Attractions Nearby Calgary, Day Trips and Excursions

(Calgary, Alberta - AB, Canada)

Calgary has a cracking location in terms of natural attractions and ski resorts, with the town and national park of Banff to the northwest of Calgary and a nearby working cattle ranch to the south.

Other attractions close to Calgary include the brilliant Dinosaur Provincial Park to the east and the nearby recreational city of Airdrie to the north. Banff is the biggest attraction in the area and indeed in the whole state, and is within easy reach of Calgary. The ski resorts in Banff are awesome and the town's setting and character are unique.

Banff

Located to the northwest of Calgary, Banff has held UNESCO World Heritage Site status since 1985 and is one of Canada's foremost ski towns and its first national park. This charming town is also Canada's highest and it is surrounded by spectacular scenery, including pristine glacial lakes and the stunning Rocky Mountains, while those who stroll the streets will find many quality shops, eateries, bars, clubs and other attractions. There are several ski resorts situated near Banff, the best of which is Mount Norquay, where the ski season is one of the longest and the snow conditions are superb.

Airdrie

Address: Airdrie, Alberta (AB), Canada
Airdrie is only a 30-minute drive north along the Queen Elizabeth II Highway from Calgary and sports an abundance of recreational activities and attractions. There are many golf courses here, as well as lots of walking paths and endless opportunities for swimming. Festivals and events are also popular in Airdrie.

Dinosaur Provincial Park

Address: Patricia, Alberta (AB), T0J 2K0, Canada
Tel: +1 403 378 4342
A World Heritage Site, Dinosaur Provincial Park is located to the east of Calgary and it contains the world's greatest concentration of fossils from the late Cretaceous period. The park is situated in Red Deer River Valley and boasts 300 complete dinosaur skeletons that were dug up in the area and excavations here run from June to August. Other attractions include a campsite and picnic area at the park, while tours are extremely popular and should be booked in advance.
Open hours: call for details
Admission: charge for bus tours and hikes, discounts for children, children under seven free

Bar U Ranch National Historic Site

Address: Longview, Alberta (AB), Canada
Tel: +1 403 395 2212
Lying to the south of Calgary on Highway 22, the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site is a well-preserved, working cattle ranch. Depicting the Old Canadian West, attractions here include special ranch techniques, such as branding and roundup. Many of the ranch's 35 buildings date from the late 19th century and can be seen on a tour of the facility. In addition, a history of the ranch can be discerned by watching a video that is regularly screened at the Interpretive Center.
Open hours: charge, discounts for children and seniors
Admission: daily - 10:00 to 18:00, seasonal variations apply