Even if you love our city’s annual western-themed craze, we get that there are days when you’d rather skip the crowds. Luckily, there are still plenty of things to do in Calgary instead of the Stampede.
Whether you’re just looking for a few things to fill the days in between events or you plan to forgo the cowboy boots entirely, here are 10 things to keep you busy and away from the downtown bustle.
Spend a day at the zoo
Now this is the place to find the cutest Calgarians. Learn about animals from around the world and maybe even snap a photo of them in action. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo also has themed playgrounds and safari brunches, so there’s always something new to do there.
When: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo — 210 St. George’s Dr. NE
Admission: Starting at $36.45 + GST, varies by day
Put your hands up at Calaway Park
Enjoy the rides, skip the Stampede lines. If you’re looking for thrills, then you can’t go wrong with a visit to Calaway Park. Located just outside of Calgary, this local amusement park gives you access to all your favourite rides with the price of admission. Chances are it’ll be less busy with Stampede happening at the same time, too.
When: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting Thursday, June 26, 2025
Where: Calaway Park — 245033 Range Rd. 33
Admission: $53.95 + GST with season passes and online discounts available.
Catch a movie
Forgo the hot weather and enjoy a film in a nice, air-conditioned theatre instead. Catch any of the big titles playing at Cineplex locations across the city, or check out the local Canyon Meadows Cinemas if you’re on a budget.
Enjoy a day at Winsport
Located in west Calgary just off of Stoney Trail, you don’t have to worry about Stampede traffic here. Enjoy a plethora of summer activities at WinSport. When it’s not snowy, this year-round spot offers downhill karting, mountain biking, mini golf, and summer camp programs to keep the kiddos busy.
When: The summer season begins on Saturday, June 21, 2025
Where: 88 Canada Olympic Rd. SW, Calgary
Admission: Activity dependent
Head to Lethbridge for Foam Fest
Only a couple of hours’ drive from Calgary is the city of Lethbridge, and they’re hosting a pretty exciting event this year. If you love shows like Ultimate Ninja Warrior, but don’t want to break any bones, then you should sign up for Foam Fest! This obstacle course will have you trekking through mud pits, slip and slides, an inflatable waterslide and about 2.5 million cubic feet of foam. If you don’t want to participate, you can always watch.
When: Saturday, July 5, 2025
Where: Nicholas Sheran Park, 245 McMaster Blvd. W., Lethbridge
Admission: $69.99 to register and participate
Drop by a leisure centre
Of course, you can always escape the heat by paying a visit to the pool of your nearest leisure centre. Village Square Leisure Centre and Southland Leisure Centre are open daily and have everything from wave pools and rock climbing to gyms.
When: View drop-in schedules by activity
Admission: $14.50 for single-day tickets, ages 18 to 64
Play games at the Rec Room
Play games, win prizes, and get your dinner all in one place! The Rec Room has everything from arcade games and immersive experiences to top golf, shuffleboard, and more. Not to mention some fantastic food and cocktails.
When: Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: The Rec Room Calgary Deerfoot — 1180, 901 64th Ave. NE
Try a quirky road trip
There are so many weird and wonderful things near Calgary if you know where to look. Just an hour’s drive away, you’ll find the quaint Gopher Hole Museum in Torrington. Featuring dioramas with gophers enacting scenes from the town’s past and classic Canadian culture, there’s really nothing else like it. This little museum runs on volunteers and donations, and they need some help if they’re going to get a new building for the next season, so make sure you check it out!
When: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. after Thursday, June 26, 2025
Where: World Famous Gopher Hole Museum — 208 1st St. S., Torrington
Admission: By donation
Take a dip in the great outdoors
If it’s a hot day and the crowded Stampede grounds are the last place you want to be, head in the opposite direction. You can find swimmable lakes within an hour’s drive of Calgary. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly destination like Chestermere Lake or something more wild like Barrier Lake in Kananaskis, there are plenty of stunning spots to cool off.
Ditch the city completely
What better way to beat the crush of the Calgary Stampede than by not being in Calgary? Head up north to Alberta’s capital of Edmonton and enjoy the attractions while everyone is away. West Edmonton Mall has a legendary water park, paddle boat swans and the beloved Galaxyland. You could also visit the Snow Valley Aerial Park for a thrill-seeking zipline adventure.
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