Things To Do in Calgary & Calgary Airport Layover Ideas

The Calgary Tower, an icon, is a 191-metre (626 feet) free standing observation tower in downtown Calgary. The Calgary Tower provides a commanding view over the city and the surrounding area. On a clear day you can see the Rocky Mountains to the west. The tower features a revolving gourmet restaurant, a bar, and an observation deck. 

With over 1000 animals from locations as far and wide as you can imagine, Calgary Zoo will transport you through Africa, Asia, South America and Australia, and all in the few hours you have between flights. And if a trip through beautiful botanical gardens or a trek though a prehistoric park would keep you mind off your wait, then the Calgary Zoo is the place to visit. Located in the heart of downtown Calgary, the zoo is only 15 minutes from Calgary Airport.

Just because you don't have time to visit Jasper or Banff when you pass through Calgary, doesn't mean you can't see Canada's Rocky Mountains. Calgary is so close to the Rockies that you can be there in a flash in a helicopter. Splurge on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a bird's eye view of some of the world's most stunning scenery!

For travellers who can think of nothing better than a round of golf to pass the time between flights, Calgary offers plenty of choice. There are three possible courses all within a few minutes drive from the airport and all easily accessible. McCall Lake Golf Course is the closest at just 10 minutes from Calgary Airport and it offers an advanced 18 hole course as well as a family friendly 9 hole course. The Country Hills Golf Club and the Calgary Elks Lodge and Golf Club are both no more than a 15 minute drive from Calgary Airport.

The Chinook Centre is the place to shop in Calgary. It has over 200 shops to keep your retail therapy needs well satiated as well as a park like food court which offers a variety of eateries and seating for about 800 people, so you will always find a table. There is also a carousel to keep the children happy, a collection of fantastic flying machines and a full scale Albertosaurus called Scraptor, all located under one roof at this shopping complex. The Chinook Centre is also a great 'destination' to head for if you decide to just rent a car and take yourself on a self-guided tour around town.

Calgary has a few good museums worth a visit:

• If learning about the culture of your transit city is of interest the why not take in the Glenbow Museum. Combining a mixture of Western Canadian culture with art and artefacts from around the world, Glenbow Museum’s vast collections should keep you busy while you await your connecting flight. The Discovery Room offers multimedia activities aimed at all ages to ensure your museum experience is never dull.
• The most extensive military museum in Canada outside of the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Calgary's Military Museums house galleries devoted to four local Army regiments and their service in the Boer War, the World Wars, the Korean War, the Cold War, and post-1945 operations with the UN and NATO including Cyprus, Yugoslavia and Afghanistan, several general interest galleries, the former Naval Museum of Alberta, and an outdoor historical vehicle display. 
• The National Music Centre has a large collection of preserved and restored working musical instruments dating back hundreds of years. Offers tours on Thursday evenings.

Canada Olympic Park (COP): take a tour of the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics, which includes going to the top of the ski jump for a fantastic view. Four runs are available for your skiing pleasure during the winter months, and there is also an on-site museum, as well as the Canadian Olympic Hall Of Fame and the new Canada Sports Hall of Fame. The halfpipe and rail park are frequented by some very talented skiiers and snowboarders, making for interesting viewing. The COP hosts one of Canada's only bobsled tracks and they offer rides periodically during winter. Located at 88 Canada Olympic Rd (catch the LRT to Brentwood station, then bus 408 to the park).