Top Attractions in Calgary for Families

a group of friends at Downhill Karting
a group of friends at Downhill Karting
Fun Things to Do

Top Attractions in Calgary for Families

Whether you're in the city for a vacation, have an afternoon to explore the city, or are passing through on your way to the mountains, these attractions can't be missed!

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.

Sign up for the FREE Calgary Attractions Pass to access discounts at some of Calgary's top attractions, exclusive prizing, and a chance to win a weekend getaway in Calgary. The more you explore, the better your odds of winning!



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Top Attractions in Downtown Calgary

 

Calgary Tower

Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre

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)

Glenbow is temporarily closed for major building renovations. You can visit Glenbow at the Edison, a new satellite location with free admission, which will operate until Glenbow’s renovated building reopens to the public. 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)

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.

 

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couple interacting with musical instrument exhibits at Studio Bell

Experience 5 floors of Canadian music history at Studio Bell (photo credit: Travel Alberta/Chris Amat)

couple standing on the glass floor of the Calgary Tower observation deck

Enjoy 360° city views from atop the Calgary Tower (photo credit: Colin Way)

 

Top Attractions in North Calgary

 

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

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.

 

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children watching a polar bear swim in its habitat at Calgary Zoo

Get up close & personal with your favourite animals at Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo (photo credit: Colin Way)

TELUS Spark Science Centre worker demonstrating fire

See science in action at TELUS Spark Science Centre (photo credit: TELUS Spark)

 

Top Attractions in South Calgary

 

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.

Spruce Meadows

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child taking a snowboard jump at WinSport

Ski, snowboard, & snow tube without leaving the city at WinSport (photo credit: WinSport)

family looking at a plane at The Military Museums

Learn the history of the Canadian Armed Forces at The Military Museums (photo credit: The Military Museums)

 

Top Attractions Beyond Calgary

 

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Calaway Park rollercoaster

Take the family on a Playcation to Calaway Park (photo credit: Calaway Park)

family pumpkin picking at Granary Road in autumn

Enjoy seasonal activities year-round at Granary Road (photo credit: Travel Alberta/Erik McRitchie)

 

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