If you’re in the hunt for hidden gems in Calgary, you’ve come to the right place! Here’s a lovely neighbourhood in a less popular area of the city – Bowness.
Situated in the northwest part of Calgary, this dreamy destination provides a fun mix of experiences that both locals and visitors can enjoy. Whether you’re looking to play board games, or see the bow river up close, this guide will guide you on how to make the most out of your time while you’re in Bowness.
Table of Contents
How to Get Around
Taxis: To easily get around Bowness while saving time, going around using a taxi would be ideal. There are a lot of taxis around the area, so you can easily flag down the one you see on the street. Otherwise, you can also call the dispatch company (403-777-1111) or go to the taxi stands.
Bus: You can also travel in Bowness using the bus. To check out the complete bus routes in the area, you can go to this website. Be sure to download the MyFare app on your phone to efficiently pay for your bus ride beforehand. You can also pay via cash or using the monthly pass card.
Cycle: Since Bowness is bike-friendly, you can also travel around the neighbourhood using a bike.
Where to Stay in Bowness
Four Points by Sheraton Hotel & Suites
Address: 8220 Bowridge Crescent NW, Calgary, AB T3B 2V1, Canada
Phone: +1 403-288-4441
Pricing: $$
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Located in the rural area of Calgary, Four Points by Sheraton & Suites is the perfect accommodation for those looking for some fun outdoor activities like skiing. Moreover, it’s close to popular local destinations like Bowness Park and WinSport.
There are numerous amenities in their rooms that guests would find handy like mini fridges, work stations, and coffee makers. They also have other convenient amenities like a swimming pool, spa, a fitness centre and more.
They’re even a pet-friendly hotel so feel free to bring your pups with you on your trip!
Sandman Hotel & Suites
Address: 125 Bowridge Dr NW, Calgary, AB T3B 3R6, Canada
Phone: +1 403-288-6033
Pricing: $
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Sandman Hotel & Suites also offers amenities located in close proximity to the Rocky Mountain where guests can head to if they want to go skiing.
Aside from that, there are also nearby convenient destinations like the Denny’s 24 hour restaurant or the Bar One Urban Lounge where one can get a nightcap.
Otherwise, if you’re looking to stay active during your trip, this hotel also provides its guests access to fitness facilities and the indoor pool.
Where to Eat in Bowness
Angel’s Drive-in
Address: 8603 47 Ave NW, Calgary, AB T3B 2A1, Canada
Phone: +1 403-288-1009
Pricing: $
Website
Angel’s Drive-in offers delectable burgers for an affordable price. Their best selling flavor is the Bowness burger made up of onions, cheddar, pickles, lettuce, mayo-based sauce, and of course their 100% beef patty.
We also greatly enjoyed their Salisbury burger and crispy chicken burger. Aside from their delicious burger selections, they also have fries, salads, sandwiches, and more.
We also highly recommend ordering their milkshakes. While they have several classic options like chocolate and vanilla, they also have unique concoctions such as root beer, rum & butter, and licorice.
Wayback Burgers
Address: 3420 69 St NW Unit #130, Calgary, AB T3B 2J7, Canada
Phone: +1 403-453-0200
Pricing: $$
Website
Another burger joint to try when you find yourself in the Bowness neighbourhood of Calgary is Wayback Burgers.
They have a lot of delicious burgers to try, but our favorite would be the impossible melt. It’s a quarter-pound burger topped with sauteed onions, cajun remoulade sauce, swiss cheese, and meat made from plants.
You can also craft your own burger by choosing from their many veggie and sauce options.
Dell Cafe
Address: 28-7930 Bowness Rd NW, Calgary, AB T3B 0H2, Canada
Phone: +1 403-288-3606
Pricing: $
Website
If you’re looking for a place with tons of variety, you’d like the Dell Cafe. They have tasty Chinese soups, warm breakfast meals, and more! Their best sellers include pork chops and eggs benedict, which we also recommend you try.
Their restaurant is quite homey with their homemade treats, which makes it a great option for those looking for a local restaurant instead of the usual touristy spots.
Haandi Indian Cuisine
Address: 8607 48 Ave NW, Calgary, AB T3B 2B3, Canada
Phone: +1 403-454-9040
Pricing: $
Website
Haandi Indian Cuisine serves a lot of hearty, Indian classics in an atmosphere especially for families or large groups.
Their menu has a wide assortment of dishes from chicken and seafood, to lamb and even vegetarian. Our favorites have got to be their beef biryani, beef samosa, and tandoori prawns.
We also recommend trying their desserts if you have the chance, particularly the rice pudding.
BarBurrito
Address: 3440 69 St NW #180, Calgary, AB T3B 2J8, Canada
Phone: +1 587-317-8553
Pricing: $
Website
BarBurrito is for those with adventurous taste buds looking for a new approach to the classic Tex-Mex dishes.
They have several new items on their menu, which we also highly recommend – street tacos served in a variety of flavors. They have shrimp, veggies, chicken, and more.
Our old-time favorite would probably be the bean & cheese quesadilla, jerk chicken burrito, and oreo churros!
Where to Get Coffee in Bowness
Cadence Coffee
Address: 6407 Bowness Rd NW, Calgary, AB T3B 0E6, Canada
Phone: +1 403-247-9955
Pricing: $$
Website
Cadence Coffee is a cozy little nook located in the heart of the neighbourhood of Bowness. It’s a lot of locals’ go-to because of the delicious coffee they serve, each designed with a cute latte art on top!
Just like your favorite cafe, they also serve a lot of delicious meals, most of which are whole-day breakfast dishes, like eggs benny and omelette.
Where to Drink in Bowness
Leopold’s Tavern
Address: 6512 Bowness Rd NW, Calgary, AB T3B 0E9, Canada
Phone: +1 855-522-5367
Pricing: $$
Website
Leopold’s Tavern is a cool spot to drink in Bowness with its dimly lit lighting which is both cozy and welcoming.
They serve extremely delicious cocktails with their own twists such as squirlley temple (named after the Shirley Temple drink, obviously) and Phil Collins (made with Gordon’s gin, lemonade, and sode).
Aside from drinks, they also offer tasty bar chows including classic cheeseburger, curly fries, and more.
Bowness Pub
Address: 7930 Bowness Rd NW, Calgary, AB T3B 0H3, Canada
Phone: +1 403-288-8207
Pricing: $$
Website
Bowness Pub is a great local bar that offers different fun activities like happy hour Sundays, karaoke nights, and wing and rib nights.
If you want a great neighbourhood bar where lots of locals frequent, this is a great option. They also serve delicious meals, but our favorite thing to pair with our beer are the bow pub wings. Try them!
Avenue 16 Kitchen & Bar
Address: 8220 Bowridge Crescent NW, Calgary, AB T3B 2V1, Canada
Phone: +1 403-202-4408
Pricing: $$
Website
Avenue 16 Kitchen & Bar is a contemporary restaurant locally recognized for its upscale ambiance. It’s also a spot where locals can socialize among their own group of friends or other friendly locals.
They have diverse food options, combining both classic comfort food with fresh, inventive twists. It’s the same for their alcoholic beverages. They have skillfully concocted cocktails, craft beers, and specialty wines, so there are plenty of choices to consider.
What to Do in Bowness
Paddle around Bow River
Bow River is a popular river in Calgary. A lot of locals go here to go trout fishing especially when the weather is good.
You can also do that, but we highly recommend trying to paddle around the river. Not only is it a fun and exciting activity, you’ll also get the chance to see the famous river from an entirely different and more scenic perspective.
If you feel more comfortable having a professional to show you the way, we suggest signing up for Banff Adventures’ Bow River Tour. Otherwise, you can rent your own kayak at the Banff Canoe Club.
Ride the Bowness Park Mini Train
Address: Calgary, AB T3B 2B2, Canada
Phone: +1 403-247-0683
Website
Bowness is also home to a fun thing called the Bowness Park Mini Train. It’s exactly what the name entails, visitors can get to ride a mini train that would take you around a small area of the Bowness Park.
While mostly catered to kids, adults can ride it too! A single train ride costs only CAD$5.
Skate at Bowness Skate Park
Address: Calgary, AB, Canada
Website
You can bring your skateboard if you plan on going to this part of Calgary. Just head over to Bowness Skate Park to be able to enjoy the different obstacles to make your skating even more fun.
While we find it better for more advanced skaters, there are some areas in the park where beginners can also practice on their skateboard.
Climb the Bowness Stairs
Address: Calgary, AB T3B 5M7, Canada
Website
The Bowness Stairs are, well, of course, stairs, but what’s fascinating about them is the view you’ll get at the top! You’ll see the surrounding areas as well as a great view of the horizon.
While not really a touristy spot, visitors can still go here if they want to do something active while being surrounded by wide green spaces.
Play Board Games at Bowness Arts
Address: 6326 Bowness Rd NW, Calgary, AB T3B 0E5, Canada
Phone: +1 403-288-4926
Website
While you’re in the Bowness neighborhood, you can also enjoy playing your favorite board games at the Bowness Arts.
They have a board game cafe inside the store where guests can choose from among their many selection of board games to try. Additionally, they also serve drinks like hot chocolate, coffee, or tea.
You can also purchase their board games from their hefty collection that includes rare items. Aside from board games, they also sell books and vinyl.
