I recently got the chance to spend a weekend in Calgary before exploring Banff and Jasper, and I have to say, I underestimated how much fun I’d have in this Canadian city. It’s just a short 1,5-hour flight from Seattle and you can often find tickets for under $100 each way, so it makes the perfect weekend getaway.
Being Alberta’s largest city, Calgary is known for its livability, food scene, breweries, street art, and unique balance between urban center activity and picturesque prairie landscapes. It’s also close to the Rocky Mountains, so you can comfortably enjoy the outdoors while taking advantage of big-town amenities.
Whether you’re planning to tour Alberta and need a spot to start your adventure, or you want to take a spontaneous weekend trip, here’s exactly how I spent 3 days in Calgary!
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Weekend in Calgary
This 3-day Calgary itinerary assumes you’ll arrive Friday late afternoon and leave Sunday evening. It also assumes you’ll be renting a car.
Save this to Pinterest for later, as I’ll update it as I discover new places to explore!
Friday: Dinner, drinks, and a show
It’s time to kick off your Calgary weekend getaway! After picking up your rental car at the Calgary International Airport, you’ll probably want to check in at your accommodations. So make the 20-ish minute drive into downtown, drop off your bags, and get ready to enjoy the night.
Get dinner and drinks at Paper Lantern
website | 115 2 Ave SE Basement (get directions) | neighborhood: Chinatown | cuisine: Vietnamese | best for: banh mi & cocktails
By the time you land, you’ll probably be starving, so head to Paper Lantern. It’s a Vietnamese speakeasy that’s highly recommended across multiple platforms, and you can make a reservation via Instagram DM.
The dining room is in the basement of another Vietnamese restaurant and has no sign, though you shouldn’t have a problem finding it. The inside is larger than you’d expect and has a vibrant, tropical granny-chic vibe.
All of the drinks look amazing, but my favorite is the Paralyzing Touch with tequila, lime, maraschino, and tropical fruit. You should have seen the panic on my face when the waiter served it with a side shot of mezcal, but luckily the idea is to pour it into the drink versus throw it back. Whew!
As for the food, the banh mi pork belly is delicious. The bread is surprisingly soft, and the savory, fatty texture of the pork belly compliments the crunchy veggies. You also have the option to order what the staff had for family dinner, which is such a creative idea and not something I’ve seen before.
Catch a game or show
I may not be a huge sports person, but even I’ll admit the energy of sports lovers can be contagious, and Calgary is known for their sports scene. Most notably, the Calgary Stampede, a big-time annual rodeo and festival held every early-mid July.
The Calgary Stampeders are the local football team, though if you want the true Canadian experience, I’d suggest catching the NHL hockey team, the Calgary Flames, which holds games year-round.
Tours & experiences
Get in earlier this day? Here are some bookable experiences to pass the time:
Saturday: Explore Downtown & Beltline
Today will be a busy day since it’s your only full day in Calgary. Get ready for a ton of shopping, eating, and taking in some fresh air.
Get breakfast at Lulu Bar
website | 510 17 Ave SW (get directions) | neighborhood: Beltline | cuisine: Pacific Rim | best for: fried squid & French omelet
Lulu Bar is a Pacific Rim restaurant that was recommended by Bon Appetit and rated one of Canada’s 100 best restaurants. They have a to-die-for mid century, Polynesian-themed dining room that’s almost as beautiful as their food.
But this spot isn’t just all looks. The menu includes a divine cucumber salad with peanut dressing and crunchy wontons and a French omelet with green curry and crab that comes out perfectly cooked and fluffy. However, it’s the squid you won’t be able to stop talking about. It’s grilled, tempura-fried, and has an irresistible sticky, tangy sauce with fresh herbs and jalapeños. Make sure it ends up on your table!
Bike the Bow River
website | get directions | neighborhood: Downtown | best for: walking & biking path
The Bow River is a focal point for Calgary. It runs through downtown and offers 44 miles of paved paths. You can rent a bike from nearby Joe’s Garage and hop on the path straight from there.
You can also take the Jaipur Bridge to Prince’s Island Park, an urban park with 50 acres of quiet nature trails, a playground, an on-leash dog park, and seasonal ice skating on the lagoon.
Explore Kensington neighborhood stops
website | get directions | best for: shopping
After finishing up your bike ride, drop your bike off at Joe’s and walk down Louise Bridge to Calgary’s Kensington neighborhood. Known for its epic local shopping scene, Kensington Road in particular has shops on every corner. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Kensington Wine Market – Large booze shop that offers regular tastings
- Pages Books – Small bookshop I could get lost in for hours
- Hexagon Board Game Cafe – Relaxed cafe where you can play games
- Mañana Imports and Gifts – Eclectic shop with art, jewelry, and gifts
When you’ve worked up an appetite again, head to Pie Junkie and snack on their addictive mini pies. You can’t go wrong with any of their sweet pie options, but they also have savory pies like one with butter chicken that are super interesting!
Get lunch at Myhre’s Deli
website | 1411 11 St SW (get directions) | neighborhood: Beltline | cuisine: Montreal | best for: smoked meat sandwiches
After a few hours of shopping, grab lunch at Myhre’s Deli. It’s a hole-in-the-wall Montreal smoked meat shop that’s literally hazy from the meat smoking. The poutine is solid, but their smoked meats stand out for me. I’m a bit of a purist when it comes to house-smoked meats, so I suggest getting the meat plain on rye bread with a little mustard so you can taste how truly exceptional it is.
Enjoy dessert at Made by Marcus
website | 1013 17 Ave SW (get directions) | neighborhood: Beltline | cuisine: ice cream | best for: espresso toffee and pretzel ice cream
Made by Marcus has a few locations around Calgary, with their flagship building in the Beltline neighborhood. You’ll find extra thick, creamy ice cream made with a nod to classic flavors, like their buttermilk strawberry or my favorite, the espresso toffee and pretzel.
The flavors are well-pronounced, and the texture is memorable. They also have soft serve that they transform into Instagrammable sundaes.
Explore downtown & Beltline
website | Downtown (get directions) | Beltline (get directions) | best for: art & architecture
Downtown Calgary and Beltline are known before being retail and restaurant hubs, each with a thriving art scene. Stephen Avenue Walk is considered the prime shopping area, featuring a pedestrian walkway lined with boutiques, mainstream retailers, shops, and eateries.
Nearby is Calgary Tower, a historical building offering the best sweeping view of the city’s skyline. Definitely make a stop if you want to visit one of Calgary’s most famous tourist attractions.
Personally my favorite way to explore a new city is to break away from the crowds and take a walking tour. This street art and craft beer tour starts off with a beer tasting before guiding you through the Beltline Urban Mural Project to check out the local art. And of course, you end with a visit to a local brewery.
Get dinner at Major Tom
website | 700 2 St SW (get directions) | neighborhood: Downtown | cuisine: global | best for: bolognese ragu
From Stephen Avenue, you’re a minute’s walk from Major Tom on the 40th floor of the Stephens Place Building. This swanky upscale eatery and craft cocktail bar is hailed by Eater as one of the hardest restaurants to secure a reservation.
Their menu is eclectic, with a variety of Alberta beef, true Wagyu, and fresh seafood. Their beer, wine, and cocktail selection is equally as comprehensive. I opted for a spicy mezcal drink that didn’t disappoint.
For food, the smoked sturgeon tots are literally finger-licking good, as are the potato doughnuts, which are more like potato patties but have a savory and addictive onion cream on top that reminds me of sour cream and onion dip.
My favorite entree is the bolognese ragu, though the Canada prime strip loin is a close second. You can really taste the difference in the quality of meat. Expect earthy and grassy flavors that are the perfect way to finish off your meal.
Pro tip: Their website breaks down all the free and paid parking options nearby.
Tours & experiences
Want more structure for this day? Check out these fun experiences:
- Food Walking Tour: Calgary Farmers Market
- City Sightseeing Tour via Sidecar Motorcycle
- Calgary Scavenger Hunt
Sunday: Meander neighborhoods loved by locals
Spend your last day in Calgary leisurely exploring the neighborhoods beloved by locals.
Get breakfast at Neighbour Coffee
website | 1327 A 9 Ave SE (get directions) | neighborhood: Inglewood | cuisine: coffee shop | best for: drip coffee and sourdough toasts
Neighbour Coffee is a great little coffee shop and breakfast place with small but hearty sandwiches, toasts, smoothies, and breakfast bowls. They have a second location in Altadore, closer to Riverdale Park. Hatch Coffee out of Ontario does their coffee, which I already love. Their Sunlight medium roast is my favorite for its pronounced toffee flavor and nutty aroma.
Explore Inglewood
website | get directions | best for: boutiques and breweries
Inglewood is Calgary’s oldest neighborhood and has thankfully retained most of its small-town energy. It’s also a great shopping area with lots of breweries, restaurants, shops, and cafes.
9th Avenue is where most of the action is. While you’re strolling about, keep an eye out for these fun spots:
- Purr Clothing – Great women’s clothing store with inclusive sizes
- Murphy’s Mid-Century – Small, but eclectic curation of mid-mod furniture
- Ninth and Brick – Fun market with a wide variety of pieces by local makers
- Lina’s Market – Cool little Italian grocery and cafe that hands out samples
- Genuine Design – Uber cool, mostly men’s luxury consignment shop
If you’re a history buff, Fort Calgary is located along the RiverWalk and offers both guided and self-guided audio tours. This is another one of Calgary’s top attractions, so it’s a must-do if you want to experience a quintessential weekend in Calgary.
Shop and eat lunch at Crossroads Market
website | 1235 25 Ave SE (get directions) | neighborhood: Inglewood | cuisine: various | best for: farmer’s market & epic food court
Crossroads Market is probably one of my favorite things I did during my weekend in Calgary. It’s an indoor-outdoor farmer’s market with over 150 vendors. In addition to fresh produce, meat, seafood, and spices, there’s also a variety of unique specialty shops that carry everything from gems to Pendleton coats and air plants.
As much as I enjoyed the shops, the food court was my favorite part of the market. There are tons of options ranging from Japanese to Turkish, Vietnamese, Caribbean, and plenty more. I only had enough room to indulge in some mini cinnamon rolls, but I instantly felt a pang of regret for not showing up hungrier. It’s definitely a must-stop!
Visit breweries
Like the Pacific Northwest, Calgary has a thriving craft beer scene. Every neighborhood has a cluster of them, so you can easily taste your way through multiple spots in the afternoon before dinner.
For example, in Inglewood alone is Revival Brewcade that features a wide variety of beers alongside arcade games like pinball and my beloved Time Crisis. Down the street from Brewcade is High Line Brewing, which has an array of beer styles that cater to sour-lovers. There’s also Cold Beverage Company, a family-friendly spot with more approachable beers alongside quirky ones like birthday cake ale and vanilla cappuccino porter.
Spend a few hours walking between these breweries to get a good sample of the city’s beer scene.
End your trip with dinner at Ten Foot Henry
website | 1209 1 St SW (get directions) | neighborhood: Downtown | cuisine: pasta and vegetable-driven | best for: butterscotch pudding & cacio e pepe
Depending on when your flight takes off, you can end your fun weekend in Calgary with dinner at Ten Foot Henry. It’s another wildly acclaimed spot known for its buzzy, hip energy and vegetable-anchored menu.
People rave over the tomato and whipped feta, which I agree is good, but I think the tuna crudo is even better. That said, the crudo’s smaller portion left me wishing I had ordered a second serving. So make sure you order more than one if you don’t want to share!
Just leave room for my absolute favorite dishes: the ultra-rich cacio e pepe and the butterscotch pudding. The latter especially is a textural delight worth ending your trip with. It’s super creamery and complemented by a crunchy toffee crumble on top that’s meringue-like in texture.
Pro tip: If you’re strapped for time, grab a burger and fries at Class Clown Hamburgers instead. It’s a beloved burger spot that’ll make you swear off regular fast food forever. Just make sure to order ahead!
Head to the airport
Well, your 3 days in Calgary have come to a close. Drop off the rental car, arrive for your flight home about 2 hours in advance of your departure time, and spend the flight home comparing notes on all the fun memories you made!
Where to stay in Calgary
Need help deciding where to stay for your weekend in Calgary? Luckily, there are a ton of options to choose from that are close to the main attractions and super affordable. Here are some great options!
Fairmont Palliser
link to book | neighborhood: Downtown (get directions) | price: ~$176/nt | pet friendly | hot tub
The lobby of the Fairmont screams elegance, and the rooms are swanky and spacious. Staying here puts you less than a 5-minute walk from Calgary Tower. From the hotel, you can enjoy a couples massage, lounge in the pool, grab a drink at the bar, or grab dinner at their 1920s-era restaurant that’s open late.
Character Home in Kensington Plaza
link to book | neighborhood: Kensington | price: ~$165/nt | bedrooms: 3 | bathrooms: 2 | sleeps: 8 | pet friendly
This spacious, newly remodeled home is in Kensington Plaza and minutes from countless shops and restaurants. The home itself is perfect for a large family, with a fully fenced-in backyard, tons of natural light, and a full kitchen that’s perfect if you’re planning to stay longer than a weekend.
Heritage Charm Loft
link to book | neighborhood: Downtown | price: ~$64/nt | bedrooms: 1 | bathrooms: 1 | sleeps: 4 | hot tub
This adorable historic loft dates back to 1911. Though it’s been recently modernized, it still has its old-world charm, with brick-lined walls and hardwood cabinetry. It’s less than half a mile from Inglewood, so you could easily bounce between the shops and breweries of Inglewood and downtown on foot during your weekend in Calgary.
When to visit Calgary
The peak seasons for visiting Calgary are June through August, when most special events like the Calgary Stampede take place, or November through March for the skiing season. The warmest weather will be June-August, ranging from 46°-73°F.
That said, if you’re not a huge sports fan and don’t mind throwing on a coat, I’ve found September and October to be the best months for avoiding the crowds and frigidly cold winter weather.
Map of more things to do in Calgary
Looking for things to do during your weekend in Calgary? Here’s the Google Map I created for my own trip with even more ideas for how to pass the time. It also includes where to visit in Banff, Jasper, and other national or provincial parks nearby!
More to explore
Looking to explore more beyond your weekend in Calgary? Check out my other guides to nearby areas in Canada!
