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Calgary is a city in the Canadian province of Alberta. It is situated at the confluence of the Bow River and the Elbow River in the south of the province, in an area of badlands. The city anchors the south end of what Statistics Canada defines as the "Calgary–Edmonton Corridor".

The city had a population of 1,230,915 in 2016, making it Alberta's largest city and Canada's fifth-largest municipality. In 2016, Calgary had a metropolitan population of 1,392,609, making it the fourth-largest census metropolitan area (CMA) in Canada.

Calgary is a young city, having been incorporated as a city in 1894, when it was still part of the Northwest Territories. However, human habitation in the area dates back thousands of years. The area was inhabited by the Blackfoot, Blood, Peigan, and Tsuut'ina First Nations peoples. The city was founded by John Glenn, a rancher from Fort Macleod, and it grew rapidly after the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) reached it in 1883.

Downtown Calgary - Stephen Avenue (check out our shop for full resolution pictures and canvas prints)

Today, Calgary is a modern, cosmopolitan city with a vibrant economy and a rich cultural scene. The city is home to numerous museums and art galleries, and its downtown area is full of shopping and dining options. The Calgary Stampede, an annual rodeo and exhibition, is one of the city's most popular tourist attractions.

Calgary is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and the landscape around the city is truly stunning. The city is also home to a number of great parks, including Nose Hill Park, Fish Creek Provincial Park, and Confederation Park.

Whether you're looking for a dynamic city full of opportunity or a beautiful place to enjoy the great outdoors, Calgary is definitely worth a visit.

Calgary is the third most liveable city in the world according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Ranking.

https://pages.eiu.com/rs/753-RIQ-438/images/liveability-index-2022.pdf

This is the second year in a row that Calgary has been ranked as the third most liveable city in the world.

Summer activities in Calgary:

Summer is the perfect time to explore Calgary and all it has to offer! There are so many great activities to enjoy outdoors, and the city comes alive with festivals and events. Here are just a few of the many things to do in Calgary during the summer months:

Take a hike or a walk in one of Calgary's many beautiful parks. There are trails for all levels of ability, and the scenery is stunning.

Go for a swim! Calgary has several great public pools, as well as lakes and rivers where you can cool off on a hot day.

Play some tennis or golf. Calgary has many public courts and courses that are perfect for a summer day.

Visit the Calgary Zoo or the Prehistoric Park. These are great places to learn about different animals and see some amazing creatures up close.

Catch a show at the Calgary Opera or the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. There are also many smaller theatre companies that put on great shows throughout the summer.

Shop till you drop! Calgary has many great shopping areas, from trendy boutiques to large malls.

Sample some of Calgary's best food and drink at one of the city's many farmers markets or food festivals.

Take in the sights and sounds of the Calgary Stampede, one of the biggest and best rodeos in the world.

Enjoy the view over from the 158m Calgary Tower.

Relax and enjoy the beautiful weather! Calgary is a great place to kick back and soak up the summer sun. With 333 sunny days annually, Calgary is the sunniest city in the country.

View down on to 9 Ave and Centre street from the Calgary tower (check out our shop for full resolution pictures and canvas prints)

Our summer activities’ top picks

Of all the fun things to do in the summer in Calgary, here are our top picks:

1. Prince’s island park

Prince’s Island Park is one of Calgary’s most popular and well-loved parks. Situated in the heart of downtown, the park is a key part of the city’s identity.

The park is named after Peter Prince, one of Calgary’s early settlers. Prince was a key figure in the city’s development, and the island park bears his name as a tribute.

The park is situated on an island in the Bow River, and is connected to the city by a series of bridges. It’s a popular spot for walking, running and cycling, and is also home to a number of events and festivals throughout the year. There are Picnic areas, Playgrounds, Flower gardens, Washrooms, a dog park, and the River Cafe, a full service restaurant.

https://www.calgary.ca/csps/parks/locations/downtown-parks/princes-island-park.html

2. Bowness Park

Bowness Park is a beautiful spot in Calgary to take in the scenery and enjoy the outdoors. The park is located on the north side of the Bow River and offers stunning views of the river and the city skyline. There are plenty of walking trails to explore, a lagoon with boat rentals, picnic sites with fire pits and BBQ stands, playgrounds, washrooms, a train ride, and a wadding pool. Bowness Park is also home to a number of events and festivals throughout the year, so there is always something to do. Whether you are looking to relax in nature or enjoy some fun and excitement, Bowness Park is the perfect place to be.

https://www.calgary.ca/csps/parks/locations/nw-parks/bowness-park.html

3. Edworthy Park

The park is situated on the Bow River and offers stunning views of the city skyline. Edworthy Park is a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. There are plenty of walking and biking trails to explore, and the park is also home to a playground, picnic areas, gazebo, benches, washrooms, and a dog park.

https://www.calgary.ca/csps/parks/locations/sw-parks/edworthy-park.html

4. Calgary Olympic park

Calgary Olympic Park, originally built for the 1988 Winter Olympics, is now a popular year-round recreation area. Located just minutes from downtown Calgary, the Park offers something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a challenging hike or an easy stroll. The Park is a great place to enjoy the outdoors, with over 15 kilometres of trails perfect for hiking, biking and inline skating. The Canada Olympic Park BMX Track is a popular spot for cyclists, the Adventure Camp offers a variety of activities for kids, including the fastest zip line in North America, a Scenic Chairlift, Mini golf, Luge (go-cart downhill ride) and the famous Olympic bobsleigh run (all season).

https://www.winsport.ca

5. Farmers market

The Calgary Farmers' Market is a not-for-profit society that operates two year-round markets in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The society is governed by a board of directors and managed by a small staff. The market sells fresh, local and seasonal produce, meats, baking, preserves, cheese, artisan crafts and more.

The market began in the early 1980s as a summer-only market selling produce from local farmers. In the 1990s, the market expanded to include a winter market and a year-round market. Today, the market comprises over 100 vendors selling a variety of local and seasonal products.

https://calgaryfarmersmarket.ca

6. Calaway park

Calaway Park is Alberta's largest outdoor family amusement park! Located just off the Trans-Canada Highway, Calaway Park is the perfect place to spend a day, a weekend or a whole vacation! With 32 rides, 25 games, live entertainment, a food court and more, there's something for everyone at Calaway Park!

https://www.calawaypark.com

7. Stampede

The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event, which bills itself as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the largest rodeos in the world, a parade, midway, stage shows, concerts, agricultural competitions, chuckwagon racing and First Nations exhibitions.

https://www.calgarystampede.com

Calgary Stampede - Barrel racing (check out our shop for full resolution pictures and canvas prints)

8. Self-guided food tour in Kensington

Kensington is one of Calgary's trendiest and most vibrant neighbourhoods, and is home to some of the city's best food and drink.

On a Kensington food tour, you'll get to sample the best that the neighbourhood has to offer, from gourmet coffee and fresh pastries to locally-made beer and delicious ethnic cuisine. You'll also get to meet the passionate people behind the food and drink scene in Kensington, and learn about the neighbourhood's rich history and culture.

Whether you're a foodie or just looking to explore Calgary's culinary scene, a Kensington food tour is a great way to do it!

https://albertafoodtours.ca/gameplay-kensington/

9. Bow River Pathway bike ride

Calgary is home to some of the best pathways in the world. With over 1000km of pathways, there is something for everyone. From easy, flat trails to more challenging routes with stunning views, Calgary has it all.

The great thing about pathways is that they are open to everyone, regardless of fitness level or experience. They are a great way to get outside and explore all that Calgary has to offer.

https://www.calgary.ca/csps/parks/pathways/pathways-in-calgary.html?redirect=/pathways

10. Heritage Park

Heritage Park is a living history museum in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is located on 127 acres (51 hectares) of parkland on the east bank of the Elbow River, in the city's southwest. The park is open year-round and operated by the City of Calgary.

The park is made up of several different areas, each with its own focus. The Historic Village is the park's main attraction and includes over 150 buildings and homes that have been relocated from across Alberta. These buildings have been restored and furnished to look as they would have during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The park also has a working farm, a railway station, a hotel, and a schoolhouse. In addition to the buildings, the park also has a collection of over 200,000 artifacts. These artifacts are used to help tell the stories of the people who lived and worked in the park.

https://www.heritagepark.ca

Rainy day activities

In the unlikely event of rain in Calgary, after all, it is the sunniest city in Canada with 2405 hours and 333 days of sunshine a year, here are some activities in case you are so lucky to visit on one of the few rainy days:

Shopping

Shopping in Calgary is a great experience for anyone looking for a wide variety of shops and stores. There is something for everyone, whether you are looking for high-end fashion or more affordable options. The city has a wide range of shopping districts, each with its own unique atmosphere.

The most popular shopping district in Calgary is probably the downtown core. This is where you will find all the major department stores, as well as a variety of smaller shops and boutiques.

https://coreshopping.ca

If you are looking for a more relaxed shopping experience, you might want to check out one of the many suburban shopping centres like Market Mall or Chinook Centre. These are usually much less crowded and offer a wider variety of stores.

https://shops.cadillacfairview.com/property/cf-market-mall

https://shops.cadillacfairview.com/property/cf-chinook-centre

iFly

iFLY Calgary is an indoor skydiving facility that allows you to experience the thrill of skydiving without having to jump out of a plane! The wind tunnel creates a column of air that lifts you up and simulates the feeling of freefall. iFLY Calgary is perfect for first-time skydivers, experienced skydivers, and everyone in between.

https://iflyworld.ca

Indoor playgrounds

There are many indoor playgrounds in Calgary that provide a great way to keep kids entertained during the winter months or on rainy days.

Here are our three favourites:

https://thebigbox.ca (bring your own non-slip socks for the big inflatable park)

http://www.hidenseekcalgary.com/hnscalgary/

http://treehouseplay.com/calgarynorth/

Calgary Skywalk 15+

Calgary is home to a world-famous Plus 15 network - a series of interconnected, climate-controlled pedestrian bridges that link many of the city's downtown buildings. The Plus 15s are a great way to stay warm and dry while exploring downtown, and offer some of the best people-watching in the city!

The Plus-15s first came about in the 1970s as a way to connect downtown office towers, and they’ve since become an iconic part of the Calgary landscape. The walkways are open to the public from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and they’re free to use.

The Plus-15s is a great way to experience all that Calgary’s downtown has to offer. So next time you’re looking for a place to take a stroll, head to the Plus-15s and explore all that they have to offer.

https://www.calgary.ca/bike-walk-roll/plus-15-network.html?redirect=/plus15

Free or low cost fun in Calgary:

Looking for free or low-cost fun in Calgary? You don't have to look far! There are plenty of ways to have fun without spending much money in this beautiful city.

Alberta open farms days:

https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca

Devonian Gardens:

https://www.calgary.ca/csps/parks/locations/downtown-parks/devonian-gardens.html

Central Library

https://calgarylibrary.ca/read-learn-and-explore/central-library/

Esker Foundation

https://eskerfoundation.com

Calgary Dragon Boat Race and Festival

https://calgarydragonboatsociety.com

Pay-what-you-can free walking tour:

https://www.walktheyyc.com

Horse jumping venue:

https://www.sprucemeadows.com

Saddle dome tours:

https://www.scotiabanksaddledome.com/tours/

Self-guided bike tours:

https://ridewithgps.com/collections/19339

Check out the Website below for a competitive list of free or low-cost summer activities:

https://www.visitcalgary.com/things-to-do/stories-from-calgary/free-things-to-do-in-calgary

Also make sure you book not only your flight but also a rental car well in advance, since rental companies are usually completely booked out for the summer by the beginning of May. But fear not, if you check out Turo you will for sure find a car-sharing vehicle for your holiday, possibly even for a better daily rate than what is offered at the car rental…and with delivery right to the airport terminal upon your arrival in Calgary!

We list our cars also on Turo and offer a 5% early bird discount for bookings 7 or more days in advance, a 5% discount for any bookings longer than 3 days, and a 10% discount for bookings longer than 7 days.

When booking one of our cars we will plant a tree in North America and issue you a Tree Gift Certificate (see here for more information)

2017 BMW X1 xDrive28i AWD (Midsize SUV, 5 seats)