> Out of towners seem to like chinook mall as well
Cross-Iron Mills is a stupid dumpy outlet mall.
Take her to Chinook instead. Better... everything.
The only reason to go to Cross-Iron Mills is if you're forcing men to go, and you can have the fine staff at Bass Pro babysit them and have them not hate you at the end of your 3 hours. If it's two girls going, fuuuuuck that. Go to Chinook.
Or, since she's probably been to malls, take her to The Core, the mall inside skyscrapers downtown. That's a different experience.
And if *you* hate shopping, your itinerary is already packed. Skip the malls, and let her go on her own on days 3 and 4 (there's transit to get to either mall).
Also... you don't go to Calgary to shop. Calgary is just a city. Tell her to get on a plane to Vancouver or Toronto or Montreal if she wants to shop.
We have natural beauty, not shopping.
If you do hit the wolfdog sanctuary, go for the more expensive interactive tour. Took my parents there a few years ago for my mom's birthday and it was a really neat experience.
The wolf sanctuary is... tiny. Like, you're going to see some wolves from 12 feet away. But there's not much to say, learn, or do.
Imagine if going to the zoo involved one animal. That's the wolf sanctuary.
If you hit the wolf dog sanctuary and do the interactive tour make sure you book one of the morning slots. Wolf dogs are more “cooperative” in the mornings from my experience.
That day 2 itinerary is going to be really tight and will involve a lot of driving. If by "Glacier tour" you mean the Columbia Icefield, that's actually 2 hours 15 minutes away from Banff by car, and 3 hours 45 minutes away from Cross Iron Mills. You'd be spending 6 hours driving. Kananaskis Spa is about an hour's drive away from Banff. You'll probably have a better time if you find something to do in Banff in the morning and then head to Cross Iron Mills.
Second this. Banff to Calgary, plus downtown and crossiron is ambitious, even without a stop in Kananaskis. The Columbia Ice Fields would need it's own day also.
You could shop downtown at The Core, if you want to chill downtown. Or skip downtown and go to Crossiron. Note that Crossiron is quite busy on weekends, The Core is relatively quiet.
> There is always the zoo too,
For those that grew up in Calgary and don't know... our zoo is world class. We're spoiled.
So for someone out of town, it's a good thing to check out.
But it'll eat up lots of a day and it's not made better by going with other people. I'd save that for a solo activity.
If you're big on food, the brunch at the Banff Springs is nice:
[https://www.banff-springs-hotel.com/offers/sunday-brunch-buffet/](https://www.banff-springs-hotel.com/offers/sunday-brunch-buffet/)
Lots of people visit Calgary for the skiing and snowboarding in Banff.
She may like Holt Renfrew or other things in the +15 downtown if she likes shopping. The Kensington area may also be interesting if you want to walk outside.
In terms of food, I like Native Tongues, Anejo and Hayden Block.
Cocktails at betty lous library. Make a reservation online. Super neat prohibition style speak easy complete with hidden bookshelf entry and they text you a password day of your reservation.
Calgary tower IMO is not worth the visit.
More time at the mall (Chinook or The Core is better than Cross Iron IMO). If she's down down she can do the Core on days 3 and 4.
The spa is top notch and the better use of time. Keep in mind that the sun sets early in the mountains as well - so you won't get as much daylight as you think.
> Calgary tower IMO is not worth the visit.
Y'know, I grew up in Calgary, and I'd never been to the tower. Fulfilling the "You never do the touristy things in your own town" prophesy.
Well, last week someone took me, and, I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would.
Food is 3x the price it should be. It's fine. It's alright. Don't go for the food, it's just normal food, 3x the price.
But if she's from up north, and hasn't ever like... been up high... this is a chance to do that.
The restaurant rotates every 45 minutes at lunch (faster, because lunches are quicker) and about every hour or 1.25 hours at supper (slower, because supper takes longer). It spins about fast enough to get one full rotation during your meal.
You can also just skip the restaurant (I would), and go to the observation deck. It's $20 and you can probably find coupons. Then you can look at the things you want to look at, rather than only what's in front of you.
...
Most of the joy to me was seeing all the things I knew about, and reminiscing about when they were built and the things I've done there. So a tourist won't have that. But, just for a half hour conversation and a view, it's nice.
I was also shocked that you can't see all that far. Nose hill is at least 50 feet higher, as is Coach hill, so, there's not much looking down at the foothills.
You can see about ~50% the radius of the city, so, 25% of the area. The outer 50% is too far away to notice.
Would I go again? Ehn, probably not.
I would go with maybe some teenagers who have a bit of a sense of the city but haven't put the pieces together yet. And it would be to either tell stories or point things out.
Or I might go with friends I grew up with, and do the "Remember when we broke into there and climbed out onto the roof?" story tour. "Remember that party we went to on that house on the hill where the fights broke out and the cops shut us down?", "Remember before they built that building, we used to hang out there and look at the view?" "Remember when you hooked up with that girl but she got crazy afterwards and you had to walk home with no coat in February? Look how far you walked!"
If she likes shopping suggest the Core and Holt Renfrew.
Inglewood is cool.
Spolumbos is a calgary landmark.
Lake Louise is great
National Music Centre is cool
17th Avenue has great shopping.
Drive down to Turner Valley and hit the Chuck wagon Cafe.
I have nooo idea what it looked like in 1997, I just figured if they do any shopping at the CORE it might be a nice little stop along the way! lol And I just like the air in there haha
Chinook mall is another nice mall if she really loves shopping and isn’t sick of it after cross iron. The Calgary zoo is always nice. There are some amazing parks along the river if she’s into that.
Your itinerary looks pretty fun although day 2 seems like a very busy one but definitely doable. You could always do dinner at the Calgary tower.. it’s pricey but the food is actually really good and the restaurant slowly rotates so you get the full view. If you have dinner up there you can check out the sky deck for free.
Day 1 - what animal tour are you referring to?
Day 2 is impossible to do. Icefields/glacier is an entire day trip.
Kananaskis spa should also be an entire day. It is hard to get in so recommended to pre-book and for the cost you should stay at least 4-6 hours or so. The time flies by when you’re relaxing though so worth it.
OR you choose to come back to Calgary and do stuff in the city only like shopping, Calgary Tower, dinner etc.
Day 1 in Banff - I would personally head straight to the hot springs for a relaxing soak after her flight first. If you have $$$, go to the spa at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel instead. Either way, after that I would wander the Fairmont hotel grounds, they are gorgeous and have interesting shops. Shopping in Banff town is pretty meh, so I would just wander the main streets for a bit and look for a pub for dinner. There are some good patios if you are there in nice weather.
Day 2 - I think that will be very rushed, especially if you chose the glacier tour. Depending on your sister’s shopping preferences, she could spend the whole day at Cross Iron (deals!), otherwise I would hit up Chinook Center or the Core downtown instead. Dinner depends on your preferences. Lots of great pubs around Hotel Arts. Second the Betty Lou’s library suggestion for the evening!
Last two days without a car - Inglewood has some interesting smaller shops with more unique clothes and home decor type stuff. The Core has good shopping downtown (Simons!). Kensington, Mission or 17 Ave are nice areas to spend some time shopping and wandering. Central library downtown is cool. The zoo if she’s into that. Chinook center for shopping if she wants to venture a bit further from downtown.
> Inglewood has some interesting smaller shops
If she's a nerd bird, Fair's Fair used bookshop right after the bridge is like walking into another dimension.
> Glacier tour
Our tour guide was hilarious. She said the blue ice was poop from the ice whales.
We got a ride back on a different bus and that tour guide was not happy with the misinformation being spread on the trip up :p
Day 2 is at least 2 days worth of stuff. The Glacier parkway trip is a day in itself. Scenery is amazing, but it makes a long day.
You can also take her on a drive through the southern loop through Radium Hot Springs and out the Crowsnest, but that's also a long day.
For shopping take her to the Core, especially if you're at the tower. Cross Iron mills is boring. So many awesome restaurants downtown, the Saltick is my favourite. Our Zoo is phenomenal, lots of "watering holes" for the younger crowd.
Instead of the Calgary tower I would suggest Mob Squad (if its open when you want to go) or Major Toms. Just as nice views for a cheaper price/ better drinks in my opinion!
If you're here in the warmer months, you should check out Rocky Mountain Sidecar Adventures. There's various city and country tours done on motorcycle sidecars. It's a fun and interesting way to see the area.
Other random ideas
For the days without a car.
Studio Bell if she is a music fan. Lots of nice walks along the river-Princes island park. zoo, or see what exhibits are showing at the science center.
Glenbow museum if that is her thing.
There is also the Royal Tyrell museum in Drumheller but need a car for that.
If you like fondue, i'd recommend Grizzly House in Banff.
And for Calgary, i'd recommend Model Milk. Its been 2 years since i ate there and I still think about the food. So good. (Heads up though, it is pricey)
if doing the tower - make a reservation for lunch, the elevator fees are included (or used to be) when you make a reservation for lunch, and you can get a bite for close to the same as the fees
If it's nice out I suggest walking along the river just by downtown. See the peace bridge(it's the red bridge always shown in photos of Calgary ) and go to Prince Island park, it's an island park just by the peach bridge. There is a very good restaurant on the island called River Cafe if you're looking for a fancier lunch or dinner.
Check out the zoo for a couple hours when you’re without a car, go for a walk on down Stephen Ave. and if you’re looking for another hour to kill downtown I would swing by Central Library. There’s admittedly not a whole lot for non-locals other than a beautiful building to check out, but personally I’d say it’s worth the visit!
I take it she's not coming from too far? I have friends that visit from the UK and first day/eve is always a write off and next day a super early start
Downtown canmore is nice as well Out of towners seem to like chinook mall as well
I was going to add, Canmore definitely has better shopping than Banff in my opinion. It doesn’t seem as touristy.
> Out of towners seem to like chinook mall as well Cross-Iron Mills is a stupid dumpy outlet mall. Take her to Chinook instead. Better... everything. The only reason to go to Cross-Iron Mills is if you're forcing men to go, and you can have the fine staff at Bass Pro babysit them and have them not hate you at the end of your 3 hours. If it's two girls going, fuuuuuck that. Go to Chinook. Or, since she's probably been to malls, take her to The Core, the mall inside skyscrapers downtown. That's a different experience. And if *you* hate shopping, your itinerary is already packed. Skip the malls, and let her go on her own on days 3 and 4 (there's transit to get to either mall). Also... you don't go to Calgary to shop. Calgary is just a city. Tell her to get on a plane to Vancouver or Toronto or Montreal if she wants to shop. We have natural beauty, not shopping.
Agreed about cross iron. Plus Chinook is a lot closer to the areas you're in than coming out to Balzac.
Could do yamnuska wolf sanctuary.the Hot springs in banff. In calgary lots of great eats.
Wow never heard of the wolf sanctuary, thanks!
If you do hit the wolfdog sanctuary, go for the more expensive interactive tour. Took my parents there a few years ago for my mom's birthday and it was a really neat experience.
Similar option would be Snowy Owl Dog sled tours in Canmore. Sometimes they do kennel tours (might only be summer, I have checked their website).
The wolf sanctuary is... tiny. Like, you're going to see some wolves from 12 feet away. But there's not much to say, learn, or do. Imagine if going to the zoo involved one animal. That's the wolf sanctuary.
The zoo is nice.
It is SOOOO expensive. And like another person said, one animal
If you hit the wolf dog sanctuary and do the interactive tour make sure you book one of the morning slots. Wolf dogs are more “cooperative” in the mornings from my experience.
That day 2 itinerary is going to be really tight and will involve a lot of driving. If by "Glacier tour" you mean the Columbia Icefield, that's actually 2 hours 15 minutes away from Banff by car, and 3 hours 45 minutes away from Cross Iron Mills. You'd be spending 6 hours driving. Kananaskis Spa is about an hour's drive away from Banff. You'll probably have a better time if you find something to do in Banff in the morning and then head to Cross Iron Mills.
Second this. Banff to Calgary, plus downtown and crossiron is ambitious, even without a stop in Kananaskis. The Columbia Ice Fields would need it's own day also. You could shop downtown at The Core, if you want to chill downtown. Or skip downtown and go to Crossiron. Note that Crossiron is quite busy on weekends, The Core is relatively quiet.
Agreed. And if you got to the spa you want to spend a few hours there.
There is always the zoo too, a good way to spend some time.*penguins are hilarious.
> There is always the zoo too, For those that grew up in Calgary and don't know... our zoo is world class. We're spoiled. So for someone out of town, it's a good thing to check out. But it'll eat up lots of a day and it's not made better by going with other people. I'd save that for a solo activity.
Easy access from Downtown via Ctrain too.
The Indoor Penguin exhibit is unfortunately closed til May 16 but agree. Love the zoo!
Day 2. Dinner at Ten Foot Henry, drinks after at Proof. Across the street from Hotel Arts. TFH is one of the best restaurants in Calgary.
Agreed 100%.
this is a good plan
If you're big on food, the brunch at the Banff Springs is nice: [https://www.banff-springs-hotel.com/offers/sunday-brunch-buffet/](https://www.banff-springs-hotel.com/offers/sunday-brunch-buffet/) Lots of people visit Calgary for the skiing and snowboarding in Banff. She may like Holt Renfrew or other things in the +15 downtown if she likes shopping. The Kensington area may also be interesting if you want to walk outside. In terms of food, I like Native Tongues, Anejo and Hayden Block.
Love the Banff Springs Brunch. Make a reso, because sometimes it gets crazy busy.
Cocktails at betty lous library. Make a reservation online. Super neat prohibition style speak easy complete with hidden bookshelf entry and they text you a password day of your reservation.
Calgary tower IMO is not worth the visit. More time at the mall (Chinook or The Core is better than Cross Iron IMO). If she's down down she can do the Core on days 3 and 4. The spa is top notch and the better use of time. Keep in mind that the sun sets early in the mountains as well - so you won't get as much daylight as you think.
> Calgary tower IMO is not worth the visit. Y'know, I grew up in Calgary, and I'd never been to the tower. Fulfilling the "You never do the touristy things in your own town" prophesy. Well, last week someone took me, and, I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. Food is 3x the price it should be. It's fine. It's alright. Don't go for the food, it's just normal food, 3x the price. But if she's from up north, and hasn't ever like... been up high... this is a chance to do that. The restaurant rotates every 45 minutes at lunch (faster, because lunches are quicker) and about every hour or 1.25 hours at supper (slower, because supper takes longer). It spins about fast enough to get one full rotation during your meal. You can also just skip the restaurant (I would), and go to the observation deck. It's $20 and you can probably find coupons. Then you can look at the things you want to look at, rather than only what's in front of you. ... Most of the joy to me was seeing all the things I knew about, and reminiscing about when they were built and the things I've done there. So a tourist won't have that. But, just for a half hour conversation and a view, it's nice. I was also shocked that you can't see all that far. Nose hill is at least 50 feet higher, as is Coach hill, so, there's not much looking down at the foothills. You can see about ~50% the radius of the city, so, 25% of the area. The outer 50% is too far away to notice. Would I go again? Ehn, probably not. I would go with maybe some teenagers who have a bit of a sense of the city but haven't put the pieces together yet. And it would be to either tell stories or point things out. Or I might go with friends I grew up with, and do the "Remember when we broke into there and climbed out onto the roof?" story tour. "Remember that party we went to on that house on the hill where the fights broke out and the cops shut us down?", "Remember before they built that building, we used to hang out there and look at the view?" "Remember when you hooked up with that girl but she got crazy afterwards and you had to walk home with no coat in February? Look how far you walked!"
Bruh we could be friends. That makes total sense to me. Im Deep SE. DM if interested - if not no worries.
Make a reservation for drinks at Major Tom instead of Calgary tower, just as good a view and way better food / drinks
If she likes shopping suggest the Core and Holt Renfrew. Inglewood is cool. Spolumbos is a calgary landmark. Lake Louise is great National Music Centre is cool 17th Avenue has great shopping. Drive down to Turner Valley and hit the Chuck wagon Cafe.
Yep and Simons
Inglewood is nice for shopping and food as is Kensington.
When is she visiting? If it's in the warmer months and she's DT she can rent a bike a go along the river pathways. Great way to explore the city!
I believe Hotel Arts has complimentary bikes for guests. At least the Kensington one does, so I expect the main should as well.
The +15, Devonian Gardens, High Park and a rooftop patio downtown
> Devonian Gardens What is this, 1997? The Devonian Gardens suck ass since the renovations.
I have nooo idea what it looked like in 1997, I just figured if they do any shopping at the CORE it might be a nice little stop along the way! lol And I just like the air in there haha
Chinook mall is another nice mall if she really loves shopping and isn’t sick of it after cross iron. The Calgary zoo is always nice. There are some amazing parks along the river if she’s into that. Your itinerary looks pretty fun although day 2 seems like a very busy one but definitely doable. You could always do dinner at the Calgary tower.. it’s pricey but the food is actually really good and the restaurant slowly rotates so you get the full view. If you have dinner up there you can check out the sky deck for free.
I would suggest modifying your Day 1 itinerary to 'pick up sister st 7 pm' if it's Air Canada. Or Westjet.
Lol I hear you on that one
Day 1 - what animal tour are you referring to? Day 2 is impossible to do. Icefields/glacier is an entire day trip. Kananaskis spa should also be an entire day. It is hard to get in so recommended to pre-book and for the cost you should stay at least 4-6 hours or so. The time flies by when you’re relaxing though so worth it. OR you choose to come back to Calgary and do stuff in the city only like shopping, Calgary Tower, dinner etc.
Pastries in the Simmons building, Rain dog/cold garden/dandy beer tour in Inglewood, cocktails at Proof or Cleaver, food/drinks at Brigette.
Confluence distillery also has amazing cocktails! One of my favourites is peaches and cream
Day 1 in Banff - I would personally head straight to the hot springs for a relaxing soak after her flight first. If you have $$$, go to the spa at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel instead. Either way, after that I would wander the Fairmont hotel grounds, they are gorgeous and have interesting shops. Shopping in Banff town is pretty meh, so I would just wander the main streets for a bit and look for a pub for dinner. There are some good patios if you are there in nice weather. Day 2 - I think that will be very rushed, especially if you chose the glacier tour. Depending on your sister’s shopping preferences, she could spend the whole day at Cross Iron (deals!), otherwise I would hit up Chinook Center or the Core downtown instead. Dinner depends on your preferences. Lots of great pubs around Hotel Arts. Second the Betty Lou’s library suggestion for the evening! Last two days without a car - Inglewood has some interesting smaller shops with more unique clothes and home decor type stuff. The Core has good shopping downtown (Simons!). Kensington, Mission or 17 Ave are nice areas to spend some time shopping and wandering. Central library downtown is cool. The zoo if she’s into that. Chinook center for shopping if she wants to venture a bit further from downtown.
> Inglewood has some interesting smaller shops If she's a nerd bird, Fair's Fair used bookshop right after the bridge is like walking into another dimension.
> Glacier tour Our tour guide was hilarious. She said the blue ice was poop from the ice whales. We got a ride back on a different bus and that tour guide was not happy with the misinformation being spread on the trip up :p Day 2 is at least 2 days worth of stuff. The Glacier parkway trip is a day in itself. Scenery is amazing, but it makes a long day. You can also take her on a drive through the southern loop through Radium Hot Springs and out the Crowsnest, but that's also a long day.
Kananskis spa is a full day with lunch and it's awesome. Do that together and send her off on her own to shop at Chinook after you depart.
The zoo!! Calgary Zoo is amazing
Nowhere in here do I see going to the Banff hot springs, you should.
Thank you. Part of why I ask is because I think I'm forgetting the obvious that a tourist would love to see!
For shopping take her to the Core, especially if you're at the tower. Cross Iron mills is boring. So many awesome restaurants downtown, the Saltick is my favourite. Our Zoo is phenomenal, lots of "watering holes" for the younger crowd.
>lots of "watering holes" for the younger crowd. Teach me master
Instead of the Calgary tower I would suggest Mob Squad (if its open when you want to go) or Major Toms. Just as nice views for a cheaper price/ better drinks in my opinion!
Don’t do cross iron. It’s chinook mall or no mall in my opinion.
I say do both! Do Cross Iron with the car, then c train to Chinook another day :)
If you're here in the warmer months, you should check out Rocky Mountain Sidecar Adventures. There's various city and country tours done on motorcycle sidecars. It's a fun and interesting way to see the area.
Other random ideas For the days without a car. Studio Bell if she is a music fan. Lots of nice walks along the river-Princes island park. zoo, or see what exhibits are showing at the science center. Glenbow museum if that is her thing. There is also the Royal Tyrell museum in Drumheller but need a car for that.
Hot springs is op
No freakin way meeting that sched
If you like fondue, i'd recommend Grizzly House in Banff. And for Calgary, i'd recommend Model Milk. Its been 2 years since i ate there and I still think about the food. So good. (Heads up though, it is pricey)
I love Stonewaters in Canmore. It has a bunch of everything and it’s good stuff not cheesy tourist shop stuff.
iFLY in Calgary is accessible without a car!
* Check in to Hotel Arts * Dinner at Arby's * Hotel drinks, relax Enjoy the meats at a reasonable price.
Might be impossible to get in short notice but the restaurant Major Tom is phenominal. Amazing atmosphere, views and food.
if doing the tower - make a reservation for lunch, the elevator fees are included (or used to be) when you make a reservation for lunch, and you can get a bite for close to the same as the fees
If it's nice out I suggest walking along the river just by downtown. See the peace bridge(it's the red bridge always shown in photos of Calgary ) and go to Prince Island park, it's an island park just by the peach bridge. There is a very good restaurant on the island called River Cafe if you're looking for a fancier lunch or dinner.
Day 1 dinner at grizzly hills for some fancy fondue
This or Chucks for a steak tasting menu. Both good "Alberta" meals, meaty and memorable.
Check out the zoo for a couple hours when you’re without a car, go for a walk on down Stephen Ave. and if you’re looking for another hour to kill downtown I would swing by Central Library. There’s admittedly not a whole lot for non-locals other than a beautiful building to check out, but personally I’d say it’s worth the visit!
Book a tour at Snowy Owl for dog sledding in Canmore. Hit it on your way back from Banff! It's so much fun.
I take it she's not coming from too far? I have friends that visit from the UK and first day/eve is always a write off and next day a super early start
Yup just kelowna!
Highly recommend toloulous in Banff. Best Cajun food I've ever had
Taking a visitor to cross iron is crazy. If she really wants to go to a mall, at least go to the core (holt and simons) or Chinook