Quick Tips For Visiting Calgary
Calgary is a metro city with sky rise buildings, light rail systems, commercial offices, malls, restaurants, and awesome nightlife. The closest airport to Banff National is Calgary. So it is worth spending a day or so in exploring Calgary on your visit to Banff
- The best time to visit Calgary is summer May to August, followed by winter months from November to January.
- Summer will be busy due to the influx of travelers to Banff. There are tons of riverside activities in summer. Wintertime calls for snowboarding and other Christmas lights related events.
- CAD Canadian dollars are used in Calgary. Credit cards are widely accepted at all stores, hotels, gas stations.
- Hotel Tip Most hotels will take a deposit of $50/ night as collateral for damages. They are returned back to the credit card upon check-out.
- Hotel Tip 2 Sign up for rewards program to collect points
Best Neighborhoods For Art And Culture
A hive of cultural activity, Calgary has neighborhoods where art and design scenes are thriving. Stay in the Beltline area for its art galleries, furniture showrooms, public art walking tours and artist-packed cafés in Victoria Park. The Beltline encompasses the 17th Avenue SW retail and entertainment district , so look for a hotel there as well. Stay along the most multicultural street in the city, International Avenue, with its bright murals depicting local history and food tours celebrating five continents along 35 city blocks. Accommodations in Eau Claire give you a front-row seat for the many festivals that liven up this neighborhood. Set out from your hotel in Kensington to snap a pic of the Peace Bridge, catch an art house film at Plaza Theatre and sample fair-trade coffee at one of the many cafés. Come to East Village for its dazzling architecture and music venues stay for its coffee roasters, bakeries and great accommodations.
Best Private Room In Inglewood: Inner City Sanctuary
Youll feel right at home staying in this beautiful guest house. Youll get the privacy of your own space as well as access to the rest of the property. Its a beautiful space to get some work done in and is one of the best places to stay in Calgary for digital nomads. The house is stylish and full of character, and sits in the heart of Inglewood close to quirky coffee shops and boutiques.
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Where To Stay In Calgary: A Quick Guide To Finding The Best Area In Calgary
Where should you stay in Calgary? If youre looking for a quick answer and summary of the best areas to stay in Calgary and Calgarys neighborhoods, start here
Heading to Vancouver Next? Check Out Our Where to Stay in Vancouver Guide for the Best Spots to Stay, or Book a Day Trip to Banff, the Columbia Ice Fields,or the Drumheller badlands from Calgary.
Courtyard By Marriott Calgary Airport North
Courtyard by Marriott is another Calgary Airport hotel. It is located in the same complex as the Residence Inn, listed above. Courtyard by Marriott offers executive-level luxury at a value price.
The hotel has a restaurant and bar The Bistro serving breakfast in the morning and drinks during the evening. Starbucks Coffee is also located here. Ideal place for working away from the office . Free wifi and parking are included.
What differentiates Courtyard from Residence Inn is that the former is more for quick stays and the later is ideal for long term stay. Rooms are usually always available at this hotel.
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Things To See And Do In Downtown
- Admire the amazing design of the Calgary Public Library.
- Browse the exciting exhibits at the Glenbow Museum.
- Catch a performance by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Climb to the top of The Calgary Tower and enjoy panoramic views of the city.
- Discover The Famous Five by visiting the monument.
- Go for a stroll down the Stephen Avenue pedestrian mall.
- See a range of performances and exhibits at the Arts Commons.
- Sink your teeth into premier Alberta beef at Saltlik Steakhouse.
- Snap a picture in Olympic Plaza.
- Take a relaxing stroll through the Devonian Gardens
- View incredible works of art at The Art Gallery of Calgary.
Weve tested countless packs over the years, and now weve found our absolute favourite: the nomad-approved Nomatic Travel Bag.
Want more deetz on why we love it so damn much? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
Best Western Plus Suites Downtown Calgary
This is also one of our top picks in Calgary. It features an on-site gym and sauna, as well as microwaves and refrigerators in every guest room. A daily hot breakfast buffet is provided, as well as free WiFi, a business centre, meeting rooms, and a convenience store. Above ground and underground parking with electric plug-ins is available for a fee and the hotel is very close to 17th Ave SW.
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Best Holiday Home In Inglewood: Modern Home Close To Everything
Sleeping up to seven people, this holiday home is ideal for groups deciding where to stay in Calgary. Its modern throughout, with five bedrooms, two living rooms, and a fully equipped kitchen. Its close to Downtown and provides easy access to Inglewoods top places to visit. Given its location and size, we reckon this place is awesome value for money!
Wyndham Garden Calgary Airport
If you need your own little slice of heaven when you visit Calgary, take a look at this little urban cottage oasis! Just minutes away from the center of downtown Calgary, this newly renovated home is located in one of the quietest and most charming areas in the city. There are grocery stores nearby, so if youd like to buy any food, beverages, or home essentials, theyre just a walk away.
Originally built in 1910, this luxurious cottage features a great bedroom, with a queen bed and a living room that has a couch that opens up into a double bed for extra guests. The living room also has a Smart TV, stereo system, and an electric fireplace for that extra cozy feel. Theres a spacious kitchen that comes with all the appliances youll need and space for you to dine in. On top of that, theres a back courtyard that has a BBQ and some table and chairs for you to relax on.
If youre looking for a quaint little spot to stay in, during your trip to Calgary with your significant other, we definitely suggest this spot.
Urban Cottage Oasis, Awesome Location, Fully Renovated And Self Contained Lower 21reviews
Hotel Le Germain is a luxury hotel thats consistently rated as one of the best located in Calgary. Stationed across the street from the Calgary Tower, each of the spacious and modern rooms in this hotel is loaded with the most important amenities. It also has a flat screen TV, free wifi, an iPod docking station, and a minibar for you to enjoy.
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Best Areas To Live In Northwest Calgary
Woman hiking in Canmore, AB
The northwest quadrant is a popular area to live in Calgary if you like to escape to the foothills and mountains to the west at a moment’s notice without getting stuck in traffic. Many northwest communities are found amid rolling foothills with plateaus and valleys in between, while the Bow River carves its way through the area as it flows towards the downtown core. Needless to say, the northwest is home to many award-winning communities that are hard to look past for many potential home buyers.
Best Hotel In Calgary: Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Downtown
This excellent hotel offers four-star luxury at the heart of the city. It has a variety of features, including laundry facilities and an on-site restaurant. This hotel is ideally located near Calgarys top tourist attractions and a vast array of eateries and cafes are just a short walk away.
Calgary is an enormous and sprawling metropolis. It is the largest city in the province of Alberta and is Canadas fourth-largest metropolitan area, after Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
It has a world-class restaurant scene, rich and diverse cultural offerings, and is one of the rowdiest sports towns in the country. With so much to see, do and eat, its no wonder that Calgary is one of Canadas most popular destinations.
If youre visiting Calgary for the first time, we recommend staying Downtown. This area is where youll find most of Calgarys top attractions, restaurants, shops, and connections to the rest of the city.
Victoria Park is a historic neighborhood situated southeast of downtown Calgary. It is renowned for heritage homes, vibrant shops, and electric restaurants and bars. Its also the best place to find accommodation if youre traveling on a budget.
To the west is the Beltline. This lively and vibrant neighbourhood is where youll find Calgarys entertainment district packed with bars, clubs and delicious restaurants.
Still not sure where to stay in Calgary? Dont worry, weve got more detailed guides on each area below!
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Where To Search For Long
Now that youve got some idea of which neighbourhood youd like to live in when you first settle in Calgary, youll need to start finding the right long-term accommodation for you and perhaps your family.Here is where and how to look:
Online
Theres a wide selection of online sites designed to help you find long-term accommodation in Calgary. Here are some of the most popular ones you can use in your search:
Word of mouth
Community services
Many cities and towns have organizations that serve newcomers to Canada. One of the ways theyre able to help settlers is in finding suitable accommodation. Look to see if theres a service nearby and take advantage of confidential and free advice. A list of newcomer services in Calgary is also available.
Walking around
Best Airbnb In Inglewood: Fully Private Suite
This tastefully decorated basement suite is ideally placed in central Inglewood. Its walking distance to 9th Ave where youll find interesting boutiques, and close to the Bird, Wildlands, and Fish parks. Youll have a kitchen, laundry facilities, and free wifi. Despite being in the basement, the suite is bright and airy throughout, with plenty of space for you and a partner to relax in.
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Where To Stay In Calgary: The Beltline
Great area for: Stampede Concerts Hockey Games Night Life Sightseeing
The Beltline is the area immediately south of the Downtown core, but still technically considered part of downtown. It is made up of four separate neighborhoods more-or-less between 11th Ave. and 17th Ave., and is full of young people living in condos and apartments.
17th Avenue gained local infamy as the place to celebrate during the Calgary Flames run to the finals in 2004, when it was nicknamed the Red Mile to reference the Flames red hockey jerseys. 17th Ave. is filled with bars, nightclubs and restaurants and is well known for its pre/post hockey game crowd due to its proximity to the Saddledome. During the Calgary Stampede every July, 17th Ave. has some of the must go places to get right into the Stampede spirit. 11th Ave. is also filled with bars and restaurants, and together with 17th Ave, make up the most happening non-residential streets in the Beltline.
As the area is filled with residents, its also full of amenities such as small supermarkets, coffee shops, ATMs and other services. This area is a popular place to live, the closer you get to the Saddledome/Stampede grounds, the rowdier it can get.
If youre looking for the best area to stay in Calgary for nightlife, the Beltline is a good bet. Its also a good area to stay for attending an NHL game or the Calgary Stampede, and is very close to all the downtown shopping complexes and sights.
How To Find Budget Accommodation In Calgary
For many newcomers, finding accommodation is one of the most important tasks you need to attend to once you arrive in Canada. Having secure and comfortable long-term accommodation gives you a base to settle as you begin your job search, navigate the school system, and find a home. Accommodation-related costs often take up a maximum portion of your monthly expenses. This is why its important in the beginning to adhere to your budget and control spending as you look for job opportunities and a more permanent home.
For people who choose to settle in Alberta, heres what you need to know about finding both short- and long-term accommodation in Calgary.
In this article:
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Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel
This is another one of our top picks for Calgary. This hotel is located right across the street from the Calgary Tower and features an indoor pool and fitness centre, an on-site restaurant, a and 24-hour business centre. Other attractions that are within walking distance include the Glenbow Museum, Studio Bell, and Stephens Avenue.
Where To Stay In Calgary: An Introduction
Long referred to in the stereotypes of steak, cowboys, and conservative oil culture, Calgary has changed a lot over the past decade, and it seems people are waking up to the fact Albertas southern city has a lot to offer. These days, when travellers visit Calgary, the most common reaction is one of pleasant surprise at the food and drinks scene, the shopping, the arts and culture, and the unpretentious and always-warm hospitality of Calgarians.
Gone is a downtown filled with restaurants catering to oil execs with corporate cards, replaced by cool craft beer bars and hipster fusion spots. As Calgary has thrived and suffered over the decades due to its economic tie to oil, so have the successive oil booms and busts shaped and re-shaped the citys character and demographics. Today, Calgary is led by North Americas first Muslim mayor, and the younger generation seems to be turning politics on its head as their votes give the long-incumbent Conservatives a run for their money.
Come in the summer, and youll find Calgarians meeting friends on patios, rafting down the Bow River, or heading out of town to enjoy the hiking, canoeing, camping and fishing that can be done less than a days drive away. In July, the entire citys population dons its best cowboy attire without any hint of irony or self-consciousness, and digs in for the 10-day citywide party that is the Calgary Stampede.
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Beltline & 17 Ave Calgary
With the Downtown core to the north, 17th Avenue to the south, and Victoria Park and Stampede Park to the east, the Beltline is a great place to stay. 17th Ave SW, which was once famous for its Red Mile , is one of the top places in the city for nightlife. Youll find dozens of bars and restaurants, as well as shops and boutiques. In May, its also famous for the Lilac Street Festival and is also one of the main party streets during the Calgary Stampede. In fact, 17th Ave SW leads right to the Stampede grounds.
The Beltline, however, is more of a residential neighbourhood with lots of apartment high-rises, but also many art galleries, home furnishing, and décor stores. Its often ranked as the top place to live in Calgary.
Calgary Inn And Suites
Calgary Inn and Suites is a great choice for discount lodging, it can help you trim your trip expenses, Inn and Suites give you more hotel savings & alternative accommodations.Calgary has some very nice Bead and Breakfast options like Comfort Inn & Suites, with amazing amenities like Complimentary Breakfast and ATM on site .You don’t have to stay at a budget hotel to enjoy discounts or Value.Some of these Inn and Suites offers free nights and special packages for various bookings.
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Where To Stay In Calgary
Great area for: Longer Stays Boutique Shops Trendy Neighborhood
The Kensington Village area of Hillhurst is just across the river from the west side of downtown, and is considered one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Calgaryfor locals and visitors! When choosing where to stay in Calgary, this area may not jump out at you, but Kensington Road is very trendy street with local merchants, coffee shops, pubs, winebars and restaurants that local residents take great pride in. This area saw a major revival in the nineties, and is now one of the more creative areas of the city. You can walk into downtown over the Louise Bridge or take the LRT from Sunnyside station.
River Wynde Executive Bed & Breakfast Kensington Village right at your doorstep with all sorts of trendy shops and restaurants. Shared bathrooms, but cozy nature-themed rooms, a daily hot breakfast that guests rave about. Located on a peaceful street with a wonderful back patio area, kitchen facilities available to use and free bike rental.
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For stays in the Hillhurst/Kensington, wed also suggest checking out HomeAway, VRBO, and of course Airbnb to find a holiday apartment.