If you've just purchased one of the Calgary homes for sale, you may not have much room in your budget for a while to do a lot of spending outside of your usual expenses, but fortunately there are plenty of fun and free activities to enjoy in this Alberta city.
Hike or Bike Fish Creek Park
Canada's second largest urban park, and one of the biggest in North America, stretching nearly 12 miles east to west, Fish Creek Provincial Park doesn't cost a thing to visit and is ideal for hiking and biking with some 50 miles of pathways. It's a great place for birdwatching too, with over 200 different species here, and if you can around sunrise or sunset, there's a good chance you'll spot deer, beavers and porcupines.
Take a Yoga Class in Stanley Park
Yoga is always better outdoors, especially during a summer in Calgary, and Stanley Park hosts free yoga classes every Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. between May and October.
Enjoy an Oasis in the City at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Nature Centre
The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is free to visit and offers a tranquil oasis of nature in the city, with trails for observing some 270 bird species as well as 21 species of mammals, including deer.
Attend a Festival
Calgary is famous for its festivals, and while spring and summer are prime seasons, there's something to enjoy all year and many are free to attend. Pet-a-palooza is a great pet-friendly option, while Cyclepalooza is the go-to-event for avid cyclists. The Lilac Festival celebrates the start of summer by closing 4th Street to traffic so visitors can enjoy the fun, including over 30 art and music performances, artisan crafts and food trucks. The holidays bring all sorts of festive events like the festival of lights.
Visit the Glenbow Museum on the First Thursday Evening of the Month
The Glenbow Museum is Western Canada's largest museum, focused on art and history, with a collection ranging from international traveling exhibits and an international gallery to a permanent display of local stories. And, on the first Thursday evening of every month, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., you can get in free.
Float Down the Bow River
There's nothing like floating down a river on a warm summer day. As soon as the weather begins to warm, locals take to the Bow River with their tubes and rafts to enjoy a day out on the water for free. Float as long as you like, perhaps taking a break by getting off right downtown to picnic in Prince's Island Park.
Catch a Shakespeare Play
Shakespeare By The Bow is offered by recent grads of the Art School who perform various Shakespear plays in Prince’s Island Park several times a week during the summer with no admission charge. Bring a blanket, a picnic and enjoy outdoor theater right by the river.
Watch the Northern Lights
On a clear night get away from light pollution and gaze up at the sky, watching Mother's Nature's colorful light show. This remarkable phenomenon can be seen multiple times each year, and while your best bet is to drive north or east of the city, 45 to 60 minutes out, if the lights are really strong you can see them from inside the city. You'll need to find a dark space with no streetlights like Nose Hill Park.
