Calgary Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Calgary tours and things to do at the gateway to the Canadian Rockies: stand before the impossibly turquoise Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, walk the glass-floored Columbia Icefield Skywalk, ride the Banff Gondola for soaring mountain views, hunt for dinosaurs in the Drumheller Badlands, and explore a friendly western city. Compare top-rated experiences and plan your perfect Rockies trip.
rating
Explore Calgary by interest
Whatever brings you to Calgary — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Top attractions in Calgary
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Lake Louise
Turquoise lake.
Moraine Lake
Valley of Ten Peaks.
Banff & Gondola
Mountain town.
Columbia Icefield
Glacier & skywalk.
Drumheller
Dinosaur badlands.
Calgary Stampede
Western festival.
Calgary Downtown
City skyline.
Emerald Lake
Yoho gem.
Calgary & Rockies in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Banff & lakes
- 2Day 2: Columbia Icefield
- 3Day 3: Drumheller
- 4Calgary city
Calgary with kids
- 1Drumheller dinosaurs
- 2Banff Gondola
- 3Lake Louise
- 4Calgary Tower
~2 hrs awayLake Louise
Turquoise lake.
~1.5 hrs awayBanff
Mountain town.
Parkway awayColumbia Icefield
Glacier & skywalk.
~1.5 hrs awayDrumheller
Dinosaur badlands.
Yoho awayEmerald Lake
Green-blue lake.
~2 hrs awayMoraine Lake
Ten Peaks.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Calgary visitor asks before booking.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
The best time, with warm days, all tours running, the Stampede in July and the lakes at their most vivid.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Cooler and quieter, with golden larches in the Rockies in late September, a beautiful time to visit.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Cold and snowy, ideal for skiing at Banff and Lake Louise, with frozen lakes and fewer crowds.
Spring (Apr–May)
Cool and changeable as the snow melts; some high trails stay closed but prices and crowds are lower.
Calgary Stampede
The famous Stampede each July fills the city with rodeo and western spirit — book well ahead.
Larch season
Late September brings golden larch trees to the Rockies, a short, spectacular and popular window.
One day
The city or a Banff day trip.
Two days
Add Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
Three days
Add the Columbia Icefield and Drumheller.
Nature lovers
More of the Icefields Parkway and Yoho.
With kids
Mix dinosaurs, the gondola and lakes.
A week
Add Jasper and a multi-day Rockies tour.
Tours & transfers
Day tours with pickup are the easiest way to reach Banff, Lake Louise, the Icefield and Drumheller.
Rental car
A car gives freedom to explore the Rockies at your own pace, though parking at Moraine Lake is restricted.
CTrain
Calgary’s CTrain light rail covers the city and is free in the downtown core.
Shuttles
Shared shuttles run from Calgary and the airport to Banff and Canmore for car-free travel.
Where to stay
Downtown Calgary suits city time; Banff or Canmore put you closer to the lakes and trails.
Getting there
Calgary International Airport is a major hub, about 15 minutes from downtown.
Canadian dollars
Canada uses the Canadian dollar (CAD); cards are accepted everywhere and tipping (15–20%) is customary.
Book Rockies tours ahead
Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Icefield tours sell out in summer — reserve in advance.
Dress in layers
Mountain weather changes fast and is cool even in summer — bring layers and a rain jacket.
Park passes
A Parks Canada pass is needed for Banff and the national parks; tours usually include it.
Moraine Lake access
Private cars are restricted at Moraine Lake — a guided tour or shuttle is the easiest way in.
Watch for wildlife
Keep a safe distance from elk, bears and other wildlife, and never feed them.
Lake Louise tours
The top day trip sells out in summer — book ahead.
Columbia Icefield
Glacier and skywalk tours have limited spots — reserve early.
Banff gondola tours
Popular gondola day trips fill up — book ahead.
Drumheller trips
Dinosaur day tours have limited places — reserve early.
Stampede season
July is extremely busy with the Stampede — plan early.
Rafting & adventures
Summer rafting trips sell out — book ahead.
Lake Louise day trip
Around $90–160 for a Lake Louise and Moraine Lake tour.
Banff day trip
About $90–150 for Banff town with the gondola.
Columbia Icefield
Roughly $130–220 for a full-day glacier and skywalk tour.
Drumheller trip
Around $100–170 for a dinosaur badlands day tour.
City tour
About $40–80 for a Calgary sightseeing or bike tour.
How to save
Join group tours, travel midweek and book combo trips.
Calgary through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Quiet, melting.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Some trails closed.
- Best for
- Lakes, Stampede.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best & busiest.
- Best for
- Larches, calm.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cooler.
- Best for
- Skiing, frozen lakes.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cold & snowy.