Phil’s guidebook
Neighborhoods
Inglewood is a great place to walk around, and get a bite to eat. The Nash is a great choice for inventive Canadian food and cocktails.
Spolumbo's is a very popular deli that is a great stop for lunch. There are 5 microbreweries in the area, which has been dubbed "The Barley Belt". It's a popular pass time during good weather to rent bikes, and ride from brewery to brewery sampling flights of different beers.
Cold Garden is a great place to start, but make sure you are careful not to drink too much and ride.
161 locals recommend
Inglewood
Inglewood is a great place to walk around, and get a bite to eat. The Nash is a great choice for inventive Canadian food and cocktails.
Spolumbo's is a very popular deli that is a great stop for lunch. There are 5 microbreweries in the area, which has been dubbed "The Barley Belt". It's a popular pass time during good weather to rent bikes, and ride from brewery to brewery sampling flights of different beers.
Cold Garden is a great place to start, but make sure you are careful not to drink too much and ride.
You will find great restaurants and pubs on 17between 4th and 7th street. Cleaver is a tapas bar, with Irish influence and a great buzz. The beef cheek ravioli is one of the best things I have ever eaten.
The Living Room is another great choice for dinner. They are also famous for inventing the "Shaft", a shot made from espresso, Kahlua and milk. If you don't go for dinner, take a quit detour right up to the bar and have a Shaft - you won't regret it!
If you want a great pub, both The Ship and Anchor and Rose and Crown are on the same block as these two restaurants. They are always fun.
Further down (west) past 6th Avenue, you'll find great, unique shops to explore.
17 Avenue Southwest
17 Avenue SouthwestYou will find great restaurants and pubs on 17between 4th and 7th street. Cleaver is a tapas bar, with Irish influence and a great buzz. The beef cheek ravioli is one of the best things I have ever eaten.
The Living Room is another great choice for dinner. They are also famous for inventing the "Shaft", a shot made from espresso, Kahlua and milk. If you don't go for dinner, take a quit detour right up to the bar and have a Shaft - you won't regret it!
If you want a great pub, both The Ship and Anchor and Rose and Crown are on the same block as these two restaurants. They are always fun.
Further down (west) past 6th Avenue, you'll find great, unique shops to explore.
Stephen Avenue (8th Avenue) is two blocks away - a great place for shopping and dining, and where you'll find the Calgary Tower, Glenbow Museum, Telus Convention Center and Jack Singer Concert Hall. Its a great place for people wathcing, shopping and has some great nightlife as well.
21 locals recommend
8 Avenue Southwest
8 Avenue SouthwestStephen Avenue (8th Avenue) is two blocks away - a great place for shopping and dining, and where you'll find the Calgary Tower, Glenbow Museum, Telus Convention Center and Jack Singer Concert Hall. Its a great place for people wathcing, shopping and has some great nightlife as well.
Sightseeing
Take a ride up to the top of the Tower, for the best views of Calgary. There is a rotating restaurant at the top so you can experience all 360 degrees of views.
757 locals recommend
Calgary Tower
101 9 Ave SWTake a ride up to the top of the Tower, for the best views of Calgary. There is a rotating restaurant at the top so you can experience all 360 degrees of views.
Rent a car and take a day trip to Banff and Lake Louise for stunning mountain scenery. Its 90 minutes to Banff, and an additional 45 minutes to Lake Louise.
I Highly recommend checking out the haunted Banff Springs Hotel, and the Chateau Lake Louise
614 locals recommend
Banff
Rent a car and take a day trip to Banff and Lake Louise for stunning mountain scenery. Its 90 minutes to Banff, and an additional 45 minutes to Lake Louise.
I Highly recommend checking out the haunted Banff Springs Hotel, and the Chateau Lake Louise
If you're looking for great hiking and trail-running, or you just want some mountain air, Kananaskis should be on your list. Check out the list of great day-hikes:
https://www.inafarawayland.com/best-hikes-canmore-and-kananaskis/
116 locals recommend
Kananaskis
If you're looking for great hiking and trail-running, or you just want some mountain air, Kananaskis should be on your list. Check out the list of great day-hikes:
https://www.inafarawayland.com/best-hikes-canmore-and-kananaskis/
A well-laid out zoo that is fun for all ages. Check out the Zoo lights display in the evening around Christmas.
745 locals recommend
Calgary Zoo
A well-laid out zoo that is fun for all ages. Check out the Zoo lights display in the evening around Christmas.
Across the bridge from Eau Claire Market, you will find Princess Island Park, which is a great destination during mild and warm weather. You'll find street performers (weekends), ducks looking for handouts, and a great bike path system. Rent some bikes or scooters, and have a great time in this oasis in the city.
419 locals recommend
Prince's Island Park
698 Eau Claire Ave SWAcross the bridge from Eau Claire Market, you will find Princess Island Park, which is a great destination during mild and warm weather. You'll find street performers (weekends), ducks looking for handouts, and a great bike path system. Rent some bikes or scooters, and have a great time in this oasis in the city.
A contemporary Science Centre with lots of hands-on activities and displays. If you have kids, this is a place you will want to check out. It's a short drive/Uber East, or C-train to the Zoo Station (followed by a 1km walk, so beware if your kids like to complain about a walk).
362 locals recommend
TELUS Spark
A contemporary Science Centre with lots of hands-on activities and displays. If you have kids, this is a place you will want to check out. It's a short drive/Uber East, or C-train to the Zoo Station (followed by a 1km walk, so beware if your kids like to complain about a walk).
Massive Aquatic and fitness center 6 blocks south from the building. Very well maintained, and a great place to have a workout if the building gym doesn't suit you.
87 locals recommend
Repsol Sport Centre
2225 Macleod Trail SEMassive Aquatic and fitness center 6 blocks south from the building. Very well maintained, and a great place to have a workout if the building gym doesn't suit you.
Winding riverside pathways for biking, running and walking in the temperate months. St Mary's church is a great starting point for a nice afternoon walk.
44 locals recommend
Mission
Winding riverside pathways for biking, running and walking in the temperate months. St Mary's church is a great starting point for a nice afternoon walk.
The sight of the 88 Olympic Ski Jumping, and Bobsled/Luge. It's a great place for beginner skiers/snowboarders, since it's not very challenging, and is really close. In the summer, they have Zip-lines, and a Skyline Luge, which is like a down hill gravity powered go-kart (really fun).
172 locals recommend
WinSport
88 Canada Olympic Rd SWThe sight of the 88 Olympic Ski Jumping, and Bobsled/Luge. It's a great place for beginner skiers/snowboarders, since it's not very challenging, and is really close. In the summer, they have Zip-lines, and a Skyline Luge, which is like a down hill gravity powered go-kart (really fun).
Food scene
This is my favorite brewery, in the heart of Inglewood, and great place to start a Barley Belt tour. There are so many great local micro-breweries in this area. Search "Barley Belt" on the map on your phone, and you will find lots of great places to drink beer and check out local culture.
80 locals recommend
Cold Garden Beverage Company
1100 11 St SEThis is my favorite brewery, in the heart of Inglewood, and great place to start a Barley Belt tour. There are so many great local micro-breweries in this area. Search "Barley Belt" on the map on your phone, and you will find lots of great places to drink beer and check out local culture.
If you're looking for a great steak and a glass of wine, Vintage is a great choice. It's just two blocks west of the condo tower, and an easy walk. Live music on weekends - reservations recommended.
44 locals recommend
Vintage Chophouse and Tavern
320 11 Avenue SouthwestIf you're looking for a great steak and a glass of wine, Vintage is a great choice. It's just two blocks west of the condo tower, and an easy walk. Live music on weekends - reservations recommended.
My favorite restaurant in Calgary, by far. Extremely original tapas offerings, great drinks and the best vibe on 17th Ave. Reservations recommended.
34 locals recommend
Cleaver
524 17 Ave SWMy favorite restaurant in Calgary, by far. Extremely original tapas offerings, great drinks and the best vibe on 17th Ave. Reservations recommended.
Sexy Tequila Bar, with table-side guacamole and salsa (get these - you won't regret it). High-end tequila's that will make you forget how much you paid for them. Great music, and only a 10 minute walk for the suite.
Sunday happy hours are half price drinks and tacos. They have a spicy white-mayo that they will bring you if you order tacos, which i highly recommend.
96 locals recommend
Anejo
2116 4 St SWSexy Tequila Bar, with table-side guacamole and salsa (get these - you won't regret it). High-end tequila's that will make you forget how much you paid for them. Great music, and only a 10 minute walk for the suite.
Sunday happy hours are half price drinks and tacos. They have a spicy white-mayo that they will bring you if you order tacos, which i highly recommend.
Grocery store right in the building, with lots of prepared foods and meals that are high quality, without breaking the bank. The second floor of Sunterra has a cafeteria style restaurant (and bar). This is the best value for brunch in Calgary (weekends). The french omelette is very good, and it's only $9. Not a ton of atmosphere in the cafeteria, but great value and and delicious food.
91 locals recommend
Sunterra Market, Keynote
200 12 Ave SEGrocery store right in the building, with lots of prepared foods and meals that are high quality, without breaking the bank. The second floor of Sunterra has a cafeteria style restaurant (and bar). This is the best value for brunch in Calgary (weekends). The french omelette is very good, and it's only $9. Not a ton of atmosphere in the cafeteria, but great value and and delicious food.
Veggie focused menu in a great setting, with great music. Everything on the menu is good, and it's just a couple blocks away.
79 locals recommend
Ten Foot Henry
1209 1 St SWVeggie focused menu in a great setting, with great music. Everything on the menu is good, and it's just a couple blocks away.
I wouldn't normally recommend a chain restaurant, but this Cactus Club is an exception. Always dependable for quality food and drinks, with one of the best happy hours around (food and drink specials from 3-6). This location always has a great crowd and good music.
24 locals recommend
Cactus Club Cafe Stephen Avenue
178 3 St SWI wouldn't normally recommend a chain restaurant, but this Cactus Club is an exception. Always dependable for quality food and drinks, with one of the best happy hours around (food and drink specials from 3-6). This location always has a great crowd and good music.
Great 20-something bar with a bowling alley in the basement. If you want 30-something instead, go next door to Craft, which is also good.
109 locals recommend
National on 10th
341 10 Ave SWGreat 20-something bar with a bowling alley in the basement. If you want 30-something instead, go next door to Craft, which is also good.