x | Calgary Sun

Contents of the article

Tourists from all over the world come to Calgary to see the mountains and experience the spirit of our vibrant city.

Contents of the article

Whether visitors are drawn to the annual Calgary Stampede, are in town for a convention, or simply want to experience Calgary's famously friendly atmosphere, every corner of the city is filled with award-winning experiences. It can be hard to know what to do, but our readers' votes for the 2025/26 Readers' Choice Awards help us compile a handy list of the best places to entertain and impress out-of-town visitors.

Contents of the article

Recommended Videos

Contents of the article

Play tourist in your city

Most Calgarians are more than used to looking at the skyline and seeing the majesty of the Bow (and the river, and the buildings) or the iconic Calgary Tower, but visitors to the city will be thrilled to get their first look at our downtown, downtown neighborhoods and all of their eclectic architecture.

Contents of the article

Contents of the article

Where should you stay during your urban exploration? The Calgary Zoo, Heritage Park and Telus Spark Science Center are ideal for families with children or even groups of adults looking to learn something new. Guests in need of a hotel can't go wrong with the Fairmount Palliser or, for something more exciting, any of the Arts Hotels. Of course, the pull of the mountains is always strong, so visitors can't be blamed if they head west to the Malcolm Hotel in Canmore or the Sunshine Mountain Lodge in Banff National Park for the chance to hit the slopes, hike or just have a drink while taking in the scenery up close.

Enjoy the local taste of the place

The first questions many people have when moving to a new city is what they are going to eat. As Calgary continues to grow, so does our vibrant culinary scene. Visitors can get a taste of local flavor at favorite restaurants like Red's Diner, Village Ice Cream, Good Earth Coffee House or Ten Foot Henry's vegetable restaurant, or enjoy a juicy steak at a family favorite like The Keg.

Contents of the article

Food is also the perfect way to celebrate our city's incredible diversity, with our readers choosing the best of the best in categories that represent the diversity of the world's cuisines. Dim sum at Silver Dragon, curry at Karma Fine Indian Cuisine or cooking up spicy dishes at Seoul Korean BBQ will showcase the depth of Calgary's communities for those looking to gain a deeper understanding of what makes the city tick.

The arrival of out-of-town guests is also a great excuse to go out for a drink. Burwood Distillery offers a full range of exciting cocktails made with spirits produced on site, and if you're taking a short trip to Diamond Valley, Eau Claire Distillery offers a similar grain-to-glass experience with award-winning gins, whiskeys and vodkas. For those who prefer beer to cocktails, your best bet is to sit at the legendary Ship and Anchor pub in Calgary or sample craft beer at the Village Brewery.

Contents of the article

Hit stores

Who doesn't want to come home from vacation with a few souvenirs? Calgary is full of cool and quirky shops that locals and visitors alike can explore. Book lovers can browse the shelves at Fair's Fair Books or look for rare graphic novels at Phoenix Comics. There are also plenty of shops to keep fashionistas busy, with stores like Kismet Clothing for women and Thomas Jeffrey's for men's clothing. For something a little more unusual, Iron Crow remains our readers' favorite vintage store.

For treats to take home, out-of-town shoppers may want to check out Lina's Italian Market or Calgary's huge Southern Farmers' Market. Wine is always a good gift to take home, and Willow Park Wines & Spirits offers many great Canadian wines from the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia and beyond.

Contents of the article

This is fun!

Sightseeing is fun, but out-of-town visitors may need a little extra fun to round out their Calgary vacation. There are always plenty of concerts, plays and other performances taking place in Calgary and its surrounding areas. Music lovers should make a reservation at the Ironwood Stage and Grill in Inglewood, which not only hosts more than 400 concerts a year, but also has a chic restaurant. For a different take on dinner and performance, Stage West is one of Calgary's most enduring theater experiences, and more than 40 years after it first opened, the dinner theater troupe remains a local favorite.

For something a little more colorful, the Gray Eagle Casino and Entertainment Center is one of the city's best spots for high-profile concerts and comedy shows. Finish your visit to Calgary with casino games and dinner at a buffet or Indigenous-themed restaurant.

This story was created Content worksPostmedia's commercial content division.

Contents of the article