Calgary 
Summer plans can take many forms. And if you’re simply looking to get away for the day (and be back home by night), there are still many things to take advantage of near Calgary.
Centrefest Street Performers’ Festival
You can plan a day trip from Calgary this July based on several different interests and travel goals. you can take advantage of all the natural beauty near the city or the many festivals happening in southern Alberta. And if all of these day trips sound appealing, you will likely have time to try each trip.
Music Festival Day Trips from Calgary
Get festive and musical on your next day trip and leave a little time for dancing or jamming. These upcoming music festivals near Calgary could even take care of multiple day trip plans over your July.
- The Shady Grove Blue Grass Music Festival (July 14-16th 2023; Sundre) features three days of live music, jam sessions, music workshops.
- The 35th annual South Country Fair (July 21-23, 2023; Fort McLeod) includes a diverse lineup of artists and performers, and is in a scenic spot near the Oldman River.
Fair & Rodeo Day Trips from Calgary
While Calgary hosts one of the greatest rodeos and fairs in the world, these other festivals offer slightly smaller, less busy settings for your day. This can be worth the 1.5-2 hour drive to Red Deer!
- Westerner Days Fair & Exposition (July 19-23, 2023; Red Deer) offers something for all ages like outdoor music, other live entertainment, midway rides, games, chuckwagon races, and more rodeo events.
- Centrefest Street Performers’ Festival (July 29-30, 2023; Red Deer) takes over downtown Red Deer with performers of all kinds “passing the hat.” Enjoy live magicians, acrobatic artists, singers and songwriters, actors, and comedians.
U-Pick Season in Alberta
Driving out to the country can be a good escape- but it is even better when fresh food is involved! Enjoy a trip from Calgary to a local farm for fresh berries, produce, and flowers.
- The u-pick fields of Eagle Creek Farms include flowers and vegetables and will be open for early July.
- Prairie Berry YYC are a Saskatoon farm with berry picking available in July.
Celebrate History with Historic Places Days
Historic Places Days is presented by The National Trust for Canada present from July 8-23 to highlight the experiences available at historic sites around Canada. And for Alberta, and near Calgary, you’ll find a few different places where you get deep into some history for a day.
- The Bar U Ranch National Historic Site is an opportunity to explore the history of ranching in southwestern Alberta. Visitors can meet with livestock, hop on a guided tour, or set up a picnic.
- The Brooks Aqueduct is a unique hiking area southeast of Calgary, and a provincial historic site. It is free to visit with a picnic and day use area.
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A Trip to Aspen Crossing
There will be a variety of train excursions taking place from Aspen Crossing this July. Plus, the destination offers a number of other things to experience during your visit.
- The Kidd Ranch Trains: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, until August 26
- Champagne Brunch Trian Rides: July 9, 16, 23, and 30.
- The Ales on Rails ride occurs July 7th
- The Princess & Superhero: July 8
- Star Trek Train: July 14
- Christmas in July Train: July 15
- Twilight Tour: July 21
- BBQ Train: July 22
- The Retro Music Train: July 28
- The Great Alberta Prairie Tour: July 29
Mountain Gondolas and Chairlifts
There are several reasons for a day trip to the Rockies this summer, including some unique sightseeing opportunities. The ski resorts around Banff, and the standalone gondola, are now year-round attractions. Get a new look at the Rockies from these mountain gondolas and summer chairlifts. The gondolas and chairlifts are accessible by public transportation if you want to park and ride from Banff.
- The Banff Gondola is the only one not associated with a ski resort. It travels up Sulphur Mountain with dining at the top.
- Lake Louise’s Summer Gondola will take your trip the furthest from Calgary but will be worth the extra travel time.
- Mount Norquay’s summer operations include the sightseeing chairlifts and the newer Via Ferrata course.
- Banff Sunshine Village’s sightseeing chairlift may be one of your best and safest bets at spotting grizzlies, moose, or black bears in the mountains.
Family Fun Day Trips
These family attractions near Calgary can suit any kids’ interests. You can plan around adventure, animals, farm activities, and more.
- The Canyon Coaster in Red Deer offers thrilling rides through the Red Deer River Valley via the tubing hill, or the Canyon Coaster.
- A day trip to Cobbs Adventure Park is a perfect adventure for younger kids with a petting zoo, mini golf, go-karts, and much more.
- The Alice Sanctuary is a farm animal rescue society. They offer farm tours to help socialize the animals and offer the animals a higher quality of life (through pets and cuddles).
Canoeing, Kayaking, and SUPing
The waters around Calgary are warming up. And it is time to head out on those waters for a day of canoeing, kayaking, or paddleboarding. These smaller lakes near Calgary are perfect for a simple paddle, wildlife viewing from the water, and post-boat-ride picnics.
- Chain Lakes Provincial Park is at the edge of the foothills south of Calgary and provides awesome views all around for your paddle.
- Park Lake Provincial Park is directly south of Calgary with picnic areas and short trails, on top of the boat launch areas.
- Little Fish Lake Provincial Park is on the east side of Drumheller and is opposite from Hand Hills Ecological Reserve across the lake.
Fun Water-Based Activities and Adventures For This Summer in and Around Calgary
Celebrate Parks Day in Alberta
Alberta Parks celebrates its 93rd anniversary this July 15th. To celebrate with the public, various Provincial Parks and Recreation Areas all across the province will have featured events on the 15th. Below are those close enough to Calgary for a day trip.
- Peter Lougheed PP will host various activities at the Elkwood Amphitheatre like live music and theatre, a craft and art table, and guest presentations.
- Red Lodge PP will feature an all-day scavenger hunt and activities at the Craft Cabin.
- Beauvais Lake PP has activities planned like photo scavenger hunts, nature workshops, and nature bingo!
- Kinbrook Island PP are featuring games, contests, treasure hunts, and sandcastle building at the beach.
- Tillebrook PP will have a contest on for identifying birds in the park, more games and prizes, and a treasure hunt.
Summer Hiking
Grab the water, hats, and sunscreen! These summer hiking areas will reward your hiking with great views of mountains, foothills, rivers, creeks, and more. These summer hiking areas are surrounded by more to explore like other Provincial Parks, or small towns.
- The West Bragg Creek Provincial Recreation Area, west of Calgary, has a large network of trails which also connect to the Elbow River PRA. These hikes can be anywhere from 2km to 9km.
- Bow Valley Provincial Park has an equally large network of trails. The paths travel up beyond the river valley or alongside it.
- Explore the new-ish Diamond Valley via the town’s 7km Friendship Trail, and also get for cycling.
