5 minute read
Explore the inner city in the springtime
Take a trip downtown for a change of pace
By Stacie Gaetz
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It can be hard to know what to do with the kids to pass a morning or afternoon in the spring.
Maybe you’re getting tired of the playgrounds and restaurants near your house or it’s too slushy to play outside, but you’re looking for something new to get everybody off the couch.
Calgary’s inner city neighborhoods have some great local spots to explore that provide hours of fun without spending a ton of money.
n KENSINGTON
Whether you drive down and park in the area or take the train, start your adventure with a trip to Riley Park and the Senator Patrick Burns Memorial Rock Garden. The gardens were constructed in the 1950s with more than 20,000 pieces of flagstone from the senator's demolished mansion. Dip your toes in the wading pool starting in mid-June, or try your hand at one of the cricket pitches. The park also includes picnic tables, a playground, and washrooms.
After you have worked up an appetite, head down 10th Street for a bite to eat at one of the area’s well-known restaurants and bakeries. Pie Junkie and Crave Cupcakes come to mind for sweet treats, or have ramen for lunch at Menyatai Japanese Noodles. For a blast from the past, walk all the way down to the original Chicken on The Way – it’s barely changed since it opened in the 1960s! While there are tons of great spots for coffee in Kensington, don’t miss Higher Ground and The Roasterie, the two classic stops in the neighborhood. There is a reason Kensington is a favorite spot for Calgary’s foodies!
Spend a couple of hours playing some board games together at Hexagon Board Game Cafe, or plan ahead to catch a familyfriendly film or special feature at The Plaza Theatre right across the street. Kids love the old-fashioned aesthetic of The Plaza, and it’s a fun opportunity to talk about how much going to the movies has changed over the years!
Stop into any of the more than 200 shops and stores in the community if you’re in the mood to shop. Whether you are looking for clothes, toys, art, candy, or anything in between, you can find it in Kensington.
Keep on trekking across Memorial Drive for a stroll along the river to check out some of the local art installations and architecture, wildlife that call the riverbank home and beautiful flora in the area.
Infant Eye Care Doctor’s Note:
Dr. Jean Shen, Optometrist
An infant eye exam is an important step towards ensuring your child is seeing correctly and there are no eye health issues. Book baby’s eye exam with your optometrist now.
Visit infanteyecare.ca to learn more.
n BRIDGELAND
This eclectic community northeast of the downtown core is like a charming little town of its own. With everything from renowned restaurants to outdoor attractions, the walkable neighborhood has something for every member of the family.
Start the day off right with brunch at OEB Breakfast Co., Blue Star Diner or Mondays Plant Cafe (for veggie-friendly offerings). Once you are fuelled up, head over to Flyover Park. The first park of its kind in western Canada, Calgary’s Flyover Park has reclaimed the forgotten space under the 4th Avenue overpass between the new Calgary Entertainment District and one of Calgary's oldest neighborhoods, Bridgeland-Riverside, creating a vibrant community hub. Designed in collaboration with Grade 6 students, University of Calgary Landscape Architecture Students and Stantec, the park includes tiered seating, unique play features and artistic features to beautify the space. If you prefer, you can stop in at Murdoch Park to see a wall of bricks from the old General Hospital, play in the playground, or kick a ball around the soccer field.
There are plenty of great stores to check out in Bridgeland, too – stop into the Bridgeland Market for a wide variety of locally-sourced goods and groceries, grab a treat for your furry friend at Doodle Dogs, or just browse the many boutique shops up and down the street at your leisure.
If all of that playing has you searching for a sweet treat, a visit to Bridgeland is simply not complete without a stop in to try the famous soft serve at Luke’s Drug Mart!
n INGLEWOOD
This classic Calgary main street has everything from trendy restaurants to charming shops to classic meeting spots, making this neighborhood perfect for families. It’s also home to a huge number of Calgary’s original heritage homes, making it a beautiful place to walk through in any season.
If you need a caffeine boost to get your day rolling, stop into one of the area’s incredible coffee shops. Gravity Espresso and Wine Bar and Rosso Coffee Roasters are two of our favorites!
Now that you are re-energized, it’s time to take a stroll to the Inglewood Wildlands Park. This 36-hectare wildlife reserve may seem out of place in the inner-city community, but its two kilometres of pathways offer gorgeous views of some animals you might not expect to see downtown, including herons and the redbreasted nuthatch.
The park is also home to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Nature Centre and very near to Pearce Estate Park with Bow Habitat Station if you’d like to learn about the important work of this fish hatchery along the way!
If your stomach is telling you it’s time for lunch, Spolumbo’s is an absolute Calgary icon, with super delicious Italian sausages and deli offerings. The Inglewood Drive-In is an old-school classic, with a cheap and cheerful burger joint menu to fill your belly – don’t miss the Dole Whip for a taste of the Stampede all year round!
Depending on when you’re planning to make your visit, Inglewood is also regularly home to some of the city’s best festivals, including JazzYYC in April. It’s also regularly home to the Inglewood Night Market during the warmer months.
Calgary’s inner-city communities are a great place to spend a few hours with the kids. Whether you want to take in some fantastic food, check out some amazing art or become one with nature, these three neighborhoods offer a variety of options and give you something new to look forward to! CCM
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iconic Canadian species with the redevelopment of Canadian Wilds.
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