Heritage Park Historical Village, one of Canada's largest historical villages, is divided into a pioneer Northwest Mounted Police outpost and a Main Street from 1910. The latter has a working antique amusement park, with rides that are safe even for small children. Other attractions include a working full-scale locomotive thundering through the park, and on the nearby Glenmore Reservoir, a vintage double-decker sternwheeler ship that takes visitors on lake cruises. Shops and restaurants are plentiful in the park, including a turn-of-the-century bakery. All park staff work in costume and character. Entertaining events for the whole family are scheduled year-round, including September's Fall Fair. The opening timing may vary for different experiences at the park.
One of Canada's great museums and Western Canada's largest, this treasure trove houses artifacts of the west, dating back to the first white settlers of the 1800s and the history of the area's First Nations. Visitors can take delight in exhibits that delve into the history of the region and its people, celebrating their lifestyles and art, and also that record contemporary life in western Canada. Along with permanent displays, the Glenbow Museum presents a variety of temporary exhibitions. Visitors also explore an art gallery and archives on site.
Hosting myriad performances yearly, Arts Commons is Canada's premier cultural space. The center is a six-level facility occupying a full city block in Downtown Calgary, and comprises many distinct event spaces like the Jack Singer Concert Hall and the Max Bell Theatre.
Located on the University of Calgary campus, the Nickle Galleries is one of the forerunners to modern art. It is known for conducting provocative exhibitions as well as enlightening programs, run and taught by University students. The museum opened in 1979 through the benevolence of Mr. Samuel C. Nickle, whose vision was to supply provocative contemporary art for public viewing that was accessible to everyone. The museum has been relocated to the Taylor Family Digital Library since 2011 and has been renamed Nickle Galleries. Since September 1996, The Nickle Galleries has also been the aiming at providing university students with education in the 'Cultural and Heritage sector'. The Nickle Galleries works with other departments at the University to promote learning, research and discovery.
Stampede Park is a sprawling outdoor event venue that is reputed for hosting the major events and happenings in the city. Although it hosts a plethora of formal as well as informal events throughout the year, it is mostly remembered for hosting The Calgary Stampede Festival, a ten-day event dubbed “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” that draws about a million visitors to Calgary every year.
Fort Calgary gives visitors a hands-on look at early Calgary life. Fort Calgary lies on 16 hectares (40 acres) of the riverside parks. The interpretive center reconstructs the original 1875 fort, a facility North-West Mounted Police built after being dispatched from the settled east to establish law and order among pioneers, and to stop the culturally devastating whiskey trade. Children will love trying on the officer's uniforms that have been laid out and exploring the interiors of the old prison. Visitors can grab a bite, or indeed a shot of whiskey at The Deane House, the on-site restaurant.
This art and design lab showcases the creative works-in-progress of three different artists, each of whom are involved in different media where the concept of art and design are utilized. The design lab is a culmination of years of experimentation on the part of each artist, ranging from abstract art, home and interior design, progressing into offerings of interior design pieces that are environmentally sound recycled products. The painter in the group uses fishing wire, plaster and shredded paper as a statement in environmental activism. The use of clinical white allows for the artwork to stand out in this gallery.
Head to the Kinkonautson 9th Avenue and if you wish to get a taste of Calgary's fun-filled theater scene. The theater group consists of a roster of some of the city's most talented and quick-witted artists who collectively put on a show to savor for their audiences. They also offer classes in comedy, direction, and leadership on its premises.
Burc Intercultural Centre is an institution dedicated to bringing the community together. It's a non-profit Turkish-Canadian establishment organizing a variety of events for all ages with a moto of disseminating a message of peace through their activities. From dance, exhibitions, family brunches to tuitions for children and more, their calendar dictates diverse events.
If you're bored of the same old touristy places then head down to Escape60 - Calgary Escape Room located in the neighborhood of Sunalta. Here at Escape60, there are around nine uniquely themed escape rooms each of which comes with a set of clues guests need to decode to escape from. The themes of the room make the activity super fun as they range from Jurassic Park, Willy Wonka World, Don Pablo to Wizarding World, to name a few. The activity takes around an hour to an hour and a half and is available with varying levels of difficulty. Such activities are ideal for a family outing or corporate team-building events. They also offer in-house private event spaces with food catering service and a lounge bar. The private event rooms are well equipped with TVs, projectors, and Wi-Fi, to make the party more relaxing set up after all the adventure.
This well-known art gallery is in the heart of downtown Calgary and housed in a prestigious building that caters to upscale purveyors of modern art. You will find works here by celebrated Canadian artists. Visitors can take delight in beautiful landscape photography of Craig Richards and Nathan Birch, who have splendidly caught the essence of nature on paper, or abstract works of John Eisler, David Bolduc and Philippe Raphanel. There is also a large section devoted to works by Alberta artists including paintings, sculptures and modern works of art.