Things to do in Calgary
Calgary, planned before you land.
The Rockies start 90 minutes west. Banff, Lake Louise and the Icefields are the days people fly here for.
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What to do in Calgary
Calgary is the airport for the Canadian Rockies. Banff is about 90 minutes west, Lake Louise another 45, and the Icefields Parkway north of that is one of the great mountain drives. Moraine Lake's road is closed to private cars, so a tour or shuttle is the way in. East of the city the badlands at Drumheller hold one of the world's great dinosaur museums. Tours collect from downtown and from the airport hotels.
01
Banff and Lake Louise in a day
Banff townsite, the gondola or the hot springs, then Lake Louise and, on most tours, Moraine Lake. Ten to twelve hours with the drive.
02
Moraine Lake sunrise
The valley of the ten peaks at first light. Private cars cannot drive the road, so a sunrise tour or shuttle is the only way to be there early.
03
Icefields Parkway and the Columbia Icefield
Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and a ride onto the Athabasca Glacier on the ice explorer, with the glass Skywalk. A very long day from Calgary; easier from Banff.
04
Drumheller and the Royal Tyrrell Museum
Badlands, hoodoos and one of the largest dinosaur collections anywhere, about 90 minutes north-east. A full day with the Hoodoos Trail and the Atlas coal mine.
05
Calgary in a day
The Calgary Tower, Stephen Avenue, Heritage Park and the Stampede grounds, by bus or on foot. In July the Stampede takes over the city.
Tour links open Viator in a new tab. All Travel Fun earns a commission on bookings made through them; it does not change what you pay. Hours, closing days and drive times above are approximate; the listing has the current details.
Top-rated in Calgary right now
Live from Viator, ranked by traveler rating. Prices are per person, from the lowest option, as of the last refresh; the listing has today's.
Explore Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, Takakkaw & 3 National Parks
5.0 (162 reviews)9h to 12h
From $77 per person→
Banff National Park and Lake Louise Small Group Tour
5.0 (80 reviews)8h to 10h
From $72 per person→
Moraine Lake & Lake Louise Tour from Calgary/Canmore/Banff
5.0 (47 reviews)10h 30m
From $94 per person→
Moraine Lake Banff Tour - Small Group | More Time | Great Snacks
5.0 (30 reviews)8h to 10h
From $109 per person→
Icefields Pkwy: Lake Louise | Bow | Peyto|Glacier - PRIVATE TOUR
5.0 (23 reviews)10h to 12h
From $510 per person→
Waterton National Park Day Tour from Calgary
5.0 (20 reviews)11h
From $161 per person→
Why book through Viator
Book the Calgary tours before you fly, without locking yourself in.
Viator lists tours and excursions from local operators in Calgary with live availability, verified reviews and 24/7 support. We send you there because it is the simplest way to compare, and it earns us a commission that does not change your price.
- Free cancellation on most experiences
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start on most listings for a full refund. Plans change; the booking can.
- Reserve now, pay later
- Many experiences let you hold a spot now and pay closer to the date, so you can lock in the popular day without paying before the flight is booked.
- Reviews from people who went
- Ratings and reviews come from travelers who booked that exact tour. Read the recent ones before you choose.
- Compare before you land
- The hotel tour desk sells what it has left that morning. Booking ahead means you pick the operator, the time and the pickup, with the price in front of you.
Cancellation and payment terms are set per listing and shown on Viator before you book. Check them for the tour you pick.
Good to know
- The park pass is often included
- Banff needs a national park pass. Most tours include it; if you drive yourself, buy it at the gate.
- Mountain weather is its own thing
- Snow at Lake Louise in June and in September is normal. Layers and a shell, whatever the forecast in the city says.
Before you go
The city itself, before you head for the mountains.
Questions before you book
Can I see Banff in a day from Calgary?
Yes, and most visitors do. The drive is about 90 minutes each way on a four-lane highway. Two days lets you add the Icefields.
How do I get to Moraine Lake?
The access road is closed to private vehicles. Parks Canada shuttles, Roam transit and tour operators are the options, and sunrise tours are the way to see it empty.
How do I book these tours?
Each "See tours" button opens Viator's listings for that experience in Calgary, with live prices, dates, reviews and the cancellation terms. You book and pay there. All Travel Fun earns a commission on bookings made through those links; it does not change what you pay.
Can your agents book tours over the phone?
Our agents book flights. Call to price the flight to Calgary; book the tours on Viator once your dates are fixed.
Flights to Calgary
Where to stay: Calgary hotels by area
More trips in the region: Flights to Canada by Phone
Flying to Calgary?
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