Southwest Calgary Lifestyle
Neighbourhoods
The neighbourhoods and communities near you!
The hip Beltline area is bounded by 17th Avenue SW, with trendy fashion boutiques, retro furniture, vinyl and quirky gifts. Dining spans trendy taco joints, locavore eateries and Korean restaurants, while nightlife encompasses craft beer pubs, live music venues and dance clubs.
44 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Beltline
The hip Beltline area is bounded by 17th Avenue SW, with trendy fashion boutiques, retro furniture, vinyl and quirky gifts. Dining spans trendy taco joints, locavore eateries and Korean restaurants, while nightlife encompasses craft beer pubs, live music venues and dance clubs.
Marda Loop is a walkable shopping & dining district in the heart of Southwest Calgary. It boosts several festivals throughout the year including "Marda Gras.
Marda
Marda Loop is a walkable shopping & dining district in the heart of Southwest Calgary. It boosts several festivals throughout the year including "Marda Gras.
Downtown is a busy retail and business location. Centered on Calgary Tower, with its sweeping views. It also features the CORE Shopping Centre, Stephen Avenue Walk, Studio Bell, Central Library and so much more!
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Downtown
Downtown is a busy retail and business location. Centered on Calgary Tower, with its sweeping views. It also features the CORE Shopping Centre, Stephen Avenue Walk, Studio Bell, Central Library and so much more!
This is the perfect park for your fury friends. Literally a hop and skip from your apartment! A couple minutes walk to be exact.
Bankview Off Leash Dog Park
This is the perfect park for your fury friends. Literally a hop and skip from your apartment! A couple minutes walk to be exact.
Sightseeing
The places with the most amazing views, unique activities and then some.
I love the Calgary Tower's glass view of downtown of course. If you have already eaten at the Tower before and want to do so again, I recommend Ruth's Chris Steak House below :)
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I-Calgary Tower
101 9 Ave SWI love the Calgary Tower's glass view of downtown of course. If you have already eaten at the Tower before and want to do so again, I recommend Ruth's Chris Steak House below :)
Great views of the city and the Saddledome! Nice place to walk,m and take your pets.
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I-Scotsman's Hill
Great views of the city and the Saddledome! Nice place to walk,m and take your pets.
This is a beautiful place to visit even if you're not going for a concert.
261 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Studio Bell, indawo yeziko lezwe lezokwakha
850 4 St SEThis is a beautiful place to visit even if you're not going for a concert.
An architect's dream.
Also if you are looking for some "gram worthy" photos, this is one of them.
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Central Library
800 3 St SEAn architect's dream.
Also if you are looking for some "gram worthy" photos, this is one of them.
I mean, there's SPARK in the name so it's sure to be a blast (pun intended). On a more serious note, this is our science centre. Check out their website for exhibits that you may want to attend.
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TELUS Spark
I mean, there's SPARK in the name so it's sure to be a blast (pun intended). On a more serious note, this is our science centre. Check out their website for exhibits that you may want to attend.
It cant't be all fun and games... Sometimes get out for some exercise. Like a nice walk or run and watch the birds -- just don't feed them though.
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Prince's Island Park
698 Eau Claire Ave SWIt cant't be all fun and games... Sometimes get out for some exercise. Like a nice walk or run and watch the birds -- just don't feed them though.
Food scene
If you love food as much as I do, you will love these recommendations that Calgary knows and loves!
If a plethora of meats served to you on endless supply sounds like your vibe, this is the place for you.
Tip: If you're expecting savoury carbs as sides, you won't find that here... The side options are not all that, but if you're into meat with a side of more meat, salad, and potatoes, Pampas got you.
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Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse Calgary
521 10 Ave SWIf a plethora of meats served to you on endless supply sounds like your vibe, this is the place for you.
Tip: If you're expecting savoury carbs as sides, you won't find that here... The side options are not all that, but if you're into meat with a side of more meat, salad, and potatoes, Pampas got you.
If you like steak, this is the palace for you! My personal fav is the Lobster Mac & Cheese. I know you’re thinking… “who goes to a steak house for Mac & cheese” right?
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Ruth's Chris Steak House
115 9 Avenue SoutheastIf you like steak, this is the palace for you! My personal fav is the Lobster Mac & Cheese. I know you’re thinking… “who goes to a steak house for Mac & cheese” right?
Itchin' for Chinese food? This is probably the best in town (and closest to you) by far. Definitely a local fav.
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U & Me Restaurant 公爵餐廳
233 Centre St SItchin' for Chinese food? This is probably the best in town (and closest to you) by far. Definitely a local fav.
A chic little pizza place on the buzzing 17th Ave. It is a little noisy on a busy night, but if you are looking for somewhere to eat pizza and drink all the wine you want with a bit more high energy -- Una is it.
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Una Pizza + Wine 17th Ave SW
618 17 Ave SWA chic little pizza place on the buzzing 17th Ave. It is a little noisy on a busy night, but if you are looking for somewhere to eat pizza and drink all the wine you want with a bit more high energy -- Una is it.
Sweet Tooth Ice Cream
206 Centre St SIt's ice cream. I rest my case.
Adding this as a personal fav. For all of my sweet tooth people out there, you will be in your element in this cafe. You gotta try the cheesecake!
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Sucre Patisserie & Cafe
1007 8 St SWAdding this as a personal fav. For all of my sweet tooth people out there, you will be in your element in this cafe. You gotta try the cheesecake!
Honestly, one of my favourites in town… If you are here with a special someone, this is a great place to go on a date night.
The ambiance is everything and the food is good too! It is an upscale restaurant with locally sourced meat & seafood entrees inside a restored park concession building. What more can you ask for?
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River Cafe
Honestly, one of my favourites in town… If you are here with a special someone, this is a great place to go on a date night.
The ambiance is everything and the food is good too! It is an upscale restaurant with locally sourced meat & seafood entrees inside a restored park concession building. What more can you ask for?
Foodies corner
By now, I am sure you can tell that I lovee my foood. But what is better than good food? It's good novelty food that doesn’t break the bank!
This is for those who want yummy Sushi without the expense! Other favs here include fried chicken wings, bubble tea, and Ramen *inserts drool emoji*.
There’s also some nice market items such as Japanese novelty sweets that you may find in a “Tokyo Market”. Although I can’t confirm this as I’ve never been to Japan.
Tokyo Station
1505 15 Ave SWThis is for those who want yummy Sushi without the expense! Other favs here include fried chicken wings, bubble tea, and Ramen *inserts drool emoji*.
There’s also some nice market items such as Japanese novelty sweets that you may find in a “Tokyo Market”. Although I can’t confirm this as I’ve never been to Japan.
You know it's bad (meaning really good) when you literally drive downtown (from anywhere in the city) just for a Vietnamese sub. Yes, I've done that before *shy face*
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Thai Tai
615 17 Ave SWYou know it's bad (meaning really good) when you literally drive downtown (from anywhere in the city) just for a Vietnamese sub. Yes, I've done that before *shy face*
Gourmet Burgers with all the toppings you can think of... Need I say more?
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Clive Burger
736 17 Ave SWGourmet Burgers with all the toppings you can think of... Need I say more?
One more time for the people with the sweet tooths! This is close enough to you that you can walk there in 20 mins so it’s not so bad if you indulge a bit. *inserts wink* haha.
D Spot Dessert Cafe Calgary
933 17 Ave SWOne more time for the people with the sweet tooths! This is close enough to you that you can walk there in 20 mins so it’s not so bad if you indulge a bit. *inserts wink* haha.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is the section of the guidebook that is not for everyone but EVERYTHING to the person(s) that it's for! Did that makes sense? Anyway... Enjoy and drink responsibly.
For the sheer fact that you can gamble then go dancing at Cowboys Nightclub ALL IN THE SAME PLACE and because it's not within 'stumbling' distance, you may want to catch an Uber for this one. Best part is it's only a 7 minute drive away.
But if it's not that kind of night and you elect to drive, I recommend you park for Free in the underground parking lot at the Casino. You're welcome.
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Cowboys Casino
421 12 Ave SEFor the sheer fact that you can gamble then go dancing at Cowboys Nightclub ALL IN THE SAME PLACE and because it's not within 'stumbling' distance, you may want to catch an Uber for this one. Best part is it's only a 7 minute drive away.
But if it's not that kind of night and you elect to drive, I recommend you park for Free in the underground parking lot at the Casino. You're welcome.
You can grab a bite, a drink and a catch a vibe here. But if you’re looking for more of a 'turn up', check out National on 8th. And if you would rather have your drink with a side of bowling, check out National on 10th -- score!
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National on 17th
550 17 Ave SWYou can grab a bite, a drink and a catch a vibe here. But if you’re looking for more of a 'turn up', check out National on 8th. And if you would rather have your drink with a side of bowling, check out National on 10th -- score!
A sheesha bar… Only they call them "water pipes" lawl.
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Lounge Eighteen
1005 17 Ave SWA sheesha bar… Only they call them "water pipes" lawl.
Umpteen number of beers ON TAP and a roof top? This is a beer lovers dream.
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CRAFT Beer Market Calgary Downtown
345 10 Ave SWUmpteen number of beers ON TAP and a roof top? This is a beer lovers dream.
Please see Craft Beer caption above (sans the rooftop). Still good though. It’s not like rooftops matter in negative degree weather anyway. O’ Canada…
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Trolley 5 Brewpub
728 17 Ave SWPlease see Craft Beer caption above (sans the rooftop). Still good though. It’s not like rooftops matter in negative degree weather anyway. O’ Canada…
Come for the food, stay for the vibes!
I had one of the most fun and unexpected night here once! We thought we were going to just get some late night food but it turned into a night if you know what I mean. They have good (Mexican) food but even better cocktails and service! This is one of those places that you definitely want to visit after the sun goes down.
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Gringo Street
524 17 Ave SWCome for the food, stay for the vibes!
I had one of the most fun and unexpected night here once! We thought we were going to just get some late night food but it turned into a night if you know what I mean. They have good (Mexican) food but even better cocktails and service! This is one of those places that you definitely want to visit after the sun goes down.
Shopping & other amenities near you
Some key amenities near you that you may use or enjoy.
10 minute drive away, but this is NOT somewhere you want to drive to because parking is scary movie quality lol. I recommend taking an Uber. But if you're really desperate for some fresh air, you can walk there in under an hour... *looks left, looks right* lol
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Core Shopping
324 8 Ave SW10 minute drive away, but this is NOT somewhere you want to drive to because parking is scary movie quality lol. I recommend taking an Uber. But if you're really desperate for some fresh air, you can walk there in under an hour... *looks left, looks right* lol
5 minutes drive away. Just in case you're interested in any Rollbacks...
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Walmart Supercentre
1212 37 Street SW5 minutes drive away. Just in case you're interested in any Rollbacks...
Self-explanatory, I hope.
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GoodLife Fitness Calgary Mount Royal Village
880 16 Ave SWSelf-explanatory, I hope.
Shoppers Drug Mart
815 17 Ave SWSelf-explanatory, right??
10 minute drive away (as long as you don't get stuck in the turning lane into the mall parking lot that takes forever and almost a day to get through). If you’re interested, take the southbound train… There’s a neat overpass to the mall over the busy Macleod Trail.
After that , you can shop until you drop but make sure you have enough room in your suitcase!
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CF Chinook Centre
6455 Macleod Trail10 minute drive away (as long as you don't get stuck in the turning lane into the mall parking lot that takes forever and almost a day to get through). If you’re interested, take the southbound train… There’s a neat overpass to the mall over the busy Macleod Trail.
After that , you can shop until you drop but make sure you have enough room in your suitcase!
Little Green Mart
2718 17 Street SouthwestLocal convenience store 8 minute walk from the apartment!
Amacebiso ngesixeko
Ungaphoswa
Have drinking water on hand
Although, Calgary's water is potable... However, they decided recently that adding fluoride to the water was cool. So if that's not your thing, you may want to have some drinking water on arrival and plan to keep drinking water on hand for the duration of your stay :).
Walmart has 24-pack water bottles available for $3! Or at the Little Green Mart (8 min walk away).