Walking Downtown Calgary
June 20, 2025
We were supposed to arrive in Calgary by lunchtime, but our flight from Chicago took a detour. An hour in, the pilot calmly announced a crack in the cockpit windshield, and we had to return to Chicago. After a 3-4 hour delay at O'Hare, the airline found a new plane, and we finally departed around 3 PM, reaching our destination the same day.
The next day was mostly drizzly. We decided to walk around the downtown area from our hotel, the Fairmont Palliser, which was located next to our first stop. Our somewhat randomly decided itinerary became:
The Calgary Tower. Similar to the Seattle Space Needle, it has excellent views.
Walk down the 8th Street open-air mall toward the Core shopping center and Devonian Gardens.
Walk by the Wonderland Sculpture, a 12-meter sculpture of a girl's head.
Head to Prince's Island Park, and walk the RiverWalk up the Bow River to the Peace Bridge.
Finally, walk back using the Calgary Skywalk, a network of 2nd-floor bridges, pathways, and stores that traverse many of the downtown buildings.
A couple of attractions near downtown that we didn't do, but were recommended, were the Calgary Zoo and StudioBell (National Music Center).
Calgary's downtown was immaculate, well-maintained, with an abundance of shops, restaurants, and interesting neighborhoods.
Click on an Image to pop up a larger version.
False Advertising?
Nice Sign located just below the Calgary Tower. The day we visited was cloudy and rainy, not exactly as advertised, but we still had a good time in the city, glad it wasn't mid-winter.
Our Hotel's Roof
Looking west down 9th Ave., the "E" shaped building in the lower left of the photo is the Fairmont Palliser hotel.
Looking Straight Down
Like others, this tower features glass floor windows. It is very disconcerting for me to stand on the glass and stare down at the intersection of 9th Ave and Center St.
Wonderland Sculpture
12‑metre tall bent‑wire portrait of a young girl's head. Fabricated using over 11,500 saddle welds and approximately 4.6 km of steel rods.
Bow River Flowing Around Prince's Park
On the north side of Prince's Park flows the main branch of the Bow River. In the park, several paths and viewpoints offer beautiful views of the river flowing through the area.
Calgary Tower
Similar to other tall man-made city structures we have been on, we enjoyed the city views from the observation deck.
Looking Toward the Bow River
This eastward view offers a scenic glimpse of the Elbow River, which merges with the Bow River at the Confluence Historic Site. Beyond are St. Patrick's Island Park and the Calgary Zoo.
Devonian Gardens
The Core Mall in downtown forms the center of shopping and entertainment, but an unusual mall tenant is the Devonian Gardens.
Pedestrian Bridge to Prince's Island
Prince's Island Park, located north of downtown Calgary, is located in the middle of the Bow River. This photo shows one of three pedestrian bridges that access the park.
Riverwalk along the Bow River
RiverWalk is a scenic 4km promenade along the Bow River in downtown Calgary. It was designed for flood resilience using natural materials.
A City Skyline View from the Tower
Interestingly, the Tower is no longer taller than many of the buildings surrounding it, but we still enjoyed the views.
Historic City Hall
Located next to the modern city hall, this historic building was built in 1911, it's one of Calgary’s oldest surviving civic buildings
Devonian Gardens
Devonian Gardens is a large indoor botanical park featuring over 500 trees, tropical plants, koi ponds, and a living wall. It provides year‑round green space in a climate‑controlled environment.
Prince's Island Park
Prince’s Island Park is an urban park situated on an island in the Bow River, featuring walking and cycling trails, and picnic areas. It hosts cultural events and offers access to the city's RiverWalk.
Peace Bridge Across Bow River
Foundations on either side of the river support the Peace Bridge's single-span helical structure. The steel structure is a mathematically derived form that contrasts with its surroundings.