Calgary may not strike you as "the fun city" at first glance, full of people who are always in a rush to get somewhere. Once you take a closer look, however, you'll start noticing that Calgary is actually full of fun activities to do for adults. While spending an evening at a pub or restaurant is very common, it can get boring very fast. On top of that, there are many more fun ways to spend your pastime.
Fun Things To Do In Calgary For Adults
Alright, let's brainstorm some ideas here.
Visit Calgary Zoo
Who said that going to the zoo is for kids only? Adults want to see the penguins too! On a serious note, it's a fun place to go on a sunny day.
And the Calgary Zoo is huge - with more than 1000 animals living in it.
While there is nothing better than being around nature, there are drawbacks as well, such as pricey tickets and crowds everywhere (the weekends are incredibly busy!).
Kayaking Down Bow River
If you are looking for something more physically demanding and aren't afraid to get wet, you should definitely try kayaking, especially if you haven't already. If it's a warm and sunny day - you are in luck! There is nothing better than just sit down in your kayak and let the river take you places. Fresh air and sightseeing is a plus.
If you have to rent a kayak, lifejackets, and other stuff necessary, you can use one of many shops alongside the river, which is convenient. The drawback here is that renting all the equipment can be expensive, and oftentimes you have to drive them all the way back to where you started.
Shop On The 17th Avenue
17th Ave is the busiest place downtown on the weekends. There are tons of interesting shops, coffee shops, and bars. You'll oftentimes see buskers playing the guitar on the street.
It's a pretty fun place to go and grab a coffee with a friend, but that's about it. If you aren't into shopping, there are better places out there for you.
Visit Prince's Island Park
If the sun is shining outside, there is no reason for you to not to visit Prince's Island Park on the Bow River. You can enjoy a picnic, canoe in the river, bike, hike, roller blade - the list is almost endless. And that's without mentioning all the festivals that are held there every month or so.
Visit Calgary Tower
Calgary Tower is an impressive construction in the heart of Calgary downtown that's on every tourist's to-do list. If you've never been there, the view is totally worth it. If you want, you can get a phone with headphones that has a short course on the history of Calgary Tower, which is indeed interesting. It's fun to do every few years, but more than that will likely be boring as nothing major ever changes inside the building.
The restaurant on the top of the tower offers you a magnificent view of the downtown area. It's one of the most prestigious restaurants with an amazing variety of foods for every taste out there. The only question is - are you ready to pay $50+ for a steak? That's for you to decide.
Go To Calgary Stampede
Stampede is Calgary's signature holiday that happens in July. If you've never been there and love country music - it's a must. If you are looking for free events, there are dog and motorcycle shows, a lot of promo events by various companies. Stampede is also famous for its rides and games.
The drawback of Stampede is well-known. It's too pricey and crowded. That's also expected, considering the fact that it attracts people from all over the United States and Canada. It's tons of fun, but only the last 10 days and is the best when it's nice out.
Visit Banff
Banff is a beautiful little town an hour or so west off Calgary. It doesn't really need an introduction - who hasn't been to Banff? The view is breathtaking, little shops are lovely, and their ice cream is to die for!
What do you do if you don't have a car or if you don't feel like spending an hour driving each way? Plus, Banff is incredibly expensive and spending $100+ is pretty normal unless you eat
at McDonald's (almost forgot about the park entrance fees). And if it's raining, it's better to do something indoors.
Go To The Movies
Going somewhere to watch a movie is the oldest story in the book. It's incredibly popular, especially if a big movie has just been released. The thing is - the costs add up pretty quickly. Getting tickets in 3D can cost you up to 25$ a ticket. Then you buy popcorn, drinks, and you end up spending $80-$100 just like that.
There are much better things to do for adults in Calgary on a rainy day. Speaking of better things to do...
Visit Escape60 - Calgary Escape Room
You've probably heard of escape rooms once or twice, or maybe even been to one. They've been getting more and more trendy over the past 10 years. However, it's hard to find a good escape room in Calgary that will go above and beyond to not only meet your expectations but surpass them.
Well, that's when Escape60, the highest rated escape room in Calgary, comes into play. We offer a professional atmosphere, licensed lounge with wet bar, and tons of fun. Unlike many other escape rooms in the market, we give each group personalized attention.
If our focus on customer service isn't your biggest priority, we also have unique custom-built escape rooms inspired by popular books and people. The most popular 2 are Wizards and Don Pablo, and we are working on 3 more - Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and Willy Wonka themed games.
Another unique feature of Escape60 Calgary escape room is that you can always get a drink our bar! That's right - no other place offers this up to date! With a wide selection of beer, wine, and spirits, you can definitely enhance your overall experience.
The location is another perk. In a city of Calgary where the public transportation system is extremely undeveloped, having something close to the train station is incredibly convenient. Escape60 Calgary escape room is located next to the Sunalta C-Train station near downtown, which means you don't have to take the train, bus, and walk for 5 blocks. If you are driving, don't worry about parking either - we have 26 parking stalls and free street parking around the block - you don't have to spend a penny!
Thanks for sharing this fantastic list! Calgary has so much to offer for adults looking for a good time. I especially love the idea of exploring local breweries and trying out unique dining experiences. Have you included any lesser-known spots that are must-visits? Looking forward to checking these out!