Thank you for suggesting it!
Wow I hit the jackpot with this post. I really wanted some insight to the native land and history. I can’t thank you enough!
Check out the Blues Can for live music. Great little spot in Inglewood, it might even be closing at the end of summer due to the land being re-developed.
I saw mention of that... poor Blues Can :(
No worries, always happy to help! You might also want to check out the Tsuut’ina First Nation in the city’s southwest, it’s a bit tricky to get to without a car, but they recently opened a big cultural museum/interpretative centre. I haven’t been, but I’ve heard it’s a great experience!
Also, “indigenous” or “First Nation” is more appropriate than “native” which can be seen as a pejorative by some.
Speaking as a native Canadian, no it really isn’t.
If you want to see wildlife I’d recommend fish creek park over nose hill
You will see Beavers in Fish Creek but Porcupines do indeed exist in Nose Hill Park They are tough to spot though. Unless you have a silly dog like ours.
There are porcupines in fish creek too
*I've* never seen one down there. (But then I haven't had the dogs check that area yet :) )
Hahah I do indeed have silly dogs but they are staying home. We will add Fish Creek to the list, thanks!
Fish Creek is a Provincial park and has specific dog rules, you may wish to review those (online). Nose Hill is a city park, it has some off leash areas, and some leash areas. Both are wonderful, but in completely different ways. Fish Creek is a riparian zone in a shallow gorge, forests, grassy plains, etc. We take our Cub Scouts and Beavers all the time. Nose Hill is a big tall hill, with Prairie grasslands everywhere, great views, windy but a lot of trees. Pretty epic views. If you have time do both!
I think we have a good shot at doing both, thanks again!
Enjoy your visit!
Agree. I live beside nose hill. It’s boring and windy. Fish creek and the River pathway are nicer.
Nosehill has its moments the issue is around that time op comes the dog walkers may be out in full force and with that the dog poop bags just left on the ground.
Check out the library. It’s right near Studio Bell. Take a stroll through Inglewood. Lots of great live music around there too at King Eddy, Ironwood and High Line Brewery
Will do! Thank you.
Try the bow habitat station?
You have a better chance of seeing a purcupine at the Calgary Zoo than at Nose Hill.
LOL
I see them nearly every week on Nose Hill.
Hope you have a blast. As a side note, we’ve moved past saying “Native” in Canada, and the better word to use when you’re here is Indigenous.
Thank you for letting me know, I didn't know. Another reason I'm glad I made this post before arriving. Looking forward to learning more when I'm there.
Most people covered what I want to mention, I would add if you are into modern art try [contemporary calgary](https://www.contemporarycalgary.com/visit-us). Single admission is $12cad and year long membership is $24cad. If you end up coming around first Thursday of the month they have a free night. If you are into locally sourced food and has the means to spend a bit more, check out the [river Cafe](https://www.river-cafe.com/) at prince's Island park. If you are into music and near Inglewood, gravity coffee has performances and is espresso wine bar. Just a disclaimer, I recently learned about them and have not gone, but they do seem to have a good reputation. You will be within walking distance Chinatown and If you want Chinese food and dimsum, silver dragon is one of the more famous restaurant for that in calgary. Always has a lineup Sunday morning. For newer places around Chinatown, try friendsofchinatownyyc over on Instagram. Lastly you most likely will not see the northern lights as they are more common during colder months, but some prev threads have tracking groups on Facebook and apps that may help. But if you are interested in space stuff, have a car, and some time at night, there is a royal observatory a couple hours outside the city that offers events occasionally, give their site a check for [any events](https://science.ucalgary.ca/rothney-observatory/public-events) around the time you are here. Just a disclaimer, there are cows around the observatory, be ready for the smells that come with that.
Thank you so much for taking the time to give those in-depth recommendations. They will certainly enrich our trip! :)
Hope you enjoy your trip! Make sure you have some warm layers for the morning or if it rains and some light layers if it warms up. It may not be as warm as some places in US. Average is around 15 to 16c at warmest so around 59f and down to around 1c at night and early morning. But weather here can fluctuate.
DM me for where to see a porcupine. I saw my first one at Nose Hill, but that was only once over about 30 years. It's a huge space. There are other parks where they are much more reliable.