The 9 Best Activities to Do Alone in Calgary That Everyone Should Try at Least Once
A few years ago, I discovered the joy of solo traveling and never looked back. I’ve even had the pleasure of exploring several countries all on my own.
There’s nothing like visiting attractions, eating in world-renowned restaurants, and (most importantly) getting ready in the morning at your own pace. I got to appreciate details that I would’ve never noticed if I were in a group.
Recently, I realized that Calgary deserves to be admired in the same way. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the city without someone else.
So in the past couple of months, I’ve been hitting up a bunch of places alone to see which ones are great even without company. Below, you’ll find the activities that you’ll enjoy even if you’re on your own.
1. Explore Calgary Tower
– Media credit: calgarytower
Address: 101 9 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 43 266 7171
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
If Paris has the Eiffel Tower, and San Francisco has the Golden Gate Bridge, then our city has the Calgary Tower. It’s one of the attractions that immediately comes to mind when you think of YYC.
Standing at 191 metres tall, this observation deck has the best panoramic views of the city and the Rockies. There’s even a thrilling glass floor that you could walk on, where you get to see the downtown core below your feet.
Going alone would allow you to take in the sights at your own pace. You could even download a free audio tour on your phone that’ll tell you all about the attraction. Just keep in mind that you need to pay $23 for tickets to enter.
However, you can also just stay outside and wait right before midnight to watch a fantastic LED light show. The tower creates unique shows for holidays, local festivals, and game days.
| Pro tip: One of the most unforgettable things you can experience inside Calgary Tower is dining in Sky 360. This is a revolving restaurant that’ll show you 360-degree views of the city. |
2. Walk through Prince’s Island Park
– Media credit: tourismcalgary
Address: 698 Eau Claire Ave SW
Contact details: +1 403 268 2489
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Prince’s Island Park is a tranquil escape in the middle of the city. It’s where plenty of locals recharge while surrounded by fresh air and foliage.
It’s honestly a great place all year round. There’s lots of green space, and it also becomes a popular skating location in the winter.
Plenty of events are held here as well. It’s a spacious enough venue to host lively festivals, concerts, and other community get-togethers.
However, there’s beauty in it that you wouldn’t really see unless you go alone. You’re more likely to notice wildlife and relaxing nature sounds on a peaceful solo stroll. In fact, lots of people say it’s a great place where you can start birdwatching as a hobby.
| Pro tip: You can easily have an impromptu solo picnic in Prince’s Island Park. There are several cafes nearby where you can pick up food, such as River Cafe, Tim Hortons, and Alforno Bakery & Cafe. |
3. Take a self-guided walking tour of Stephen Avenue
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Website
Address: 340 8 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 403 215 1570
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – Open 24 hours
You’ll surely enjoy wandering through the historical Stephen Avenue. Named after the first president of the Canadian Pacific Railway, this street used to be the home of many significant retail establishments back in the 1890s.
Today, it’s still a significant cultural hub. Tourists and locals flock here for all the shops, restaurants, and street performers.
It’s so popular that it can get up to 10,000 visitors a day, especially during the world-famous Calgary Stampede. But on any other day, it’s a great place to soak up the local culture.
You can learn more about it by getting a free walking tour arranged by the local city government. It’ll tell you interesting stories about the street’s past and fun facts about its architecture.
| Pro tip: The best season to visit Stephen Avenue is during Christmastime. Everything is adorned with lights and seasonal decorations. Plus, they usually have more art installations than usual during this time. |
4. Shop and dine at Kensington Village
– Media credit: kensingtonyyc
Address: 2120 Kensington Rd NW
Contact details: +1 403 268 2489
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Thursday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Treat yourself to an extra-special shopping day at Kensington Village. This isn’t like your typical mall. It’s got a more eclectic mix of thrift stores, boutiques, bookstores, and record shops.
As long as you have the time, there are a lot of things to discover. In fact, there are over 250 businesses to see. It’s almost like a choose-your-own-adventure trip as a solo traveler.
Based on experience, one of the best things to do here is to randomly choose and walk into one of the many pubs and bars. You’ll likely find a local band performing their own music. You never know, you just might discover your next favorite artist.
| Pro tip: We recommend visiting Regal Cat Cafe, the first and only cat cafe in the city. Here, you can enjoy a cup of coffee as you cuddle with friendly kitties. |
5. Unwind at Studio Bell
– Media credit: nmc_canada
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 heaven on earth for music lovers. This is the home of the National Music Centre. It’s best enjoyed alone, so you don’t have to rush through its displays.
You can watch one of the many shows held here. They constantly have tribute concerts dedicated to classic composers such as Vivaldi, as well as modern music artists like Adele.
But if you want to learn more about the place, you can also join one of their guided tours. This is essentially a backstage pass where you can learn all about world-class recording facilities and instruments that you don’t normally see.
My favorite part, though, is seeing all the interactive exhibits, especially the Halls of Fame. This talks about the contributions of Canadian artists and icons like Shania Twain and Bryan Adams to the music industry.
| Pro tip: You can actually try creating your own music at Studio Bell. On the third and fourth floors, you’ll find classic and unique instruments that visitors are welcome to play. |
6. Brave North America’s fastest zipline at Canada Olympic Park
– Media credit: winsportcanada
Address: 88 Canada Olympic Rd S W
Contact details: +1 403 247 5452
Operating Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday – 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Tuesday – 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Friday – 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Adrenaline seekers should add Canada Olympic Park, more commonly known as Winsport (winsport), to their itinerary. This is where the 1988 Winter Olympics were held. Since then, it’s been turned into a park that enthusiasts can visit all year round.
People of all ages go here to learn and practice skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and more. They’ve got a ton of facilities where you can expand your skills.
But for solo explorers, nothing is as exciting as getting on the Monster Zipline. This is the fastest zipline in North America, and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart.
It can reach a speed of 140 km/h, which is faster than how most of us drive normally. This is why it’s required to go through an extensive orientation and safety session first. Plus, only those above the age of 13 can go on this zipline.
Once you’re on it, though, it’s like you’re on top of the world. You’ll get to see an amazing panoramic view of the entire Olympic Park and Bow River Valley.
| Pro tip: After you’ve crossed off Monster Zipline from your bucket list, you should go back to Winsport in the winter. You can hop on a snow tube at Servus Tube Park and have the time of your life sliding down the hills. |
7. Explore Calgary’s filming locations from “The Last of Us”
– Media credit: steppingthroughfilm
Fans of HBO’s hit TV show ‘The Last of Us’ will be happy to know that they can visit the various filming locations.
Firstly, there’s Inglewood, which has also been featured in Hollywood movies like Fargo and Ghostbusters: Afterlife. This is a neighborhood that has a bunch of craft breweries and boutiques. Several scenes were filmed here.
There’s also the Fourth Avenue Flyover. They made it look pretty apocalyptic in the show, but this is actually an overpass that locals take to reach the downtown core.
And if you’re a fan, you’d remember that the main characters, Joel and Ellie, see a blocked tunnel that forces them to take a detour in the first season. In real life, this is the Calgary Airport Tunnel, which is used by millions of passengers yearly.
The best thing is that you can visit all of these within one day. You can even check scenes and stand where the actors stood.
| Pro tip: These aren’t the only locations featured in the show. Travel Alberta created an interactive map that you can refer to for the lesser-known shooting spots in Calgary. |
8. Enjoy a scenic ride along the Bow River Pathway
– Media credit: jill.n.nacho
Operating Hours:
- (All year round) Monday to Sunday – Open 24 hours
- (For cycling and hiking in spring and fall) Monday to Sunday – 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
The Bow River Pathway makes being active alone more enjoyable and relaxing. It’s common to see other runners, joggers, and cyclists along its trails.
It’s not hard to see why. This is a huge network of pathways that follow the banks of the Bow River. Anywhere you look, you get breathtaking views of the city and the water.
You don’t even have to have your own bike to cruise here. You can just rent one from the many bike rental shops near the trails.
Just make sure you add the Peace Bridge to your route. This is a stunning architectural marvel that looks amazing up close. It’s especially lovely when you ride a bike through it. Remember to always be mindful of pedestrians and other cyclists, though.
| Pro tip: During the summer, the Bow River is one of the best places to cool off. Here, you can ‘Float the Bow’, which means rafting down the river. |
9. Check out the Calgary Farmers’ Market
– Media credit: calgaryfarmersmarket
Address: 510 77 Ave SE
Contact details: +1 403 240 9113
Operating Hours:
- Thursday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Monday to Wednesday – Closed
Whether you’re a Calgarian or a tourist, you’re going to have a great time exploring the Calgary Farmer’s Market. It’s a nice way to discover food, crafts, and artisanal products made by the local community.
Solo foodies will especially enjoy trying local flavors and delicacies. There are so many snack choices to choose from, with more than 70 local booths open.
It’s also a great way to get out of your comfort zone and make new friends. Talk to the local artisans and learn about what they make. They’re always happy to share stories and meet new people.
| Pro tip: During holidays or special occasions, you can expect that there’s something fun happening at the Calgary Farmer’s Market. They usually have special booths and giveaways that are on theme with whatever’s happening. |