22 distanced things to do in Calgary this week: March 1 to 7
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As recommended by health officials, if you choose to participate in events outside of your home, please adhere to COVID-19 health and safety measures, including proper physical distancing, mask-wearing, and frequent handwashing. If you are sick, please stay home.
Spring is in the air, and it’s time to come out of hibernation, Calgary.
The first week of March is upon us, and with tons of things to do in the city this week to suit all budgets and interests, there’s no excuse to be sitting at home bored.
Walk with penguins, catch a drag show from a hotel balcony, visit a sculpture covered in flowers and snakes, check out a park located six storeys above street level, or discover a new virtual activity in our list.
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No matter what you do this week, it’s sure to be the start of a fun month, with summer weather finally on the (distant) horizon.
Penguin Walk at the Calgary Zoo
What: Get an up-close look at the group of king penguins as they explore, exercise, and waddle their way through the zoo.
When: Now through mid-March, weather permitting
Time: 10 am daily
Where: The Calgary Zoo (210 St. George’s Drive NE)
Cost: Included with admission ($19.95 for adults, $9.95 for children)
WinSport Tube Park
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What: The fastest of its kind in western Canada, the snow tubing hill at WinSport has eight lanes to flying down. Get a boost of adrenaline with this outdoor activity that’s fun for all ages.
When: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, weather dependent
Time: 4 to 8:30 pm on Fridays, 10 am to 5:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays
Where: WinSport (88 Canada Olympic Road SW)
Cost: $15 on Friday evenings, $20 – $25 on weekend days (tickets must be pre-purchased online)
Bridgeland Arctic Adventure
What: Participants can choose their own adventure through the neighbourhood of Bridgeland – from the full, self-guided course to a scavenger hunt. Arctic Adventure activity stops include human curling, Peony Plaza Rodeo, Stairway to Heaven, Northern Safari, Gnome Village, and much more.
When:Now through March 31 +ICE BAR
Time: Self-guided
Where: Throughout the Bridgeland community, view map for details
Cost: Free
Skate at one of Calgary’s many rinks
What: There are plenty of outdoor rink options to check out in YYC this winter. Skate on synthetic ice at Deerfoot City, try the new ice trail at North Glenmore Park, take up a unique winter sport with ice bikes at Bowness Park, or glide around at any of the City of Calgary-operated rinks across town.
When: Hours vary by location
Where: A variety of locations – find a list of rinks managed by the City of Calgary online.
Cost: Free, excluding any rental fees
Spark Science from Home
What: TELUS Spark Science Centre hosts a wide variety of fun and educational options online, from virtual programs and Dome Movies at Home to Cereal Science and a collection of experiments and activities.
When: Programming varies, learn more through their website
Where: From the comfort of your own home
Cost: Varies by program
Cross-country ski at East Village’s Nordic Loop
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What: Dust off your skis and try a few laps on East Village’s groomed 1 km track, running beside Fort Calgary and the Bow River with views of the city skyline.
When: Open daily
Time: 7 am to 10 pm
Where: In the field beside Fort Calgary (750 9th Avenue SE)
Cost: Free
Take a walk through Devonian Gardens
What: Feel like you’re in a tropical paradise within downtown Calgary at Devonian Gardens. Stroll the boardwalk, take in the plants and ponds, and grab a quick bite at the food court.
When: Daily
Time: 11 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 pm on Sundays
Where: Fourth floor of the CORE Shopping Centre (400 – 317 7th Avenue SW)
Visit the National Music Centre’s Amplify platform
What: Amplify serves as an extension of the NMC’s onsite programs through an online hub detailing the sounds and stories of music in Canada. Take a guided tour of the museum virtually, delve into articles from their vast collection of historical musical instruments, equipment, and memorabilia, and learn more about the power of music for healing and wellness.
When: Anytime
Where: Online, from the comfort of your own home
Cost: Free
Check out High Park
What: High Park offers downtown views, adorable string lights, colourful picnic tables, and fun signs to take photos with – on top of a parking garage in the Beltline. Have a winter picnic six floors above street level and grab some cool photos while you’re at it.
When: Open daily
Time: 7 am to 11 pm
Where: The top level of the Centre City Parkade at 340 10th Avenue SW
Bundle up and go sledding
What: Calgary is home to tons of great sledding hills, so why not act like a kid again and fly down the snow on a toboggan? Check out The Rise on St. Patrick’s Island park or visit one of many exciting City of Calgary maintained hills.
When: Hours vary by park
Where: A variety of locations – City of Calgary hills can be found online
Cost: Free
Locked Zoo: Penguin Pursuit
What: Explore the zoo, find clues, and solve the puzzles to save the day in this outdoor escape room-style experience. The challenge isn’t timed, so players can visit animals along the way, and delicious lunch boxes can be added on to the experience.
When: March 6
Time: Noon to 5 pm, with staggered entry times
Where: The Calgary Zoo (210 St. George’s Drive NE)
Cost: $45 +GST, or $60 +GST to add a lunch box
Heritage Park Ghost Tours
What: Visit Heritage Park after dark for a guided ghost tour through the abandoned streets of its Historical Village. Hear spooky stories and learn a little bit about Calgary’s haunted past during a 90-minute walking tour, covering approximately 2 km of the park.
When: March 4, 11, 18, and 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, and May 6
Time: Two tours each evening, beginning at 7 and 7:30 pm
Where: Heritage Park Historical Village (1900 Heritage Drive SW)
Cost: $22.95
Watch a tournament happening in Calgary’s Curling Canada Bubble
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What: Calgary is hosting Curling Canada’s curling bubble in the city right now, with five more events happening at WinSport’s Markin MacPhail Centre between now and April. Beginning this week, catch the Tim Hortons Brier on TSN, during which Alberta will have two great opportunities to win the competition.
When: March 5 to 14
Time: Broadcast schedule available here
Where: The Tim Hortons Brier will be broadcast on TSN
Zombie Scavenger Hunt
What: Test your ability to survive after a zombie apocalypse in this scavenger hunt game that leads you through the city. Players have 60 minutes to collect supplies to survive during the interactive game that invites participants to complete challenges and answer trivia questions.
When: Daily
Time: One hour of your choosing between 10 am and 9 pm
Where: Downtown Calgary
Cost: $29.30 per team (up to 10 people)
Support YYC restaurants during LocalLicious
When: Now through March 7
Where: See the list of participating restaurants here.
Cost: Varies by location
Run in The Secret 3K for International Women’s Day
What: The Secret 3K invites everyone to come together in solidarity (virtually) during International Women’s Day week, get some fresh air, and support the right that all humans should have to walk or run in their community, free of fear. Inspired by the award-winning documentary The Secret Marathon.
When: Anytime on March 3
Where: Any route of your choosing – map out your 3K here
Cost: $15 per individual
Visit a sculpture covered with flowers and snakes in this Inglewood window
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What: While we wait for the Esker Foundation’s main gallery to reopen, their Project Space window brings some art into our lives while simultaneously providing a concept to contemplate. Visible from street level, “The Garden” is a clay sculpture combining elements of nature with the human form, created by ceramic artist Yvonne Kustec.
When: Now through June 6
Where: Esker Foundation’s Project Space window (1011 9th Avenue SE)
Cost: Free
Explore fandoms and win prizes during Calgary Library and Calgary Expo’s four-month reading challenge
What: Calgary Public Library and the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo have paired up to host a reading challenge. Over the next few months, kids and adults alike can take on both reading and creative challenges to be entered to win one of 25 prizes.
When: Now through May 15
Where: Anywhere
Cost: Free with your Calgary Library card
Glenbow from Home
What: Tour Glenbow’s extensive collection and galleries of rotating exhibits virtually and get cultured without even leaving the house.
When: Anytime
Where: Online, available through Glenbow’s website
Cost: Free
Curl on synthetic ice on St. Patrick’s Island
What: Live out all your wildest Canadian dreams with this beloved winter sport at East Village’s curling rink. Play solo or in teams, and use the official rules or make up your own.
When: Daily
Time: 9 am to 7 pm
Where: Confluence Plaza (1300 12th Street NE), near the island’s washrooms and Calgary Zoo parking lot
Cost: Free (curling stones will be provided and are sanitized daily)
“Escape from the Alternate Dimension” in this 90s-themed virtual escape room
What: In this virtual escape room, players are transported to a parallel 1990s universe using a time machine. A Live Adventure Guide will host the experience and cater to your group based on the ages of players, making this a fitting activity for everyone – whether you were alive during the 90s or not.
When: Daily
Time: Start times are staggered through the day, typically between 9 am and 9:30 pm (players have 60 minutes to win the game)
Where: From the comfort of your own home
Cost: $25 per person
Disco Magic Drag Show
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When: March 6
Time: 7 pm
Where: Delta Calgary South
Cost: Tickets start at $50 per person, based on quad occupancy (includes performance and hotel stay)
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