11 things to do in Calgary this week: October 26 to 29

Things are warming up in Calgary this Halloween week.

Whether its scaring yourself silly at a haunted house, picking out the perfect pumpkin, or simply exploring some of the city’s newest, coolest spots, we’ve got some suggestions to jumpstart your weekend plans.

• See also: 
  • Calgary weather expected to warm right up the whole week through
  • A festive holiday pop-up bar is officially coming to Calgary next month
  • Shoppers Drug Mart employee tests positive for coronavirus in Calgary

Go Skiing at Mount Norquay

While it may have meant an early end to fall, the snowfall Alberta has been seeing over the past week hasn’t been all bad.

The early arrival of winter has also meant that Alberta’s local ski hills have been seeing plenty of the white stuff, so much so that Mount Norquay has opened early this season.

Check out any of these brand new Calgary restaurants

New Calgary restaurants? Our three favourite words.

There is a lot of chowing down for us to do in Calgary, and these spots make our to-eat lists longer than ever.

Just opened, opening soon, or newly reopened, here are all the new delicious Calgary restaurants to try this month.

Check out The World’s Largest Dinosaur in Drumheller

Touted as the World’s Largest Dinosaur, the enterable attraction that is a must-visit for anyone hitting up the Royal Tyrell Museum officially turned 20 on October 13.

As part of the celebrations, town organizers decided it was high time to give the 82-foot-tall sculpture a name, and they reached out to the public to decide.

After counting 568 votes, it was determined that the World’s Largest Dinosaur would be deemed “Tyra.”

Where: 60 1st Avenue W, Drumheller
Time: Daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm
Tickets: $4 per person

Road trip to an abandoned ghost town in Alberta

They may not officially be haunted, but the eerie silence of Alberta’s ghost towns is still enough to make the skin crawl.

Alberta has dozens of ghost towns stretching throughout the province, most the result of a booming coal industry that were abandoned when operations failed, resources were depleted, or the world simply moved on to other forms of energy.

Check out our list of spooky places to visit this October.

Go sledding on a City of Calgary approved hill

Winter is still a few months away, but someone must have forgotten to tell Mother Nature because Calgary has already seen quite a bit of snow over the past week.

While YYC may be going through its usual freeze, snow, thaw routine at the moment, it’s only a matter of time before the white stuff is here to stay for good.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that, as the snow covering actually lends opportunity for anyone looking to slip and slide down some hills.

Calgary actually has a bylaw in effect stopping would-be tobogganers from sliding down any hills that haven’t been officially given the green light, but lucky for us there are quite a few on that list.

Take stunning photos at this 2D cafe

94 Take the Cake might just be the cutest thing outside of Calgary we’ve ever seen.

The 94 Elma Street W cafe is located in Okotoks, just a short 30-ish-minute drive from YYC, and it’s definitely worth the drive if you ask us.

In addition to sweet treats and caffeinated beverages, 94 offers patrons the ultimate photo-op, as it’s decked out in an awesome 2D colouring-book style design done by local artists.

Address: 94 Elma Street W, Okotoks

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Get your flu shot

It’s officially flu season.

Alberta Health Services has announced that the annual flu shot is now available throughout the province, with Albertans being encouraged to get immunized to protect both themselves and their at-risk neighbours.

According to the Alberta Health Services website, influenza immunization will be offered through AHS to children under five and their family or household members, though the vaccine will need to be booked through an online tool that will become available as of October 13.

All other Albertans should contact their pharmacist or physician to arrange for their own free vaccinations.

Check Out High Park

Talk about a picnic with a view.

Calgary’s newest park may not have the grass, trees, or ponds you’d come to expect from an outdoor public space, but what it lacks in nature it makes up for in colour, views, and originality.

High Park opened to the public this week, offering a space for Calgarians to check out (while safely physically distancing) at the tip top of a six-storey parking garage.

Kick back and binge some Netflix

Stay indoors and stay safe this week by making some popcorn and having some Netflix and Chill time.

Here are a few new releases worth checking out on the streaming giant this weekend.

Explore the city’s newest murals

This year’s BUMP Festival was a little different than usual due to pandemic restrictions, but that didn’t stop over a dozen artists from turning some of downtown Calgary’s exposed walls into works of art.

A total of 20 murals were completed this past September as part of the project, bringing BUMP’s lifetime total to over 50 since it began back in 2017.

The organization also noted in a release that over 5,000 people had downloaded their self-guided walking tours showcasing murals new and old, a significant increase over the 500 or so guided mural tour participants from 2019.

Hit up a pumpkin patch

There are plenty of great pumpkin patches in or around Calgary where you’ll be able to find that perfect pre-Jack-o’-lantern! The Calgary Corn Maze and Fun Farm is open this weekend, and admission is just $18.

When: Open Thursdays through Sundays
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Calgary Corn Maze & Fun Farm — 284022 Township Road 224
Tickets: Free for kids two and under, $18 for adults, youth and senior discounts available online