Some things to keep the kids occupied and engaged while visiting this modern western Canadian city.
Calgary is best known for its annual rodeo and midway, aptly named the Calgary Stampede , that draws over a million visitors during the ten days it runs. Admittedly I do have fond memories of 'stampeding' as a youth, as well as visiting the comparable K-Days (previously Klondike Days) in Edmonton to the north. Both of these occur in July which is typically a lovely month in Alberta. Eventually though I joined the increasing numbers of locals that made convenient travels plans to get out of the the city during that time period to avoid the often craziness that is associated with such a large influx of tourists seeking the free pancake breakfasts and abundant beer gardens. If you are looking for a crowded expensive midway experience with all the foods, games, and rides you'd expect then it might be worth considering, but this blog focuses on some other family activities that are mostly year round and are much slower paced.
TELUS Spark Science Centre
Opened in 2011, this large modern facility boasts some amazing activities for children and adults alike. There are numerous permanent fixtures along with several that are changed year round and one time events.
Infinity Dome Theatre
Promising an immersive 360 degree viewing experience in movies, planetarium shows, documentaries and other visually stunning presentations, this is a venue that will have something of interest to everyone. Best of all, the shows are included in the admission fee. Each show typically only runs once per day so make sure you plan ahead to see what's playing and at what time so you can avoid a disappointed child who missed out on the dinosaur show they so wanted to see.
Spark VR
Got a gamer in your group? They will enjoy the various virtual reality experiences at the centre. The games are all family-friendly (ages 6 and up), so nothing with violence, and up to 6 people can play together. Want to feel what it is like to fly through New York as a pigeon, or perhaps soar over a Jurassic landscape, or maybe even swim with some dolphins along a reef? Then try the Birdly VR located in the upper floor open studios section. Visitors must have a minimum "wingspan" of 132 cm, or 52 inches to be able to participate.
It is imperative that you book this as soon as you arrive so I'd advise going there to scan the QR code and reserving your slot. You won't need to wait around though as they'll text you when your reservation is approaching with an estimated wait time. I will caution, the wait time might be rather underestimated. On my visit, we were texted a wait time of 10 minutes so we wandered back to the room only to sit and watch a mother of 4 argue that the booking she made for her own name was applicable for all of her children as well as herself (uh....Nope!). Unfortunately the operator relented and as such we waited over a half hour to get on. Anyhow, take that with a grain of salt as it might have been a rare occurrence.
Digital Immersion Gallery
This is a 3000 square foot room with interactive elements on the walls and the floor. It is played on a loop so you can just step in and out as you wish. During our visit we experienced the show called Quantum Sandbox which was amazing. My daughter was able to dance with a pixelated water version of herself as it projected her movements on the screen to some lovely music. She was mesmerized by the experience.
Admission and Reciprocity
A child aged 3-17 entrance fee will cost $17.00 while an adult is $26.00. If you're a group of up to 4 kids and 2 adults then you've got the family option at $90.00 but there is another way you can actually enter this museum for free. Well, sort of free. This facility accepts Reciprocity with Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) which, if unfamiliar with it, means that if you have purchased a membership in your home town to one of the hundreds of participating museums/science centers etc. then you are able to gain access to for free to any of them. You may need to provide proof that your home residence is at least 90 miles away from any given facility you are wanting to visit as that is a basic requirement for this reciprocity program. I've written a separate blog on the hidden benefits of having a local museum membership that many are unaware of and fail to take full advantage. It alone has saved me hundreds of dollars while vacationing with my family.
There is so much more going on at Telus Spark Museum but I just wanted to give a sampling of what to expect. I highly recommend exploring their website to see all they have to offer and make sure to include a visit during your trip to Calgary.
The Royal Tyrell Museum
Located in Drumheller, about a 90 minute drive from Calgary, is one of the world's best dinosaur museums. It is situated in the badlands of Alberta which is an area rich in fossils from the Cretaceous period. The museum itself is about 12,000 square feet, and includes several exhibits in a series of chronological galleries marking the progression of life on Earth. There is also a lush botanical garden that presents the likely vegetation that grew in the time period, far different from the arid and desolate landscape that is currently there.
The Badlands
One can walk outside along the interpretive trail and explore the badlands. The trail is just under a mile and is free for anyone, not just museum patrons. There are also several add on features such as being able to visit a real dig site and try your hand at finding fossils. These activities vary by age but generally most of the activities will be suitable for those aged 5 and up. Just bear in mind there will be physical activity such as hiking and some rock scrambling so the little ones may tire quickly. You'll want to make sure you are wearing good hiking or walking shoes and have ample sunscreen and water as during the summer the temperatures can easily exceed 30 degrees Celsius (86F).
There are presentations such as the Science break which will teach about the prehistoric world. You can also attempt to assemble a replica of a small dinosaur at the Raptor Assembly. Both of these activities are outside and are free and suitable for all ages. Just be aware that seating is limited so plan accordingly.
Dinosaur Hall
Obviously this is what you came for! Inside the museum you'll be guided along the planetary timeline and at some point will find yourself in this outstanding venue. The dinosaurs are absolutely amazing to see and one in particular has gained notoriety. Nicknamed Black Beauty due to the minerals present in the ground as it fossilized, this is one of the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex fossils ever found and rests in a "death pose" with much speculation how it died. The most common theory is that it somehow drowned and was buried by sediment rapidly aiding in the preservation. The skull of the T-Rex in the exhibit is a casting simply due to the sheer mass of the actual skull, which is also on display but on the ground in front. The risk to visitors and to the fossil itself was too great to have it a part of the main installation.
From the Cambrian through the Cenozoic
As noted before the museum presents the exhibits in a chronological manner leading one through the history of the planet. You'll start off in a simulated immersive aquatic environment where you'll see fossils found in the famous Burgess Shale in British Columbia. It is one of the most important fossil discoveries to date and houses thousands of fossils dating back to the Cambrian period over 500 millions years ago. From there you'll follow the path through the Paleozoic, Cretaceous, Jurassic, Triassic, all the way until the rise of the mammals (including us!) in the Cenozoic.
Both educational and highly entertaining this is a museum that truly must be visited by your budding paleontologist. Plan for at least a couple of hours to make your way through the exhibits at a leisurely pace. While walk ins are accepted based on availability it is highly recommended that you book tickets ahead of time to ensure you'll be able to enter. When you make the booking you'll be able to select the time slot that you'd like to start your tour and you'll want to be there at the correct time in order to avoid being rebooked. There is a nice cafe on site as well so you'll be able to stop and have lunch during your visit if so inclined.
Hours and Cost
Best to confirm on their website as this may be subject to change but a rough guide is as follows:
September 1 – May 14: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed Mondays, except holiday Mondays.
May 15 – August 31: Open seven days a week, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Adult (18 – 64) $21.00
Children (7 – 17) $10.00
Children under 6 are Free
You can also book as a family (2 adults and children up to a group of 8 ) for $50.00 which is certainly the most economical. Unfortunately this museum does not accept the reciprocity of other memberships, but for $50.00 for a family it is money well worth spending considering how amazing this museum is.
Other Activities
Calgary has a lot going on and there are a ton of things to do and explore. Here is a brief look at some of the other attractions that are great for kids and adults alike.
Central Public Library
This beautiful and fairly new library is in downtown near city hall and it should be visited if only to see the interesting architecture of the building. It is a four level building with vicarious artworks throughout. There is a large children's area that has ample books and space to read. There is even a small playground, some special classroom areas, the Questionarium section for games and art, and a separate nursing area for mothers of infants.
Heritage Park
Since some of this Historic Village closes during winter, a visit during the warmer months is recommended to get the full experience. Wander around the village and experience life in Western Canada from the 1860s forward. Check out gasoline alley which has one of the world’s largest public collections of antique vehicles. The main attraction in the park, especially for the younger ones, is the Steam Locomotive that you can take a ride on. If you prefer a water voyage, then hop on the S.S Moyie and enjoy the lake aboard a sternwheeler boat. They also have some midway rides. Do all of them! They are included in the admission cost to the village. Cost is about $35.00 for anyone over 16, and $23.00 for 3-16 so make sure you get your money's worth and plan for a full day there.
Kananaskis Country and Banff National Park
It goes without saying that the Canadian Rockies west of Calgary are a huge tourist destination, with the town of Banff being the focal point. Banff national park was the first ever national park in Canada and there is good is reason it became a national park. It is absolutely stunning scenery and the mountain town is charming, if a bit busy. Take the gondola up Sulphur Mountain to get an aerial view of the town and surrounding valley.
There is so much to do in Banff and in Kananaskis Park, which is nestled in the foothills a bit closer to Calgary, that they need their own blog post which I shall do at some point. Just know that you'll need to purchase a separate pass for entry into each (one per vehicle entering not per person), and do NOT even think about flying a drone there as you can be fined a HEFTY $25,000.00 if caught doing so. Need suggestions on what to pack, check out our lists. Oh yeah, don't feed the wildlife or you may end up being a meal yourself for one of the Grizzly Bears native to the area.
Conclusion
With the Rockies to the west and the Badlands to the east Calgary is situated in a geologically interesting and diverse area. There is a LOT to do in the city including a vibrant nightlife and cultural programs. A trip to Calgary will open you up to so many different possible adventures that you'll want to do the research ahead and fine tune the experience you are seeking. I hope that this post gives some inspiration and ideas for future travel.
Thanks for reading and Happy Travels!
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