5 fascinating things you can only see at Calgary’s Heritage Park
Any fun summertime experience can benefit from a visit to an attraction, but there is one in Calgary that combines entertainment with education, and it’s for the whole family.
Heritage Park Historical Village is a must-visit trip for the warmer months, where you can entice all five of your senses (yes, taste too), and travel back in time and zig-zag your way through history.
With eight unique park zones, 180 exhibits and 55,000 artifacts to absorb, there truly is never a dull moment at Heritage Park. And while you might not be able to visit every single attraction in just one short trip, there are plenty of options that should be at the top of your bucket list.
To help you organize your trip and make sure you don’t miss anything, we’ve rounded up five unique sights you can only enjoy at Heritage Park Calgary.
S.S. Moyie
Based on the original 1898 paddlewheeler steamship, this replica S.S. Moyie will literally whisk you back in time with daily sails on the Glenmore Reservoir from Thursday to Monday.
It’s one of the most iconic attractions at the park and the original was used to transport ferry passengers from the rail terminal at Kootenay Landing to Nelson, BC. Don’t forget to check out the spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains.
Big Eli Ferris Wheel
Head over to antique midway located in the park’s Fairgrounds and take a whirl on this gigantic Ferris wheel.
Donated to the park in 1984, this No. 5 Big Eli Wheel was designed by the iconic Eli Bridge Company, which debuted its first design at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. You’ll be able to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the entire park at the top of this classic ride.
First Nations Encampment
Heritage Park is a place where visitors come to learn about the history of all those who have gathered in Calgary and the rest of Western Canada, and where Indigenous nations proudly share cultural traditions and tell stories about their rich heritage, history and attachment to the land.
Guests can visit the First Nations Encampment at the Park to play Indigenous games such as the traditional children’s game ‘Rolling Buffalo’, take in Indigenous dancing, and learn about the Indigenous communities that occupied the lands now known as Calgary.
Featuring multiple tipis, you’ll learn more about their structures, how they were constructed and the importance of their materials and colouring.
Tea at Heritage Park
Heritage Park offers a variety of ways to enjoy this age-old tradition, from the truly unique River Forth dining car experience to a soothing cup of tea on the verandah of the Famous Five Centre of Canadian Women.
Your ticket includes admission to the Park so before you sit down to enjoy your afternoon tea and treats in the family-friendly atmosphere, be sure to step back in time and immerse yourself in history.
Innovation Crossing
Step into a collection of immersive displays contained in an award-winning 3,000-square-foot facility chronicling energy and natural resources advancements made in Calgary.
Connecting the past and the future through the interactive StorySeeker exhibit and historical artifacts, Innovation Crossing is one of the park’s newest additions and also one of the most popular.
Don’t forget the new Innovation Crossing exhibit, Heated Histories: Alberta’s Energy Evolution, which chronicles energy transformation in Southern Alberta and highlights how settlers and Indigenous peoples have kept themselves cool in the summer and warm in the winter through various challenges and innovations. It features solar panels, an exclusively designed video game, and multiple interactive perks.
These are just a few of the many attractions that make Heritage Park one of Calgary’s top tourist destinations and once you view these, you’ll want to plan your second trip to the park to explore even more.
Visit the Heritage Park website to learn more about each and every attraction, purchase tickets, and plan your best summer yet!
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