Calgary is no stranger to bad weather, but in the summer when the sun is shining, it’s time to take advantage of the nice weather and explore the city’s great outdoors! Over the summer, there are a variety of outdoor activities – some that are great for families to enjoy, and some that are perfect for an afternoon out with friends. While many are hesitant to make plans in advance because the weather is always ever-changing, most of these activities can be arranged without much planning ahead of time. This makes it even easier for people to enjoy the outdoors when the weather is good!
Urban Pedal’s provides Calgarians with a unique bar hopping experience that lets guests explore local breweries and bars, enjoy the outdoors, and get some physical activity. The tours take place on a 15-person bike shaped in the form of a “U” – guests will pedal to three different locations over the course of two hours. In Calgary, there are two different tours available, where groups and individuals can book a spot on the bike. Private tours are also available. The Barley Belt Tour ($39.00/person) takes guests to local craft breweries in the Manchester area, like Banded Peak and Annex Ale House for a two-hour tour. In contrast, the Beltline Tour ($38.00/person) focuses on breweries on 17th Avenue with stops at places like Trolley 5 Brewing and Mill Street Brewing.
Walk the YYC is a great way to explore the city without breaking the bank! The organization offers free walking tours of different areas in Calgary, including the north side of downtown, the south side of downtown, Calgary’s haunted areas, Stephen Avenue, and Calgary’s sports attractions. All the tours are free – guests can pay what they wish to pay. The only tour offered daily is the Stephen Avenue tour at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The rest of the tours take place on different days throughout the week in the afternoon and evenings. A complete listing of the tours, their routes, and their starting times can be found here.
Those interested will need to make a reservation for the tour in advance to guarantee a spot, as the tours only run if there are at least two people registered. The tours will still run whether it is raining, or the sun is shining, so guests are encouraged to dress accordingly and bring water and snacks with them.
Starting in late July, the Saskatoon Farm operates a U-pick orchard with Saskatoon berries, cherries and currants available for guests to come by a pick for themselves to enjoy. This activity is the perfect way to enjoy the countryside and fresh, local produce. Guests are provided with a pail that they can fill themselves ($15.00 per 4 litre) or they can purchase a pre-picked pail of berries ($22.00 per pail). The U-pick orchard is usually open until late August, and is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. No reservations are necessary, but guests are encouraged to visit the website to confirm the orchard opening date closer to the season opening.
Even when the berries aren’t in season, the farm operates a bakery, general store, and café, which serves breakfast and lunch daily with Mexican and western-style dishes. At the bakery, guests can pick-up pies, tarts, bread and other goods made fresh daily. The general store carries everything from jewelry to food to furniture, and during the summer months a market garden provides fresh produce and plants for people to purchase.
At Cobb’s Adventure Park, families can participate together in a wide range of activities, like their famous Kangaroo Petting Zoo, mini-golf, tractor rides, archery, rope course, climbing wall and more! The park is located outside of Calgary off of Highway 1, so it is easy to access for residents in the city and the surrounding area.
General admission for ages three and up ($18) includes access to all the general activities like their outdoor mazes, pedal carts, and the petting zoo. Tokens for premium activities can be purchased separately. The “Bought the Farm” admission ($26) includes unlimited access to premium activities like the mini-golf and climbing wall, though food and toys are not included. Family and season passes are also available for purchase and can be bought online here. In the summer, the park also offers special weekday rates on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
During July, the park will be hosting two special events including Dog Days of Stampede from July 10 – 14, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. This event is geared towards people and families who are tired of all the Stampede events and offers a free hotdog for each admission. From July 20 – 21, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. the park will be hosting a Princesses & Superheroes weekend where kids can meet their favourites and pose for pictures.
PaSu Farm, located just 45 minutes north west of Calgary, offers a restaurant with dishes made from fresh produce grown on the farm and purchased at local markets. The menu is based on a mix of Mauritian, South African and Mediterranean food and guests are served food in a large barn on the farm. While reservations are required, the farm also serves lunch during the week as well as afternoon teas and a lunch buffet on Sunday. The farm also operates a boutique that sells clothing for men and women, accessories, shoes, blankets and more.
During the summer, the farm hosts their popular South African BBQ ($49.95/person), which offers an evening of delicacies including barbequed lamb ribs, Tandoori chicken, homemade sausage, and more, all with South African flavours. Guests will enjoy a cocktail and three starters at the beginning of the meal, and the meat served through a buffet after it is all cooked outside on the patio. Sides will be available to accompany the meat like salads, corn, and more. The meal finishes off with dessert and a view of the sunset on the patio. Reservations are required for these barbecues, which take place on Saturdays until the end of September.