It’s no secret that Calgary is a great place to live and it’s a fantastic place in the summertime. It’s a bustling city with tons of green spaces, parks, riverfronts, pathways and trails that are ideal places to spend warm summer days and cool summer evenings. Better yet, Calgary comes alive with outdoor events such as plays, concerts, and festivals throughout the summer.
Growing up in Calgary I took for granted all the amazing attractions in and around the city. Now whenever I visit I cherish every moment.
This list has the 15 best things to do in Calgary in summer, so you can make sure you include all your fav ones in your itinerary.
This post contains compensated links and Solo Trips and Tips may receive a commission for purchases made through links. See our disclosure about affiliate links
1. Prince’s Island Park
At the top of the list of best things to do in Calgary in summer is Prince’s Island Park. But it will come as no surprise to anyone who has been there.
This special park is an urban oasis located on an island in the middle of the Bow River.
You’ll love strolling the pathways throughout the park with all of the lovely green vegetation and wildlife.
During the summer, Prince’s Island is the host of many events and festivals like Shakespeare by the Bow and Canada Day celebrations.
Prince’s Island Park in summer is one of the best places to spend time in Calgary
2. Bowness Park
Bowness Park is a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike especially on weekends.
In the summer Bowness is a perfect place to spend the day. You’ll love walking through the park and along the Bow River.
Get out on the water by renting a paddle boat and heading out on the lagoon. If you’re looking to get wet, wading pools in the park will do the trick.
Little ones will love the mini train and the playgrounds too.
3. Stroll Downtown
Summer is the perfect time to take a walk and check out everything in downtown Calgary.
There are so many things to see you’ll be amazed. Check out Olympic Plaza, now an urban park it was created as the 1988 Winter Olympics medal ceremonies venue.
The new Central Library is a stunning work of architecture inside and out.
Grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants on Stephen Avenue, Calgary’s Main Street.
Don’t miss the view from the Calgary Tower, one of the best things to do in Calgary in the summer.
Enjoy some time strolling around downtown Calgary in summer
4. Go Tubing on the Bow River
One of the best things to do in Calgary during the summer months is to float down the Bow River.
There are so many different entry points including one right in downtown Calgary. This way you can be selective as to what part of the river you want to tube down.
You can rent equipment to float on your own or go with a guide that will take care of everything from navigation to getting you back to the starting point.
Summer in Calgary means tubing on the Bow River – it’s a perfect summertime adventure
5. Calgary Stampede
A major event each summer is the Calgary Stampede. Over the course of 10 days in July you’ll be in for the best county fair/rodeo/spectacular you could imagine.
There are rodeos, parades, concerts, agricultural competitions, fireworks, rides, and every kind of fair food you could crave.
Dating back to 1912, it’s still going strong attracting over a million visitors each year.
The Calgary Stampede is hands-down one of the best things to do in Calgary in the summer.
6. North Glenmore Park
North Glenmore Park is a beautiful urban park in Calgary.
Located on the north side of the Glenmore Reservoir which is part of the Elbow River. The park has lovely views of the water. And you can get out on the water to enjoy rowing a boat or paddling around in a kayak.
A day at the park is convenient with picnic areas, BBQs and fire pits for anyone to use.
You can bike or walk around the reservoir on the Glenmore Pathway. And of course, kids will have fun playing on the playground.
Also, you can access the beautiful Weaselhead Flats from North Glenmore Park. Follow the walking trail west and it connects with the trails along the Elbow River at Weaselhead Flats.
Right next to North Glenmore Park you can also explore the serene Weaselhead Flats
7. Heritage Park
Take a step back in time at Heritage Park.
This unique space is an open-air museum with dozens of buildings from Calgary’s past. Some even date back to the 1860s.
Don’t miss Gasoline Alley. It has so many antique cars to check out. You don’t need to be an automobile enthusiast to find it truly interesting.
Events take place throughout the summer at Heritage Park making it one of the most unique things to do in Calgary in summer.
8. Hiking & Biking Trails Along the Rivers
One of the best things to do in Calgary during the summer is to walk or bike along the rivers.
With dozens of trails along both the Elbow and Bow Rivers, there’s so much to explore.
You’ll love the Bow River Pathway. This series of walking and bike trails take you along and over the river.
St Patrick’s Island and Pearce Estate Park and of course Prince’s Island are favorite spots along the Bow River in downtown Calgary.
In summer you can watch kayakers paddling the Harvie Passage Rapids, or if you’re an avid kayaker get out on the water too!
Make sure to visit the Peace Bridge, which is not only gorgeous to see, it’s designated for bikes and walkers only.
Walking or biking along the Bow River pathways is a popular summer activity in Calgary
9. Summer Festivals
Calgary is so much fun in the summer and everyone loves being outdoors, that it’s no wonder the city comes alive with tons of festivals, concerts, plays, and food fests.
The great weather is a great reason to get outside, have fun and party!
During the summer months, Calgary hosts the Calgary Folk Festival, Fringe Fest, and Sled Island Music & Arts Festival. And that’s only some of them.
It seems there’s a fun music, food, or arts festival every weekend in Calgary during summer.
Pro tip: If you can’t get tickets to an event consider volunteering, that way you get to attend the festival but also contribute to the community, win-win! I volunteered for Calgary Folk Fest for a couple of summers and it was a blast!
10. Glenbow Museum
(Scheduled to fully reopen in 2024 after renovations are completed the Glenbow at the Edison is still open)
Discover the history of Western Canada at the Glenbow Museum.
Although Glenbow has a large collection of artwork, it’s so much more than just an art museum. Instead through objects, artifacts, and art a larger story can be told.
Glenbow seeks to tell the full story of Western Canada from the people of the First Nations through the railroad expansion, European immigration and today.
11. Studio Bell National Music Centre
A visit to Studio Bell is a fun activity no matter what time of year you’re in Calgary.
At this museum of Canadian music history, you won’t just be looking at artifacts. Instead, you’ll be able to attend live concerts and even try out some of the instruments for yourself.
Yes, Studio Bell is very hands-on! You can have a lot of fun playing various instruments.
The Studio Bell building is such a cool work of architecture inside and out you’ll have a blast exploring it all.
Studio Bell is also the home to the Canadian Music Halls of Fame.
You’ll find all your fav Canadian music legends including Drake, Feist, Joni Mitchell, KD Lang, Oscar Peterson, Robbie Robertson, and so many more!
Spend a few hours exploring the National Music Centre on a self-guided tour
12. Spark Science Centre
TELUS Spark Science Centre is insanely fun for everyone, and definitely one of the best things to do in Calgary.
Hands-on, immersive exhibitions means you don’t need to be a science geek to learn and have fun.
Step into another world with digital immersion exhibitions, or VR.
Sit back and enjoy shows at the planetarium. At Spark you’ll learn through seeing, feeling, and hearing, which is really cool.
13. Day Trip to Banff National Park
The drive will only take about an hour and 20 minutes to get from downtown Calgary to Banff, making a day trip there one of the best things to do around Calgary.
Typically people spend a number of days in this great National Park, but a day trip is absolutely worth it.
In a day you’ll be able to hike in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, go canoeing, take a gondola ride, visit a museum or two, and even explore the town of Banff.
Don’t have a car? Leave the driving to someone else and sign up for this one-day tour of Banff National Park.
14. Day Trip to Drumheller Badlands
A visit to Drumheller Badlands is like no other, and it’s only 1.5 hours from downtown.
A day in Drumheller badlands is really one of the best things to do when spending time in Calgary.
The badlands are an incredible sight.
The geological formations including hoodoos are something you definitely must experience firsthand. Check out the Hoodoos Trail and Horseshoe Canyon for the best views.
As the dinosaur capital of the world, you absolutely must go see Tyra the World’s Largest Dinosaur and visit the Tyrrell Museum.
Visit Drumheller to see Tyra, the world’s largest dinosaur!
15. Kananaskis Country
At Kananaskis Country you’ll find the same awe-inspiring nature you would in Banff, but usually without the crowds and massive tourists.
In just about an hour from Calgary, you’ll be at the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, ready for an outdoor adventure. Read our list of five easy hikes in Kananaskis Country.
You’ll have a day hiking gorgeous trails and paddling in crystal-clear lakes. If you’re looking for a scenic drive consider the Highwood Pass Loop Drive.
You do need to purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass to park in any of the Kananaskis Country parks and public lands.
Kananaskis hiking trails offer an escape to nature with an easy day trip from Calgary
What to Bring Hiking in Alberta
Wear hiking shoes or sneakers with good grip on the sole. The trails are often muddy after rainfall. Comfortable hiking shoes are a must on any hike in the Rockies. While in some cases you can get away with sneakers, if you do a lot of hiking it’s wise to invest in a great pair of hiking shoes or boots.
Bring your refillable water bottle – I always bring two stainless steel water bottles. One is small so I also have a reserve 40 oz water bottle in my backpack.
Insect repellent – or the mosquitoes may enjoy a picnic lunch at your expense. I have tried the non-DEET stuff and it didn’t work at all. So I went back to using the DEET insect repellent. Remember that using DEET insect spray also protects against ticks!
Sunscreen – especially on sunny days but also for overcast days too – protect your skin from UV rays. Sunscreen is essential in the higher elevations. Don’t be fooled into thinking a cloudy day does not warrant sunscreen. With every 300 m (1,000 ft) gain in elevation UV exposure increases by 4% so bring sun protection with you on your hikes.
Sunhat or baseball cap is always a good idea when hiking – protection from the sun, rain, and ticks.
Layered clothing is a must while hiking in the mountains. The weather changes rapidly and without warning. Bring layers so you can be comfortable on your hike. Include a waterproof rain jacket in your gear list, even if it’s sunny.
Pack something to eat at the lake or along the trail. I like to bring pumpkin seeds as my snack – great nutrition and I buy spicy pumpkin seeds so they are extra yummy. I also bring beef jerky, crackers, fruit, and cookies. But you may want to pack a gourmet picnic lunch.
Bring a small backpack to carry your water, snacks, extra clothing, and other essentials for your day hike. It’s best to buy a waterproof backpack or bring a large plastic bag to cover the backpack if it starts raining during your hike.
Remember it’s always a good idea to pack the 10 Essentials on every hike. You don’t want to get caught off guard – lacking the basic supplies like waterproof matches or a compass when you really need it!
Bear spray is another essential when you are hiking in bear country. Bring bear spray and know how to use it. Even on trails where you would never imagine a grizzly bear the possibility is real. In 2016 a grizzly bear wandered down the trailhead at Johnston Canyon! I carry mine clipped to my backpack waist strap so that I can access it easily. Remember that you cannot bring bear spray on an airplane.
Pro Tip: If you are staying at a hotel in Banff National Park ask at the front desk if they have any extra bear spray. A lot of travelers will leave theirs behind since they can’t take it on a plane.
Final Thoughts
As you can see there’s so much to see and do during the summer in Calgary. From parks and rivers to museums and National Parks, your next trip to this great city will be filled with one awesome thing after another.
More Fun Things to Do in Alberta
21 Best Hikes in and Around Calgary
15 Best Stops on the Icefields Parkway
10 Best Things to Do in Calgary in Winter
Guide to Kayaking in Jasper National Park
11 Best Things to Do in Jasper National Park
Guide to Maligne Lake Jasper National Park