Top Family-Friendly Attractions in Calgary

Calgary is home to an exciting collection of attractions that will spark your imagination and get your heart racing. From the wild side of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo to the sky high views of the Calgary Tower, our city has tons of fun things to do for an experience you will never forget.

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Calgary Tower

Home to a 360 degree observation deck, the Calgary Tower is the perfect way to start your trip in Calgary. Enjoy views from the prairies to the Canadian Rockies, 191 metres above the downtown core. Multimedia audio tours (available in English, French, Mandarin, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and German) guide you through classic Calgary landmarks. Take a brave step onto the glass floor or visit Sky360 , a fine dining restaurant at the top of the Calgary Tower, and experience this iconic part of the Calgary skyline for yourself.

Address: 101 9 Ave SW

Getting there: The Calgary Tower is just two blocks south of the CTrain line. Paid parking is also available at the nearby Palliser Parkade.

Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre

Listen to the music at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre . Five floors of interactive exhibits, artifacts, instruments, and music memorabilia tell the story of music in Canada, with public tours available daily that are included with admission. Studio Bell is also home to the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.

Address: 850 4 St SE

Getting there: Studio Bell is a short walk from the City Hall CTrain station. There are also plenty of paid surface lots and street parking nearby.

Glenbow Museum (temporarily closed)

The Glenbow Museum is currently closed for major building renovations and expected to re-open in 2026. Learn more about Glenbow’s Renovation Plan  and how they are transforming the building from the inside out.

The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland (formerly Fort Calgary)

Discover the stories that make the lands at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers a historically layered and meaningful site. It's a place of significance to Indigenous peoples since long before 1875, when the North West Mounted Police established Fort Calgary. At The Confluence you can explore cultural centre exhibits about Treaty 7, Métis influence in Alberta and the early stages of the city of Calgary.

Address: 750 9 Ave SE

Getting there: The Confluence is a short walk from the City Hall CTrain station. There is also a paid parking lot on site.

Sam Centre

Sam Centre tells stories from the past 100+ years of The Calgary Stampede with interactive exhibits and immersive multimedia shows. Passionate staff and volunteers are also ready to share their own Stampede stories with you.

Address: 632 13 Ave SE

Getting there: Sam Centre is a 10-minute walk from the Victoria Park/Stampede CTrain station. There are also paid surface lots nearby.

TELUS Spark Science Centre

Spark your imagination at TELUS Spark Science Centre  and discover the world of science, technology, and art in Calgary. Over 100 exhibits, programs, daily demonstrations, and travelling exhibits make TELUS Spark Science Centre a family-friendly attraction that will ignite everyone’s curiosity for the world around them. Adults Only Night is hosted quarterly with a kid-free reign of the galleries, dance jams, and a fully licensed bar.

Address: 220 St Georges Dr. NE

Getting there: TELUS Spark Science Centre is best accessed by car, with paid parking available on site. It's also right next to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo , making both attractions a convenient family-friendly day trip.

The Hangar Flight Museum

Prepare for takeoff! The history of Western aviation takes flight with interactive exhibits, uniforms, scale models, and over 20 historic aircraft on display at The Hangar Flight Museum . You will find all of this aviation history on display in a historic Second World War drill hall and outdoor hangar for a day at the museum that will leave flying high.

Address: 4629 McCall Way NE

Getting there: The Hangar Flight Museum is located minutes from YYC Calgary International Airport  with free parking available on site.

Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo

Founded in 1929, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is one of the oldest charities in Alberta and the most visited zoo in Canada. Home to over 4,000 animals across more than 100 species, the zoo is internationally recognized for its world-class animal care and habitat design practices at its 125-acre facility. Welcoming over 1.3 million guests annually, zoo staff and volunteers alike are passionate about inspiring and educating generations of visitors about the importance of conservation and how to take action to sustain wildlife and wild places. With adult-only and family-friendly event portfolios, award-winning cuisine, unlimited educational opportunities, and breathtaking vistas there’s something for everyone to do at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo!

Address: 210 St. George's Drive NE

Getting there: The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has a dedicated CTrain stop and paid parking available on site. With TELUS Spark located nearby, you can combine a day at both attractions for a convenient family-friendly outing.

Bow Habitat Station

Get hooked on the fishy experience at Bow Habitat Station and discover this family-friendly natural wonder. Meet Alberta's native fish in the aquariums, go fishing in the Trout Pond (open in May), and take a stroll through the Interpretive Wetland for a hands on introduction to Alberta’s ecosystem. Rent snowshoes in the winter or fishing rods in the summer and discover the great outdoors in Calgary at Bow Habitat Station.

Address: 1440 17a St SE

Getting there: Free parking is available at the main entrance of Pearce Estates Park, with bike path access from many areas of the city.

Downhill Karting

Calling adrenaline junkies of all ages! Race your way to the finish line at Downhill Karting  with over 50 twists and turns on 1,800 metres of downhill fun. It’s easy to learn and perfect for riders of any age and ability. Choose from individual ride and family packages for a wild ride the whole family will love.

Address: 88 Canada Olympic Road SW

Getting there: Located at WinSport  with free parking available. Please note - Downhill Karting is only open during the summer months.

Heritage Park Historical Village

History comes to life at Heritage Park Historical Village . Canada’s largest living historical village features a cast of roving characters, fresh baked treats, and original historical houses, stores, and machinery. Ride an authentic steam train, get a scoop of old-fashioned ice cream, or ride the vintage midway. Bring a picnic lunch or enjoy a wide range of dining options available on site during your visit. Heritage Park is open on a seasonal basis, with Gasoline Alley Museum , a stunning collection of automobile memorabilia, open year-round.

Address: 1900 Heritage Dr. SW

Getting there: Heritage Park offers paid parking at the park entrance and can also be accessed by the Calgary Transit 502 bus that runs between the Heritage CTrain station and the Heritage Park front gate.

The Military Museums

Step into history at Canada's second largest military museum! Calgary's Military Museums are dedicated to preserving the memories and traditions of the Canadian Armed Forces through art, artifacts, and education. You can tour eight separate museums at one location including the Naval, Army and Air Force Museums of Alberta.

Address: 4520 Crowchild Trail S.W.

Getting there: The Military Museums are right off one of Calgary's main thoroughfares. Free parking is available on site.

Spruce Meadows

International show jumping events bring the best equestrian athletes from around the world to Spruce Meadows each year. Admission to this family and pet friendly venue is inexpensive and has a great selection of international food vendors everyone will enjoy. Spruce Meadows also hosts the International Christmas Market, with over 300 vendors celebrating the holiday spirit throughout the grounds each year.

Address: 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW

Getting there: Spruce Meadows is located on the southern edge of Calgary and is around a 30 minute drive from the downtown core. Free parking is available on site.

WinSport

As Calgary's premier family-friendly outdoor sports venue, WinSport offers an exciting lineup of winter activities including skiing and snowboarding, thrilling tube park adventures, and Olympic-sized skating rinks. In the summer, enjoy more thrilling activities like downhill mountain biking, mini-golf, and scenic chairlift rides.

Address: 88 Canada Olympic Road SW

Getting there: WinSport is just off 16th Ave. (the Trans-Canada Highway) as you head west out of the city. Free parking is available on site.

Calaway Park

Put your hands in the air and ride your way to Western Canada’s Largest Outdoor Amusement Park. Calaway Park is family friendly fun, with more than 30 rides, dozens of games, live stage shows, a 3D theatre experience, and classic amusement park treats. Best of all? Your admission includes unlimited rides, shows, and parking so you can take one more loop on The Vortex roller coaster. Spend the night under the stars at the Calaway Park Campground , with 104 sites available just a short walk from all the action.

Address: 245033 Range Rd 33

Getting there: Take the Trans-Canada Highway west through Calgary and you will arrive at Calaway Park just 5min outside the city limits with plenty of free parking at the park entrance.

Calgary Farmyard

A petting coral, low ropes course, farmyard games, pony rides, zip lines, and jumbo jumpers are just the start of life on the farm at Calgary Farmyard . Hands on experiences give everyone in the family a chance to experience barnyard animals in a friendly and welcoming environment. Stroll through the sunflower fields and enjoy freshly squeezed lemonade, mini donuts, ice cream, kettle corn, fudge, and jumbo hot dogs to top off your day on the farm.

Address: 284022 Township Rd 224, Rocky View County

Getting there: Located 30min southeast of Calgary, travelling by car is the best way to visit Calgary Farmyard with free parking available on site.

Granary Road

There is something for everyone in the family at Granary Road . Slide, swing, and climb your way through the 36 acre Active Learning Park, where kids of all ages can explore imaginative animal, insect, and agricultural play areas. Or spend the day shopping in the public market for everything from fresh produce and artisan cheese to top shelf wine and classic charcuterie.

Address: 226034 112 Street West, Foothills

Getting there: Located 35min southwest of Calgary, travelling by car is the way to visit Granary Road with free parking available on site.

Looking for more things to do? Check out Calgary Attractions  for inspiration and discounts on family-fun!