Discover the many fascinating sides of Calgary, a city that seamlessly mixes the modern and the vintage. Here are 5 of the best Calgary city tours:
(Photo: getyourguide.com)
Calgary is part boots on floorboards frontier town, and part sneakers and smartphones cosmopolitan city. It’s part of Calgary’s charm – that and the fact that is flies under the radar of many visitors to Canada – and a walk through the city can take in anything from cutting-edge street art to fine dining to watching the Northern Lights from the roof of a skyscraper. There is also access to world-class ski resorts and stunning nature. But to start off with, a tour of the city is the best way to get a feel for it.
Calgary Downtown: 2-Hour Introductory Walking Tour
For anyone looking for a taster of Calgary, or who is short on time, this two-hour tour is a great start. It focuses around the historic Downtown area, and is on foot, but the guide explains everything from the city’s history to street art to new and old public buildings, including the incredible new public library. The tour begins at Municipal Plaza and continues past the newly-revitalized East Village buildings, and into Chinatown. It’s cheap, fascinating and ideal to find your footing on that first day in the city. From €20.02.
Book at Getyourguide.com
3.5-Hour Bus City Tour with Gasoline Alley Museum
(Photo: getyourguide.com)
With global warming and the arrival of electric cars, some people say that gasoline belongs in a museum. Well, guess what? In Calgary it does – it’s called Gasoline Alley Museum and it’s packed with classic cars, gas pumps, and vintage signage. This 3.5 hour bus tour starts at the base of the Calgary Tower and heads downtown towards the Calgary Zoo and Telus Spark Science Center, through the East Village to historic Inglewood, stopping at Scotsman’s Hill, for a panoramic view of the skyline. Then it’s time to explore Gasoline Alley Museum, with entrance included in the tour price. Finally head to Canada Olympic Park before arriving back in Calgary Downtown. It’s a great tour if you are even vaguely a petrolhead – but if antique motors bore you to tears, it might be worth looking somewhere else. From €51.49.
Book at Getyourguide.com
2-Hour Scooter Tour of Calgary’s City Highlights
As any urbanite knows, to fit in these days in a modern city you have to be on two small wheels. This two-hour scooter tour doesn’t disappoint, with a fleet of Apollo Air scooters, with a top speed of over 20mph. The expert local guide leads the way, whizzing past iconic and picture-ready sites like the The Bow, Central Memorial Park, Stephen Avenue, and a few more, explaining Calgary’s rich history and modern present. From €61.43.
Book at Viator.com
Street Art & Craft Beer Walking Tour
(Photo: getyourguide.com)
Beltline, located immediately to the south of Calgary’s downtown, is the city’s hipster hangout, which doesn’t mean it’s not worth a visit. Full of bars and coffee styles you may never have heard of, Beltline is the perfect setting for a relaxed pub crawl, which is exactly what this tour is about. Over three hours the knowledgeable guide switches between introducing local craft beers and explaining some of the city’s best street art – there’s loads of insight and it’s a really relaxed and fun way to see Calgary, if not the most expansive. Before you ask – beer samples are included too. From €59.94.
Book at Getyourguide.com
Calgary City Sightseeing Tour
Another tour of Calgary with a difference – this time by vintage sidecar motorcycle. It’s a unique and relaxing way of seeing the city, taking in landmarks like Scotsman’s Hill and Crescent Heights Park, which overlook the heart of Calgary, as well as a a number of stops to top up the ‘Gram. There is also a chance to ride through downtown too. The guide’s narration is through a headset so you don’t miss a thing. The only downside is the tour is only an hour and a quarter. From €152.53.
Book at Viator.com