Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • It’s A Shore Thing Summer Getaway
    • Camel’s Hump Guest Ranch Getaway
    • Raft. Relax. Recharge
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • It’s A Shore Thing Summer Getaway
    • Camel’s Hump Guest Ranch Getaway
    • Raft. Relax. Recharge
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / Wild west: wetlands and skyscrapers meet in the heart of Calgary

Take shelter from the elements on Peace Bridge, a fun spot for a selfie on your next visit to Calgary.

Wild west: wetlands and skyscrapers meet in the heart of Calgary

October 3, 2020 //  by Amy Attas

Share this:

Peace Bridge is sometimes called ‘the finger trap bridge’ thanks to its criss-crossing red steel.

Calgary is a city of contradictions — a hub for the energy sector with cherished agricultural roots in the stampede. A prairie city on the cusp of the Rocky Mountains. Settle in for a winter of wind-chill, but don’t be surprised if a chinook warms things up for a day or two.

That makes Prince’s Island a perfect fit for Calgary — a lush green escape in the middle of the city, where you can gaze at the skyscrapers while listening to wild birds, then grab a bite to eat at a cutting-edge restaurant. No matter the season, on your next visit to Cowtown make sure to pencil in an afternoon at Prince’s Island.

In the heart of Calgary is a glorious green island with wetlands to clean groundwater, parkspace for big events and a cosy restaurant serving innovative Alberta cuisine.

Wild in the city:

Human-made wetlands at the eastern edge of Prince’s Island help to clean storm water before it re-enters the Bow River, and provide excellent habitat for wildlife in the heart of the city. The wetlands capture road salt, sediment and chemical run-off, keeping the river pure for humans and animals, and make a great spot for an afternoon stroll. Winding through the wetlands is the Chevron Learning Pathway with educational signs encouraging visitors to observe the bustling life around them.

Connect the Learning Pathway to other trails on Prince’s Island for a fresh running route, or rent a bike from one of the shops across the bridge in Eau Claire. Bring your Frisbee to frolic in the wide open field, and let the kids explore the nice big playground.

Take shelter from the elements on Peace Bridge, a fun spot for a selfie on your next visit to Calgary.

Winter wonderland:

When the weather turns consistently cold between December and February, lace up your skates and twirl on the lagoon. While you skate you can pretend to be a log driver in the late 1800s, when the Eau Claire and Bow River Lumber Company dug the lagoon to help move logs to the Calgary sawmill. The island is also a great spot for cross country skiing when the snow flies and the trees sparkle with frost.

Take shelter from the elements on nearby Peace Bridge, which looks a bit like a finger trap game with criss-crossing red steel. A great spot for a selfie!

World-class dining:

The crown jewel of Prince’s Island is the River Café, a cosy restaurant serving exquisite, accessible food. Consistently voted one of Calgary’s (and Canada’s) best, the River Café was at the forefront of sustainable, farm-to-table food — but they’re not arrogant about it. Browse the menu for a taste of Alberta — grass-fed bison burgers, rainbow trout with greens from the restaurant garden, or wild boar bacon with farm eggs over-easy. Reserve a table for Weekend Brunch, or order a picnic basket to lounge in the park. The restaurant continues to innovate through the pandemic, with fun ideas like a take-home Thanksgiving feast.

Shop your heart out:

Just over the pedestrian bridge from Prince’s Island is Eau Claire Market, with one-of-a-kind shops, restaurants, pubs and a movie theatre. When you’ve had enough of the outdoors on Prince’s Island, step inside Eau Claire Market to put your feet up.

Take a break from the city on Prince’s Island, a natural sanctuary right next to downtown Calgary.

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: Birdwatching, Calgary, Canada, Places to Visit in Alberta, Staycation secrets, Things to do, WCT Intro

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Calgary, Sooke + Haida Gwaii named 3 of the best fishing destinations in Canada

The three Western Canadian locations on FishingBooker.com’s list of Canada’s best fishing destinations reveal the…

Calgary, Sooke + Haida Gwaii named 3 of the best fishing destinations in CanadaRead More

Nature Conservancy of Canada purchases land for protection in southern Alberta

A property that includes fescue grasslands, forests and wetlands near Waterton Lakes National Park in…

Nature Conservancy of Canada purchases land for protection in southern AlbertaRead More

Parks Canada updating its reservation system to book camping and other activities

Parks Canada says visitors will be able to start booking reservations for camping and other…

Parks Canada updating its reservation system to book camping and other activitiesRead More

Knowledge is power: New guidebooks map accessible PNW trails

What is an ‘easy’ hike? For a mountaineer, an easy hike might be one that…

Knowledge is power: New guidebooks map accessible PNW trailsRead More

‘It was a super cool experience’: Wolfpack spotted hanging out in Kelowna

A Kelowna photographer captured images of a pack of wolves while on a weekend hike…

‘It was a super cool experience’: Wolfpack spotted hanging out in KelownaRead More

Gary the cat shreds the gnar in Golden

He might be a better skier and influencer than any Gen Z could imagine, possibly…

Gary the cat shreds the gnar in GoldenRead More

Travel on the Fly: Dine Out Vancouver; Waddling with penguins in Calgary; Fernie’s powder perfection + more!

What’s going on around the West Coast? Here’s your inside guide to what’s happening where,…

Travel on the Fly: Dine Out Vancouver; Waddling with penguins in Calgary; Fernie’s powder perfection + more!Read More

Nothing is the New Something in B.C.’s Southern Gulf Islands

Many travellers believe spring and summer are the best times to explore. That means the…

Nothing is the New Something in B.C.’s Southern Gulf IslandsRead More

Vancouver Island photographer’s bald eagle image is Canada’s choice for international contest

A dramatic image by professional Vancouver Island photographer Anthony Bucci will represent Canada in a…

Vancouver Island photographer’s bald eagle image is Canada’s choice for international contestRead More

Previous Post: « Are you up for BC’s Big Nature Challenge?
Next Post: Discover British Columbia this fall … via the Explore BC IPA! »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

Calgary, Sooke + Haida Gwaii named 3 of the best fishing destinations in Canada

January 31, 2023

Nature Conservancy of Canada purchases land for protection in southern Alberta

January 31, 2023

Parks Canada updating its reservation system to book camping and other activities

January 31, 2023

Knowledge is power: New guidebooks map accessible PNW trails

January 30, 2023

Recent Posts

Calgary, Sooke + Haida Gwaii named 3 of the best fishing destinations in Canada

January 31, 2023

Nature Conservancy of Canada purchases land for protection in southern Alberta

January 31, 2023

Parks Canada updating its reservation system to book camping and other activities

January 31, 2023

Knowledge is power: New guidebooks map accessible PNW trails

January 30, 2023

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon

Copyright © 2023 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved