Top Rated Shopping in Calgary

From the outside, this enormous shopping center looks a bit like a giant spaceship. The Bay, Zellers and Sears are the major stops here, while The Gap, Eddie Bauer, Hallmark and The Sony Store are among some 150 other mall tenants. There are also dozens of services and a professional building at the heart of the mall. A massive new food court is the feature attraction of the reworked mall, which for years was in many ways two malls separated by an elevated parking garage.

The sandstone buildings along downtown's Stephen Avenue Walk were constructed after a fire destroyed much of the neighborhood. Several of those historic buildings fell victim to developers wrecking balls, but the few that remain are worthy of an afternoon stroll during which you can revel in their architecture. Along the way, you can indulge in the diversions offered by many popular shops and restaurants.

Winner of several international awards, Bernard Callebaut's chocolates have the smooth and creamy consistency, prized by the true chocolate connoisseur. The aroma that permeates the air around this downtown factory inexorably draws passers-by in to try free samples and tour the display room. You can find chocolates in the shape of just about anything or choose from an assortment of truffles, liqueur-filled chocolates, and chocolate bars. The chocolate's unparalleled quality makes it well worth the price.

Uniquities Architectural Antiques offers one-of-a-kind 19th-century antiques and collectibles. The owner obtains most of the collectibles from England on regular sojourns. The treasures here include beautifully carved fireplaces as well as an iron spiral staircase that dates back to 1899. Although a lot of the items can be a little pricey, each item is incredibly detailed and handcrafted. Because most of these items are irreplaceable, Uniquities was the only Calgary store voted as one of the top 10 by Canadian House and Home Magazine.

It is not surprising that this award-winning bookstore is part-owned by author Peter Oliva, who is an award-winning author. Pages was a Canadian Booksellers Association Bookseller of the Year. This small, two-level store boasts a wide collection of fiction on the first floor and non-fiction on the second. Regularly scheduled author readings add a nice dimension to the book-reading experience. Shoppers determined to help wage a small-shop war against the encroaching book superstores, pack the aisles. Once you find your latest treasured tome, wander out into the surrounding Kensington neighborhood and enjoy one of its coffee-driven retreats.

When it comes to shopping in downtown Calgary, you'll find it hard to find a better alternative to Core. The expansive center boasts of no less than 160 stores on its four levels and has pretty much all the shopping essentials from luxury brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton to flagship stores of major departmental chains like Holt Renfrew and H&M. Fashion is well-represented with most major brands setting up shop here; a treat for the fashion-conscious. Another reason for the fashion brigade to rejoice is the expert personal styling services the center offers. Much effort has been put into the center's design with the focal point being the gigantic and eye-catching structural skylight creating a superb lighting effect in day times. An excellent range of restaurants ensures shoppers, a satisfying culinary experience. From fashion and beauty to jewelry and electronics, there's not much you'll miss here. With regular events and store promotions, Core offers one of the best shopping experienced downtown.