Planning a date in the Calgary area this summer? Take advantage of all the vibrant things going on this summer in Calgary by planning the perfect date for a special someone.
The date ideas are not hard to come by between dining options, outdoor and river activities, and of course the Rockies so close to the city.
Within all these date ideas are some more specific activities that you can try like lazing on a beach, hiking to a waterfall, glamping, unique places to picnic or new places to explore.
I. Romantic Dining Ideas
1. Captain’s Cruises Calgary
Set sail for a scenic summer cruise on Calgary’s only paddlewheel boat and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Glenmore Reservoir & the majestic Rocky Mountains. On Thursday evenings, you and your date can enjoy gourmet hors d’oeuvres with a selection of beer & wines while listening to a live jazz band.
When: Thursdays from July 21 – August 25 , 2022
Where: S.S. Moyie Paddlewheeler, Heritage Park, Calgary
How much: $75.95 + GST per person.
2. Book a Luxury Picnic for Two
YYC Picnics can create romance for you with their luxury picnic packages available for single couples, or to turn into a group/double date! And the packages are easy to personalize: choose your event/date type, your theme, your food, and possible add-ons. You can add games, activities, and photography packages.
When: year-round
Where: location of your choosing
How much: $200 per couple
3. River Café Garden Picnics
Prince’s Island Park is an incredibly romantic downtown location, which makes you feel as though you aren’t downtown at all. The River Café can cater a romantic afternoon here as well with their Garden Picnic Packages. You can grab anything from meals to appetizers, cocktails to beer, and more, and take it out into the Café’s gorgeous grounds.
When: spring and summer
Where: Prince’s Island Park 698 Eau Claire Ave SW, Calgary
How much: $8-$18
4. Lunch-to-go at High Park
High Park is in a convenient downtown Calgary area, right next to the C-Train. Plan a romantic outing with a meal to-go from one of the nearby local eateries, set up your meal at High Park, and explore the surrounding art afterwards. High Park is decorated on all four sides with murals. Details
When: daily 7am-11pm
Where: 340 10 Ave SW
How much: free admission to Hi Park
5. Gorilla Breakfast or Safari Brunch at the Calgary Zoo
All throughout the summer, the Calgary Zoo is hosting special breakfast and brunch events that can also include admission to the zoo. You and your date can roam the zoo after your meal and spend the rest of the day meeting the different wildlife.
When: June-November
Where: Calgary Zoo
How much: $26.95-$44.05
6. Scenic Patios
Make a romantic dinner or lunch even more so by adding in a beautiful view. Enjoy some of these romantic Calgary patios for your next date!
Where:
- Simmons Rooftop Bar: 6618 Confluence Way SE
- Vin Room Mission: 2310 4 St SW
- Bonterra Trattoria: 1016 8 St SW
- The Lookout Kitchen & Bar: 8 Lynx Ridge Blvd
7. Brewery Tours
Do you both love craft beer, and are you may be trying to get your loved one to love craft beer as much as you do? No matter the case, these Calgary brewery tours will show off the best of the city’s craft beer. You have the option to go on an afternoon outing to see multiple breweries with a guide (or on a bike!) or to stick to just one brewery and their onsite tour.
- 24 Places to Enjoy Craft Beer in Calgary
- Minhas Micro Brewery, 1314, 44 Avenue NE
- Cold Garden Beverage Company, 1100 11 St SE
- Calgary Craft Connection
8. Visit the Flower & Fruit Wineries
Head out of the city for your next romantic outing and take advantage of the fruit and flower wineries near Calgary. You can find one east of Calgary, and the other west of Calgary, so you can find one close to you no matter what part of Calgary you’re in. Stop by for tastings, tours, and some wino education.
- Spirit Hills Flower Winery: 2380 Drive West Millarville, Millarville
- Field Stone Fruit Wine: Township Rd. 232, Strathmore
II. Outdoor Romance
1. Watch the Sun Set
With Calgary’s foothills and river valleys, scenic sunset spots aren’t hard to come by: simply head to an elevated west-facing spot like some below:
Where:
- Scotsman’s Hill: Salisbury Street SE
- McHugh Bluff: Crescent Rd NW & Centre Street N
- Edworthy Park: 5050 Spruce Dr SW
- North Glenmore Park: 7305 Crowchild Trail SW
2. Fun at Bowness Park
Have a tasty sunny day at Seasons of Bowness patio, take a mini-train ride, or plan yourselves a sweet stroll around the lagoon via one of the boat rentals. This picturesque offshoot of the Bow River is surrounded by overgrown trees and shrubs, with several picnic sites around the river and lagoon for after your boat ride. Details
When: open for summer
Where: 8900 48 Ave. N.W.
How much: Free
3. Water Fun
Thanks to the Bow and Elbow Rivers, city lakes and parks, and numerous tour companies, boating, and fishing trips are numerous in and around the city. This includes slower, more relaxing outings as well as more thrilling and adrenaline-pumping water adventures.
Plan a lazy float or go on a guided tour this summer.
4. Hike around Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park
The Glenbow Ranch, on the Bow River, offers a variety of scenery for a quiet walk or hike away from the city. The park has paved and gravel trails which lead to picnic shelters, viewpoints, and smaller creeks.
When: year-round
Where: south of Highway 1A between Calgary and Cochrane
How much: free
5. Sunflower Fields
Take enchanting pictures together to commemorate summer in the lap of nature at any of the astonishing sunflower fields and mazes in and around Calgary.
- Calgary Farmyard
- Paradise Hill Farm Sunflower Fields
- Bowden SunMaze at Eagle Creek Farms
6. Beach Trip
Enjoy a romantic lakeside date, time on the water, swimming, lazy floating, and more at these Calgary area beaches.
- Sikome Lake
- Chestermere Lake
- Harvie Passage (south channel) on the Bow River
7. Waterfall Hike
There are over 20 waterfall hikes to choose from close to Calgary! The beautiful scenery these hikes offer is the perfect way to add a little romance to your next hike or day trip. These mountain and foothill hikes are built for all sorts of skill levels and offer a variety of distance options. O’Shaughnessy Falls is one that requires no hiking experience, and is a quaint stop off of Highway 40, for example. For something more challenging, try the Upper Kananaskis Lake Falls at 15km including your return trip.
8. Stargazing
Get a good blend of romance, relaxation, and natural scenery with a night of stargazing outside Calgary. There are a few places you can head to for a quiet date out in nature and under a blanket of unreal stars.
9. Horseback Riding
Take a unique ride through the beautiful scenery between Calgary and the Rockies and travel the trails on horseback. Take a short but scenic drive west to spend your day equestrian riding, taking in the views, and learning about these magnificent animals. You have a few options for where to book your ride near Calgary:
10. Nature Walk
Calgary’s various parks are great for a quick nature walk, but for more wildlife and more views, head to one of the nearby protected natural areas outside the city. Along with your walk or hike, you’ll be greeted by pretty views on your drive as well, whether it’s north, south, east, or west.
- Threepoint Creek NA
- Brown Lowery Provincial Park
- Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park
- Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area
- Blue Rock Wildland Provincial Park
III. Festivals & Events
1. Rides & Games at Calgary Stampede
The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth is back in Calgary. The Stampede returns with the world’s largest outdoor rodeo, chuckwagon races, a midway with carnival rides, a huge variety of good eats, and two stages for live music (concert tickets to be purchased separately from admission tickets). Outside of Stampede Park are smaller events, too, all in celebration of Stampede. Check local bars, pubs, and restaurants.
When: July 8-17, 2022
Where: Stampede Park – 650 25 Ave SE, Calgary
How much: $12-$20
2. Calgary Folk Music Festival
Chill under the big Alberta sky at the picturesque Prince’s Island Park and revel in live concerts with a diverse collection of enticing Canadian artists. Lineup include Courtney Barnett, Spoon,K’naan, Josh Ritter, and many more!
When: July 21-24, 2022
Where: Prince’s Island Park, Calgary
How much: stay tuned for ticket information
3. 2022 Calgary Fringe Festival
The annual Calgary Fringe Festival makes its return in 2022 with a week of live and virtual performances. You can watch a variety of artists take the stage in downtown or Inglewood venues or watch them take the screen from the comfort of home (maybe save this for a rainy summer night!).
When: July 29-August 6, 2022
Where: tba June 2022
How much: tickets on sale July 1, 2022
4. Inglewood Sunfest
Celebrate local art, culture, and local shopping with the Inglewood Sunfest at the end of July this year. Sunfest takes over 9th Avenue with vendor booths, a Show & Shine, food trucks, dancing and live entertainment areas, and kid-friendly activities. The event hosts three stages: two for performers, and one to make the dance floor!
When: July 30, 2022
Where: Inglewood – 9th Avenue SE between 11th & 14th Street, Calgary
How much: free
5. Taste of Calgary
Beat some August heat this summer with a Taste of Calgary – there will be a huge number of food vendors for 2022, with a mix of hot, and cool/refreshing eats. While you sample the local food, you can also get a taste of the local music scene through live performances, followed by shopping at the artisan markets!
When: August 4-7, 2022
Where: Downtown Calgary
How much: Sampling ticket $1 each, admission free
6. Deerfoot City Block Party
Take a walk through epic art installations this summer, indulge in some roller skating and live your best retro ‘70s summer life at the Deerfoot City Block Party, happening all summer. Various food vendors will be set, and you can enjoy your meals in front of live entertainment. There is over 200 ft. of walkway to explore at the Block Party.
When: July 1 – September 30, 2022
Where: 901 64 Ave NE, Calgary
How much: free
7. Night Markets
There are close to ten-night markets happening around Calgary this summer, which can make a great end to dinner in the city, or which can be a dinner destination in and of themselves. There are a few in each corner of the city, some with live entertainment, and some focused on just food. All of them feature local vendors from around southern Alberta.
8. Get Tickets to a Jubilee Show
A romantic night out to some may mean an evening of live theatre, music, or comedy. At the Jubilee Auditorium, you can create romance from a night of either of the three. Over summer, catch shows like Hamilton or Ballets Jazz Montreal, or live concerts from Modest Mouse, Metric, Lord Huron, or The National.
When: June-September
Where:1415 14 Ave NW, Calgary
How much: $65-$175
9. Free Concerts in The Park
There is no need to splurge to have a romantic outing. Head to Heritage Park, Tomkins Park or Riley Park to enjoy free concerts under the summer sky!
When: July – August
Where: Various Venues, Calgary
How much: Free
10. Shakespeare on the Go
Theatre Calgary’s traditional Shakespeare by the Bow program will be touring Calgary…as Shakespare On The Go to present The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Enjoy this romantic farce about the misadventures of Falstaff as he seeks to deceive the wives of two wealthy merchants.
When: July 8 – August 7, 2022
Where: Various Venues, Calgary
How much: PWYC
IV. Attractions to visit around Calgary
1. Book a Sunset/ Sunrise Stampede Segway
The River Valley Adventure Company is taking your date to the sidewalks and riverfront paths; from here you’ll see the best of Calgary in the early or late hours of the day.
When: July 8-17
Where: downtown Calgary
How much: $59.99
2. Day trip to Kananaskis
Get away from the noise of the city, and the business of the mountain attractions with a romantic escape to Kananaskis Country. You will have a huge amount of picnic site options, trails to explore, or tourist attractions if you have the time.
3. Mountain Picnic
Pack up a hearty meal and drive about 30-minutes to hit some spectacular picnic sites in Kananaskis and Canmore. These picnic sites are usually located near trails or large fields so you can plan for a short hike or games like a frisbee after your picnic. You’ll have site options in the Bow Valley, the Elbow Valley, the Ghost area, Peter Lougheed PP, Sundre, Spray Valley, Kananaskis Valley, Sibbald area, Sheep River Valley, and the Highwood area.
4. Cycle the Banff Legacy Trail
The drive to Banff may have lost its charm for those who do it often. But if you bring your bikes out to the mountains, you’ll be able to experience Highway 1 in a whole new light. The Banff Legacy Trail is a popular cycling route that takes you from Canmore right into the Banff townsite. You can park your vehicle in one city, and bike around the mountains for a bit before finding a place to rest in either Banff or Canmore.
5. Downhill Karting & More at Winsport
There are incredible thrills and adventures hiding at Winsport in Canada Olympic Park, where you may also find some romance and healthy competition. Winsport can have you soaring down hills in more ways than just karts, too, as they also have a zipline and summer bobsleigh. Close your day with a sunset ride up the ’88 Express!
When: June-September
Where: 88 Canada Olympic Road SW, Calgary
How much: $10-$95 per person
6. Visit the Saskatoon Farm
What can you do on a date spent at the Saskatoon Farm? A ton of unique activities to enjoy as a couple like visiting the giant tortoises, shopping the bakery and market, dining, or simply walking the gardens.
When: year-round
Where:80181 338 Ave E #20, Foothills County
How much: depends on the activity
7. Plan a U-Pick Trip
Treat your next date to an afternoon of fruit and vegetable picking in the countryside. There are several u-pick farms to choose from around Calgary for your next romantic afternoon:
- Hazy Hollow Acres: Range Rd 213, Picture Butte
- Poplar Bluff Organics: #253028, Township Rd 230, Wheatland County
- Eagle Creek Farms: 34530 Range Rd 14, Bowden
- High Country Berries: RR50, Clearwater County
- Prairie Berry YYC: 225036 RR 282, Rocky View County
8. Mountain Glamping
Relax and unwind together in one of the most romantic settings possible: in a canvas tent, with charcuterie and wine, in the hills of the Rockies.
- Mount Engadine Lodge, 1 Mount Shark Rd, Canmore
- Sundance Lodges, #2 Sundance Rd Hwy 40, Kananaskis
- Two Jack Lake/Banff National Park, Lake Minnewanka Road, Banff National Park
- 25 Places to Go Camping in and Around Calgary
- 20 Places to Go Comfort Camping & Glamping in Alberta
9. Calaway Park
Head west of Calgary for an adventurous date with midway fair vibes. Before you hit the mountains on Trans Canada, you’ll hit Calaway Park. The mountains provide plenty of outdoor chances for adventure, while Calgary offers adventure via their thrill rides and midway games. Challenge one another to the scariest rides of all, or spend the day winning each other prizes and indulging in fair food.
When: Until October 10th, 2022
Where: Calaway Park, Range Road 33, Calgary
How much: $31.95 to $49.95
10. Tours with The Alice Sanctuary
Beyond all the adorable animals you get to meet at the Alice Sanctuary., you also get to hear all of their stories of how they came to live on this farm. This important organization is dedicated to rehabilitating and healing neglected farm animals. The guided tours give the animals a safe opportunity for being socialized, pet, and adored (but always on the animals’ terms). The Sanctuary will release tour booking dates on a month-to-month basis for summer 2021.
When: Saturdays from 11 am – 4 pm.
Where: 6GCJ + JQ Gayford, Wheatland County
How much: $27.54
11. Walk inside a larger-than-life kaleidoscope
Plan a date inside an 11,000-square-foot inflatable structure with 21 mesmerizing rooms, filled with vivid colours that reflect the sun’s natural light off curved walls all within a labyrinthine of tunnels. Luminarium is a Timisien structure, from Architects of Air, which is inspired by the Gaudi’s Casa Guell in Spain and the Romanian city of Timisoara, the cultural capital of Europe.
When: July 1 – August 1, 2022
Where: Telus Spark Science Centre, 220 Saint George’s Drive Northeast, Calgary
How much: $29