Skyline Views, Sunset Lookouts & Adventures Above the City
Sometimes the best way to experience a destination is to change your perspective. Literally.
Climb a hill, step onto an observation deck or settle into a restaurant high above the streets. From above, familiar neighborhoods become patterns, skyscrapers frame the horizon and an ordinary sunset becomes something extraordinary.
That’s the inspiration behind my Get High travel series: adventures that take you above it all. And Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a great place to start, with everything from a glass-floor observation deck to grassy ridges overlooking downtown.
Download the 2-page Getting High in Calgary Guide shared at the bottom of this post.
Calgary – Where City Life Meets the Great Outdoors
Calgary, in the Canadian province of Alberta, is a city of roughly 1.6 million people, known for its Western heritage, Calgary Stampede, modern skyline and proximity to the Canadian Rockies. Calgary also embraces the outdoors in a big way. More than 600 miles of pathways connect riverfront walks, neighborhoods and green spaces, while thousands of acres of parks make it easy to get outside and explore.
That blend of urban energy and accessible nature is part of Calgary’s appeal. Downtown towers rise above the Bow River, while scenic trails and hilltop lookouts are often only minutes away.
Stay Awhile – Calgary Is More Than a Gateway to Banff
For many travelers, Calgary is simply where they land before continuing to Banff National Park. And I understand why. Banff is phenomenal.
My husband and I spent several days exploring Calgary, and we discovered a city worth visiting in its own right. Between its restaurants, cultural attractions, riverfront pathways and urban parks, there was plenty to keep us busy. And, of course, we made time to get high, discovering some wonderful places to see Calgary from a different perspective.
Five Places to Get High in Calgary
1. Calgary Tower – A Bird’s-Eye View
Rising approximately 626 feet above downtown Calgary, Calgary Tower has been a recognizable part of the city’s skyline since 1968.
Its observation deck offers 360-degree views of Calgary, the surrounding prairies and, on a clear day, the distant Rocky Mountains. For an extra thrill, step onto the glass floor and look straight down at the streets far below.
Historical and geographical displays help put those panoramic views into perspective, adding a little insight into Calgary’s history, development and surrounding landscape.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 101 9 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta
- Parking: Calgary Tower Parkade at 120 10 Avenue SW. Paid hourly and daily parking.
- Admission: Paid admission; check current ticket prices before your visit.
- Time Needed: Allow approximately one hour to explore the observation deck and enjoy the views.
- Website: Calgary Tower
Why Get High Here? Calgary Tower is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Seeing Calgary from the top of this iconic tower is an experience worth adding to your itinerary.
2. Major Tom – Dining Above Downtown
Sometimes getting high is as simple as taking an elevator to dinner. Located on the 40th floor of Stephen Avenue Place, Major Tom combines an upscale dining experience with spectacular views across Calgary.
Named after David Bowie’s iconic character Major Tom, the restaurant has a fun, retro atmosphere with decor inspired by the 1980s. Add floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing Calgary’s skyline, and you’ve got a pretty spectacular setting for dinner.
The views are especially memorable as daylight fades and the city lights begin to sparkle. Whether you’re settling in for a delicious dinner or stopping by for cocktails, Major Tom is a wonderful place to enjoy Calgary from above.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 700 2 Street SW, 40th Floor, Calgary, Alberta
- Parking: Paid downtown parkades and metered street parking nearby.
- Cost: No admission fee. Food and beverages are priced according to the restaurant’s menu.
- Reservations: Recommended, especially for dinner and sunset hours.
- Website: Major Tom Bar
Why Get High Here? Delicious food, a fun retro atmosphere and a dining experience that’s just as memorable as the view.
3. McHugh Bluff & Crescent Heights Lookout – A Skyline Walk
Just across the Bow River from downtown, McHugh Bluff rises above the river valley, offering some of Calgary’s most impressive skyline views.
A pathway follows the ridge along Crescent Road, with benches and plenty of places to stop and take in the scenery. Across the Bow River, downtown’s high-rises create an impressive skyline, framed by bridges, neighborhoods and green spaces.
Want to add a little exercise? Take the stairs and connecting pathways up the bluff from the river valley below. Or skip the climb and enjoy the views from the upper neighborhood, where the lookout is easily accessible.
Plan Your Visit
- Location: Crescent Road NW, Calgary, Alberta
- Parking: Limited street parking along Crescent Road NW and nearby residential streets. Observe posted restrictions.
- Admission: Free.
- Walking Options: Enjoy a leisurely walk along the ridge or take the stairs and connecting pathways from the river valley below.
- Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon or sunset for changing light on the downtown skyline.
Why Get High Here? It’s a chance to slow down, stretch your legs and appreciate Calgary’s remarkable balance of urban energy and natural beauty.
4. Scotsman’s Hill – Sunset Above Stampede Park
In Calgary’s Ramsay neighborhood, Scotsman’s Hill is one of the best places to capture that classic Calgary skyline photograph. From this grassy hillside overlooking Stampede Park, downtown skyscrapers rise behind the distinctive roof of the Scotiabank Saddledome.
The hill is particularly beautiful late in the day, when the setting sun casts its glow across the skyline. During the annual Calgary Stampede, it’s also a favorite gathering place for watching fireworks over the city.
There’s nothing complicated about enjoying Scotsman’s Hill. Find a spot along the ridge, settle onto a park bench or spread out a blanket, and enjoy the view.
Plan Your Visit
- Location: Ramsay neighborhood, Calgary, Alberta
- Navigation: Scotsman’s Hill, Calgary, AB T2G 4K2
- Parking: Limited street parking in the surrounding residential neighborhood. Observe posted restrictions.
- Admission: Free.
- Walking Options: Nearby pathways and stairs offer opportunities for a longer walk.
- Best Time to Visit: Sunset or after dark for illuminated skyline views.
Why Get High Here? Sometimes the simplest experiences are the most memorable, especially when they come with a view like this one.
5. Nose Hill Park – Prairie Trails & Wide-Open Views
To hike to high-altitude views, head to Nose Hill Park in northwest Calgary.
Covering close to 3,000 acres, Nose Hill is one of Calgary’s largest natural areas. Its rolling hills, native grasslands and extensive network of trails provide a welcome escape from the busy streets below.
From the higher elevations, you can look out across Calgary, the surrounding prairie and, on a clear day, the distant Rocky Mountains.
Unlike the more developed skyline lookouts, Nose Hill feels like an escape into nature. Choose a short walk or spend several hours exploring its network of pathways and trails.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 6465 14 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta
- Parking: Free visitor parking at several park entrances, including 14 Street NW and Shaganappi Trail NW.
- Admission: Free.
- Walking Options: An extensive trail network offers short walks and longer hikes across the grasslands.
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon for softer light and expansive views.
- Website: City of Calgary – Nose Hill Park
Why Get High Here? It’s an opportunity to leave the busy city streets behind and experience the wide-open spaces and natural landscapes that make Calgary’s outdoor culture so special.
The View From Above
You don’t have to climb a mountain to find an extraordinary view. In Calgary, an observation deck, a high-rise restaurant and a handful of hills gave us five different perspectives on the city. Some came with a delicious meal, while others invited us to lace up our hiking shoes and explore.
Before heading west to the Rockies, stay awhile. Calgary has plenty worth discovering, including a whole new perspective from above.