Calgary, Alberta is one of Canada’s most under rated cities. Having moved here in 2021, I quickly learned all this city had to offer. Growing up, I never heard of Calgary being a place you “had to” visit. I really just thought of it as a city out west, that was known for oil and gas. But little did we all know, Calgary has a thriving food scene, beautiful landscapes, a great live music community and it’s the sunniest city in Canada. Not to mention, you’re only an hour away from the mountains. Which is a huge bonus! So we thought it would be fun to share a local’s guide to Calgary, Alberta!
In writing another travel post, we wanted to share some travel tips to visiting Calgary, as its becoming more of a popular destination, year by year. I know we typically write about wellness and productivity here at Living & Lifestyle. But hey, we’re passionate about many things. Travel is a big part of who we we are, so why not share! Plus, why not learn about other amazing cities in Canada. If you like travel content, check out our post on Toronto, Ontario.
Below you’ll find a list of some of my favourite spots. I personally travel more like a local when I go somewhere. So this won’t be a collection of tourist spots. This will be cafe, breweries, restaurants and walking paths; that I personally love to frequent. Calgary has so much to offer, and I cannot wait to share it with all of you!
“Growing up, I never heard of Calgary being a place you “had to” visit. I really just thought of it as a city out west, that was known for oil and gas. But little did we all know, Calgary has a thriving food scene, beautiful landscapes, a great live music community and it’s the sunniest city in Canada.”
Morning Sips:
For all of the coffee lovers out there. Calgary has some amazing coffee shops. Not only with award winning coffee, but some of the best vibes are at the coffee shops. I personally love to frequent a few of these, not only to work, but to meetup with a friend.
- Deville – Deville’s coffee is probably my favourite coffee in the city. Their shops are located all over downtown. I may not have one favourite location, (if i had to pick, Kensington would probably be my top one), but truly they are all cute with a gold and bight feel. And I will travel anywhere for their chocolate ganache latte.
- Neighbour Cafe – This cozy and aesthetic cafe in Marda Loop was a favourite from day one. Their airy vibes match the delicious home made eats you can find on their menu. Nothing on the menus is short of amazing. I will take every visitor I have to Neighbour Cafe, and no one has ever been disappointed.
- Phil & Sebatian – I personally think Phil & Sebastian is Calgary’s most notable coffee spot. I personally don’t LOVE their coffee (it’s a bit too acidic for me), but they’ve won a ton of awards for their coffee. And if you like spaces that feel grounding with a funky vibe, Phil & Seb is for you. I personally love their Bridgeland location.
For the Brewery Lovers:
I won’t go into details about each spot, as we could be here a while if I did that! But if you like beer, Calgary’s brewery belt is one to check out. Cold Garden is the funkiest of them all, a true artsy spot. But each one offers its own unique taste and vibe. If you’re here in the summer, rent a bike and check them all out. They’re pretty close to one another and it makes for a fun day!
For the Nature Lovers:
Only an hour out of Calgary, you can find endless adventures in the mountains. Kananaskis is the closest region that has so many incredible trails for hiking, biking, animal watching or just some time spent in the fresh air. If you drive further west, you hit Canmore, Banff & Lake Louise. Each spot comes with its own unique beauty. Search hikes in any one of those areas and you’ll be sure to have your breath taken away. If you want nature a bit closer to the city, Calgary has some incredible green spaces. I personally love Bowness Park, Fish Creek Provincial Park and the river walk along Elbow Drive, and into Stanley Park.
For the Foodies:
One of the best parts of travelling is for the food. Calgary has no shortage of amazing restaurants. When I first moved here, I couldn’t believe the options. For a relatively smaller city, that was known for their oil and gas industry, Calgary blew my mind with the amazing food selection. If I had to pick my top 5, these would be my picks: Major Tom, for something a bit fancier and amazing views. Located on the 40th floor of a downtown sky scraper, this spot is one to remember. Barbarella, is a great spot for Italian eats and an awesome happy hour. Ten Foot Henry has such a cool vibe and incredible shared plates. And Bridgette Bar is a chef-driven cozy spot, in Calgary’s west end, with fantastic cocktails and delicious eats! You really can’t go wrong with any of these options.
Calgary’s bright blue skies, is one thing I’ll never get tired of.
We really hope you enjoyed this local’s guide to Calgary, Alberta. So when you’re planning your next Canadian adventure, don’t leave this incredible city off your list. Thanks for being here for another travel blog on Living & Lifestyle! As someone who has always been an avid traveler, I love writing about my past adventures and I have lots of fun stories to share.
If you want to keep an eye on our travel content, make your way over to our travel page of the blog.
xo
Cornelia & Meg
