Wellness in Calgary: spas, trails, and healthy eats

Whether you're craving Nordic spa rituals that shock your system back to life, plant-based dining that never sacrifices flavour, or riverside workouts with skyline views, Calgary delivers wellness experiences that hit different.

With all the stress travel puts on your body, you deserve some serious TLC, and this city delivers wellness experiences that'll leave you feeling superhuman.

Slip into the ancient ritual of hot-cold therapy at one of Calgary's lux spas.

• SKA - Those seeking an urban retreat with a happy hour vibe will adore this inner-city spa with its rejuvenating hot-and-cold hydrotherapy circuit, including a sauna, steam, and cold plunge, paired with a massage or facial.

• Clear Nordic Spa - This serene haven sports hot and cold plunge pools, infrared and steam saunas, silent relaxation zones plus a Zen Social Room to kiki with your besties.

• Cedar & Steam - Offering hot-cold-rest thermal cycles alongside massage and cupping services, this cozy, adults-only sanctuary is your one-stop-shop for mindful rejuvenation. With cedar, Himalayan salt, and infrared saunas plus a eucalyptus steam room and kombucha on tap, it’s an affordable wellness retreat just minutes from downtown.

On buzzy 17th Avenue, you’ll also find PRML Social with its multiple cold plunge tubs, conveniently located right above Rumble Boxing Studio .

Ready to sweat it out? Calgary's fitness scene includes local studios that bring the heat.

• The Academy - Dedicated weight-lifting space, top-tier trainers, and a wide variety of drop-in sessions - from cycling to HIIT to dance to mindful recovery - that turn sweat into an experience.

• Reformed - There's Pilates and then there's this boutique studio that offers group classes on the Pilates Reformer machine in a studio heated to 30°C and 30% relative humidity. (But hey, don’t sweat it! Hot yoga classes are typically heated to 40°C and 55% relative humidity.)

• Home Lifestyle Club - Visitors to Calgary will appreciate this sleek, modern facility that delivers a workout experience more akin to a luxury lifestyle retreat than a typical gym. With curated classes, high-end equipment, and a chic, wellness-focused vibe, it’s the perfect place to stay on track while indulging in self-care.

• Moveology - At this spacious studio in Inglewood, you’ll find a mix of barre, Pilates, HIIT, strength, yoga, and mobility workouts suitable for all levels.

If you’re looking for something different, head to Decidedly Jazz Danceworks for inclusive, beginner‑friendly instruction. The beautifully designed dance centre, with floor‑to‑ceiling windows, celebrates everything from jazz basics to barre and Afro‑inspired movement.

Forget treadmills for a second. Calgary's outdoor scene will hijack your fitness routine and make you forget you're even exercising.

Trails & pathways

Lace up for the Bow River pathway, where 1,000 km (621 miles) of paved perfection wind past downtown skyscrapers and into river valleys that feel miles from civilization. For panoramic city views that'll have you reaching for your phone more often than your water bottle, head to the trails at Nose Hill Park .

Bike rentals from shops like Bow Cycle or Ridley's Cycle make exploration effortless, whether you're cruising the city’s extensive pathway network or tackling the scenic loops of the East Village or Prince's Island Park.

Nothing beats a perspective shift, and paddling past Calgary's dynamic downtown does just that. While others navigate boardroom meetings, you'll be navigating gentle currents on the Bow or Elbow, finding your flow one stroke at a time.

Head to the Outdoor Centre at the University of Calgary for a wide range of rentals. If you want to go big, rent a raft with friends from:

• The Paddle Station

• Riverside Rafting 

• Lazy Day Paddle Rentals

Calgary's dining scene proves eating well doesn't mean sacrificing flavour. The Coup on trendy 17th Avenue has been redefining plant-based dining with dishes that leave you feeling wholly nourished (and decidedly decadent during brunch!).

Ten Foot Henry delivers vegetable-forward dishes that celebrate seasonal produce, while sleek newcomer Ryuko creates clean, umami-packed plates that fill you up without weighing you down. For expertly grilled protein, Shokunin serves up yakitori-style chicken morsels over charcoal grills. And don't miss Sweatered Hen's legendary salads, or HEAL Wellness , where superfood bowls and cold-pressed juices fuel your Calgary adventures.

The city's mocktail game is equally strong. For those wanting to wake up refreshed and ready to tackle tomorrow's adventure without missing a beat, spots like The Wilde on 27 create zero-proof concoctions that transform antioxidant-rich ingredients into liquid luxury.

Regional Bar Manager, Makina Labrecque, has revolutionized alcohol-free drinking across several Calgary hotspots. Barbarella Bar's Faux Aperol Spritz captures all the Italian aperitivo vibes, while Bridgette Bar's Short Film and Lulu Bar's Hawaiian Honeycreeper deliver complex flavours that rival any traditional cocktail.

There’s no need to choose between comfort and health when Calgary's hotels deliver both in spades.

The Westin Calgary

The downtown Westin leads the charge with gear lending programs and a Hyperice (massage gun) partnership that turns your room into a personal wellness sanctuary. Exclusive packages with SKA Thermal Spa sets you up for saunas and an ice bath.

Fairmont Palliser

Elevating wellness to an art form, Fairmont Palliser’s RnR Wellness Spa features a heated indoor pool with adult-only hours, eucalyptus steam rooms, and state-of-the-art fitness equipment. Their Fairmont Fit menu delivers antioxidant-packed fresh juices and protein-packed bowls. Meanwhile, Hawthorn Dining Room’s award-winning mocktail program (they hosted the Beyond Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Competition finals!) proves sophisticated sipping doesn't need spirits.

Element Calgary Downtown

Catering to active travellers, the brand-new Element Calgary Downtown offers spacious suites with full kitchens for home-cooked healthy meals and a robust gym with floor-to-ceiling windows. Situated steps away from Bow River, take advantage of their ‘Bikes to Borrow’ program to explore the many riverside pathways.