Budget-friendly things to do
No matter what your interests are, there’s always something budget-friendly to do downtown.
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Downtown offers plenty of budget-friendly activities, from ice skating to consignment shopping and local meal deals! Ready, set, explore!
No matter what your interests are, there’s always something budget-friendly to do downtown.
Celebrating their 40th year, the High Performance Rodeo is an annual festival featuring theatre, dance, comedy, music and so much more. Dates: Jan. 13-31.
Multiple venues
Central Memorial Park (also known as Memorial Park) is Calgary’s oldest park and is located in the heart of the Beltline.
A gateway to Chinese history with life-sized terra-cotta soldiers, royal chariots, and vibrant arts. Admission is free, but you can also add a guided tour for $5!
Offering a stunning 360-degree view of the city, the Calgary Tower is a must-see for anyone looking to get a unique perspective on the downtown skyline. Don't forget to check out the glass floor!
Discover this urban oasis in the heart of Calgary that offers one hectare of botanical gardens including over 500 trees, 50 varieties of plants, a 900 sq. ft. living wall, fountains, fish ponds and a playground to climb and explore.
Play board games at Hexagon Cafe. It's only $4.50 per hour per person to play while enjoying coffee, desserts, beer, wine or cocktails!
Explore Little Red Reading House and help your kids fall in love with books.
Check out Calgary's most iconic skyscraper and its impressive art installations. Stop by for a photo op with the famous “Wonderland” sculpture located at the base of the tower.
heavyexperience.com/wonderland
500 Centre St. S
Learn about Calgary’s founding and Indigenous history at this cultural and historical site located at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers.
Discover the innovative world of contemporary art at Contemporary Calgary, where global art installations and rotating exhibitions bring new ideas to life. Explore their open-studio residency and speaker series for a deeper dive into the creative process.
Known for its stunning architecture, this library offers more than just books. It's an iconic space that often hosts local events, live performances, and workshops.
Enjoy free downtown winter fun with scenic pathways, ice skating rinks and a game of Crokicurl.
Downtown ice-skating enthusiasts can also visit the popular rink at Thomson Family Park where there’s also pathways, picnic areas and a playground.
Esker Foundation offers free, thought‑provoking contemporary art exhibitions and programs, making it a must‑visit cultural hub in Calgary.
Glide into ice-skating fun at Prince’s Island Park lagoon, Calgary’s ultimate downtown skating destination!
The Bow River Pathway This is Calgary’s signature multi-use trail system, stretching over 48 km along both banks of the Bow River. The pathway offers stunning river views, access to parks, public art, and connections to other trails like the Elbow River Pathway.
Get ready for our biggest spectacle to date! We’ve searched near and far to bring you the best and brightest installations to light up your winter. Dates: Jan. 30 - Feb. 16.
Eau Claire Plaza has turned into a holiday wonderland waiting to be explored and the perfect spot to snap a festive photo!
Try this fun new winter activity at Barb Scott Park! Crokicurl is a large-scale version of the Crokinole board game combined with curling.
Downtown consignment and thrift shopping is a treasure hunt full of surprises and unique finds.
A beautiful boutique on the first floor of the Devenish: a charming, 100-year-old heritage building on 17th Ave. Stop in and browse high-quality clothing and accessories, all at affordable prices.
A boutique featuring a thoughtfully chosen collection of high-end clothing, accessories and more. This location is perfect for fashion lovers exploring one of Calgary’s trendiest streets.
A boutique style store offering a diverse selection of curated vintage and secondhand goods for the eco-conscious shopper. There is no primary retailer and community is fostered over competition.
A curated secondhand store owned and operated by The Calgary Dream Centre, an organization that works with individuals facing homelessness and addiction.
A retail space providing Calgary shoppers with a curated collection of vintage and pre-loved pieces. Deeply rooted in community, they host workshops in collaboration with local businesses.
A consignment boutique in the heart of Mission that offers a curated selection of preloved clothing and accessories. Dogs welcome!
Browse the good donated to the Women in Need Society (WINS) to help women and their families thrive in Calgary. Step into this welcoming space and explore a variety of quality clothing, household items and more.
Zoe’s is a locally owned thrift and consignment store with a passion for our community, a sustainable lifestyle, the environment, and all the wonderful people that live within it.
There are plenty of watering holes downtown to unwind with friends at discounted prices.
On Saturdays, enjoy $7 Brunch Mimosas and OG Shaft on draft from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
On Fridays, enjoy $16.50 steak sandwiches and $7 Village pints from 3-6 p.m.
On Mondays, enjoy $30 pizzas (2) and $8 Craft Mules daily from 2-5 p.m.
On Wednesdays, enjoy an all-day happy hour that offers $20 for three hours of unlimited gaming, $5 off crispy chicken wings and more!
On Thursdays, enjoy $12 Homie Burger with a side and $5.75 Pilsner Tall Cans from 2-6 p.m.
On Sundays, enjoy two for one 12” pizzas.
On Tuesdays, enjoy $3 Fish Tacos and $5 Margaritas from 3-6 p.m.
Whether you hit up one spot or all of them, every visit makes a difference. Let’s keep supporting our community and enjoying everything downtown Calgary has to offer!
Check out some resources to help make visiting downtown convenient.
From chill hangouts to adrenaline-pumping activities, there’s something for every vibe in downtown Calgary. Let your next great experience find you.
