By Guillermo Barraza
Though Calgary only has a few glorious summer months before long stretches of cold winter, there’s plenty of ways to get out there and make the most of it – even if you’re trying to save some money. From biking to going on a photo tour, here are seven ways to have a blast this summer while staying on budget. [Photo credit: istockphoto.com/constantgardener]
Calgary has one of the longest bike path networks in Canada, with more than 900 kilometres worth of trails to blaze on your bike. Popular places to start your ride include Nose Hill Park – where you may be lucky enough to spot some white-tailed deer grazing the hillside – and the South Glenmore or North Glenmore parks, where you have access to the Glenmore Reservoir pathway.
Another popular bike ride runs from Edworthy Park to Prince’s Island Park via the Bow River Pathway. Pack a picnic and enjoy the bustle of Prince's Island Park in the summertime. Calgary’s bike paths are open year-round for the keen cyclist, but there's no better time to take advantage of the weather than summer.
Trendy neighbourhoods like Kensington, Inglewood and the East Village are great areas to visit any time of year. These neighbourhoods are home to excellent niche shops such as The Silk Road Spice Merchant and the Gummy Boutique and are great places to grab a coffee. Keep an eye out for summer festivals held in these neighbourhoods, including the Inglewood Sunfest.
If you’re looking for fresh produce, meats and unique eats, look no further than Calgary's multitude of seasonal flea and farmers' markets. The Calgary Farmers’ Market and Crossroads Market are open all year and are home to a variety of vendors producing locally-made items such as honey, jams and cured meats. Seasonal markets include the Marda Loop Farmers’ Market and the Hillhurst Sunnyside Market, which are very much like social gatherings with live music and plenty of good food.
The Reader Rock Garden is a historic park located a short walk from downtown. The gardens are vibrantly decorated with plants and flowers, rock pathways and picturesque wood benches and bridges that are a perfect place for a picnic with the family. After your walk, visit the Reader’s Garden Café for a quick bite to eat.
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Discover more things to do in Calgary:
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Calgary is a great place to release your inner shutterbug and find a different perspective on the world around you. The city boasts a mix of old and new architecture – from the heritage buildings on Stephen Avenue to the towering Bow building – as well as beautiful green parks and colourful graffiti walls. Calgary’s distinctive skyline can be snapped from the Centre Street Bridge from Rotary Park or with a view of the Stampede grounds and the Saddledome at Scotsman’s Hill.
Calgary has a number of galleries and art houses that are free to visit for the art aficionado. Fans of contemporary art will enjoy the pieces displayed at The New Gallery, located in Chinatown, as well as at TRUCK Contemporary Art. For more traditional art, the Nickle Art Galleries at the U of C campus boast incredible exhibitions that are constantly changing. For a more independent and eclectic flavour, Baba’s Art Haus is a unique mix of contemporary, photographic, traditional and sculpted works made by Calgary artists.
A used bookstore is a fun place to visit to find hidden gems and rare literary finds. Shelf Life, Books Between Friends and Fair’s Fair are community-run bookstores where you can often find a quiet place to read. Fair’s Fair has a used book program so you can exchange your used books for in-store credit, while Books Between Friends offers very low prices with proceeds going to charitable non-profit organizations within the city.
Having fun doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank this summer. Enjoy the sun on a budget and get the most out of Calgary's summer months.
