Planning Your Visit to Calgary

Local Attractions

Calgary and its immediate outskirts are home to several attractions. Consider a visit to the Calgary Tower, Stephen Avenue Walk, the Glenbow Museum, Devonian Gardens, the Calgary Zoo, Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, or Calaway Park.

Calgary also boasts the University of
Calgary, Foothills Medical Centre, EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts, Jubilee Auditorium, Pengrowth Saddledome, Talisman Centre for Sport and Wellness, Canada Olympic Park, and Spruce Meadows.

Day trips from Calgary can be made to the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology in Drumheller, the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre between Fort Macleod and Pincher Creek, and Kananaskis Country located between Calgary and Banff National Park.

Nature-lovers will especially enjoy Montana's Glacier National Park, the Badlands, Banff National Park, and Canada's Rocky Mountains.

Go to VisitCalgary.com to find out more!

Travel Tips

Seasons and Weather
The early summer traveler would do well to start at the coast, which warms up sooner than the mountain regions. Fall travelers are better off starting in Calgary, as the coast stays warm for longer than the interior does. In July and August, at the height of summer, the direction of travel is not impacted by the weather. Use the Helpful Links below to stay current on the weather.

Driving
The traveler who wishes to take a Canadian rental car across the US-Canada border may be asked to show written authorization from the car rental company. A relevant notation on a car rental agreement is often enough. Use the Helpful Links below to verify current requirements.

Required Documents
Travelers who cross from the United States into Canada need to bring appropriate travel documents. Visit the Helpful Links section below to verify current travel regulations.

Neighboring Cities

Calgary maintains a friendly rivalry with Edmonton, Alberta's capital city, which is three hours drive north of Calgary. Although Calgarians and Edmontonians like to focus on the small differences between Calgary and Edmonton, the two cities are relatively similar in terms of population, size and general appearance. Vancouver and Calgary often serve as "book ends" for trips through the Canadian Rockies. It is common for travelers to fly "open jaw," that is, into one of these cities and out of the other.