Everything you need to know about living, working or studying in Calgary

Alberta is a very touristy region, especially in the summer, the peak season to visit the Rockies. It is much quieter in the winter but there is still a lot to do: ice skating, hockey, skiing, dog sledding, etc.

Sightseeing in Calgary

• Calgary Tower: The largest observation tower in Western Canada at more than 190 meters high. It offers an overview of the city; it is also possible to see the Rockies when the weather is clear. The Calgary Tower is considered the emblem of the city. There is a bar, restaurant and terrace from which you can admire the 360° view. Adult admission is CA$19 if booked online in advance
• Calgary Olympic Park: Located 15 minutes from downtown, the Olympic Park operated by WinSport is accessible all year round. During the summer, you can go mountain biking or practice ice hockey or skating, while in the winter you can ski or snowboard
• The Calgary Zoo: Discover the newly opened polar bear habitat at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
• Heritage Park: An historic village that represents life in Western Canada from the 1860s to 1950. Authentic buildings and real steam locomotives have been transported or reconstructed here. Adult admission is CA$34.95
• Prince’s Island Park: Take a walk, cycle or jog around this island in the heart of the city, bordered by the Bow River.

Eating and drinking in Calgary

Calgary is one of the most gastronomic cities in Canada. It has a large choice of restaurants, cafes and micro-breweries:

• Higher Ground in Kensington: Considered one of the best cafes in Calgary, they sell butter beer (a drink for Harry Potter fans), and host regular open mic nights for amateur musicians to perform their music
• Kensington Pub: A nice pub in the Kensington district that serves traditional pub fare
• Blue Star Diner: This is a good brunch restaurant in the Bridgeland district. Depending on the time, there may be a wait, but you can give your telephone number to be called as soon as a table becomes available. The pancakes are worth the wait!
• Analog Coffee: Considered one of the best coffee shops in Calgary for drinking coffee and working
• Ship and Anchor: One of the most popular bars in Calgary on 17th, known for the casual atmosphere and decent burgers
• Cold Garden: A friendly micro-brewery in the Inglewood district. Good for meeting people or chatting over a cheap beer in “flea market” surroundings with lots of recycled objects as decor. Also dog-friendly!
• Big Cheese Poutinerie: There are two locations in the city, one in Kensington and another on 17th. Their poutine is pretty good if you want to try the dish that originated in Quebec. They have a wide choice of poutine toppings.

Sightseeing in Alberta

The best ideas for getaways when living in Calgary all involve road trips to the Rockies. Banff, Canmore, Kootenay, Yoho and Lake Louise can be reached within one or two hours of driving. You can also go further afield, as Jasper via the Icefields Parkway is just over four hours’ drive away.

Another excursion idea is to go to Drumheller, the dinosaur capital of the world. Loctaed in the Badlands, east of Calgary (about 1.5 hours by car), you can visit the world’s largest dinosaur, the Hoodoos, the Royal Tyrrell Museum and the little church.

Travel to the United States

From Calgary, you can quickly fly to Western American cities such as Seattle (2 hours), San Francisco (3 hours), Los Angeles (3 hours 15 minutes), etc.

You can also cross the land border into Montana to visit the adjoining Waterton Lakes National Park (Canada) and Glacier National Park (US).

To cross the American border, remember to comply with the requirements of the American authorities, including applying for any required visas or an ESTA.