Calgary’s got a lot more on its plate than just awesome beef, the phenomenal Rocky Mountains and gorgeous scenery. Whether you’ve got money to blow, or you’re after a bargain, Calgary has a number of cool shopping districts with great boutiques, lofty malls and vintage outlets. Our local insiders have the scoop.
Located downtown, this modern shopping centre is reachable via Calgary’s +15 Skyway system, a pedestrian walkway that sits 15ft (5m) above the ground. The mall’s suspended glass skylight spans the entire length of the building and is one of the city’s architectural highlights. It’s the top destination for high-end luxury goods, fashion, jewelry and perfume. Recommended by local insider Stuart Forster
CF Market Hall is one of Calgary’s biggest shopping outlets, and most popular with families. It’s got roughly 200 independent stores selling familiar brands of jewelry, footwear and clothes. Dig in – you’ll need a couple of fleeces if you’re visiting Calgary in the winter! It’s also a destination in itself, as it has a number of on-site restaurants, fast-food treats and a cinema. Recommended by local insider Stuart Forster
Whether it’s back-to-school shopping, last-minute gifts for Christmas or seasonal updates for your wardrobe, you can pretty much guarantee Southcenter Mall will not disappoint. Located in the leafy neighbourhood of Willow Park, the mall boasts 200 stores spread across two floors. And if the kids are getting a little rowdy, you can always drop them off in the playpen while ingesting large amounts of coffee (Analog Coffee’s espressos are always a safe bet). Recommended by local insider Yamila Godoy
Stuck for date ideas, or just want somewhere to while away a few hours? TD Square (located inside the Core Shopping Centre) is one of Calgary’s finer shopping spaces, designed with stone floors, natural light and a series of water fountains dotted around the food court. Recommended by local insider Yamila Godoy
If you’re passing through Rocky View County, stop off at CrossIron Mills, Alberta’s largest single-level shopping mall. It’s a family-friendly favourite, with sections separated into different “neighborhoods”, including the sports neighborhood, ranch neighborhood, fashion neighborhood and resources neighborhood. If you’re here for entertainment, check out the Rodeo Court and the Wind Court, where you can peek into Alberta’s heritage of rodeos and folklore. The building’s features are all inspired by geographic regions, landmarks and cultural icons, so it really is a shopping centre/museum gone mad. Recommended by local insider Coco Hiu Tung
If you’re brand name conscious, stop off at CF Chinook Hall, located near Meadlark Park. It’s your one-stop shop for Nordstrom gear, Saks Fifth Avenue pieces and Louis Vuitton. It’s also home to the only Lego store in the city, and boasts a massive movie theatre. The best part? We can’t decide between the bowling center and the restored carousel. Take a spin and let us know. Recommended by local insider Coco Hiu Tung