Discover how three days in Calgary unveiled Alberta’s true culture. Thrilling food scenes, urban nature, and passionate locals make this city a top Canadian getaway.
I jammed my selfie stick out from between a Russian WWII-designed motorcycle and my flimsy sidecar. Roz, decked out head to toe in biker gear, grinned at me. I could tell she lived for zipping through the streets of Calgary. The engine roared as we left the downtown streets behind and parked at an overlook. Before us lay the Calgary Saddledome, a soon-to-be demolished icon of Calgary’s passion for sports and rodeo. As I hopped out, Roz gave me an energetic high five, and I turned to meet my buddies Chris Rudder and Tyler MacSemniuk. We all had big, dumb grins plastered across our faces.
Listen, I’ve been to Calgary before. And like most people who visit here, it was a pit stop to some of the most famous places to visit in Alberta. Places like the dinosaur-filled Badlands, Banff and the Rocky Mountains, and Waterton Lakes National Park are the face of Alberta. But this time, Calgary WAS the destination. The three of us were determined to dive deeper into the city itself. Not at its wildest, when the legendary Calgary Stampede, the largest rodeo on the planet, was taking place, but on a (mostly) sunny May weekend, when life in Calgary is about as typical as you can get.
What we found instead was a city — and a province — brimming with cultural gems, a culinary scene that blew our minds, a wealth of natural beauty that traipses through the city and spreads out beyond its borders, and a downtown core so welcoming and walkable we barely needed a car. But the real game-changer? The people. It was their warmth, their passion, and their genuine love for their hometown that truly transformed our perspective.
Calgary is so much more than just a gateway to the mountains; it’s a tremendous urban escape and a love letter to Alberta’s surprisingly diverse and passionate heart.
Calgary: Where Urban Excitement Meets Natural Beauty
The mist rose up off the water as I reeled in a whitefish the size of my thigh. The Bow River, with the majestic Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, Calgary might just have the best backyard in the world, and its residents know it. It’s right there in their bright eyes and excited voices.
Downtown Calgary is a place where modern skyscrapers share city blocks with heritage buildings. This contrast in architecture mirrors the culture here. It’s a city that embraces the future, but still holds on tight to its history. This city of over a million residents embraces the nickname “cowtown.” An ode to the cattle farmers that helped establish its location in the Rocky Mountain foothills.
Calgary has a fierce love for sports, including the NHL’s Calgary Flames and the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders, but its softer side is also embraced. An exciting art and music scene, and a culinary culture that, quite honestly, makes me think that Calgary has one of the best food scenes in Canada.
The city has one of the largest urban parks in Canada, Fish Creek Provincial Park, and of course, the iconic Calgary Tower.
With a blend of genuine community spirit, exciting urban activities, and breathtaking natural beauty, this may be one of the most liveable cities in Canada. And the three of us were determined to dive as deep as our three days in Calgary would allow.
Day 1: A Smash of Flavors and Frequencies
I arrived in Calgary straight from a family trip to the United Arab Emirates. After four packed days of excitement in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, it was hard to imagine that Calgary could top it. I settled into the Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel. This hotel is right in the middle of downtown, across from the Calgary Tower, making it a perfect home base for exploring the city.
Alumni Sandwiches
At the hotel, I met up with the fabulous Colleen Chastelet, a Calgary local and team member for Tourism Calgary. She was going to be our local expert while we were in town. Our first stop was to meet up with my good friend Chris Rudder of Rudderless Travel at Alumni Sandwiches, a retro-themed diner dishing out massive sandwiches with a distinctive twist on classics.
I dove into the Gochu Pork sandwich – a delicious, slightly spicy, and surprisingly substantial creation. Chris shoveled back a Chicken Parm, and Colleen enjoyed The Dagwood, a wild mix of turkey, bacon, ham, and provolone.
Studio Bell: The National Music Centre
Now music is something special to me. I’ve always been passionate about it, and my boys, Cohen and Dylan, can often be found playing the guitar and drums here at home. So when I found out that a portion of Calgary’s historic hotel had been retrofitted into The National Music Centre, I knew this had to be one of our stops on our Calgary friends trip.
Dubbed “Studio Bell”, the National Music Centre in Calgary is an architectural marvel that combines heritage buildings like the former King Edward Hotel, paired with modern notes reminiscent of the Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
As we stepped inside, the melodies of Neil Young flowed over our ears. Symphonies of Canadian rock, folk, classical, and country were everywhere. The museum, concert hall, and exhibition centre are a treasure trove of exhibits celebrating local, provincial, and national Canadian musicians. There is a range of interactive areas where Chris and I could unleash our inner rock stars as well.
One18 Empire Bar
As evening approached, we reconnected with our friend, BC photographer Tyler MacSemniuk, back at the Marriott. Our destination: One18 Empire. Now, I’m not one who typically grabs a drink in the hotel bar, but my eyes were opened to those quirky bars tucked into Canadian hotels when I had a whiskey tasting at the Hotel Saskatoon in Regina.
One18 Empire offers something exceptional, a “create-your-own-Old Fashioned” experience. We delved into a curated selection of woods, bitters, and bases, crafting completely outstanding, one-of-a-kind cocktails. Insider tip: Don’t miss the cleverly designed whisky wall near the bar – it’s a work of art in itself!
Barbarella Bar
Colleen, Tyler, Chris and I made the short walk along the picturesque Stevens Ave, a heritage street that has been closed to traffic, making a pedestrian-friendly centre, the kind that, I think, every major city should have.
The walk took us to Barbarella Bar. Their claim of serving “coastal Italian cuisine” in a landlocked province had me doubting the experience. But digging into their freshly made pasta turned me into a believer. This modern, upscale eatery featured special and unexpected flavors, and every bite was a treat.
Crowds were gathered at the bar. Local Calgarians, enthusiastically, if somewhat bitterly, cheering for the Edmonton Oilers, the last remaining Canadian team in this year’s Stanley Cup playoff run.
Chris and I, still feeling stuffed from our sammy’s at Alumni, opted to share with Tyler and Colleen. Dishes of Cavatelli and Ravioli topped with crab, shrimp, and yuzu had us trying to pack in more than our already stuffed stomachs could manage.
Day 2: Soaring Views, Hidden Gems, and Pedal-Powered Pints
We woke up early on our second day in Calgary. After grabbing some breakfast in the hotel lounge, the three of us met Colleen for another day of adventure on our getaway in Calgary.
Mountain View Helicopters
We raced out of town toward the Springbank Airport, where we had booked a helicopter tour with Mountain View Helicopters. A quick game of rock, paper, scissors determined the initial flight pairings, but ultimately, the weight distribution in the small choppers meant Chris and I couldn’t fly together. This “divide and conquer” approach, however, led to two completely unique helicopter experiences.
Our pilot, a woman named Briana with an infectious smile that slipped out from time to time when she wasn’t too busy dealing with all the “technicalities” of flying a machine with spinning blades of death on its roof, would break up her chatter with the air traffic controller and rave about her favorite places in the city and how proud she is to live in Calgary.
Chris and Tyler soared along the Calgary skyline with the magnificent Rockies as their backdrop. Due to small weather front moving in, Colleen and I took a different route, flying over a surprising filming location just outside the city, where hit shows like The Last of Us are brought to life – a cool glimpse into Calgary’s burgeoning role as “little Hollywood.”
Class Clown Hamburgers
All that high-flying adventure worked up a serious appetite, leading us to Class Clown. From the outside, this place is quite literally a hole in the wall, but its fast-food-inspired menu utterly shocked us with some of the most delicious hamburgers I’ve ever tasted. “Fast food inspired” here certainly doesn’t mean cheap or terrible; each burger was a flavor explosion, cementing Class Clown as my favorite culinary hidden gem in the city.
Pedal Pub Calgary
A good burger demands a good beer, and for that, we joined the team at Pedal Pub Calgary. This human-powered, portable bar cruises Calgary’s Inglewood neighborhood, stopping at pubs willing to welcome a lively crew. While typically not my scene, I’ll admit, it was surprisingly fun. Even the rain couldn’t stop us. None of us had rain jackets, but the pedal pub crew supplied us all with DIY ponchos made from trash bags with arms and legs cut out of them.
We were joined by local influencers Jade Koch and Kylee Ramone, who were slightly more in the traditional demographic of this event, for some raucous entertainment. Chris and I, somewhat awkwardly, pedaled along while the hostesses danced and initiated party games. Those two though, they rocked it, dancing and singing and getting everyone in the mood.
The highlight, however, was being introduced to several local Calgary breweries, particularly Cold Garden Beverage Co. This Coachella-themed brewery doesn’t serve any food, but guests can bring in whatever they want, either from home or a local restaurant. There, instead of a cold brew, I opted for a refreshing peach rum slushy – the perfect antidote to the warm spring air.
Jade, Kylee, and the crew of the pedal pub had a wealth of stories about the city. The atmosphere, the people, and descriptions of why Calgary was the best city in Canada. Every time the boys and I praised something from our Calgary itinerary, their eyes would light up, and new stories would launch from their personal experiences.
Fortuna’s Row
Dinner brought us to Fortuna’s Row, a Latin-American fusion restaurant off the beaten path just on the edge of downtown. Its unassuming exterior hid a beautifully decorated interior that was somehow both spacious and cozy. For a self-proclaimed lover of Latin-American cuisine (having traveled extensively through South America, including a recent family trip to Ecuador), I was thrilled.
We opted for the chef’s tasting menu, a series of chef specialties, chosen on-the-fly. Most were absolute hits – delicious, unique, and fresh, as if they were served on a patio on the streets of Lima (the ceviche .. OMG!). However, there were a couple of misses, most notably what Tyler affectionately dubbed the “prawn slushy” – a shrimp dish served chillingly cold in an ice slush bath.
Skip that one, and you’ll be dining like royalty.
Day 3: River Casts, Culinary Delights, and City Sights
Day three began with an early start and a drive to Out Fly Fishing in Willow Park, a Calgary suburb, where we met owner Josh Nugent.
Out Fly Fishing
Josh got our forms filled out and made sure we were all geared up before we headed to the banks of the Bow River. Here, we were introduced to Tyler Smith, a young fly-fishing prodigy who quickly dubbed Tyler MacSemniuk “me too.”
Chris and I split into one boat, with Tyler and Colleen in the other, embarking on our two-hour fly-fishing float. My son Cohen is the rabid angler in our family, I typically just go along for the ride. But fly fishing? I loved it! It’s active, engaging, and remarkably fast-paced.
Josh, our fantastic guide, had me reeling in my first whitefish mere minutes after we launched. Josh, the expert guide that he was, spent nearly as much time raving about his love for Calgary as he did about the fish we were hauling into the boat. One of the things he couldn’t state enough times was that, an hour and a half into our expedition, we were still within Calgary’s city limits – a testament to the abundant natural beauty just a stone’s throw from downtown.
For an incredible outdoor adventure with expert guides, I can’t recommend Out Fly Fishing enough.
Orchard Restaurant
All that casting worked up a healthy appetite, so we made our way to Orchard restaurant. This place is a visual feast! Centered around a towering bar with a rolling library ladder and adorned with a virtual jungle of hanging plants amidst elegant chandeliers, Orchard lives up to its name. The food matched the atmosphere perfectly. We started with the off-the-hook delicious cheese-stuffed garlic bread, and I savored the Bulgogi Grilled Cheese for my main – a truly winning combination that fueled us for our next adventure.
Rocky Mountain Sidecar Adventures
Back at our hotel, a remarkable sight awaited: three classic motorcycles, complete with sidecars. These were our chariots for the afternoon, guided by the enthusiastic team from Rocky Mountain Sidecar Adventures.
These fun-loving locals clearly have an infectious passion for their city and their bikes. I was paired with Roz, a badass woman riding a classic WWII-inspired bike built in Kazakhstan (shout out to one of the friendliest countries I’ve ever visited!). Our ride took us through the downtown core and up to the suburbs, offering some of the best panoramic views of the Calgary skyline. This crew was a riot of information, sharing fascinating insights into the city’s history and culture, making for an incredibly enjoyable outing.
Calgary Tower
With a little time to spare before dinner, Chris, Tyler, and I strolled across the street to the iconic Calgary Tower. While it might show its age a bit, this towering structure still offers unparalleled views of the city and intriguing facts about Calgary and the tower’s construction.
Make sure to seek out the tucked-away theater on the far side of the entrance for some fascinating behind-the-scenes stories.
Caesar’s Steakhouse
Dinner that night was a feast for the senses at Caesar’s Steakhouse, Calgary’s oldest steakhouse. Opened in 1972, Caesar’s has been serving perfectly grilled steaks topped with its secret seasoning ever since.
We all indulged in the house specialty: a perfectly seared ribeye. But dining here is more than just a meal; it’s a show. The ancient Rome-inspired decor, while initially striking, fades into the background when you witness the centerpiece: a massive brazier surrounded by glass, where the master griller cooks all the steaks right before your eyes.
We were lucky enough to be seated directly in front of the action – amazing for the show, but be warned, the heat from that grill is real! If there’s one thing better than the food at Caesar’s, it’s the service. The staff here are true professionals, understanding the nuances of fine dining and ensuring every guest feels special. It was an absolute pleasure to dine here.
Day 4: A Deeper Look at “Cowtown” and Farewell
Our final day in Calgary began with a much-needed sleep-in, allowing us to fully digest the epic steaks from Caesar’s. Breakfast was decidedly unnecessary, but we carved out time for one last impactful local experience before heading to the airport: The Sam Centre.
The Sam Centre
There’s no denying the colossal presence of the Calgary Stampede in this city – it’s one of the world’s oldest and undeniably largest rodeos.
I’ll be honest, my personal opinion on the Stampede is, well, “messy.” As an animal advocate, I always harbor concerns when animals are used for entertainment, particularly in situations where injury or abuse is a risk. However, I also acknowledge the millennia of reliance and partnership between working animals and humans, a bond that won’t simply vanish overnight.
I’ve participated in dogsledding in the Northwest Territories and Quebec, ridden horses on dude ranches, and as I mentioned, absolutely loved fly fishing on the Bow River. So, while cautious, I’m always willing to explore and understand different perspectives.
The Sam Centre serves as Calgary’s Stampede hub during the 11 months of the year when the rodeo isn’t thundering through town. It’s an excellent place to visit, learn, and gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural significance of the Stampede, especially its historical importance in advocating for the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Alberta.
We were fortunate enough to receive a guided tour of the Sam Centre, blessed with an informed and energetic guide who shared insightful knowledge about the event. I don’t know that it completely changed my mind, but it certainly made me more open to looking deeper into the Calgary Stampede. Who knows, maybe one of these days, I’ll even throw on a cowboy hat and give it a go.
It’s Not Goodbye, It’s Definitely “See You Later Calgary”
As we munched on wraps at the Park by Sidewalk Citizen restaurant downtown, reminiscing about our awesome adventure in Calgary, Chris, Tyler, and I couldn’t agree on what the best thing about the whole trip was.
It was clear, though, that Calgary is far more than just a quick stop on the way to Banff. It shattered preconceived notions of Alberta as merely a land of rodeos, oil, and cattle farms. The city itself is an exciting melting pot of cultures, incredible culinary experiences, and an incredibly walkable downtown.
The true magic, the element that transformed my perspective of Calgary entirely, was the people. Josh from Out Fly Fishing, Briana, our pilot from Mountain View Helicopters, Roz, my fearless badass biker, and of course, our local guide, Colleen. Their genuine passion for their city, their community, their warmth, and spirit made Calgary one of the most magical urban getaways Canada has to offer.
My friends and I arrived expecting all roads to point to the mountains; we left with a profound appreciation for a city and province packed with surprises, excitement, and a welcoming heart.
Disclosure: I was a guest of Tourism Calgary for this experience. All opinions remain my own.
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