You can easily do the best Calgary has to offer in a day, and best of all, you can do most of it on foot (save a cab ride or two).
1. Mission District
Start with breakfast at Nellie's in the Mission District on 4th Street SW. Take in the morning along this urbane stroll, where boutiques, cafes, and food stores abound.
2. Downtown
Heading north on 4th Street SW, you'll soon find yourself in Downtown. At 9th Avenue SW, head indoors to the central area's interconnected urban malls for a bit of shopping. Pay special attention to Holt Renfrew, power-suit central for Calgary's moneyed set.
3. Stephen Avenue Mall
8th Avenue SW between 4th Street SW and 1st Street SE is called Stephen Avenue, a mostly pedestrian stretch of cafes, bars, and shops. Lively with office workers during the day, it's a nice stretch to take in modern Calgary.
4. Art Gallery of Calgary
Along Stephen Avenue is the Art Gallery of Calgary, a small but interesting institution in a gorgeous old sandstone heritage building. You'll find interesting local and international contemporary art here, with a small sidewalk cafe on the mall to boot.
5. Glenbow Museum
Near the east end of the mall is the Glenbow Museum, one of the country's premiere museums for natural history and Aboriginal culture.
6. Olympic Plaza
At the east end of the Mall is Olympic Plaza, a large public square across from Old City Hall that served as the presentation point for medals during the 1988 Winter Olympics. Still a popular spot for concerts, the plaza is a skating rink in winter and a wading pool in summer. A favorite relaxation spot for office workers on break, or at lunch.
7. 17th Avenue
Hop in a cab late afternoon for 17th Avenue, a stretch of trendy boutiques, bars, and restaurants that serves as the city's most vibrant social stretch. Shop at some of the trendy fashion-forward stores before retiring to one of the many patios for refreshments, and a prelude to a fabulous dinner at any one of the many options to be found here.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
