Share this tour
Offered languages
- English
- English
Explore Calgary's Bow River at your own pace on an 8 km, self-guided audio tour you can walk or bike. Allow about 2.5–3 hours for 31 narrated points of interest, from the Peace Bridge and Prince's Island Park to The Confluence (formerly Fort Calgary), Inglewood and Harvie Passage.
Your smartphone's GPS triggers the stories as you go, while a live route map shows where you are and what comes next. Download the tour before setting out for offline use, pause whenever you like, and return to it later—there is no in-person guide or fixed schedule.
The route is mainly outdoors, with exterior and pass-by views of landmarks; admission and interior access are separate. Check current pathway conditions and follow signed detours, as riverside construction or seasonal closures may affect individual segments without preventing you from enjoying the tour.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Start on the Bow River Pathway near Mewata Bridge, west of Cowboys Park. Follow the app—no guide will meet you.
The self-guided route ends at Pearce Estate Park, 1440 17A St SE.
Itinerary
-
(Pass by)
Admire Contemporary Calgary's former planetarium, now a lively art gallery; exhibition admission is separate.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Enjoy the riverfront energy of Cowboys Park, where Calgary's skate culture meets the Bow River pathway.
Admission ticket free -
Mewata Armoury (Pass by)
Admire Mewata Armoury's red-brick Tudor Revival exterior, a striking landmark beside the river.
Admission ticket free -
Avatamsaka Buddhist Monastery (Pass by)
Admire Avatamsaka Buddhist Monastery's ornate exterior against downtown's skyline and enjoy the tour's Back to the Past story.
Admission ticket free -
Peace Bridge (Pass by)
Cross the bright red Peace Bridge for sweeping Bow River views and a memorable Calgary photo stop.
Admission ticket free -
Prince's Island Park (Pass by)
Explore Prince's Island Park's leafy paths and river views, a green retreat in the heart of Calgary.
Admission ticket free -
Prince's Island Park (Pass by)
Follow the Chevron Learning Pathway at Prince's Island and discover the park that hosts the Calgary Folk Music Festival.
Admission ticket free -
Sien Lok Park (Pass by)
Discover Sien Lok Park's Chinatown heritage and its moving In Search of Gold Mountain sculpture.
Admission ticket free -
Centre Street Bridge (Pass by)
Look up at the Centre Street Lions on Calgary's historic bridge, then enjoy the tour's Castaway story by the river.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pause at the Holodomor Memorial to honour the victims of the 1932–33 famine in Ukraine.
Admission ticket free -
St. Patrick's Island Park (Pass by)
Wander St. Patrick's Island Park for river views, wetlands and playful spaces in the East Village.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
See the exterior of The Confluence, formerly Fort Calgary, and explore the meeting of the Bow and Elbow rivers on Blackfoot Confederacy land.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Cross Inglewood Bridge for views of the Bow River and Calgary's historic east-end neighbourhood.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Admire the restored Deane House and nearby Hunt House from outside, two landmarks of Calgary's early history.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
See the New Zoo Bridge beside the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, with river views along this shared path; zoo admission is separate.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Find Ripple+, a circular public artwork near the Bow River that invites reflection on nature and Indigenous connections to place.
Admission ticket free -
Inglewood (Pass by)
Stroll Inglewood's heritage streets and arts scene while the tour's 'Et tu, Brute?' story adds a playful twist.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Explore Bridgeland's lively streets and riverfront, shaped by generations of newcomers to Calgary.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Discover Bow Habitat Station beside the river and its fish hatchery; indoor exhibits require separate admission.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Take in Harvie Passage from the lookout and watch paddlers navigate the Bow River's rushing channels.
Admission ticket free -
Harvie Passage (Pass by)
See Harvie Passage's rebuilt channels, a scenic stretch of the Bow River popular with paddlers.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Finish beside the Pearce Estate Wetland, where boardwalks and birdlife bring the Bow River's ecology into focus.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This is an 8 km, primarily outdoor walking or cycling route on city pathways. Surfaces and signed detours may vary during riverfront construction, especially near St. Patrick’s Island and Bridgeland; check current City of Calgary pathway closures before setting out. Nearby buildings can be closed without preventing the outdoor tour.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Your guide to the flawless travel experience
Popular Countries
Get our app
