Discover Calgary : Calgary Neighbourhoods

The city of Calgary is divided into four parts: northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest, and this makes sense when deciphering the addresses. Addresses can have the same number and street name, with only the cardinal points differing, hence the importance of not making mistakes when entering them. Separated from north to south by the Bow River, extended by Memorial Drive, Chinatown borders the west and east of the city, along Centre Street. Stephen Avenue is the main artery of the city. The avenues are generally from east to west and the streets from north to south. It's hard to get lost in Calgary once you master the system and the Ctrain connects the main areas of the city with tourist attractions such as the Calgary Zoo, the Stampede, etc. Air corridors (+15 or +30) connect several buildings, so it is possible to go from Downtown to Chinatown.

Downtown

^8th Avenue (Stephen Avenue between Barclay Mall and Macleod Trail SE) is the commercial artery of the city. This pedestrian walkway provides access to the various shopping malls connected by overhead corridors, indicated by blue +15 or +30 signs, meaning 15 or 30 feet above ground. Not far from the Tower and the Town Hall, the small Olympic Plaza hosts concerts and open-air theatre performances in the summer. In winter, it is transformed into an ice rink.

The 11th Avenue, aka Electric Avenue, lives up to its nickname. Here, the illuminated pediments of many country bars and restaurants flicker late at night. The Olympic Plaza was the site of the 1988 Olympic Games medal ceremonies. Every brick in the square was engraved with the names of Calgary residents who contributed to the Olympics.

Chinatown. The Asian community is clustered along Centre Street near Bow River. Small traditional grocery stores, restaurants, shops and, most importantly, the Chinese Cultural Centre (197^1stStreet SW).

Inglewood and the Southeast

Inglewood is Calgary's oldest neighbourhood, founded in 1880, on^9th Avenue SE, between^10th and^12th Streets. Today it is a fairly hip neighbourhood where Calgarians like to hang out. By car or on foot, climb the heights of Salisbury Street for one of the best views of the Saddledome and the downtown Calgary buildings behind it. Gorgeous at sunset!

East Village, located just north of Inglewood, is one of the city's newest trendy neighbourhoods. With the River Walk, St. Patrick's Island Park and the historic Simmons Building, it's the place to enjoy summer and the city's latest culinary delights.

Mission and Southwest

From^4th Street South to the Elbow River, Mission District was the neighborhood where the Quebec missionaries settled. Today, it is mostly restaurants, shops and old restored buildings.^17th Avenue is a good choice if you are looking for a restaurant or bar to spend the evening.

Kensington and the North

Kensington is a neighbourhood straddling the Bow River, north of Downtown. It has the largest concentration of cafes in the city as well as small shops.