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Calgary sits on the doorstep of the Rocky Mountains and is also home to a large international airport making it one of the most common places to fly into when exploring the Rocky Mountains. While its location allows it to have a ton of amazing outdoor activities, there are also a number of great indoor activities to do in Calgary as well!
That’s right, there are plenty of fun things to do completely indoors in Calgary that I’m sure you’ll love. This is important because, let’s face it, Calgary doesn’t always have the best weather. In fact, Calgary in the winter is very cold and you’ll likely be searching for ways to enjoy your time indoors.
In case you encounter rain, snow, or other weather mishaps during your trip to Calgary, here is a list of the best indoor activities in Calgary to choose from!
Indoor Activities in Calgary
1. Watch a Flames NHL game
The Calgary Flames are the pride of the city and only one of two NHL teams in Alberta. So, it should come as no surprise that one of the best indoor activities in Calgary is watching a game!
NHL games in Calgary are held at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The venue allows you to stay indoors and enjoy the game no matter the weather. The Saddledome is somewhat of a landmark in Calgary, it’s the only building with a roof that curves like a saddle and has been compared to the brim of a cowboy’s hat.
Be sure to show up early to pick up your Calgary Flames gear and browse all the sports memorabilia on display throughout the building. Getting tickets to a game can be hard. You can try on the official website, however, if not available, try Stub Hub for second-hand tickets off a trusted site, or, local Facebook groups such as Calgary Marketplace (although risky if you have no experience buying safely).
2. Indoor rock climbing
Rock climbing is a great indoor adventure activity! Just because you’re inside, doesn’t mean there aren’t exciting things to do, and indoor rock climbing is the perfect example of that.
In Calgary, you’ll find the Calgary Climbing Centre, a large company offering multiple facilities located throughout the city. Their locations include Chinook, Stronghold, Hanger, Rocky Mountain, and South Calgary. Each facility offers a wide variety of programs suitable for all age groups and skill levels. They have anything from beginner lessons to competitive, and everything in between.
My favorite location has to be their newest gym, the Rocky Mountain location on the west side of Calgary. This gym is seriously huge with a unique Climb Park unlike anything else you’ve probably ever seen before in a climbing gym. Plus, they also have an onsite bar serving up local brews on tap that you can enjoy after some climbing. – bonus!
A day climbing pass starts at $22 CAD for an adult with discounted rates available for youth and children. If you plan on visiting more than once, consider getting a month-long pass for $100 CAD or a 10-visit pass for $198 CAD that works out cheaper per visit.
3. Experience The Locked Room
The Locked Room is Calgary’s own escape room! This is definitely one of the most unique indoor activities to check out in Calgary and perfect for anybody who’s up for a challenge.
The cool thing about The Locked Room is they have twelve different escape room themes you can choose from! A couple of examples are: Forbidden Temple, Prison Break, and The Great Train Heist. They also change these periodically, so even if you’ve visited before, be sure to check back and see if new ones are available.
There are 3 different locations for you to choose from in Calgary including in the Northeast, Southeast, and Southland.
The cost for the Locked Room experience varies from $33-37 CAD per person depending on how many players you have. Book your tickets in advance here.
4. Go swimming
If you’re in the mood to go for a dip, cold or rainy weather doesn’t have to stop you! There are several public swimming pool facilities throughout Calgary that have indoor swimming pools, and they’re heated!
My personal favorite has to be Southland Leisure Centre. It is a huge facility that actually won the 2019 Calgary’s Child Magazine’s Parents’ Choice Awards for “Best Family Recreation Facility.” Inside, you’ll not only find a heated indoor pool, but also a kiddie pool, a waterpark and wave pool, an AquaPlay structure, and a hot tub!
Prices vary depending on the swimming pool you choose to visit as well as your age but range from $3.65 to $14 CAD. Children 5 and under are free. Be sure to check public swim hours before you go as they often change.
5. Check out Flying Squirrel
If you’re looking for a day indoors filled with excitement, look no further! Flying Squirrel is a world-class indoor trampoline fun park.
There are activities for all ages which include: foam pits, dodgeball, battle beams, climbing walls, and so much more! You will truly be able to be entertained for hours in this fun spot!
Flying Squirrel is open every day, and its operating hours are Sunday and Monday 10 am to 9 pm, Tuesday-Thursday 2 pm to 9 pm, Friday 2 pm to 11 pm, and Saturday 10 am to 11 pm. General admission ranges from $23 to $40 CAD depending on how much time you want to have (60-120 minutes). Children 6 and under range from $14 to $25 CAD.
You’ll find Flying Squirrel located in South Calgary.
Related Read: Check out our guide to driving from Calgary to Edmonton (or Edmonton to Calgary) including the best road trip stops and attractions on the way!
6. Visit Fort Calgary
Fort Calgary is a historic site in Calgary where you can step back in time and learn all about the development of the city. The Fort, which is a replica of the original, is located where the Bow and Elbow Rivers meet. Back in the day, this was a significant spot for trading and travel. But today, The Fort is a place to learn all about the history of the area, its people, and how it shaped Calgary.
When you visit you can explore the Fort as well as enjoy the museum filled with information and artifacts. Kids can even dress up like the Royal Mounted Police or serve “jail time.” There are often special events as well as frequent Sunday brunch. Head to the oldest structure, the Deane House, where there is a restaurant that serves delicious food!
As you walk around the property you can also listen to this free self-guided audio tour.
Fort Calgary is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Ages 17 and under are $5 CAD and 18+ is $10 CAD, making this a cheap indoor activity to do in Calgary!
7. Step back in time at Heritage Park
Is it a little rainy or cold today in Calgary? Why not head indoors and explore one of the many museums around the city?
Heritage Park is Canada’s largest living heritage museum. The museum spans over 127 acres and is home to the Heritage Park Historical Village, Gasoline Alley Museum, and Heritage Town Square.
The Heritage Park remains open during winter in Calgary from 10 am to 4 pm. However, the Historical Village is closed with the exception of special winter events like Ghouls’ Night Out and Once Upon a Christmas, which are family favorites.
Gasoline Alley remains open all year and also hosts a Winter CARnival around the holidays that includes memorable activities like Pin the Heart on the Grinch and snow fort building among its usual breathtaking displays of old cars and oil and gas memorabilia. Special off-season rates apply.
The Heritage Town Square is also open all year round and is home to 4 unique retail shops and an old-fashioned ice cream and soda shop, a counter service restaurant, the Railway Cafe, and the Selkirk – a full-service restaurant open for lunch and dinner. The best part is, no park admission is required for Heritage Town Square.
Heritage Park is a cool indoor place to visit and there is plenty to see and do. Adult tickets begin at $15 CAD (depending on the time of year) and can be booked in advance here.
8. Visit the Glenbow
The Glenbow might just be Calgary’s most well-known museum and is one of the top indoor activities to do in Calgary, especially in the colder months when you want to escape the freezing temperatures.
The Glenbow is the place to go to learn about Canada’s Indigenous people and to see a wide range of art from top Canadian artists that the Glenbow holds in its collection of over 33,000 artworks. So, if you are a lover of art (like I am), make sure to stop by the Glenbow Museum. Admission is $10 CAD with kids under 6 free.
2023 Update: The Glenbow is currently closed for major renovations on both the interior and exterior. Their next exhibition is expected to open on June 28th, 2023 but make sure to check their website for updates on when the entire building will be fully opened. Glenbow also plans to permanently introduce free admission.
9. Visit the National Music Centre
Visiting the National Music Centre is a must-do indoor activity as well. This grand facility is a performance hall, recording facility, broadcast studio, live music venue, and museum all in one place! It also happens to be the only one of its kind in North America.
Studio Bell has five floors of exhibits including interactive exhibits with instruments you can actually play. The Rolling Stones mobile recording bus is kept in the building too. Make sure to check out an evening concert while you are there too.
Even if you aren’t so interested in music but love architecture there are plenty of spots in and around Studio Bell’s building to take some awesome pictures.
Studio Bell is only open from Wednesday to Sunday. Admission is currently $21.50 CAD for adults and $13.50 CAD for children and you can easily purchase your tickets here online.
Related Read: For the absolute best museum, be sure to go on a day trip from Calgary to Drumheller. One of the best things to do in Drumheller is to visit the famous Royal Tyrell Dinosaur Museum!
10. Take in the views from the Calgary Tower
Come indoors from the cold or rain and see Calgary from a whole new perspective. At the Calgary Tower, a glass floor suspended 200 m (328 feet) above the ground will give you a bird’s eye view of Calgary as well as the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
While you are there, eat at the tower’s famous Sky 360 Restaurant and Lounge which slowly rotates as you view Calgary while you eat. The restaurant makes one full rotation every 45 minutes.
It’s open for lunch Monday to Friday from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, then open for dinner Sunday to Thursday from 5 pm to 11:00 pm, and Friday to Saturday from 5 pm to midnight. They also serve brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm for brunch.
On-site you will find gift shops where you can purchase souvenirs to always remind you of your Calgary winter holiday.
A visit to the Calgary Tower costs $19.95 CAD for adults and children are only $9.45 CAD. You can easily reserve your tickets online in advance here.
Related Read: There are also tons of great tours from Calgary that run rain or shine (and in the winter!) that will take you to some really neat places.
11. Go the Spark Science Centre
Telus Spark Science Centre is one of my favorite indoor activities in Calgary, hands-down.
The latest experience to check out at Telus Spark is the new digital gallery that promises a brand-new immersive technological experience. No headset is required! Telus Spark also has a planetarium with the largest globe theatre in western Canada. Here, you can watch a movie about space that is an experience like no other.
The best thing about Telus Spark is the hands-on opportunities for all ages. For example, there is one where you can step on a scale and watch a tube in front of you fill with water to show you how much water is in your body. Another one is a device where you can record your voice on a loop as you try to harmonize with yourself.
Lastly, be sure to experience one of the nine decadent astronaut ice cream flavors (freeze-dried ice cream). There is one for every planet. Toppings include cotton candy, cookies, and donuts. The earth cone includes a cake pop to represent the moon.
Entrance to the Spark Science Centre costs $26 CAD for adults and $19 CAD for children.
12. Visit the local breweries
Calgary has 44 (yes, that many) unique breweries scattered throughout the city. There is a brewery for every taste pallet and likely one nearby wherever you are in the city.
Big Rock Brewery is the most established local brewery in Calgary and is also the oldest. Tour the brewery and order lunch from their beer-inspired menu. Try a strawberry rhubarb cider, the traditional brown ale, or my favorite, the Grasshopper wheat ale that has a light citrusy taste.
For a microbrewery in a unique setting check out Wild Rose Brewery located on the southwest side of the city. They operate from inside an old airplane hangar, good luck finding this kind of setting elsewhere! When the weather is nice you can also join the buzzing crowd out on the patio.
Wild Rose specializes in making preservative-free beer with fresh ingredients. There are plenty of delicious beer options along with a few rotating seasonal flavors. You also won’t be disappointed with the food either because it’s full of flavor! Expect to find items like loaded nachos, wings, sandwiches, burgers, soups, and more on their menu.
If you want to remain in downtown Calgary I can suggest Inner City Brewing – it’s a true hidden gem! The laid-back and cozy atmosphere from the dim lighting and brick walls makes it an inviting place to hang out for a while, whether that be for lunch or dinner, or to grab a couple of rounds with a group of friends.
They offer a lot of standard styles of beer on tap but if you want to try something new and unique their Brewers Lab is an ongoing experimentation series of small-batch flavors. There is guaranteed to be something that will excite your taste buds.
Related Read: If you love breweries be sure to make your way to Banff. There are a few really excellent breweries in and around Banff.
13. Wander around downtown
Stephen Avenue (aka 8 Ave SW) is a pedestrian-only walkway in Calgary that boasts some of the city’s best shopping and dining. In the wintertime, Stephen Ave gets dressed up in its holiday finest with thousands of Christmas lights.
17th Ave South, also known as the Red Mile, is your best destination if you want to hit the nightlife in Calgary. It is home to many restaurants with patios and clubs and the go-to destination for young party-goers after a Flames hockey game.
So just walk around and pop in and out of wherever grabs your attention or have a seat and do some people-watching!
14. Enjoy the nightlife
There is one thing that Calgary knows how to do right, and that’s a party!
Are you the type of person that feels as though music makes or breaks a place? Well in Calgary that won’t be an issue as there are a lot of great spots! If you’re visiting with your partner check out the moody jazz music at Betty Lou’s Library. It has a vintage design aesthetic inside a lowly lit room perfect for stealing a kiss or two. It is a speakeasy so you’ll need to provide a password (you will get this when you make a reservation). The cocktails are on the pricey side but they are boozy and unique.
For a more alternative scene, the underground Dickens Pub delivers! They constantly have live music and events featuring local artists and DJs. They play all kinds of styles but punk rock is one of the most frequented. Just check out their events schedule to see what’s on before you go! When you grab drinks don’t forget to try the Dickens Cider!
The Palomino is easy to access and is right on the train tracks. It also offers two floors and an eclectic mix of live music. The Palomino makes irresistible smoked BBQ food that will be hard to resist so you might as well plan on eating here too. You can see their upcoming list of shows here.
A local favorite hangout is the Ship & Anchor Pub if you are looking for a hip, sit-down place. Whereas if clubbing is your thing try Commonwealth Bar & Stage or Twisted Element for a wild night out!
15. Visit delicious local cafes
Delicious cafes are dotted all over downtown Calgary. The small locally owned cafes are cozy and the perfect indoor escape. Some cafes definitely worth checking out in Calgary include:
The Regal Cat Cafe partners with the MEOW Foundation to give cats a temporary home while they wait for their forever home. The cats are kept in a separate room but can be watched from the cafe through a plexiglass barrier, giving you the option to interact with the cats or not, and keeping the cats separate from the eating area.
The cafe offers cat-themed human treats and souvenirs. The cat room can get busy so the option to book a timeslot is available online for just $10 CAD.
Hexagon Board Game Cafe is another great option on a winter’s day in Calgary if you have a few hours to play games with friends. There are so many games available you won’t get bored here and the gaming fee is super cheap at just $4 CAD/hr. On top of their awesome coffee drinks, they also feature hot chocolate and various teas including matcha.
Analog Coffee tops many lists of best cafes in Calgary. A local favorite, it now boasts several locations throughout the city. The first-ever location is on 17th Ave. Their coffee is so amazing and my go-to place when I’m in Calgary and want a delicious cappuccino!
Related Read: If you’re a coffee lover be sure to check out the best coffee shops and cafes in Banff too!
16. Try ice fishing
Technically, this is indoors, but the doors just so happen to be to a tent. This is a really fun activity, and you do get the tent along with a heater!
Calgary’s Alberta Fishing Charters offers unique ice fishing packages near the city. Starting at $499 CAD per couple ($100 CAD per extra guest), you’ll get access to an ice fishing set-up, tent, and your own personal guide for up to 7 hours as you try ice fishing. A very uniquely Canadian activity to try in Calgary in winter. If I have one tip though…dress warm!
17. Visit the Calgary Zoo
You can do some pretty neat animal watching in Calgary even without leaving the city. And while some of the exhibits are outdoors, there are also several indoor exhibits and centers to check out – like the hippos pictured above!
My favorite attraction at the Calgary Zoo is the penguin walk that happens every day, weather dependent, at 10 am. The penguin walk is a short 15-minute walk where you get to follow the king penguins through the park as they get their daily exercise. It’s a great photo opportunity!
Some of the other animals at the zoo include Amur Tigers, African Lions, Grey Wolves, Bison, and many more. Be aware that in the winter, some animals will be in hibernation including bears.
Be sure to stick around the Calgary Zoo after it gets dark during the holiday season for the wonderful display of Christmas lights throughout the park called Zoolights – an attraction in Calgary not to be missed around Christmas time.
Adult tickets to the zoo cost $34.95 CAD, seniors $32.95, Children (3-15) $24.95, and kids under 3 are free. There is also a daily parking fee of $13 CAD.
Hot Tip: If you’re visiting Calgary in December then you need to go to the zoo! They often put on special festive events leading up to the holidays!
Where to Stay in Calgary
If you’re spending more than one day in Calgary, you’ll need somewhere to stay. Luckily, Calgary is a large city so there are plenty of places to stay within the city. The trick is to pick a hotel with a great location depending on the activities you plan on doing. For example, staying downtown is perfect for most visitors, however, those wanting to spend more time exploring the Kananaskis, Banff, or Canmore should stay on the westside of Calgary.
Within the central city area, the Wicked Hostels – Calgary is a good choice for budget travelers. The hostel is clean, comfortable, and located in a good area. There are cheaper places to stay in Calgary but this place is great value for money and can be booked on either Hostelworld.com or Booking.com which is handy.
If you can spend a bit more the Coast Calgary Downtown Hotel and Suites is perfect. The suites have a full kitchen which is perfect for homemade meals which can save you a lot of money. The rooms are beautiful, breakfast is included, and they even have a fitness center. On top of that, the hotel’s location is perfect.
For luxury travelers, check out the Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire. This hotel overlooks the river valley, comes with an indoor pool (with waterslide), hot tub, fitness center, hair salon, and gift shop. Obviously, the rooms are extremely beautiful and the views are spectacular.
If you’re looking for a place in west Calgary Along River Ridge Bed & Breakfast is my choice. Located along the Bow River but also not far from Highway 1, the hotel will save you 15 minutes each way on adventures west. However, you’re still close enough to easily explore Calgary. It’s a small bed and breakfast with amazing reviews!
Related Read: Check out our complete guide on getting from the Calgary Airport to Banff for info about all of the different transport options!
Renting a Car in Alberta
If you’re arriving in Alberta via plane then I can’t recommend getting a rental car enough. Canada is a large country and traveling between cities and even just getting out to some of the best places to visit in Alberta requires transport. Although you can use public transport, on some occasions, it means your trip will not only require more time but more planning.
Renting a car will definitely make exploring all of the fun things to see and do in Alberta easier.
Car rental in Canada isn’t super cheap, but it isn’t overly expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. The cheapest car with pickup and drop-off in different locations is around $100 CAD per day. The price does vary though depending on the time of year and the type of car that you rent. For car rentals, I use the website DiscoverCars.com. It’s a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. In fact, I’ve used them all over the world including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia.
Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter.) Using Motorhome Republic you can search hundreds of deals across multiple companies to pick a great vehicle and the cheapest price. Having a motorhome is a stunning way to see Canada, and using crown land and campsites, you can often camp for free or very cheap in the most beautiful places imaginable!
Don’t get Caught without Travel Insurance!
We never travel without travel insurance! We’ve had a few instances during our travels when one of us has ended up in the hospital, and travel insurance has saved us thousands of dollars over the years!
SafetyWing is our go-to insurance, we both have policies with them whenever we travel.
They offer travel medical insurance that’s super affordable (only $45 USD per 4 weeks!)The only thing to note is that the insurance must be purchased once you’ve left your home country – we typically buy it as soon as we land at the airport.
We’ve personally used SafetyWing for many different trips, and we’ve been reimbursed for countless expenses when we’ve fallen ill. SafetyWing even covered our flights back to Canada in full when the pandemic first happened (when last-minute flights before the borders closed were super expensive!) While most travel insurance companies left people stranded, SafetyWing fully reimbursed us for our last-minute, pricey flights!
Also, because it is so affordable, there really is no excuse not to take out a policy. Check prices and get a quote online here with SafetyWing (you can even take out a policy if you’re already traveling!)
Thanks for reading!
Regardless of the weather in Calgary, there really are plenty of amazing things to do. I mean who would have thought you’d have so many great indoor activities?!
Thanks so much for reading! I hope this blog has helped plan your upcoming trip to Calgary! If it has, then be sure to check out more of our blogs such as:
Best things to do in Edmonton, Alberta
Stops on the drive from Calgary to Lake Louise
This post was originally published on 3rd party site mentioned in the title of this site
