One Day in Calgary Itinerary

You have just arrived in Calgary, Alberta – where the prairie skies meet the rocky mountains. In this one day Calgary itinerary, I’ve curated the perfect day for your short visit here! Whether you’re just laying over for 24 hours or taking a day trip to Calgary from elsewhere, this itinerary will give you a glimpse of all the best local spots and experiences.

Please note that some links on this page contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The Perfect One Day in Calgary Itinerary

Start here: Calgary Travel Guide

I’ve written a complete Calgary travel guide for first timer’s in my previous blog post. I’d highly recommend you start your travel planning here. This is where you’ll find all the details about Calgary, including best time to stay, how to get around the city and more.

I’ve been living in Calgary for 2 years now and I’m so happy to share all the local hidden gems, best restaurants and sights, taking you off the beaten path.

Itinerary: How to Spend One Day in Calgary

Morning

8:30 am – On your first day in Calgary, take it easy and soak in the city by walking around the River Walk. This is a well loved path by locals and you’ll see all the early risers walking, jogging and biking along this scenic path.

You get a beautiful glimpse of the city alongside the river and it really makes for a relaxing start to your day. The blue water that flows through is stunning during blue hour and if you can catch the sunrise here, the morning light just sparkles off the city skyline.

The confluence view point is one of my favourite photo spots for golden hour during sunrise.

After your morning walk, head over to get a coffee and breakfast at the Simmons Building. This old Edwardian style, once a mattress and bedding factory in 1912 is now an open concept space, home to Sidewalk Citizen, Phil & Sebastian, Charbar and Connie & Johns.

My go-to breakfast at Sidewalk Citizen Bakery is a salmon toast paired with a vanilla oat latte. You also can’t go wrong with any of their pastry items either.

10:00 am – After fuelling up, take a stroll through Inglewood’s cool shops, snagging a few unique finds along the way. This is one of my favourite areas for a nice afternoon walk and when I’m looking to do some shopping.

They have many local shops, wellness studios, cafes and restaurants to enjoy. The community in Inglewood is one of a kind, which is why it’s such a great area to explore.

Must visit shops

Here are some of the shops that I’m in love with that you must go visit too!

Worn Studio

This studio is just stunning with a gorgeous collection of pre-loved clothing, accessories and home decor. I love the styles, aesthetics and laid back vibe of this store and I think that there could be something for everyone here. You can feel that each piece is carefully hand picked, which makes the overall shopping experience so unique.

Adorn Boutique

This boutique has the prettiest and romantic collection of clothing for women. If you’re looking for a special outfit, either just because or for a special occasion, you’ll most likely find it at Adorn.

I love the delicate selection of feminine pieces that they bring in. You can expect florals, pastels and a really beautiful collection of dresses, skirts, jackets and more. I find myself always coming out with a pretty dress every time I visit Adorn Boutique.

The Next Page

It can’t get better than this – books & coffee. This is the most aesthetic, cute and quaint book shop you can imagine. Enjoy a quiet shop sipping a coffee while looking through the shelves for a new read.

On the main level, you’ll find a coffee bar tucked at the back and a wide selection of new arrivals of different genres. Don’t miss going downstairs, which is where you’ll find some pre-loved books and even a small theatre.

Recess

If you’re in love with stationary, this shop is for you. You guys know I’m in love with all things notebooks, pens, folders, journal, etc. Which is why this whole store is just perfection. I can never leave without something cute from this store to add to my bullet journalling collection!

Afternoon

12:00 pm – Make a stop by Ari Sushi for lunch. Ari Sushi my favourite spot for sushi in Calgary and in my opinion, the best spot for sushi in Calgary. The ingredients are so fresh and you can tell each piece of sushi is prepared with care and is just beautifully presented.

I would highly recommend the lunch sushi special. You get 10 pieces of an assortment of sushi, each hand made to perfection that just melts in your mouth. They are typically very busy and popular, so be sure to book a reservation.

3:00 pm – Reserve a BowYak with Lazy Day Raft Rentals. Experience a float down the Bow River, enjoying the serene water and stunning city views.

The duration of this float can range from 2-4 hours depending on the speed of the river flow that day. I put this as a must do in your one day to Calgary itinerary because this is the best way to sightsee in the summertime.

Lazy Day Raft supplies everything you would need including the raft, paddles, life jackets and safety kit. Just remember to pack your sun hat, sunscreen, and water to stay hydrated during this outdoor activity. And water shoes are also a must have as well.

As a visitor to Calgary, I would suggest you take advantage of their pre-shuttle service, such that you just have to meet at the Lazy Day Shop. They will then shuttle you to the starting point at the West Baker Park Boat Ramp. The end point will be back to where you started near Prince’s Island Park.

Evening

7:30 pm – As the evening approaches, head to Bridgette Bar for a cozy dinner. I really enjoy this spot for both date nights and get togethers with friends. This is one of Calgary’s most loved restaurants, as the food, hospitality and vibe of the restaurant are just top notch. My recommendations are the eggplant fries and the mushroom rigatoni with black truffle.

One Day in Calgary Itinerary: Where to stay

When planning on where to stay, here are a couple of my go-to tips when booking the perfect accommodations.

Firstly, location is crucial. You’ll want to think about being near areas of interest, bus stations and most importantly, staying in a safe neighbourhood.

I mapped out this one day itinerary in a way that you could easily commute from each location easily by either walking or taking public transportation. Finding a hotel in the Calgary Downtown area is one of the best locations to be able to easily explore the city.

Secondly, I always use Expedia to not only find the best rates for hotels in the city, but I really like how you can scan by location, ratings and pricing options as well.

Get your Free Guide: 100+ Things to Do in Calgary

If you’re looking for more inspiration on summer plans, sign up to the email list to get your free 100 + Things to Do in Calgary guide. I share the inside scoop of the best local eats, shops, cafes and activities that you can’t miss all year round.

I didn’t hold back on this list, so be sure to check it out! There are endless things to do in Calgary and I hope this helps you with your trip planning.

Still Planning? Explore More Calgary Itineraries

I hope you enjoyed this first timer’s guide to Calgary and that it helps you with navigating the city, planning your accommodations and it gives you lots of ideas for what to do in Calgary. If you enjoyed this blog, take a look at my other Calgary blogs here.

Have the best trip!

Stephi