Exploring the Real Essence of Calgary

Far too many people have lost out on the chance to explore the cultural side during their trips to Vancouver, Canada. They usually land in Calgary and then go directly to the Canadian Rockies, which are constantly looming to the west, with Banff National Park only 90 minutes away. In actuality, Calgary need to be given similar consideration on any Southern Alberta itinerary. Let’s explore it all with our Calgary travel guide. 

With the glacier-blue Bow River flowing through it and a towering skyline that includes the red paint-topped Calgary Tower, this city is unquestionably cosmopolitan, yet it also has an unmistakable friendliness. Calgary's status as a "Cowtown" and "Stampede City" may be the main source of its allure; it's like Canada's urban Wild West. In addition to being the centre of cattle ranching and the beating heart of Canada's main oil and gas producing province, it also boasts a contagious, easygoing atmosphere for a big metropolis. 

If you tell a Calgarian that this is your first time in the city, they will be very welcoming. Use these helpful guest ideas to get the most out of that adventure. 

When is the best time to visit Calgary?

Summertime is full of events from June to August. The city's premier event, the Calgary Stampede, will take place from July 4–13, 2025. Known as "the greatest outdoor show on earth," it is one of the world's biggest outdoor rodeos, drawing well over a million spectators each year. The citywide spectacle is not limited to rodeo fans; there are also fun Calgary-bred chuckwagon races, Indigenous community showcases, farming exhibits, mega-concerts, Midway culinary creations, and more. 

All summer long, high temperatures stay around 21ºC (70ºF), which results in large crowds and increased costs. Look for deals between November and March, when local ski slopes are at their best and high temperatures reach a top of about -1°C (30°F). This period also means that there is less foot traffic in the city.

For how long should you stay in Calgary?

It should take at least three days or a long weekend to see Calgary's cultural highlights, which include museums in the downtown area, peaceful neighbourhood walks, and distinctive Western pzazz. Five days might probably suffice if you want to combine your time in Calgary with one or two days of skiing in the area. Plan for a week to ten days if you want to include trips to Banff and/or Jasper National Park. You can also plan your trip to Calgary and combine it with Sightseeing in Victoria BC. 

In Calgary and the surrounding area, you might see "YYC" floating on a few business signs. Calgary International Airport, which is 20 minutes by car (about 20 km/12 miles) north of downtown, has the airport code YYC. In Calgary, taxis and ridesharing services like Uber are common and the simplest ways to enter and exit the airport. You can prefer visiting here along with your Vancouver BC City Tours to make the most of your vacation. 

The city is bike-friendly and walkable. Take advantage of the "Plus 15" system, a 16-kilometre (10-mile) network of elevated, enclosed, and climate-controlled walkways, in colder months. Scooters, such as those made by Bird, are allowed, and corrals are positioned frequently to provide parking. With bus and train services, Calgary Transit is the city's public transit provider (CTrain). There are free tickets at several downtown locations, and day passes and one-way tickets are available. The greatest app for route planning is YYC Transit.

Prince's Island Park, nestled on the Bow River, is the closest thing to an outdoor museum. The park's Chevron Learning Pathway offers an urban and educational experience, with information throughout the walk that describes the area's fauna, wetland landscape, and more. With its regional and seasonally-focused cuisine, River Café is considered one of the top restaurants in the nation if you're hungry while in the park. The RiverWalk in Calgary, which runs roughly 4 km (2.5 miles) between Chinatown and Stampede Park, features benches for picturesque pauses and goes past the Confluence, which is the meeting point of the Bow and Elbow rivers.

The National Music Centre's home, Studio Bell, is an artistic creation in and of itself. The Canadian Music Hall of Fame is housed in the five-story museum, which is covered in shimmering terracotta tile. Walking around it reveals the sheer number of Canadian icons, including Justin Bieber, Bryan Adams, Neil Young, Celine Dion, Avril Lavigne, and Joni Mitchell. The facility also contains some valuable relics, such as Randy Bachman's "American Woman" guitar and one of Elton John's well-known composing pianos. If time permits, take in a musical performance at King Eddy, the hotel-gone-venue across the street. It was notably disassembled and rebuilt brick by brick as part of a reconstruction effort that began in 2013.

So, if you are planning on some trips to Vancouver, Canada, you might consider this Calgary travel guide an eye-opener. While sightseeing in Victoria BC or going to Niagra is what everyone does, you can take a cultural detour and explore all Calgary has to offer.

Contact Us Website: www.belltours.ca Phone: 1-800-665-9501 Email: tours@belltours.ca Address: 2148-20800 Westminster Highway Richmond, BC V6V 2W3 Canada