The 7 Best Architectural Sites in Calgary That Everyone Should Visit at Least Once
During my latest trip to Thailand, one of the things that stood out to me was Bangkok’s architecture. Their buildings had so many colorful and intricate details that even just driving down the road was a feast for the eyes.
It got me thinking about how tourists see Calgary. I figured that there were probably a bunch of beautiful buildings I took for granted since I saw them all the time.
So, I decided to explore and visit all the architectural wonders in the city. If you want to trace my steps, I’ve listed all the interesting and stunning Calgary architectural sites that I revisited and discovered a newfound appreciation for below.
1. Calgary Tower
– Media credit: calgarytower
Address: 101 9 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 403 266 7171
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Most people head to the Calgary Tower to sightsee and gaze at the best views of the city. But I bet not as many go here to admire the tower itself.
Built in 1968, it was meant to commemorate Canada’s 100th anniversary. And since then, it’s basically become a symbol of the city.
It’s very fitting, then, that so many of the tower’s features are designed to highlight Calgary’s best parts. This includes an observation deck that’ll show you 360 views of the city, up to the Rockies.
There’s also a thrilling glass floor that’s definitely not for the faint of heart. The last time I looked down and saw the city below my feet, I felt my legs tremble. I still think everyone should experience this, though.
And if you want to know more, there are free multimedia tours of the tower. You can download these on your phone, and they’ll tell you all about the landmark.
| Pro tip: Make your visit extra memorable by dining in Calgary Tower’s rotating restaurant, Sky 360. You can even try and spot the other buildings on this list as the restaurant spins. |
2. Peace Bridge
– Media credit: gkururkrit
Address: Memorial Drive NW
Contact details: +1 403 268 2489
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – Open 24 hours
If you’ve ever been by the Bow River, there’s a huge chance you’ve seen the Peace Bridge. It’s the striking red ‘finger trap’ that extends over the river.
This eye-catching structure isn’t just there to be looked at, though. It was initially built by architect Santiago Calatrava to help commuters on their way to Downtown Calgary.
Today, more than 6,000 people use it daily. You’ll likely pass plenty of tourists, joggers, and photographers on it. Luckily, you won’t have to worry about fast-moving bikers. The bridge has two separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists in a rush.
Oh, and if you want to take pictures, it’s best to drop by at night. The whole bridge is lit up, making it look even more stunning.
| Pro tip: One of the most interesting ways to see the Peace Bridge is to gaze up at it while ‘floating the bow’. This is what you call rafting down the river, which is very popular among locals during the summertime. |
3. Studio Bell
– Media credit: xuhaochuan
Address: 850 4 St. SE
Contact details: +1 403 543 5115
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Studio Bell is where all Canadian music enthusiasts end up at one point in their lives. As the home of the National Music Centre, you’ll find everything music-related here and more.
There are several resources in this 160,000-square-foot building that can help you be creative. It’s got recording facilities, broadcast studios, music venues, and a huge variety of instruments.
Inside, you’ll also find the King Edward Hotel, which is one of the oldest properties in the city. It was once an iconic club where many blues legends performed.
But I think the most impressive part of the centre is its overall design. Of course, its interiors are optimized to produce the best acoustics.
Meanwhile, the design of its exteriors is purely decorative. They curve and weave in a way that looks like the sound waves that come from musical instruments.
| Pro tip: Some of the most visually appealing rooms inside Studio Bell are its performance halls. You can either join a tour or watch a concert to see what they look like inside. |
4. Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge
– Media credit: tourismcalgary
Address: 11300 Rocky Ridge Rd NW
Contact details: +1 403 351 6673
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge isn’t just any recreational facility; It’s actually the world’s largest YMCA.
Instead of standing out, its design is meant to blend in with the beautiful prairie landscape around it. For example, one of its most prominent characteristics is a curved roof that’s meant to look like a foothill.
Plus, the exterior is lined with brass tiles. With time, these are supposed to turn into a warm brown color that’ll blend in with its natural surroundings.
These design features were combined with a lot of natural lighting to help visitors connect with nature. I’d say it’s pretty effective since I do feel more refreshed and reinvigorated whenever I participate in some of their sports and wellness programs.
| Pro tip: You don’t have to be a member to see the many state-of-the-art facilities inside the Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge. They offer drop-in tickets, as well as multi-visit cards if you want to participate in several of their programs. |
5. New Central Library
– Media credit: osigalat
Address: 800 3 St SE
Contact details: +1 403 260 2600
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Friday – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Calgary’s New Central Library was opened back in 2018. It was built to replace the original branch located in Downtown Calgary.
The goal was to create a place where the local community could gather. This is even more emphasized when you consider that this library was built over a fully functional light rail track. So don’t be surprised when a train passes by from time to time.
Inside, everyone’s favorite feature seems to be the huge central atrium that has a magnificent skylight. It always feels light, spacious, and airy in there, even though plenty of people weave in and out of the space.
I also like how they decided to map out the floors. The first few levels are meant to be more lively, and then it gets quieter and quieter as you go up.
| Pro tip: You can learn more about the New Central Library’s facilities and iconic architecture by joining one of their free guided tours. They hold several of these multiple times a week. |
6. The Bow
– Media credit: applewood.traveller
Address: 500 Centre St S
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday – 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
- Sunday – 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM
The Bow is easily the most noticeable building in Calgary’s skyline. As one of the tallest buildings in the country, you can virtually see it anywhere in the city.
It’s pretty much tied with the Calgary Tower when it comes to the city’s iconic landmarks. Not a lot of people know this, but the city’s postcards had to be updated after the construction of this building was finished.
Sadly, it isn’t open to the public, despite being a must-see for plenty of tourists. It’s mostly used as a commercial building for various offices and companies. From what I’ve heard, though, the view at the top is pretty similar to Calgary Tower’s.
However, visitors still have something to take pictures with. At the very base of the building, there’s a huge head-shaped sculpture called ‘Wonderland’ made by artist Jaume Plensa. It’s one of the most famous selfie spots in the entire city.
| Pro tip: Those who want to take a photo with the Wonderland sculpture should visit after sunset. They shine lights on the face, so you can see it better in contrast with the building. |
7. Calgary City Hall
– Media credit: cityofcalgary
Address: 800 Macleod Trail SE
Contact details: +1 403 268 2111
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Anyone familiar with Calgary City Hall knows that this building is a looker. It’s one of those places that really makes me feel proud to be a Calgarian.
It was originally built in 1911 with the Richardsonian Romanesque style. The first few things that you’ll notice about it are its sandstone surface and huge clock tower in the middle.
The whole property definitely stands out compared to its surroundings. With most of Downtown Calgary being trendy and modern, the city hall looks like it was ripped out of the pages of a history book.
I’m sure that I’m not the only one who’s grateful that local government chooses to spend tons of money to regularly restore and preserve this historic building.
| Pro tip: The city hall is located right next to the busiest light rail station in Downtown Calgary. You can avoid the crowds by visiting at night, when the clock tower is illuminated. |