Northwest Calgary

Northwest Calgary is in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Kensington, which surrounds the intersection of Kensington Road and 10 Street NW across the Louise Bridge from downtown (in the neighbourhoods of Hillhurst and Sunnyside), offers an inner-city experience with many independent shops, restaurants and pubs. Montgomery and Bowness are former towns that amalgamated with Calgary in the 1960s, but still have a small-town feel; both communities are along Bowness Road with Montgomery on the north/east side of the Bow River, and Bowness on the west/south side of the Bow River (north of 16 Ave NW/Trans-Canada Highway).

Understand

Northwest Calgary is a large quadrant with urban and suburban qualities.

Get in

By plane

• 1 Springbank Airport (YBW  ^IATA Calgary/Springbank Airport), 175 MacLaurin Dr, Rocky View County (11 km (7 mi) west of Calgary on the north side of the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1)). Springbank Airport acts as a general aviation reliever for Calgary International Airport, the city's main airport. The airport is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). CBSA officers at this airport can handle general aviation aircraft only, with no more than 15 passengers. There is no public transit service between Calgary and the Springbank Airport.  

By CTrain

Northwest Calgary is served by the CTrain Red Line, part of the light rail transit system operated by Calgary Transit. Leaving downtown, it travels past a number of the major landmarks, before travelling down the centre of Crowchild Trail near the University of Calgary, to Tuscany station at the edge of the city. Stops of interest include (from east to west):

• Sunnyside: connects to Kensington.
• SAIT/ACAD/Jubilee: connects to SAIT, the Alberta University of the Arts (formerly ACAD), and the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.
• Banff Trail: connects to McMahon Stadium and Motel Village.
• University: connects to the University of Calgary.
• Brentwood: transit hub with numerous bus connections; alternate access to the University of Calgary.
• Crowfoot: connects to the large Crowfoot Crossing shopping complex.
• Tuscany: connects to the neighborhoods of Tuscany, Royal Oak and Rocky Ridge; north terminus of the Red Line

By bus

Northwest Calgary is connected to other parts of the city by Calgary Transit. The following routes are good ways to get in and around:

• MAX Orange (#303): express bus with limited stops; runs down 16 Avenue NW (east of West Campus Blvd), connecting Northeast Calgary with Brentwood CTrain station.
• #301 (BRT): express bus with limited stops; runs down Centre Street/Harvest Hills Blvd, connecting City Centre with North Pointe Park & Ride (Harvest Hills Blvd & Country Village Way NE).
• #305 (BRT): express bus with limited stops; runs down Bowness Road and Kensington Road, connecting City Centre with WinSport (Canada Olympic Park).
• #1: runs down Bowness Road and Kensington Road, connecting City Centre with Bowness Park.
• #3: runs down Centre Street south of 78 Avenue N, connecting to City Centre.
• #4: southbound from Northeast Calgary along 10 Street NW, continues to City Centre (reverse of #5).
• #5: northbound from City Centre along 10 Street NW, continues into Northeast Calgary and returns to City Centre (reverse of #4).
• #19: runs down 16 Avenue NW (east of 19 Street NW), continuing into Northeast Calgary.

By car

Northwest Calgary is the region most influenced by topography, with the Bow River and eastern extent of the foothills causing streets to depart from the traditional grid and limited connections to other areas of the city, especially further away from the city centre. Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) passes east–west through Northwest Calgary along 16 Avenue NW. Highway 1A (Crowchild Trail) runs northwest–southeast beyond 24 Avenue NW. Stoney Trail (Highway 201), Calgary's ring road, connects to other regions of the city, but ends at Highway 1 on the west side of the city.

Crowchild Trail is the main freeway through Northwest Calgary, and during off-peak times is the best way from Southwest Calgary and the City Centre (via Bow Trail), with 14 Street NW and Centre Street serving as good alternative routes into downtown. Memorial Drive, 16 Avenue NW (Highway 1), John Laurie Boulevard/McKnight Boulevard, Beddington Trail, and Country Hills Boulevard are major routes that connect to Northeast Calgary.

See

Learn

• 1 University of Calgary, University Drive & 24 Ave NW (from Crowchild Trail, exit either 24 Ave NW or 32 Ave NW; exit University Dr from 16 Ave NW; use University CTrain station). Started in 1944 as the Calgary branch of the University of Alberta, founded in 1908, prior to being instituted into a separate, autonomous university in 1966. It is composed of 14 faculties and over 85 research institutes and centres. The architecture is defined by a combination of Brutalist and Postmodern buildings spread across campus, most of them built between 1960 and 1980. In 2016, the campus finished repurposing and renovating the Canadian Natural Resources Limited Engineering Complex in the Schulich School of Engineering. In 2017, the university started on rehabilitating the aging MacKimmie Complex. (updated Apr 2019)
• 2 Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), 1301 16 Avenue NW (Along 16 Ave NW between 10 St NW and 14 St NW; accessible from SAIT/ACAD/Jubilee CTrain station), ☏ +1 403-284-7248, toll-free: +1-877-284-7248. A polytechnic institute; established in 1916, it is Calgary's second oldest post-secondary institution and Canada's first publicly funded technical institute. (updated Apr 2019)
• 3 Alberta University of the Arts (formerly Alberta College of Art + Design (ACAD)), 1407 14 Avenue NW (accessible from SAIT/ACAD/Jubilee CTrain station), ☏ +1 403-284-7600. Publicly funded art and design university. Formerly part of SAIT, it gained autonomy in 1985 and was renamed in 2019. (updated May 2019)

Parks

Miniature railway at Bowness Park

• 4 Bowness Park, 8900 48 Ave NW. 5AM - 11PM. Bowness Park is along the Bow River between Stoney Trail and 85 St NW. A shallow lagoon runs along the along the park's southern edge, a favourite spot for paddle boating in the summer and ice skating in the winter. Bowness Park is highly used for picnicking and accessing the Bow River. free. (updated Apr 2019)
• 5 Confederation Park (24 Ave & 14 St NW to 30 Ave & 10 St NW). 5AM-11PM. Confederation Park 160 hectares (400 acres) between the neighbourhoods of Mount Pleasant, Capitol Hill, Collingwood and Highland Park. 10 Street NW bisects the park from north to south. The park has picnic tables, toboggan hills, cycle paths, tennis courts and baseball diamonds. Adjacent to the park is the Confederation Golf Course. In winter the golf course is open for cross-country skiing and the park hosts the Lions Club Christmas Light Display in December and January. (updated May 2019)

View of Calgary in the Fall of 2018 from Nose Hill Park

• 6 Nose Hill Park (parking at Shaganappi Tr & Edgemont Blvd NW, 14 St & 64 Ave NW, and 14 St & North Haven Dr NW). Nose Hill Park, one of the largest municipal parks in Canada and North America, is in the northwest quadrant of Calgary. It is a natural environment park, commonly regarded as a retreat from city life and a place to enjoy nature. It is the second-largest park in Calgary, surpassed in size only by Fish Creek Provincial Park. Although large sections of the park are off-leash areas, on a few occasions coyotes have attacked and killed dogs in the park. Your dog's best protection is to be on a leash at all times. Free. (updated Apr 2019)
• 7 Crescent Heights Park, (along Crescent Road NW). This park offers a pleasant walk, along with popular views of Downtown Calgary. Free. (updated Jun 2019)

Do

Attractions & sports venues

WinSport at Canada Olympic Park

• 1 WinSport (Canada Olympic Park / Winter Sport Institute at Canada Olympic Park), 88 Canada Olympic Rd SW (on Trans-Canada Hwy (Hwy 1 aka 16 Ave NW) on far west side of city. Catch the LRT to Brentwood station, then Route 408 bus to the park), ☏ +1 403-247-5452. Take a tour of the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics, which includes going to the top of the ski jump for a fantastic view. Four runs are available for your skiing pleasure during the winter months, and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame museum is open year-round. The halfpipe and rail park are frequented by some very talented skiers and snowboarders, making for interesting viewing. The COP hosts Canada's first bobsleigh track and you can pay to take a bobsleigh ride in winter. There is also a summer "luge" run (Skyline Luge) and a zipline runs from the top of the ski jump tower. (updated Apr 2019)
  • 2 Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, 169 Canada Olympic Rd SW (at WinSport's Canada Olympic Park), ☏ +1 403-776-1040. Jul-Aug: daily 10AM-5PM, Sep-Jun: W-Su 10AM-5PM. Home to Canada's highest sporting honour, celebrating a community of Honoured Members, 657 to date, that inspire Canadians in sport and life. Fully accessible. $12/adult, $10/senior, $8/youth, $35/adult. (updated Apr 2019)
• 3 Calaway Park, 245033 Range Road 33, T3Z 2E9 (Highway 1 (Trans-Canada) exit 169, just west of Calgary's city limits), ☏ +1 403-240-3822, fax: +1 403-242-3885. 10AM-7PM, daily (summer), weekends only (spring/fall). Western Canada's largest amusement park, roughly 15 minutes west of Calgary. Gate admission pays for all rides; games, food cost extra. $36/person. (updated May 2019)
• 4 McMahon Stadium, 1817 Crowchild Trail NW (near Banff Trail CTrain station). Home venue of the Calgary Stampeders (CFL) and University of Calgary Dinos football teams. Occasionally used as an outdoor concert venue. (updated May 2019)
• 5 Olympic Oval, 2500 University Drive NW (University of Calgary), ☏ +1 403-220-7954. A covered speed skating oval, built for the 1988 Winter Olympics, it is the official designated training centre for Speed Skate Canada and the Canadian National Speed Skating team. When not hosting hockey games and speed skating competitions, The Oval is open to public skating, family day events, and the Calgary Science Fair. (updated Apr 2019)
• 6 Butterfield Acres, 254077 Rocky Ridge Rd NW, ☏ +1 403-239-0638. Farm featuring interactive kids' activities, including pony rides & goat milking, plus picnic spots. (updated Apr 2019)

Performing arts

• 7 Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Avenue NW (accessible from the SAIT/ACAD/Jubilee CTrain Station), ☏ +1 403-297-8000. Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium is a 2,500-seat performing arts, culture and community facility and home to Calgary Opera, Alberta Ballet, and the annual Canadian Legion Remembrance Day Ceremonies. It is next to the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD). (updated May 2019)

Spectator sports

• Calgary Stampeders Football Club, McMahon Stadium, 1817 Crowchild Trail NW, ☏ +1 403-289-0258, toll-free: +1-800-667-3267. June to November. Calgary's local Canadian Football League (CFL) team, and the 2018 holders of the Grey Cup (league champions). CFL plays 3 down football with only 20 seconds between plays, so watching a CFL game is quite different to watching an NFL game. $32 - 97.  
• University of Calgary Dinos, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW. Varsity athletics. Ice hockey (men's & women's teams), field hockey (women), Canadian football (men), basketball (men & women), rugby (women), soccer (men's & women's), swimming, track & field/x-country, volleyball (men & women), wrestling.  
• SAIT Trojans, SAIT, 1301 16 Ave NW. Varsity athletics. Ice hockey (men's & women's teams), basketball (men & women), soccer (men & women), volleyball (men & women). 

Buy

Urban shopping

Kensington

Kensington

• 1 Kensington. Centred on 10 Street NW and Kensington Road NW, Kensington is home to art galleries, fashion retailers, and antiques. It is somewhat more upscale than, say, Stephen Avenue Walk or Inglewood, but not in a snobby way.  

Suburban shopping

• 2 Market Mall (CF Market Mall), 3625 Shaganappi Trail NW. M-F 10AM-9PM, Sa 9:30AM-8PM, Su 11AM-6PM. One of the largest malls (by area) in Calgary, it is near the University of Calgary. It has a playground inside for pre-schoolers. (updated Apr 2019)
• 3 North Hill Centre, 1632 14 Avenue NW (near 16 Avenue NW & 14 Street NW). M-F 10AM-9PM, Sa 9:30AM-6PM, Su 11AM-5PM. Small mall along the Trans-Canada Hwy (16 Ave NW). It opened in 1958 and was Calgary's first shopping mall. (updated Apr 2019)
• 4 Northland Village Mall, 5111 Northland Drive NW (near Crowchild Trail and Shaganappi Trail). M-W 10AM-7PM, Th F 10AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 11AM-5PM. Over 60 retail shops and services. (updated Apr 2019)
• 5 Beacon Hill Shopping Centre (RioCan Beacon Hill), Sarcee Trial NW & 112 Ave NW (take exit 46 (Sarcee Trail north) from Stoney Trail). Large outdoor shopping centre (power centre). (updated Apr 2019)
• 6 Crowfoot Crossing Shopping Centre, Crowfoot Way NW & Nose Hill Drive NW (near Crowchild Trail & Nose Hill Drive). Crowfoot is a very large outdoor shopping centre (power centre) in NW Calgary. 
• 7 Royal Oak Shopping Centre, Country Hills Blvd NW & 112 Ave NW (take exit 43 (Country Hills Blvd west) from Stoney Trail). Large outdoor shopping centre (power centre). (updated Apr 2019)

Farmers' markets

• 8 Calgary Bearspaw Farmers' Market, 25240 Nagway Rd (Bearspaw Lions Hall – take Crowchild Trail (Highway 1A) west from Calgary to Bearspaw Rd, just west of the Calgary city limits; turn north onto Bearspaw Rd and immediately east onto Nagway Rd, Bearspaw Lions Hall is on the north side), ☏ +1 403-239-0201, farmersmarket@bearspawlions.com. Jun-Sep: Su 10AM-2PM; also open pre-Christmas. The small community of Bearspaw in Rocky View County is a few minutes west of the Calgary city limits. 
• 9 Hillhurst-Sunnyside Farmers' Market, 1320 5 Ave NW (Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Centre), ☏ +1 403-283-0554 ext 228, kate@hillhurstsunnyside.org. 3PM-7PM every W, late May/early Jun to early Oct; Nov-May first W of month only. 

Eat

Budget

• 1 Angel's Drive In, 8603 47 Avenue NW, ☏ +1 403-288-1009. M-F 11AM-9PM, Sa Su 7AM-9PM. A classic 1950s diner in Bowness. Serves burger combos, breakfast, and donairs. Mains $5-15. (updated Apr 2019)
• 2 The Big Cheese Poutinerie, 207 10 St NW, ☏ +1 403-457-2873. M–W 11AM–9PM; Th 11AM-11PM; F Sa 11AM-3AM; Su 11AM-9PM. Basic indoor seating, lots of options on those poutine fries. Mains $7–10. (updated Apr 2019)
• 3 Bake Chef Co., 2500 University Dr NW (in MacEwan Hall in the University of Calgary), ☏ +1 403-282-6652. 7AM-8PM. A hidden gem, Bake Chef serves delicious, high-quality Vietnamese subs and bread rolls at amazing prices. A favourite among University of Calgary students and the winner of a "Best Restaurant in Mac Hall" survey conducted by writers at The Gauntlet - the University of Calgary's student newspaper. (updated Jun 2019)

Mid-range

• 4 Big T's BBQ, 2138 Crowchild Trail NW (across from McMahon Stadium), ☏ +1 403-284-5959. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F 11AM-11PM, Sa 10AM-11PM, Su 10AM-10PM. Southern BBQ; reservations accepted Friday-Sunday. (updated Apr 2019)
• 5 Chianti Café (Chianti), 300, 20 Crowfoot Crescent NW, ☏ +1 403-547-5020. Daily 11AM–10PM. Regional Italian restaurant chain. Appetizers, soup, salad, pasta, seafood, veal, chicken. Lunch menu and takeout available. Mains $6–24. Mains $6–24. (updated Apr 2019)
• 6 Dairy Lane Cafe, 319 19 Street NW, ☏ +1 403-283-2497. Daily 8AM-9PM. Canadian; locally produced and organic ingredients whenever possible. (updated Apr 2019)
• 7 Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey, 1136 Kensington Road NW, ☏ +1 403-283-3021. Su-Th 11AM-1AM, F Sa 11AM-2AM. BBQ joint with rustic decor serves up Texas-style brisket & ribs, plus whiskey cocktails. (updated Apr 2019)
• 8 Nick's Steakhouse, 2430 Crowchild Trail NW (across from McMahon Stadium), ☏ +1 403-282-9278. Best known for Alberta steaks and tasty pizzas. $15-20 for pizzas, burgers, pasta. Steaks $23-50. 

Splurge

• 9 Chef's Table, 1126 Memorial Dr NW (Kensington Riverside Inn, in Kensington Village), ☏ +1 403-228-4442. Breakfast: M-F 7AM-10AM; brunch: Sa Su 8AM-1PM; dinner: M-Sa 5:30-9:30PM. The fine dining restaurant at Calgary's Relais et Chateaux hotel. $35-39 per main dish at dinner; tasting menu available. (updated Jun 2015)
• 10 NOtaBLE the Restaurant, 4611 Bowness Rd NW (Montgomery district), ☏ +1 403-288-4372. Tu-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F 11:30AM-11PM, Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-9PM. Rotisserie dishes are their specialty. $18-39 per main dish (dinner). (updated Jun 2015)

International

• 11 Bodega, 318 10 St NW (south from Sunnyside CTrain Station), ☏ +1 403-475-9227. Closed Mondays. Caribbean cuisine. By 7PM Friday, most tables are reserved. (updated Jul 2016)

Take-out only restaurants

These food outlets have no tables inside. You pick up your order and take it away to eat elsewhere: your hotel room, your car, a picnic table at a park.

• 12 A & A Deli (Jimmy's A & A Mediterranean Deli), 1401 – 20 Ave NW, ☏ +1 403-289-1400. M-F 9AM-10PM, Sa 10AM-10PM, Su 10AM-8PM. This corner store and deli is known for serving up some of the biggest, drippiest, tastiest shawarmas in town, as well as other Mediterranean delights. A few tables outside. 
• 13 Bon Ton Meat Market, 28 Crowfoot Circle NW, ☏ +1 403-282-3132. M-F 9AM-6PM, Sa 8:30AM-6PM, Su 10AM-5PM. Locally famous for their hot meat pies ($3 each), Bon Ton also has a selection of cold salads and hot ready-to-eat meat dishes, all prepared in-house. Worth a visit just to see their butchers hard at work in their bow ties and bright blue aprons. $5-10. 
• 14 C.B. Drive Inn, 789 Northmount Drive NW (near Northmount Drive & 14 Street NW), ☏ +1 403-282-8188. M-Sa 10AM–6PM, Su 10AM-4PM. Local drive-inn, serves burgers and fries. (updated Apr 2019)
• 15 Chicken On The Way, 1443 Kensington Rd NW, ☏ +1 403-283-5545. M-Th 10:30AM-12:30AM, F Sa 10:30AM-1:30AM, Su 10:30AM-11PM. This is the original location of one of the longest-running fast food institutions in Calgary (opened 1958). Chicken On The Way delivers wonderful deep-fried chicken, french fries and corn fritters, at a fair price. This is an old-school joint; no frills, nothing fancy, and none of that new-fangled low-fat junk. The dining space here is two picnic tables next to busy 14th St. But it's still hands-down the best fried chicken in the city. A meal runs in the $8-10 range. There are other locations in Mackenzie Towne, Macleod Trail (in Brick Plaza), Forest Lawn, and Temple; these locations have tables so that you can dine in. 
• 16 Saffron Fine Indian Take-Out, #136 3604 52 Ave NW (Dalbrent Professional Plaza, across from Northland Village Mall), ☏ +1 403-441-7700. Tu-Sa 11:30AM-8:30PM, Su 3-8PM, M closed. Butter chicken and daal soup are offered every day. Samosas, rice, breads, kababs, pakoras, raita, chutneys, and desserts are also on the menu every day. In addition, two vegetarian and two non-vegetarian main dishes are featured each day; phone to ask what is available that day. Most dishes are not prepared very spicy-hot. Take out only. $11-13 per main dish. 

Drink

• 1 Cat 'n Fiddle, 540 16 Ave NW, ☏ +1 403-289-0414, todd@thecatnfiddlepub.com. M-Th 11AM-1AM, F 11AM-2AM, Sa 10AM-2AM, Su 10AM-midnight. Great place to head for a pint of almost any brew you can think of, sometimes with a touch of Irish. 
• 2 Loco Lou's Grill & Bar, 1324 16 Avenue NW, ☏ +1 403-284-3366. Su M 11AM-midnight, Tu-Th 11AM-1AM, F Sa 11AM-2AM. (updated Apr 2019)
• 3 Moose McGuire's, #25, 1941 Uxbridge Dr NW, in Stadium Shopping Centre (Off University Drive, near McMahon Stadium and the U of C campus), ☏ +1 403-289-9184. M-Th 11:30AM-1AM, F 11:30AM-2AM, Sa noon–2AM, Su noon-1AM. Pub near McMahon Stadium (home of the Calgary Stampeders, the local Canadian Football League team) and the university uampus. As a result the prices are great and it's an excellent place to enjoy a game or head to after class. 

Cafés

Starbucks and Tim Horton's are everywhere in Calgary. If you're looking for something different, try one of these.

• 4 Deville Coffee, 3625 Shaganappi Trail NW (Market Mall), ☏ +1 403-990-1185. M-F 8AM-9PM; Sa 8:30AM-8PM; Su 10AM-6PM. (updated May 2019)
• 5 Good Trade Coffee Company, 1154 Kensington Cres NW, ☏ +1 587-434-2597, hello@goodtrade.org. Daily 8AM-5PM. Local, independent coffee shop that is also a social enterprise supporting low income producers in Columbia; second location in Crossroads Market. (updated Jun 2020)
• 6 Higher Ground, 1126 Kensington Road NW, ☏ +1 403-270-3780. M-Th 7AM-11PM, F 7AM-midnight, Sa 8AM-midnight, Su 8AM-11PM. Local, independent coffee shop; second location at 2502 Capitol Hill Cres NW. (updated Apr 2019)
• 7 Oolong Tea House, 110 10 St NW, ☏ +1 403-457-5450. 10AM-9PM. This warm and welcoming tea house near Memorial Drive has an extensive tea library, along with friendly service and an outdoor patio that is open during the warmer months. (updated Jun 2019)
• 8 Hexagon Board Game Cafe, #200 1140 Kensington Rd NW, ☏ +1 403-209-2881. M-Th 8AM-11PM; F 8AM-1AM; Sa 9AM-1AM; Su 9AM-11PM. A cozy and welcoming board game cafe on Kensington Rd with an extensive variety of board games. Serves non-alcoholic drinks, alcoholic drinks, and some cafe appetizers. (updated Jun 2019)

Sleep

Budget

• 1 Canada's Best Value Inn (formerly Royal Wayne Motor Inn), 2416 16 Ave NW (Motel Village), ☏ +1 403-289-6651. Discounts for CAA/AAA, CARP/AARP, military, government, seniors (60+). ID required for discounts. $84+. 
• 2 Econo Lodge Inn and Suites University, 2231 Banff Trail NW (Motel Village), ☏ +1 403-289-1921. 
• 3 Hotel Alma, 169 University Gate NW, ☏ +1 403-220-3203, toll-free: +1-877-498-3203, fax: +1 403-284-4184, stay@hotelalma.ca. On the U of C campus in northwestern Calgary. Offers 81 Euro-style hotel rooms and 15 one-bedroom suites year round. These rooms were built to be hotel rooms for the university hospitality management program, and have never been student residences. The Alma Seasonal Residence program also has hundreds of apartments and student dorm rooms from early May to late August. Access to on-campus services like fitness facilities, laundry, parking, cafeterias. $89/queen, $109/queen+twin, plus tax. 
• 4 Ramada Calgary Northwest, 2363 Banff Trail NW (Motel Village), ☏ +1 403-289-5571, toll-free: +1-800-854-9517. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. $59+. (updated Apr 2019)
• 5 SAIT Conference Housing, 151 Dr Carpenter Circle NW (SAIT Polytechnic), ☏ +1 403-284-8013, fax: +1 403-284-8435, residence@sait.ca. On the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) campus in southwestern Calgary (address is for the administrative office, not the residences). May only be available in summer months. 

Mid-range

• 6 Aloft Calgary University, 2359 Banff Trail NW (Motel Village), ☏ +1 403-289-1973, toll-free: +1 888-627-8557, fax: +1 403-282-1241. $136+. (updated Apr 2019)
• 7 Best Western Plus Village Park Inn, 1804 Crowchild Trail NW (Motel Village), ☏ +1-800-780-7234. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. $129+. (updated Apr 2019)
• 8 Centro Motel Calgary, 4540 16 Avenue NW, ☏ +1 403-288-6658, fax: +1 403-288-6657. 32-room boutique motel, modern decor. Free amenities include wi-fi, phone calls, parking and breakfast. $115+. (updated Apr 2019)
• 9 Comfort Inn & Suites Motel Village, 2369 Banff Trail NW (Motel Village), ☏ +1 403-289-2581, fax: +1 403-284-3897. $110+. (updated Apr 2019)
• 10 Days Inn Calgary Northwest, 4420 16 Avenue NW, ☏ +1 403-288-7115. Pet friendly, 100% non-smoking. Breakfast, parking, laundromat. $125+. (updated Apr 2019)
• 11 Four Points by Sheraton Hotel & Suites Calgary West, 8220 Bowridge Crescent NW (exit Bowfort Rd from 16 Ave NW (Hwy 1)), ☏ +1 403-288-4441, toll-free: +1-877-288-4441. Across from the world-class Canada Olympic Park (COP), right along the Trans-Canada Highway. (updated Apr 2019)
• 12 Hampton Inn & Suites Calgary-University Northwest, 2231 Banff Trail NW (Motel Village), ☏ +1 403-289-9800, toll-free: +1-888-432-6777, fax: +1 403-289-9560. $160+. (updated Apr 2019)
• 13 Holiday Inn Express & Suites Calgary NW - University Area, 2373 Banff Trail NW (Motel Village), ☏ +1 587-390-6100, hiexgm@shaw.ca. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. $123+. (updated Apr 2019)
• 14 Sandman Hotel & Suites Calgary West, 125 Bowridge Dr NW (exit Bowfort Rd from 16 Ave NW (Hwy 1)), ☏ +1 403-288-6033. Across from the world-class Canada Olympic Park (COP), right along the Trans-Canada Highway $110+. (updated Apr 2019)

Splurge

• 15 Hotel Arts Kensington (formerly Kensington Riverside Inn), 1126 Memorial Dr NW, ☏ +1 403-228-4442, toll-free: +1-877-313-3733, fax: +1 403-228-9608, kensignton@hotelarts.ca. Boutique hotel in Kensington, just across the river from downtown, with an amazing exterior display of "Whoville" from The Grinch who Stole Christmas during the holidays. $210+. (updated Apr 2019)

Bed & Breakfast

• 16 Blackmore's Bed & Breakfast, 5024 Vanstone Crescent NW (Varsity Acres district), ☏ +1 403-460-2054, wendyblackmore@shaw.ca. 15-minute walk to Dalhousie LRT (tram) Station, simple healthy breakfast, non-smoking, no pets. $70-90. 
• 17 Cozy Nest B&B, 908 Silverview Dr NW (Silver Springs district), ☏ +1 403-286-7041, carey@shaw.ca. Wheelchair ramp at rear entrance. 15-min bus ride to Dalhousie LRT (tram) Station. River valley view. Western breakfast. Long stays available in winter months. $55-80. 

Campgrounds and RV parks

• 18 Calaway Park RV Park and Campground (Hwy 1 west of Calgary, Exit 169). Open Victoria Day weekend (late May) to Labour Day (early Sept). Next to Calaway Park amusement park near Trans-Canada Hwy west of Calgary. Hookup types: power, water & sewer; power only; no hookups. All sewer hookups require rigid hose connector to campground receptacles. Gates locked from 10PM-6AM, Stampede Week locked midnight-6AM. No campfires, no charcoal BBQs. Pets welcome, day kennel services at campground for fee. $27-39/night +tax. 
• 19 Calgary West Campground ((formerly Calgary West KOA)), 221 101 St SW (Trans-Canada Hwy (Hwy 1 / 16 Ave NW), exit on Crestmont Blvd), ☏ +1 403-288-0411, toll-free: +1-888-562-0842. Open from April 15 to October 15. Take Valley Ridge Boulevard/Crestmont Boulevard exit from Hwy 1 (Trans-Canada Hwy) on west edge of Calgary. Hookup types available: 120 sites with power, water, & sewer; 120 sites power & water; 80 no hookups. 20 & 30 amps available. Some pull-through sites. Pet-friendly. Campfires prohibited by city bylaw. Free shuttle to Calgary Transit bus stop at Canada Olympic Park; express shuttle to Stampede grounds during Stampede Week. $36-48/night +tax (higher rates during Stampede Week). 

Connect

• Calgary Public Library, ☏ +1 403-260-2600. Wi-Fi available, free memberships available only to Calgary residents, guest passes available. 
  • 1 Bowness Library (Calgary Public Library), 6532 Bowness Road NW. M-Th 10AM-8PM, F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 12-5PM. (updated Apr 2019)
  • 2 Crowfoot Library (Calgary Public Library), 8665 Nose Hill Drive NW. M-Th 9AM-9PM, F 9AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. (updated Apr 2019)
  • 3 Louise Riley Library (Calgary Public Library), 1904 14 Avenue NW (near North Hill Centre and Lions Park Station (CTrain Red Line)). M-Th 9AM-9PM, F 9AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. (updated Apr 2019)
  • 4 Nose Hill Library (Calgary Public Library), 1530 Northmount Drive NW. M-Th 9AM-9PM, F 9AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. (updated Apr 2019)
  • 5 Rocky Ridge Library (Calgary Public Library), 11300 Rocky Ridge Road NW (YMCA Rocky Ridge). M-F 5:30AM-10:30PM, Sa Su 7AM-8:30PM. (updated Apr 2019)
  • 6 Sage Hill Library (Calgary Public Library), 19 Sage Hill Passage NW. M-Th 10AM-8PM, F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. (updated Apr 2019)

Stay safe

All hospitals operate 24-hour emergency departments.

• 1 Alberta Children's Hospital, 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, ☏ +1 403-955-7211. For patients aged 17 and under. Look for the multi-coloured building near the top of the hill. Patients over age 17 should go to the Foothills Medical Centre, which is close by. (updated Apr 2019)
• 2 Foothills Medical Centre (Foothills Hospital), 1403 29 Street NW, ☏ +1 403-944-1110. For patients aged 15 and older. Patients under 15 years of age should go to Alberta Children's Hospital, which is very close to Foothills Medical Centre. (updated Apr 2019)

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Routes through Northwest

Banff ← Canmore ← Jct N S ←	W  E	→ Northeast → Medicine Hat
Canmore ← Cochrane ←	W  E	→ ENDS at
Southeast ← Southwest ←	S  E	→ Northeast → Southeast
END ←	N  S	→ City Centre → Southwest