Calgary/Northeast

Northeast Calgary is a district in Calgary. The Northeast is full of variety: upstart breweries spicing up faceless warehouses, a Ukrainian Orthodox cathedral standing beside new concrete and glass condos, a shining mosque dome overlooking the airport, and cookie-cutter housing and prefab concrete spreading as far as the eye can see.

Understand

Close to downtown, the neighbourhoods of Bridgeland and Crescent Heights, are older, more historic, more bougie, and are very walkable by Calgary standards. Here is where you hear stories of the early immigrants and witness a new wave of gentrification. It's the home of St. Vladimir's, many seniors' residences, the Italian supermarket, and trendy eateries and coffeeshops where the staff invariably wear a denim apron. The Bow River is close by with opportunities for recreation and plenty of scenic vistas for strolls and cycling, and St. George's Island park provides a striking example of contemporary art and architecture intersecting with nature.

Further away from downtown is a much younger city perhaps best symbolized by Calgary's mayor elected in 2010 (and re-elected in 2013, and 2016), Naheed Nenshi. An Ismaili Muslim and the son of immigrants from Tanzania of Indian heritage, the Northeast is his home. Many Calgarians here have a similar story of coming from other countries, weaving their many cultures and languages into the city. Physically, this part of the Northeast is generic suburban sprawl punctuated by massive big-box stores, albeit with the twist of more businesses catering to many different diaspora and immigrant communities. Bring a car.

The Calgary International Airport is also located in the Northeast.

Get in

By plane
  • 🌍 Calgary International Airport (YYC IATA) (take Airport Trail (exit 266) from Deerfoot Trail (Hwy 2)), ☏ +1 403-735-1234. The domestic terminal has three lettered concourses (A,B,and C), which are also labelled as meeting places, easy points of reference. The international terminal was completed in 2016 and has Concourse D for international flights (non-US destinations) and Concourse E for US bound flights. The airport is well-served by Canadian and international carriers. The airport has "White Hat Volunteers" dressed in white cowboy hats and red vests who are quite friendly and more than happy to direct you and answer questions. 

By CTrain

Northeast Calgary is serviced by the CTrain Blue Line, part of the light rail transit system operated by Calgary Transit. Leaving downtown, it travels down the centre of Memorial Drive and 36 Street NE terminating at Saddletowne station. Stops of interest include (from west to east):

  • Calgary Zoo: near the Zoo and Telus Spark (science centre)
  • Rundle: near Sunridge Mall
  • McKnight-Westwinds: transit hub with bus connection to the Calgary International Airport (route #100).

By bus

Northeast 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 NE (west of 36 Street NE), connecting Northwest Calgary with Saddletowne CTrain station.
  • #300 (BRT): express bus with limited stops; runs down Centre Street and 96 Avenue NE, connecting City Centre with the Calgary International Airport.
  • #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).
  • #3: runs down Centre Street south of 78 Avenue N, connecting to City Centre.
  • #4: northbound from City Centre along Edmonton Trail and 4 Street NE, continues into Northwest Calgary and returns to City Centre (reverse of #5).
  • #5: southbound from Northwest Calgary along 4 Street NE and Edmonton Trail, continues to City Centre (reverse of #4).
  • #19: runs down 16 Avenue NE (west of Russet Road), connecting Northwest Calgary with Rundle CTrain station.
  • #23: runs down 52 Street NE/Falconridge Blvd
  • #100: connects McKnight-Westwinds CTrain station with the Calgary International Airport and North Pointe Park & Ride.

By car

Calgary's two major highways, Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) and Highway 2 (Queen Elizabeth II Highway) intersect in Northeast Calgary. Stoney Trail (Highway 201), Calgary's ring road, connects to other regions of the city.

Deerfoot Trail (Highway 2), is the main north-south freeway through Calgary, and during off-peak times is the best way from Southeast Calgary and Southwest Calgary. Memorial Drive provides access to the City Centre from Deerfoot Trail, with Edmonton Trail and Centre Street serve as good alternative routes. Memorial Drive, 16 Avenue NE (Highway 1), McKnight Boulevard, Beddington Trail, and Country Hills Boulevard are major routes that connect to Northwest Calgary.

See

Neighbourhoods of interest
  • 🌍 Bridgeland (Bridgeland-Riverside) (Edmonton Trail on the west, Tom Campbell's Hill on the east, Bridge Crescent NE on the north, and the Bow River/Memorial Drive/Zoo on the south). An urban revitalization area northeast of the downtown. Although the community has long been Calgary's "Little Italy" (hence the abundance of Italian restaurants in the area), the demolition of the old General Hospital in 1998 sparked a long-term project redevelop much of the era. The area is expected to be a family oriented Pearl District (see Portland, Oregon) and the initial phases are already done. The area includes posh shops, chic apartments, and beautiful lofts, while maintaining the old charm of the distinct houses. The area is undergoing massive gentrification due to its proximity to downtown and the now cleaned up East Village. It is a great area to walk through for those interested in architecture and planning. The far eastern end of Bridgeland connects with the Calgary Zoo and Telus Spark Science Centre. Tom Campbell's Hill is an excellent viewpoint of downtown. (updated Apr 2019)
  • 🌍 Crescent Heights (16 Ave N (Trans-Canada Hwy) on the north, Edmonton Tr on the east, 4 St NW on the west, and Bow River/Memorial Dr on the south). Bisected by Centre Street N with the western portion situated in the Northwest, Crescent Heights has become the northern extension of Chinatown, located on the opposite side of the Centre Street Bridge in the City Centre. Features a network of Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and other Asian restaurants, shops, and markets. The Crescent Road viewpoint, located at the top of the Bow River valley, offers stunning views of the downtown core. (updated Jun 2019)

Museums & educational attractions
  • 🌍 Calgary Zoo, 1300 Zoo Rd NE (CTrain Blue Line to Calgary Zoo station), ☏ +1 403-232-9300. 9AM-5PM. The world-class Calgary Zoo is home to over 1,000 animals from all over the world, as well as to the Botanical Garden and a Prehistoric Park for dinosaur lovers. It is the second largest zoo in Canada. $29.95/adult, $27.95/senior, $19.95/child. (updated Apr 2019)
  • 🌍 The Hangar Flight Museum (formerly Aero Space Museum of Calgary), 4629 McCall Way NE (near McKnight Blvd & 19 St NE; immediately south of the Calgary International Airport), ☏ +1 403-250-3752, . 10AM-4PM daily. Over 24 aircraft are on display, as well as 58 aeronautical engines. A section details the Canadian space programs. Archives containing documents about aeronautics are also located on the premises. Adults $15, Senior (65+) $11, Student (12-17 or valid student ID) $10, Children (3-11), Children (0-2) free, Family $35. (updated Apr 2019)
  • 🌍 Telus Spark (formerly the Telus World of Science), 220 St. George's Dr NE (in the NE at the crossing of Memorial Drive and Deerfoot Trail), ☏ +1 403-268-8300, . Su-F 9AM-4PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, first Th of each month 9AM-9PM, second Th 9AM-4PM, then reopens to 18+ only 6PM-10PM. Founded as the Calgary Science Centre in 1967, it took this name when it moved to a new building in 2011. It is a place where people of all ages and abilities can put their imagination into action. Constructed on over 18 acres of reclaimed land, the new 153,000 ft² (14,200 m2) facility features over one hundred hands-on exhibits, four exhibit galleries, plus a travelling exhibition gallery, an expanded and enhanced Creative Kids Museum, Calgary's only HD digital Dome Theatre, a new Presentation Theatre and Learning Centre, a 10,000 ft² (930 m2) atrium, and a 4 acres (1.6 hectares) outdoor park. $19.95 (adult/youth). (updated Apr 2019)

Parks
  • 🌍 Prairie Winds Park, 223 Castleridge Blvd NE (near the McKnight-Westwinds LRT station, southeast of Metis Tr & 64 Ave NE). 16-hectare park in northeast Calgary, hosts the Country Thunder annual country music festival in mid-August. (updated Mar 2019)
  • 🌍 St. Patrick's Island Park, 1300 Zoo Road NE. 5AM-11PM. St. Patrick’s Island Park lies in the Bow River between the East Village to the south, and the community of Bridgeland to the north. The park boasts hiking and biking trails, a public plaza and amphitheatre, children’s play area, public washrooms, a small hill, and restored river channels. (updated May 2019)

Do
  • 🌍 The Rec Room, 1180-901 64 Ave NE (in Deerfoot City), ☏ +1 587-535-6077, . M-Th 4-11PM, F 4PM-midnight, Sa noon-midnight, Su noon-11PM. Part of a national chain similar to the American Dave and Buster's, this giant complex is an arcade, restaurant and bar rolled into one. Also features various simulators and VR experiences. Family-friendly and licensed. (updated Jun 2020)

Buy
  • 🌍 CrossIron Mills, 261055 CrossIron Blvd, Rocky View (10 minutes north of the city on Highway 2 (Deerfoot Trail)), ☏ +1 403-984-6800. This large indoor mall is in the neighbouring hamlet of Balzac, north of Calgary. Similar in format to other "mills" malls, it has many well-known stores and outlets as the first new enclosed mall to be built in the Calgary area in a generation. Plan on driving; it's the only way to get there. (updated Apr 2019)
  • 🌍 Deerfoot City (formerly Deerfoot Outlet Mall), At Deerfoot Trail and 64 Ave NE. Anchor tenants include Wal-Mart Supercentre, Winners, and Rec Room. In the process of being redeveloped into an open-air shopping and entertainment district. (updated Apr 2019)
  • 🌍 Sunridge Mall, 2525 36 St NE (along 36 St NE, north of 16 Ave NE (Trans-Canada Hwy); adjacent to the Rundle LRT station). Large indoor mall in northeast Calgary. (updated Apr 2019)
  • 🌍 Marlborough Mall, 3800 Memorial Dr NE (36 St NE & Memorial Dr, near the Marlborough LRT station). Mid-sized shopping mall with 100 stores and services. (updated Apr 2019)
  • 🌍 Country Hills Town Centre (Country Hills Blvd & Coventry Hills Blvd). Suburban, open air shopping centre (powercentre). Addition powercentre Coventry Hills Centre located to the north at Country Village Rd & Harvest Hills Blvd. (updated Apr 2019)

Eat

Budget
  • 🌍 Boogies Burgers, 908A Edmonton Trail NE, ☏ +1 403-230-7070. M-Sa 11AM-9PM, Su noon-9PM. Large burgers on a fresh bun served in many one of a kind creations. Shakes made with real ice cream & milk; regular, spicy & yam fries. $5-13. (updated Nov 2018)
  • 🌍 Flirty Bird, 827 1 Ave NE (Bridgeland). Daily 11AM-7PM. Serves Nashville Hot Chicken. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Lucky Supermarket, 3333 Sunridge Way NE, ☏ +1 403-717-0770. M-Sa 9AM-9PM, Su 9AM-8PM. A supermarket with a focus on southeast Asian foods, with a 'gourmet street food' cafeteria. $6-$15 for main and beverage. (updated Jun 2020)
  • 🌍 T&T Supermarket (Harvest Hills), #1000 - 9650 Harvest Hills Blvd NE (From Deerfoot Trail, take exit 266, follow signs for 96 Ave N westbound), ☏ +1 403-237-6608. Daily 9AM-9:30PM. Near the airport, this giant Asian supermarket offers ready-to-eat meals and a dining area. Many options including noodles, dim sum, and sushi. A second location is in the Pacific Place mall near Marlborough Mall. $7-15 for a main and beverage. (updated Jun 2020)

Mid-range

Splurge
  • 🌍 La Brezza Ristorante, 990 1 Ave NE, ☏ +1 403-262-6230. Lunch: Tu-F 11:30AM-2:30PM; dinner: Su-Th 5:30-9PM, F Sa 5-10PM. This Italian restaurant in Bridgeland has been in business since 1987. Main dishes $24-45. (updated Jun 2015)
  • 🌍 The Cattle Baron (The Cattle Baron Alberta Steak House & Bar), 3340 26 Street NE, ☏ +1 403-250-2595. Recognized as Calgary's premiere casual steakhouse, the CattleBaron offers quality Alberta beef, carefully selected wines, and western hospitality and service. Mains $16-49. (updated Apr 2019)

International

Take-out only restaurants
  • 🌍 Peter's Drive-In, 219 16 Ave NE, ☏ +1 403-277-2747, . Daily 9AM-midnight. Classic drive-through burger joint. Locally-famous burgers, fries, onion rings, and milkshakes at very affordable prices. Big portions – a large fry is the size of a shoebox, a large onion ring order is the size of a lunch bag. Park in the adjacent lot and walk up to the front windows; you'll get faster service than in the drive-through and you can eat at one of their picnic tables. The finest milkshake in the city; thick and made with real fruit (over 20 flavours!) Some feel that the quality of the hot food has declined, but most agree that the shakes still rock. $10/meal (burger, shake, onion rings)'. 

Drink
  • 🌍 Cannibale, 813 1 Ave NE, ☏ +1 403-454-5808. Bar: Su-Th 4PM-midnight, F Sa noon-2AM; Barber Su 10AM-4PM, M 10AM-6PM, Tu-Sa 9AM-9PM. Serves cocktails, fine spirits, craft beer, wine and food. Classic full-service barber shop located inside. (updated Apr 2019)
  • 🌍 Fiddlers Courtyard, 726 Edmonton Tr NE, ☏ +1 403-250-5065. Su 9AM-1AM, M-W 11:30AM-1AM, Th F 11:30AM-2AM, Sa 9AM-2AM. British pub (updated Apr 2019)

Cafés

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

Microbreweries
  • 🌍 Common Crown, 943 28 St NE. M-Sa 2PM-8PM. Closed Sundays. (updated Jun 2020)
  • 🌍 Tool Shed, #9 801 30 St NE, ☏ +1 403-775-1749. W-F 1-7PM, Sa noon-7PM, Su 1-5PM, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. (updated Jun 2020)
  • 🌍 Heathen's, #7 3300 14 Ave NE, . W-Th 3-7PM, F Sa 3-9PM, Su 3-6PM, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. (updated Jun 2020)
  • 🌍 Railyard Brewing, #121 10301 19 St NE (A very short drive or cab ride from the airport.), ☏ +1 403-465-4831. Opens at noon daily, check website or social media. Few international airports can boast a craft brewery this close by. (updated Jun 2020)

Sleep

As the Northeast hosts the Airport, there are plenty of chain hotels all throughout. If you are seeking more character in your stay, consider looking in Bridgeland, Crescent Heights, or Downtown.

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

Bed & Breakfast

Campgrounds and RV parks

Connect
  • Calgary Public Library, ☏ +1 403-260-2600. Wifi available, free memberships available only to Calgary residents, guest passes available. 
    • 🌍 Judith Umbach Library (Calgary Public Library), 6617 Centre Street NW. M-Th 10AM-9PM, F 10AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. (updated Apr 2019)
    • 🌍 Country Hills Library (Calgary Public Library), 11950 Country Village Link NE (Vivo for Healthier Generations). M-Th 9AM-9PM, F 9AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. (updated Apr 2019)
    • 🌍 Saddletowne Library (Calgary Public Library), #150 7555 Falconridge Boulevard NE (Genesis Centre (Saddletowne YMCA)). M-Th 9AM-9PM, F 9AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. (updated Apr 2019)
    • 🌍 Village Square Library (Calgary Public Library), 2623 56 Street NE (Village Square Leisure Centre). M-Th 9AM-9PM, F 9AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. (updated Apr 2019)

Stay safe

Go next
Routes through Northeast
Banff ← Northwest ←  W  E  → Chestermere → Medicine Hat
Edmonton ← Airdrie ←  N  S  → Southeast → Fort Macleod / Lethbridge
Southwest ← Northwest ←  W  S  → Southeast → Southwest
Southwest ← City Centre ←  W  E  → END


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