Free and Fun: The Guide to Calgary’s Best Activities

For doing free and fun activities Calgary is a great city with plenty of options, offering parks, festivals, and tours. Enjoy scenic walks along the Bow River pathways, relax at Prince’s Island Park, or explore history on Stephen Avenue. With so many family-friendly activities, there’s always something exciting to do without spending a dime.

Surrounded in the city’s heart, but located in the heart of the Bow River. Prince’s Island Park is a peaceful oasis. Spanning near 50 acres, it is a perfect heaven for city residents alike in search of city life’s hustle escape. With tree-lined trails, whose canopies have magnificent cottonwood trees, providing cover and panoramic views. The park is renowned for its beauty and peacefulness.

Regardless of a bike trip or a stroll, well-maintained trails make meandering a joy and a comfort. For outdoorsmen, one can try river fishing. The cross over onto Eau Claire Market via a footbridge for a quick meal. A free and fun things and activities to do in Calgary.

With a little luck, one can fall in upon one of numerous festivities or stage productions. Culture buffs, in fact, have a weakness for this site, with events in diversity range from music to food fests. Located northwest of downtown, CTrain Sunnyside access, getting to and fro is a breeze, and a convenient retreat at that.

Wherever one happens to arrive, Prince’s Island Park is a stop for everyone. In warm weather, its trees and waterways a cool haven, and in winter, its beauty a winter wonderland. Whatever one comes for, its peaceful atmosphere, its vibrant events, or both, this site is a must-stop site. And, most importantly, it’s seven days a week and free admission!

2. Stephen Avenue Walk

For a street life enthusiast, Stephen Avenue Walk is your best bet. As one of downtown Calgary’s busiest pedestrian streets, it is full of activity and life at any time of day.

Busking, street performances, and street fests make the environment full of sound and joy any day of the week. Trendy boutiques and shops run one street, offering a window-shopper’s haven street. A stroll down such pretty restaurants and coffee shops is enough to have a glimpse of city life’s hustle.

What distinguishes National Historic District is its mix of new and old. It has a variety of venues, including nightlife clubs and pubs, and have a nightlife in Calgary. A free and fun things and activities to do in Calgary.

In the daytime, enjoy a warm coffee at a friendly coffee shop, or street performance in a spectacle. Shopaholic, or not, and even a mere observer, there’s always an attraction to view. And best of all? Admission is free—just stroll, discover, and enjoy Stephen Avenue Walk’s atmosphere

If you have not seen the renowned Wonderland Sculpture, stop and go view it. In front of a downtown Calgary skyscraper stands a striking work of beauty, alternatively known as the Bow Head. A striking structure worth a glance. A crowd surrounding it each and every day, drawn in by its one-of-a-kind shape and larger-than-life presence.

The privately commissioned artwork is, however, free for everyone, and you can see it anytime for free. Don’t forget not to climb onto the artwork, for security will intercept and stop your move. Its bold artwork will make everyone interested in artwork and culture go and see it at least one time.

I can’t stop and admire it perfectly and even grab a quick picture to remember it by. A free and fun thing and activities to do in Calgary.

The most renowned attraction in Calgary is most likely the Peace Bridge. A bridge that is a fan favorite for both visitors and citizens, and one that is completed in 2012. By connecting both sides of the Bow River and renowned for its striking, bold, and eye-catching red color.

Either promenade peacefully, or simply sit and enjoy. This bridge is visited each and every day, most noticeably in warm weather in summertime. A simply free and fun thing and activities to do in Calgary.

I remember my first trip over the Peace Bridge—I remember thinking it was a cool site. I couldn’t believe all the visitors flocked out to enjoy the view. You have to go, at sunset when the surrounding whole area lights up.

The location is a favorite for taking photos, a source of tranquility, or simply enjoying city beauty. Best part, it’s free and publicly accessible.

A visit to the South Market in Calgary is a must for any fan of visiting a local marketplace. As the largest marketplace in its city, it is a melting pot of new and exciting produce. A locally produced goods, and tasty foods. What distinguishes this marketplace, though, is its commitment to supporting small, local companies.

By providing a marketplace for farmers to sell at the peak of each natural harvest. It helps them grow and allows visitors access to freshly harvested produce. I have long enjoyed the way such a marketplace feels at its core, with welcoming vendors. A freshly baking bread aromas, and colorful stands providing a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Whether one is searching for organic produce, one-of-a-kind homemade goods, there is something for everyone at this marketplace. It’s not about mere shopping, but about immersing oneself in the community. Getting in touch with passionate producers who care about what they produce.

One of the best parts? The Market is open year-round, so no matter the season, you can explore this gem in Calgary. Whether it’s a crisp winter morning or a sunny summer afternoon, the experience remains just as delightful. Strolling through the aisles, chatting with vendors, and sampling fresh treats make for a perfect budget-friendly outing in the city. The best free things and activities to do in Calgary.

The Fish Creek Park is a largest urban preserve in the entire world, with over 54 miles of trails. A breathtaking beauty perfect for hiking, cycling, jogging and fun activities to do in Calgary.

Ninety-six acres in a 15-mile distance southwest of city center. A peaceful haven in which to reconnect with Mother Nature at no cost. Whatever your pleasure – a casual stroll, observation of wildlife, a splash of outdoors activity – everyone will have something to enjoy.

I have gone to this park in all four seasons, and with each visit, I have a new experience. In the summertime, trails lend themselves perfectly to bike tours and long, relaxed stroll. In fall, colors stand out in a brilliant way. For fishermen, the park holds quiet waterways in which to drop a hook and forget your worries. Perhaps one of my best parts about this site is its quiet atmosphere, even with its location near a city.

Another lesser-known but useful feature in the park is its visitor center, open Monday through Friday. It has a small theater and a group of exhibits with items and information regarding the area. A perfect chance to learn during a break.

Stretches of open spaces, and its sheer beauty, no wonder visitors make repeat trips again and again. Best part? Admission to such a fabulous park is completely free best things and activities to do in Calgary.

For a rich retailing experience, head to Western Canada’s flagship mall, CF Chinook Centre. With its 250-plus stores featuring high-finish designer labels such as Kate Spade, Tory Burch, and Burberry. A cool boutiques, it’s all under one roof. Even a leisurely promenade through its vibrant stores is worth your time, even when not buying a single article.

Aside from shopping, the mall boasts one-of-a-kind forms of entertainment. Snap a picture with the colossal Albertosaurus, a prehistoric focal point that brings a dash of history to your trip.

A go at a ride in the homemade carousel or have a go at a traditional game at the Bowladrome. With a spare period, go and view a cinema at the Cineplex Odeon IMAX. Promenade about the centre at your leisure. A simply free thing and activities to do in Calgary.

Hungry? There’s a wealth of food at Chinook Centre, including full-service restaurants and a savory food court with a selection of over 19 restaurants to choose from. Need a quick bite, a sit-down meal, or somewhere in between? There’s something for everyone to enjoy.

A convenient location at Glenmore and Macleod, serviced by Transit, car2go, and taxi. Chinook Centre is a thrill regardless of whether it’s your first, your hundredth, of course, that you don’t fall in love with a purchase and have to say goodbye to a little money.

8. Central Library

The Central Library in downtown Calgary is one of its most unique and modern buildings. It’s not just a room full of books—it’s a vibrant community hub for reading, studying, and participating in cultural events and educational programs.

The architecture alone makes it worth a visit, with its bold exterior standing out as one of Calgary’s most striking landmarks.

Beyond its beauty, the Library is designed for convenience, offering plenty of bike racks and easy access to the CTrain via both the Red and Blue lines. Strategically located east of City Hall, it’s incredibly easy to reach and welcomes everyone with free admission.

Whether you need a quiet space to relax, want to browse an extensive collection, or are looking to engage with the local community. This library offers the perfect setting simply best free things and activities to do in Calgary.

I’ve spent countless hours here, finding it to be a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city. As a book lover, I appreciate its offerings, but even casual visitors can enjoy immersing themselves in its rich cultural atmosphere.

9. Devonian Gardens

Nestled in the heart of Calgary, the Devonian Gardens is a magnificent indoor botanical. Hiding in plain view, it is a haven for a peaceful retreat in a city filled with activity. It features serene ponds, sophisticated fountains, and peaceful waterfalls. With over 500 types of trees and plants surrounding it, a lush and vibrant atmosphere prevails in its midst.

It simply breathtaking living wall, instilling a touch of organic and artistic beauty in its presence. Children and adults will both appreciate visiting its urban oasis, with a kids’ playground for them to climb, explore, and enjoy. In addition to its fountains and the beauty of its foliage, and overall peaceful atmosphere.

Personally, I have liked it a lot as a perfect retreat for resting and recharging—right in the heart of downtown Calgary. Best of all, it’s free thing to use, one of the best free places to enjoy, no less.

Downtown Calgary takes one of its most defining features in its Plus 15’s, a network of tunnels between buildings in the city. 15 feet high, these tunnels allow one to move between buildings with ease in winter.

Either for a work trip, or for stroll, this is a free and exciting way to tour the city. I have enjoyed the Plus 15’s, and getting a glimpse of the city in a whole new perspective. The routes pass through shops, work areas, and restaurants, and it’s easy to find whatever your heart’s desire is.

From a map, you will find off-the-beaten-path areas that reveal a glimpse of Calgary’s commercial community and its thriving downtown. They’re so well connected, with ease in getting between buildings even when it’s cold enough to go out in winter.