Downtown on a Dime Itinerary

This itinerary is based on all things ‘Budget-Friendly.’ Downtown offers plenty of budget-friendly activities, from exploring the outdoors, to consignment shopping and happy hours! Ready, set, explore!

Wander through a day downtown! Click the red hyperlinks or pictures below to learn more about each activity.

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Infogram description

A map-style infographic to bring you through a day exploring downtown Calgary on a budget.

Explore the outdoors in one of the downtown parks and participate in activities like skating, cross-country skiing, and more!
Check out all the budget-friendly things to do downtown. There is something for everyone!
Browse the downtown consignment shops - a treasure hunt full of surprises and unique finds.
Visit one of the many downtown Happy Hours to unwind with friends and quench your thirst!

Explore the outdoors

Downtown Calgary has many parks and outdoor spaces to explore in the winter, with activities ranging from outdoor skating and cross-country skiing to picnic sites and playgrounds for kids when those chinook winds are blowing. Discover downtown Calgary parks!

Parks

Parks with skating rinks

*Check outdoor skating rinks for up-to-date information on current conditions.

Prince's Island Park Lagoon

Public art

Downtown has several art installations to explore. Check out the public art map to plan a day downtown seeing all the creative pieces our city has to offer.

Public art map
Plus 15 network

Calgary’s Plus 15 network has 86 bridges, is over 16 kilometers long, and moves over 20,000 people each day at peak times. Grab a coffee on a cold day and explore this unique indoor network downtown.

Plus 15 network map

Budget-friendly things to do

There is no shortage of budget-friendly or free things to do downtown!

For cozy vibes

Visit Good Neighbour for low-cost pottery classes and pay what you can thrift shopping.
Head to The Confluence for fun affordable workshops in beading, crocheting, jewelry making and writing, guided tours, film screenings and more!
Explore Little Red Reading House and help your kids fall in love with books.
Get cozy at the Hygge Hut – a Scandinavian-style contemporary space enhanced by the glow of a firepit, soft lighting, a warm drink and good company. FREE!
Play board games at Hexagon Cafe. It's only $4.50 per hour per person to play while enjoying coffee, desserts, beer, wine or cocktails!

For arts and culture

Discover the unique and innovative elements of Central Library’s spaces, services, art and iconic architecture in a free public tour led by a volunteer guide. FREE!
Visit the Esker Foundation to view the Winter 2025 Exhibitions, opening January 24!
Explore Calgary’s open air street art gallery with an official guided mural tour led by the BUMP Festival.
Theatre Calgary offers a limited number of $25 rush tickets based on availability on the day of the performance.
For the first Thursday of every month, it's free to visit Contemporary Calgary Art Gallery. If you can't wait for next month, entry is regularly $10
Explore the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre Museum: a gateway to Chinese history with life-sized terra-cotta soldiers, royal chariots, and vibrant arts. Admission is free, but you can also add a guided tour for $5! FREE!

For nature enthusiasts

Eat lunch or go for an indoor stroll at the botanical urban oasis Devonian Gardens. FREE!
Go for a stroll and visit the iconic Wonderland Sculpture at The Bow. FREE!
Take a stroll on the iconic Peace Bridge. FREE!
Bird watch at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, where over 270 species of birds have been spotted and it is completely free to visit. FREE!

For a night out

Every Tuesday, take part in Quiz Night at Tubby’s Bar hosted by Quiz Shoe.
On Thursdays, PinBar is the place to be with YouTube Karaoke, half prices pizzas and fishbowl specials.
Karaoke never sounded so good at Ducky’s or Nanta.
Hop into an experience at the High Performance Rodeo 2025 with iconic characters, major magic, legendary puppetry, dance parties, not-so-basic book clubs, and virtuosic solos. ($25 tickets for students and artists)
Every Wednesday, enjoy three hours of unlimited gaming at Greta Bar for $20 and all-day happy hour!
Head to the Dome for a Calgary Hitmen Game, where tickets start at $27!

For music lovers

Punk Rock Bingo takes over The Ship & Anchor every Tuesday night.
Attend Bob-Sled! A super fun and affordable six-day winter-fest presented by Sled Island, Eighty-Eight and The Palomino.
Register for the free possibilities membership at Calgary Philharmonic. Valid for people aged 13-35, the membership lets you buy a maximum of two discounted tickets per eligible concert, for yourself and a guest of any age.

For health and wellness

Ren Health Collective provides low-cost, multidisciplinary health services & education focused on inclusive, preventative, and holistic community care.

Photo credit: Rachel Jones @rachel_jones_ross, Peace Bridge

Consignment shopping

Downtown consignment shopping is a treasure hunt full of surprises and unique finds.

Article Apparels

Website: Article Apparels
Where: 509 22nd Ave. S.W.

Change is Good

Website: Change is Good
Where: 1317 Ninth Ave. S.E.

Danielle's Consignment

Website: Danielle's Consignment
Where: 105, 908 17th Ave. S.W.

Feisty Consignment

Website: Feisty Consignment
Where: Bay 12, 2100 Fouth St. S.W.

Hello Vintage Inglewood

Website: Hello Vintage Inglewood
Where: 1228 Ninth Ave. S.E.

HG Vintage 17th

Website: HG Vintage 17th
Where: 720 17th Ave. S.W.

Kensington Konsignment

Website: Kensington Konsignment
Where: 130 10th St. N.W.

Kept Clothing Collective

Website: Kept Clothing Collective
Where: 1410 Fourth St. S.W.

Man of Distinction

Website: Man of Distinction
Where: 1416 Ninth Ave. S.E.

Prairie Bazaar Vintage

Website: Prairie Bazaar Vintage
Where: 918 Centre St. N

The Peacock | Boutique Consignment

Website: The Peacock | Boutique Consignment
Where:
- Inglewood – 1218C Ninth Ave. S.E.
- 17^th Avenue – 814 16th Ave. S.W.
- Kensington – 1145 Kensington Cres. N.W.

Trend Fashions

Website: Trend Fashions
Where: 120 10th St. N.W.

Value Village Boutique

Website: Value Village Boutique
Where: 120 Eighth Ave. S.W.

Wild Rabbit Vintage

Website: Wild Rabbit Vintage
Where: 112, 535 Eighth Ave. S.E.

WINS Thrift Store - Beltline

Website: WINS Thrift Store - Beltline
Where: 1005 11th Ave. S.W.

Worn Studio

Website: Worn Studio
Where: 915 Ninth Ave. S.E.

Zoe’s Store

Website: Zoe’s Store
Where: 1403 14th St. S.W.

Photo credit: Travel Alberta / Jeremy Fokkens, Peacock Boutique

Happy hours

After a long day, there are plenty of watering holes downtown to unwind with friends and quench your thirst with discounted prices.

*Please check the restaurant website for any changes to their happy hour menu.

Añejo

When: Daily from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. until close.
Deals: Anejo celebrates happy hour twice daily, every day of the week, including weekends. Enjoy a fantastic range of margarita, tequila and taco deals.
Where: 2, 2116 Fourth St. S.W.
Website: anejo.ca

Barbarella Bar

When: Daily from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Deals: Join this Amalfi Coast-inspired restaurant for its Aperitivo hour daily, and get half off all beverages and pizzas.
Where: 240 Eighth Ave. S.W.
Website: barbarellabar.ca

Blanco Cantina

When: Daily from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. until close
Deals: Whether you're looking for afternoon sips or late-night vibes, we’ve got you covered with killer drink deals and tasty tacos. Join us for the best happy hour around, because margaritas this good can’t be missed.
Where: 723 17th Ave S.W.
Website: blancocantina.ca

Bottlescrew Bill’s Pub

When: Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., all day Sunday
Deals: This classic pub and restaurant rolls out impressive happy hour specials on beer and hi-balls.
Where: 140 10th Ave. S.W.
Website: bottlescrewbill.com

Cannibale

When: Daily from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Deals: During its daily happy hour, cocktails are $10 — you can choose between a few classics, or ask the bartender about the feature cocktail. There’s also select beer, wine (red, white or rosé) for $6, or the beer and a shot deal for $8.
Where: 831 First Ave. N.E.
Website: cannibale.ca

Cleaver

When: All day every day.
Deals: Cleaver’s happy hour is practically a whole happy day.
Where: 102, 524 17th Ave. S.W.
Website: cleavercalgary.com

Donna Mac

When: Daily from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Deals: During its happy hour, Donna Mac has some excellent deals on snacks, including the famous fried chicken sandwich in slider form for $5, or the restaurant’s gouda and porcini cruller doughnuts for the same price. To join the food, select beers and wines are $6 each and bottles of wine are half off.
Where: 1002 Ninth St. S.W.
Website: Donna Mac

Free House

When: Tuesday to Saturday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and the last hour of service
Deals: Stop by Free House — a casual, multi-floor beer hall with rotating taps — during happy hour for deals on all craft beers. The deals include $6 per pint, glasses of wine that are $3 off per glass, or $12 signature cocktails. To accompany the beverages, grab a snack from the extensive snack menu.
Where: 1153 Kensington Cres. N.W.
Website: freehouseyyc.com

Goro + Gun

When: Weekdays from 2 to 7 p.m.
Deals: Its handy downtown mall location makes Goro + Gun an ideal spot for a post-work tipple, and the Japanese restaurant’s happy hour menu has turned Goro into a hot spot on weekday afternoons
Where: Scotia Centre, 225 Seventh Ave. S.W.
Website: goroandgun.ca

Gringo Street

When: All day from Sunday to Thursday.
Deals: Cleaver’s Latin sister restaurant and next-door neighbour offers plenty in terms of Happy Hour discounts and treats.
Where: 101, 524 17th Ave. S.W.
Website: gringost.com

The Guild

When: Monday to Friday 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday 4 to 6 p.m.
Deals: We’re serving up $6 glasses of select draught beer, 8oz glasses of wine for $9, $10 The Guild favourites and more. And if that weren’t sweet enough, we also have delicious bar bites to enjoy!
Where: 200 Eighth Ave. S.W.
Website: theguildrestaurant.com

Home & Away

When: Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Thursday 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. and all day Sunday
Deals: This sports bar is the place to be if you want to catch an afternoon game paired with $4 snacks like tacos and sliders, plus excellent deals on drinks.
Where: 1207 First St. S.W.
Website: homeandawayyyc.com

Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar

When: Weekdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m, and Sundays from 4 p.m. to close.
Deals: Inside the lounge during happy hour at Hy’s enjoy sharing and snacking menus, plus nice discounts on sparkling wines, feature cocktails and more.
Where: The Core, Eighth Ave. and Third St. S.W.
Website: hyssteakhouse.com

Klein/Harris

When: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close from Tuesday to Saturday.
Deals: The “happiest hour” offers discounts on wine, beer or sangria , and deals on large and small format cocktails. For food, small plates are $10, like the crispy pork shoulder bites or the house-ground “happiest hour” burger.
Where: 113 Eighth Ave. S.W.
Website: kleinharris.com

Last Best Brewing & Distilling

When: Available Monday to Thursday 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., 9 p.m. to midnight, Friday to Saturday 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. and all day Sunday.
Deals: Last Best’s wide selection of house brews, available for $6.50 during happy hour, are consistently flavourful and go especially well with its upscale bar snacks. The daily happy hour specials on both food and drink are best enjoyed if you belly up to a padded stool at Last Best’s long and brassy bar.
Where: 607 11th Ave. S.W.
Website: lastbestbrewing.com

Lonely Mouth

When: Daily from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Deals: If you have a hankering in the late afternoon for some Japanese udon, Lonely Mouth Bar is the place to go.
Where: 528 17th Ave. S.W.
Website: lonelymouthbar.com

Lulu Bar

When: Monday to Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday – Thursday from 9 p.m. – close.
Deals: This warm wood-and-teal oasis offers patrons a break from the hustle and bustle of city life in a laid-back atmosphere. Lulu Bar offers “Honolulu Hour,” with amazing deals to make you feel like you’re in paradise!
Where: 510 17th Ave. S.W.
Website: lulubar.ca

National

When: Monday to Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Deals: All booze half-price!
Where: 341 10th Ave S.W.
Website: Happy Hour | 10th — National

Photo credit: Travel Alberta / Davey Gravy, National/Bourbon Room

Getting here

Learn how you can get downtown by driving, taking Calgary Transit or walking, wheeling, running.